Don't Forget Hard Copies
The other night I talked before about fifty budding entrepreneurs. Mostly in their 20's, these young people gave me a new-found confidence in our collective ability to generate new companies and jobs.
They are wicked smart and tend to soak up almost every bit of information that is sent their way, especially from someone who has fought the good fight, ie, started companies too. They LOVE hearing stories.
I knew that before the meeting obviously. The usual question I get after the presentation is "What are the top three or five things you have learned in 25 years of doing start ups?" It is interesting to me that they just want the TOP 3 or 5 when it is the 78th or 48th tip that might be most meaningful to them.
So I wrote down 'everything' I have learned in this little mini book, a hard copy booklet that I give to everyone in attendance.
The reaction is so positive it bears repeating and teaching. I think nowadays we tend to rely too much on emails, pdfs, facebook and twitter et al to recall that a simple note, letter, or yes, even a handout gets you more notice.
Simply, it looks like you have invested more in it, cared more about it, and tried harder. I think people like that.
I might be wrong.
What do you think?