Decisiveness is a core capability for any leader. No organization can move forward effectively without leaders who can resolve conflicts, set direction or distribute resources (i.e. make decisions) effectively. It’s a capability that leaders must learn to balance.

I’ve worked with many clients who have difficulty making any decision or putting a definitive stake in the ground. They equivocate, listen, or contemplate too much or for too long and their people begin to lose faith in them. I’ve also worked with leaders who simply issue edicts with little or no consultation or knowledge of what is happening on the ground. The result is the same: Their people lose faith in them and their organizations suffer.

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Yesterday, Chris Poole (known as ‘moot‘, founder of 4chan) shut down his startup (which created Canvas and DrawQuest). You should go read his post: Today my startup failed. The TechCrunch post is good too, and highlights just how hard it is to get real growth in a consumer startup.

One quote stood out for me:

“Few in business will know the pain of what it means to fail as a venture-backed CEO. Not only do you fail your employees, your customers, and yourself, but you also fail your investors—partners who helped you bring your idea to life.“

Image: http://www.instigatorblog.com 

Just some years ago the term “crowdfunding” was a foreign concept to many people who didn’t understand this new and alternative way to access capital. However, today the word has now become a part of the everyday business vernacular. In fact, businesses last year raised more than 5.1 billion dollars worldwide using this practice. The crowdfunding frenzy doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon, especially since more legislation has been enacted, further solidifying the status of equity crowdfunding (ECF). This will motivate even more entrepreneurs to take fundraising into their own hands instead of reaching out to venture capitalists and lending institutions. Last September, we saw Title II of the US JOBS Act enacted into law, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to publicly advertise their need for funding.

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Companies usually begin with little more than a dream: a concept, an idea, or an invention. But while hope, inspiration, and some personal savings can be the promising seed for a startup, it often takes much more to grow a concept into a thriving company.

Long before a startup company can borrow large amounts of money from a bank or raise large amounts of money by going public, alternative sources of funding are needed. And that’s where angel investors and venture capital investments come into play. One hundred years ago, most venture capital came from just a few wealthy families like the Rockefellers. Today, investors who wish to participate in VC investments often do so through managed venture capital funds. Professional angel investors typically participate in angel groups or angel investor networks.

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In an attempt to aid the Jamiacan Bobsled Olympic team get to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, sports fan Lincoln Wheeler innocently set up a CrowdTilt crowdfunding campaign to assist in raising the necessary $80,000.  The campaign was set to “Tilt” at $10,000 (the amount where the campaigns is considered successfully funded and contributions are transferred).  Wheeler had previously used the platform for a small personal campaign so he was familiar with the process.  Little did he realize that he was going to become a catalyst for an international phenomena as donations poured in at an astounding rate from all over the world.  The campaign soon morphed into the “Official” Jamaican Olympic crowdfunding campaign to cover the cost for the 2 man bobsled team trip to Sochi which had just qualified to participate in the Olympic sport.

Image: http://www.crowdfundinsider.com 

U.S. venture capital investment was essentially flat last year but was trending upward, driven by robust interest in second rounds.

Investment in venture-backed companies in 2013 totaled $33.08 billion, a mere 1% increase from 2012, according to DJX VentureSource. Fourth quarter investment, however, rose 7.3% from a year earlier to $8.89 billion, indicating growing investor confidence.

Scott Eells/Bloomberg News Investors backed fewer companies in 2013 as seed and first rounds declined. There were 3,480 financings, a 4.6% decline from 2012. But as with investment, deals were up for the fourth quarter with 901 financings, a 3.3% increase from a year ago.

The healthcare field is getting a technology upgrade with Henry Ford Health System's receipt of a $3 million grant to establish the  William Davidson Center  for Entrepreneurs in Digital Health.

Why do the number of spirals in a sunflower match up with the integers 34, 55, 89 and 144—numbers found in the famous Fibonacci sequence? Scientific American editor John Matson explains in our latest Instant Egghead video:

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"You don’t lead by hitting people over the head—that’s assault, not leadership.” – Dwight Eisenhower

Almost twenty years ago, at the age of 36, I was pursuing my career with a vengeance. It was all about me – about making a name for myself, being recognised, and making an impact. I had the highest standards of performance for myself and my team.

