Bob Young Recites ABC's at Power Breakfast
04-23-2009

In unassuming style and with great humor, Bob Young, CEO of Lulu, addressed the realities of today's economy, offering insights and anecdotes built upon some familiar adages. Beginning with the premise that it's easier to start a new venture when "opportunity costs are low" Bob argued that the time was ripe for new companies to launch. He even challenged the sold out audience to "ignore everyone in orange shirts", the Accentuate Staffing recruiting team, in favor of striking out on your own!

From brazenly taking on Microsoft with his founding of Red Hat (in his wife's "sewing room") to starting Lulu, and now antagonizing Amazon, Bob's track record of visualizing what's missing, and providing what is needed, is well documented and equally admired. It was Bob's assertion that the internet, in whatever incarnation it would take next, provides ample opportunities, at low cost, for willing entrepreneurs.

Lulu is an on-demand publisher, built upon the premises of "the long tail", a book of the same name, by Chris Anderson. Lulu, as Bob said, is focused upon "making author's successful" by offering a distribution platform not generally available to "99% of them". Given the inventory storage costs approximating zero on the web makes it economically viable to address any demand sizes (think iTunes and their virtually infinite music catalog).

Bob's ABCs, or hints for entrepreneurship, include the following: "A" is for alignment. "Pick your one thing and stay focused". "B" is for "being a little bit better, every day". Even if you start off bad, similar to the magic of compounding interest, you'll end up better. "C" is for "customers". Without customers, you're out of business. Be careful, however, to address their "needs" and not their "wants". Make sure your product or service is geared toward providing the customer "more income or lower cost". And "persistence", like some of the adages Bob referenced, never goes out of style.

About Power Breakfast-In-The-Park
In conjunction with Business Leader Media, and the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED), Accentuate Staffing hosts a monthly breakfast meeting at the Brier Creek Country Club, to present influential community and thought leaders, as well as offering an opportunity to network. In the spirit of lifelong learning, it is our goal for each attendee to put into practice, at least one compelling concept, idea, or action, within the immediate 24 hours, to help differentiate their company and / or their career.

About Accentuate Staffing
Since 1996, Accentuate Staffing has delivered "The Power of Positive" to you. As one of the Triangle's largest woman owned companies, we source candidates in the career specialties of accounting, information technology, clinical / scientific research, human resources, customer care, and light industrial / distribution services. Our current roster of 160 corporate clients is diverse, highly regarded, and often exclusive. We cherish our position as a leader in the community, offering support to charitable institutions including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Children's Flight of Hope, and the MS Society, amongst many others. For detailed information on how "The Power of Positive" can impact your company or your career, please visit us at www.accentuatestaffing.com.