So we’re going to talk about - so the topic of today's thing is from day one, I mean the top 10 things you need that you must have to start a business and I'm going to try to debunk some of the school and Silicon Valley and VC a little bit as we go. So #10, the first thing you need is comfortabl...
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As a company grows and develops, it is possible that its methods for design and production change, says Levinson. The company may also look to new avenues of possible innovations. He describes the changes Finisar has seen over the years.
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Levinson discusses the starting point of Finisar, and why he founded it. He also talks about the initial months of the business and trying to make a profit.
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Levinson believes leadership skills are vital in maintaining a successful company. These skills include being able to see into the future, and predict where the company should go. He talks about the possible future of Finisar.
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Number 8 in Frank Levinson’s Top 10 Things You Must Have to Start a Business. Levinson believes you need "too little" money. He uses the famous coconuts from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" as an example.
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Frank Levinson, founder of Finisar, begins his talk with a story about a failed startup of his, Netek. Netek is an example of company that had all of the components that are commonly considered to be necessary - idea, business plan, VC investment, team and space. But even with all of that, Netek...
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The rate at which a company grows will vary for each individual venture, says Levinson. Sustaining the growth can be a tricky thing. He explains Finisar’s rapid growth and weighs the pros and cons of quick growth and sustainability.
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Number 2 in Frank Levinson’s Top 10 Things You Must Have to Start a Business. Levinson talks about how a real business involves selling to customers and receiving money in return. He warns new businesses not to shy away from selling their products early on. He also gives advice on recognizing a r...
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When starting a company, it’s important to tell your family that they'll rarely see you, says Levinson, and to tell them how important they are to the whole process. The stress involved with a startup is often mind-boggling, and the support of family can be the saving grace, he adds.
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Levinson offers the following bit of advice to brand new entrepreneurs: Talk to customers. Identify potential customers and pick their brains: What do they want? Would they buy what you’re selling? And how much would they pay?"
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Clearly, without producing something that meets a customer’s needs, says Levinson, a business is not a good position to succeed. However, it's important that the business create its own goals and work to fulfill its own needs as well. He describes the best methods to reaching a compromise in thi...
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Number 5 in Frank Levinson’s Top 10 Things You Must Have to Start a Business. When starting a business, says Levinson, it becomes your life. Having a family that supports you and understands that they may not see you often is a great benefit. He talks about his family and the way they adapted.
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