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.
- Work “cash is king” into conversations
- Don’t sound corporate
- Be excited about the business
- Stay calm about the stress
- Treat him like a mentor
- Don’t wear a suit
- Mention your favorite uncle is a VC
- Beat him to work
- Prove your loyalty
- Get in over your head
- Mention your favorite uncle is coming for lunch
- Be impressed
- Don’t ask for a raise when there’s no revenue
- Leave work after him
- Sell, don’t take orders
- Think on your feet
- Don’t ask about health insurance
- Push the envelope
- Get the company in the press
- Avoid business buzzwords
- Understand cash flow
- Don’t be a ‘yes’ man
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Don’t question too much
-
Get him in the press
- Do more with less
- Be more excited about the business
- Eat lunch at your desk
- Don’t ask for an assistant
- Be physically fit
- Be mentally tough
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Act like an assistant
- Take direction
-
Eat dinner at your desk
-
Don’t mention research
- Don’t ask where your office is
- Talk ROI
- Don’t over analyze
- Talk him up in crowds
- Reduce costs
- Don’t say “you don’t have a business plan?”
- Be careful who hears you disagree
- Provide solutions
- Reassure him
- Step up
- …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
July 14, 2011Hahahah 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
July 14, 2011Very 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
July 14, 2011Well, 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
July 14, 2011Hahah Corinne, the 48th point is the best;)
Oh! C’mon not sex:|
Kathy Ver Eecke
July 14, 2011Hmmmm.
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
July 14, 2011KIDDING!
just to get your attention.
Kathy Ver Eecke
July 14, 2011You succeeded! 🙂
Kamil Ali
July 15, 2011Of 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
July 15, 2011Darned 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
July 15, 2011Ha ha, very simple but truly effective ways. I like this a lot 🙂
Kathy Ver Eecke
July 15, 2011Thanks Gabriella, glad you stopped by. Nice to see you and your feather duster back at Wonka!
Andrew @ Blogging Guide
July 16, 2011Kathy
. 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
July 16, 2011Andrew: 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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