“Be committed to your strategy but don’t fall in love with it. Go steady but don’t get married. You have to maintain the passion but retain enough objectivity to know when something isn’t working and a new direction is needed. Most startups go through several strategic shifts before they find the right formula.”

Michael S. Vanderwoude, Vice President and General Manager of Cincinnati Bell

“Always stay in learning and listing mode – Too many companies pitch to me and press forward with a sales pitch without pausing to listen to questions and heeding advice.”

“As Socrates said, “He who is wise admits he knows nothing,” and we all are learning together in this brave new world. If you do not seem to be listening and open to feedback or pivoting, then you may never succeed.”

Bob Gilbreath, Chief Marketing Strategist at Bridge Worldwide

“Get your product/service right. Make it great/different by focusing heavily on the end-user. Start with a profitable business model – don’t scale without one.”

-Michael Stich, Chief Operating Office of Rockfish Interactive