Work for a Startup? 45 Guaranteed Ways to Impress an Entrepreneur

45 ways to impress your boss

It’s about more than the work.

Want to impress your boss?

To really impress an entrepreneur, it’ll take more than just doing the job. Do these 45 things and you’ll be da bomb. (Yeah, I just said da bomb. Now I’m gonna go get jiggy wit it, and party like it’s 1999.) Just read the list. It’ll help you.

  1. Work “cash is king” into conversations
  2. Don’t sound corporate
  3. Be excited about the business
  4. Stay calm about the stress
  5. Treat him like a mentor
  6. Don’t wear a suit
  7. Mention your favorite uncle is a VC
  8. Beat him to work
  9. Prove your loyalty
  10. Get in over your head
  11. Mention your favorite uncle is coming for lunch
  12. Be impressed
  13. Don’t ask for a raise when there’s no revenue
  14. Leave work after him
  15. Sell, don’t take orders
  16. Think on your feet
  17. Don’t ask about health insurance
  18. Push the envelope
  19. Get the company in the press
  20. Avoid business buzzwords
  21. Understand cash flow
  22. Don’t be a ‘yes’ man
  23. Don’t question too much
  24. Get him in the press
  25. Do more with less
  26. Be more excited about the business
  27. Eat lunch at your desk
  28. Don’t ask for an assistant
  29. Be physically fit
  30. Be mentally tough
  31. Act like an assistant
  32. Take direction
  33. Eat dinner at your desk
  34. Don’t mention research
  35. Don’t ask where your office is
  36. Talk ROI
  37. Don’t over analyze
  38. Talk him up in crowds
  39. Reduce costs
  40. Don’t say “you don’t have a business plan?”
  41. Be careful who hears you disagree
  42. Provide solutions
  43. Reassure him
  44. Step up
  45. …and lastly, be even more excited about the business

See? Simple, right? Go to it.

Working for Wonka? Know this: Be enthusiastic, while working your butt off and watching the bottom line and you’ll do fine. Oh, and don’t forget to be excited about the business.

Got more tips? How are you impressing your boss? Entrepreneurs, what impresses you? Please share!

About the author: Kathy Ver Eecke works with startups in the early stages, where the good stuff happens. Download a free copy of her ebook, The Ultimate Guide to Getting Any Startup Job, if you’re trying to break into a startup or if you’re hiring employees for your startup.


13 Comments

  • Kamil Ali

    Reply Reply July 14, 2011

    Hahahah That’s a cool list:)
    There is no way I’m gonna work for an entrepreneur, if I have to follow this: “Don’t ask for a raise when there’s no revenue”:)))

    Add one more point: “Talk marketing strategy and prove your ideas financially by quoting previous examples of successful brand”

    So are you going to add it Kathy?:)

    • Kathy Ver Eecke

      Reply Reply July 14, 2011

      Very funny Kamil. Especially because I would consider you a bit of an entrepreneur yourself!

      Of course I’m going to add your tip. Already done!

  • Corinne Edwards

    Reply Reply July 14, 2011

    Well, Kathy –

    You could add –

    46. Give him a back rub when he’s stressed
    47. Buy him slippers to wear so he’s comfortable
    48. Have sex with him on the desk in the back office

    Other than that, I think you covered it!

    • Kamil Ali

      Reply Reply July 14, 2011

      Hahah Corinne, the 48th point is the best;)

      Oh! C’mon not sex:|

    • Kathy Ver Eecke

      Reply Reply July 14, 2011

      Hmmmm.

      Have gone back and forth; she’s kidding, she’s serious. She’s kidding, she’s serious.

      I’ve settled on ‘she’s kidding’ or, at the very least, she’s never met my past entrepreneur bosses! 🙂

  • Corinne Edwards

    Reply Reply July 14, 2011

    KIDDING!

    just to get your attention.

    • Kathy Ver Eecke

      Reply Reply July 14, 2011

      You succeeded! 🙂

      • Kamil Ali

        Reply Reply July 15, 2011

        Of course she’s kidding:)

        Anyways, you get my attention too. Sex sells:)

        Yet, Facebook is the 2nd most visited site online, after Google.

        What’s your thought on that? Corinne and Kathy!

        • Kathy Ver Eecke

          Reply Reply July 15, 2011

          Darned Facebook! It’s also the #1 (by a longshot) source of forwarded content. So if you want to get read, you better have a Facebook Fan Page.

          I have Fan Page, and am really grateful for the people who have hit the “like” button, but I find FB so not user-friendly! I really need to spend some time learning how it works.

  • Gabriella

    Reply Reply July 15, 2011

    Ha ha, very simple but truly effective ways. I like this a lot 🙂

    • Kathy Ver Eecke

      Reply Reply July 15, 2011

      Thanks Gabriella, glad you stopped by. Nice to see you and your feather duster back at Wonka!

  • Kathy

    . Ask for permission to sleep at your desk for a few nights (in fact don’t ask persmission – just do it).

    Andrew

    P.S. I think Corinne’s sex point would work if your boss is ugly.

    • Kathy Ver Eecke

      Reply Reply July 16, 2011

      Andrew: I approved of sleeping at your desk waaayyyy more than sleepin with the boss! 🙂 Even if the boss is a hottie! Thanks for adding to the list.
      Kathy

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