Richard Harpin's quotes, sayings

Vendor Financing

Go and work for a big company for two or three years. Then go work for a smaller entrepreneurial company. After five or six years, go negotiate with somebody retiring: 'I'll buy your business, and I'll pay you over three or four years out of the future profits.' Lower risk than starting from scratch - using their money. That's called vendor financing.

A Responsibility to Give Back

I believe in giving back and paying taxes. I don't believe in running off and living in a tax-free environment. Billionaires should pay their taxes.

Let other people run the day-to-day so you can focus on the vision, the growth, and the business development.

Focus on What You Do Best

Forget the stuff you're bad at. Focus on the things you're really good at, and hire other people to do the rest.

Who has a not-to-do list?

Everybody has a to-do list. But if you ask, "Who has a not-to-do list?" almost nobody does. I've learned that a not-to-do list is more important than a to-do list.

Evolution, not revolution

There is a role for revolution right at the start of a business, but thereafter, keep evolving - or end up like Blockbuster, Nokia, and Yellow Pages.

Go global with locals

You can't send a Brit to America, you can't send an American to Britain. You've got to hire a local to head up your business, otherwise you won't be taken seriously.

The hardest step for any entrepreneur: hire your replacement. Hire somebody better than you to run the day-to-day business.

Get a coach and a mentor - it's really important to learn from others.

Focus Like a Hedgehog

Entrepreneurs are all foxes - always looking for the next opportunity. You need to be a hedgehog: moving in a methodical direction. When a harebrained idea comes along, put up your prickles, ignore it, and keep going with a simple, clear model without distractions.

Copy, Then Conquer

Copy a business model. We’re taught at school that copying homework is bad, but in business: copy and improve slightly. Don’t reinvent the wheel.