“Now is the time for people who care, who want to invent, who have skills in specific scientific and information technology areas to get out there and add to the productivity of the economy”, Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft speaks to a packed auditorium at Stanford and shares his optimism for emerging innovation in the midst of economic turmoil, and the story of his own entrepreneurial path.
He also speaks of his company’s continued investment in Internet-ready hardware and software that seeks progress in healthcare, education, and science.
Steve Ballmer’s Tips to Entrepreneurs
1 ) The time is now
In spite of the gloomy economy, its a great time to innovate and invent if you have a specific skill set in information technology.
2 ) Look around you
Look around you at the people you know, find good people, those are the people to trust when you start something.
3 ) Be patient and work hard
Some things that wind up being really important take more than ten years to become really popular. Ballmer points to Windows, SQL Databases (Oracle), Google. While he admits there are a “few exceptions,” for the most part it’s about hard work
4 ) Don’t let others dissuade you
“My parents thought I’d lost my mind to drop out of Stanford Business School to go to a company that makes software,” Ballmer said. “My dad said ‘what the heck is software’ and my mother said ‘why the heck would a person need a computer?'”
We’ve embedded the video of the lecture below it’s well worth watching, particularly given Ballmer’s 29 years of first-hand experience with one of the world’s most innovative technology companies. It runs about 58 minutes, the first 25 consist of his talk, the rest is made up of Q&A and it is well worth your time if you’re considering inventing something new and want to listen to one of the greatest marketers of the digital era.
36 comments
Great speech by one of America’s great entrepreneurs…
HE IS SO IMPRESSIVE! A GOOD GURU AND A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR FROM WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN.
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I agree with the title of this blog post and his views, “Now is the time for Entrepreneurs “, with the economy in turmoil its the best time to start your own web business or web blog and work on making it a passive source of income.
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You know I am not a big fan for Ballmer, but this speech is definitely inspirational. According to me, there is no specific time for entrepreneurs, everyday is good for starting a new business if the right skills, ideas and passion is there in starting individuals. But it’s true these might be specially good times for starting business because large corporates are trying to reduce their costs and they are willing to try new and innovative solutions offered by startups if they can increase sales / profits or reduce costs.
I am with you on this Dan : “Every day is a good day to start a new business “, the differentiator is YOU – its not the DAY, its not the TIME 🙂
ZKs last blog post..“Now is the time for Entrepreneurs” says Steve Ballmer at Stanford’s Entrepreneurship Corner
the thing is where or what or how do you start a business and what to sell is the hardest part when it comes to promoting your very own business
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Men I wish I’d been there. Just to listen to these great entrepreneurs should be an invaluable opportunity
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I will agree to this post, now is the time for the entrepreneur especially now where on the mid of crisis…the speech of Steve Ballmer really inspiring for the entrepreneurs…start a new business in this little way it will help lift.up the economy…
According to me running a business isn’t easy. With customers to deal with, clients contacting you at any hour of the day, products to maintain and possibly even staff to manage, operating a business is very intensive. Before you begin anything, consider whether or not you really want to be in business.
well if you do everything right its not a problem as long as you have a solid foundation of a business and your making money along the way than its great
atomic bloggings last blog post..Review Of The Email Messenger “Mostly Known” As AWEBER
Starting a new business in this economic climate does seem like a stupid idea.. but I guess if everyone thought that, the ecomony wouldn’t improve at all. I definately agree that patience and hard work can get you far in life!
yeah but whats the worst thing that can happen if its not getting any better
atomic bloggings last blog post..Review Of The Email Messenger “Mostly Known” As AWEBER
Yes, this is a depressing time. But there’s that old saying that I’ve often heard repeated: In Chinese, the word for crisis is the same as the one for opportunity.
I used to think it was silly. But I can see what it means now, at least as it pertains to business.
Take SEO. With cash flow so tight and so many businesses wanting to find an effective means of promotion that is cheap – or better still, free – those who know how to get good search engine rankings are in very high demand.
Inspiring speech – You can learn a lot from these master-entrepreneurs.
Now is definitely a great time to take the many opportunities that are out there. I wish we Steve Ballmer spoke at my university!
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This so true.
You have to work hard and not listen to the haters!
oh thanks for posting the video
Inspirational speech by the CEO of Microsoft , thanks for sharing .
Entrepreneurs arise during these hard times. It doesnt hinder them but see it as an opportunity.
Great speech by Ballmer! Yes, this is the right time for entrepreneurs as more new ideas can make business in this economy.. thanks for the video!
I am totally agree with Steve … as this is the perfect time to get up and leave your mark. Now people are looking for the opportunity and if you will be able to provide them opportunity than believe me this will simply great.
You just need a perfect product which you can sell and people will be able to get the benefit from that.
Hope that every entrepreneur will cooperate to save our economy…let work together as one we can overcome this crisis…
It’s good not to shy away from the economy but rather look for areas of investment.
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I really like #4, it really applies to all types of ventures and especially MMO, you have to believe in yourself and have faith in the business and the possibilities are endless.
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I agree with the title of this blog post and his views, “Now is the time for Entrepreneurs “, with the economy in turmoil its the best time to start your own web business
I agree with the title of this blog post and his views, “Now is the time for Entrepreneurs “, with the economy in turmoil its the best time to start your own web business or web blog and work on making it a passive source of income.
Take SEO. With cash flow so tight and so many businesses wanting to find an effective means of promotion that is cheap – or better still, free – those who know how to get good search engine rankings are in very high demand.
Great tips by steve! Personally, I liked #1 and #3. Entrepreneurs can definitely discover and lead as steve said in this depressing time if some special skills are there and the last but not least is all about hard work and patience.
Absolutely it’s about hard work and patience. According to a recent poll, 57% of entrepreneurs say they work “always” or “most of the time” on official holidays. Just 31% of total adults answered the same way. Slightly more than 60% of small-business owners say they toil six or seven days per week, while only 22% of the general population say they work that much.
Those numbers come from a video on newsy.com about entrepreneurship.
I really like the point 3 It need to be followed
You know I am not a big fan for Ballmer, but this speech is definitely inspirational. According to me, there is no specific time for entrepreneurs, everyday is good for starting a new business if the right skills, ideas and passion is there in starting individuals.
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You know I am not a big fan for Ballmer, but this speech is definitely inspirational. According to me, there is no specific time for entrepreneurs, everyday is good for starting a new business if the right skills, ideas and passion.
DotComSecrets Reviews last blog post..Mike Filsaime’s Launch Tree Review
:O So mush Info :O
Now is the time for Entrepreneurs “, with the economy in turmoil its the best time to start your own web business or web blog and work on making it a passive source of income.
Definitely a good time for entrepreneurs, start up businesses, investments and property. If you’ve got money I think you should invest now!
I agree with you – patience is key
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