Image: http://knowledge.insead.edu 

Build a LEGO project, share it on LEGO CUUSOO, and if 10,000 people vote for it, it’ll be reviewed by LEGO for legal issues and profitability. If it passes their review it will become a real LEGO product and you’ll receive 1% of the product’s net sales.

Image: http://www.business-opportunities.biz 

The Angel Capital Association (ACA), the North American trade association of angel groups and private investors that invest in high-growth early-stage ventures, has elected Stephen Flaim, past president and chairman of the board at Tech Coast Angels San Diego Network, to its Board of Directors. It has also named director Parker MacDonell, executive committee member of Ohio TechAngels (Columbus, OH), treasurer.

Image: http://photos.prnewswire.com - Stephen Flaim. (PRNewsFoto/Angel Capital Association) 

Collecting seashells is a classic part of a beach vacation. But this seemingly innocent pastime can have serious environmental effects.   Starting 30 years ago, a survey was made of the shells on Spain's Llarga Beach every month for three years. When researchers repeated the count just a few years ago, the number of shells was down by two-thirds compared with their former numbers. Urbanization or commercial fishing were the likely culprits, but the area experienced no significant increase in either. It did, however, see a threefold bump in tourism

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It’s official. I’ve made the move out of corporate America to pursue a business of my own. why-being-an-entrepreneur-rocks While I wouldn’t trade the big brand experience, owning a business the previous 15 years of my life definitely left me with an itch I was due to scratch. So as of today, I am back where I belong, in control of my own destiny. I have to say it feels good. I love being an entrepreneur!

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There's no magic formula to running a business. It takes a lot of work and focus. Still, there's going to be a learning curve.

If you're trying to build a business, there's no getting around making mistakes. The stories I hear from entrepreneurs are all different. Yet despite the industry or size of a business, whether they're running a sole proprietorship or a business with as many as 200 people, there are some similarities and trends.

Image: Andrea Levy, The Plain Dealer 

Q: How can I grow $7 -- about 18,000 Ugandan shillings -- into a big business? I need to start with a tiny stall beside a road or with a homemade cart. -- Atwijukire Absolom, Uganda

A: When you're starting up a new business, it can be easy to get carried away as you dream and plan -- and with good reason, since you're embarking on a thrilling journey. Atwijukire, if you're like most entrepreneurs, at the moment your idea became clear, you got a surge of adrenaline, and since then your every waking minute has been devoted to getting your plan in motion. The question is, can you do it?

Image: http://www.biography.com 

As you built your start up team, I am sure you picked folks that are going to join you in the journey for the rough and long haul and turn your idea into reality. Of course, they had to be sold on the idea you were working on and were passionate about it. At any point there was no doubt about their work ethic that needed double guessing if they are giving their best or not. These were probably enough cause for parting ways the first time the signs emerged.

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Before reading this, I’d recommend that you read the 2013 Indian startup trends which sets the context for 2014 prediction.

Crystal Ball Gazing 2014 If 2013 witnessed a lot of acquihires and smaller exits, 2014 is going to be a year where global firms who have already entered the Indian market will take the acquientry route to expand into the country.

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If you’re reading this, congratulations, you are connected to the Internet. However, one day you might flip open your laptop and realize your Wi-Fi has failed.

Don't fear! Here are some entertaining ways to have fun on your laptop or computer when you don't have Wi-Fi. (Now, the trouble is, how will you remember all this if your Internet is down?)

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On his 65th birthday, physical therapist Gary Kinsey incorporated a company that makes medical devices.

“It is a huge risk,” said Kinsey, now 67, owner of North Florida Medical Solutions Inc. in Gainesville. “I have sunk everything I have into it the last two years. I have put myself out on the line.”

Older Americans such as Kinsey are increasingly shunning retirement to start companies because they see job opportunities limited after age 55, don’t have enough savings to retire comfortably or want to work for themselves.

Image: http://www.journalgazette.net - Kinsey 

It was the first day of her very first job and Nicole Williams admits she was “scared sh*tless.”

The then newly-minted college graduate was way out of her comfort zone. Coming from a working class family, Williams says she didn’t have the benefit of witnessing what white-collar professionals did in office situations. “I didn’t have the pedigree, so I had to be as prepared as I could.”

Image: http://www.fastcompany.com