George Salloum comes with a diversified background spanning software design & development, Tech startups, Telecom, Decision Support Systems, online marketplaces, project management and education. He has successfully co-founded half a dozen startups and has consulted with multiple others, helping them with: - Ideation/Validation - Business Model Definition (Business model Canvas, USP, Product market fit, Revenue Streams etc.) - Prototyping - Pivoting George holds an MBA in Computer Science and is preparing a PhD degree in Data Science. He also currently lectures in USJ on programming and databases and gives seminars on Startup Fundamentals. His Motto in life is a saying by Hannibal "Aut Viam Inveniam, Aut Fasciam" which means "I will either find a way or make one"
My Mentoring Topics
- Entrepreneurship (from ideation to funding)
- Time management
- Conflict Management
- Data Management
V.
3.January 2024Had a great session with George. He shared his experience and gave good insights on the problem domain. Indeed a good experience to speak with him
The Lean Startup - How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses
Eric Ries
Key Facts and Insights Emphasis on Experimentation over Elaborate Planning: The Lean Startup methodology promotes experimentation over detailed planning, which allows businesses to adapt and innovate continuously. Customer Feedback over Intuition: Ries emphasizes the importance of customer feedback in shaping products and services rather than relying solely on intuition. Iterative Design: The methodology encourages iterative design, which involves making small changes in products based on customer feedback and observing the results. Minimum Viable Product (MVP): This concept is central to the Lean Startup approach, focusing on creating a basic version of a product to test market hypotheses. Validated Learning: Ries introduces the concept of validated learning, where startups learn from each iteration through rigorous testing and adjustment. Innovation Accounting: This is a method to measure progress, set up milestones, and prioritize work in a startup environment. Build-Measure-Learn Feedback Loop: This is the core component of the Lean Startup methodology, which emphasizes the iterative process of building, measuring, and learning. Pivot or Persevere: Ries introduces a decision-making process in which a startup decides whether to pivot (make a fundamental change to the product) or persevere (keep improving the current product). Continuous Deployment: The Lean Startup methodology encourages continuous deployment of updates to the product, based on the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop. Lean Management: The Lean Startup approach also extends to management, with streamlined processes and decision-making strategies. In-depth Analysis of "The Lean Startup" "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries is a game-changing book that has reshaped the way businesses think about innovation and growth. Drawing upon his own experiences, Ries presents a new approach for startups to achieve their goals by focusing on continuous innovation and customer feedback. One of the key points in the book is the emphasis on experimentation over elaborate planning. Traditionally, businesses have relied on detailed and lengthy business plans. However, Ries argues that in the rapidly changing business landscape, these plans can quickly become obsolete. Instead, he advocates for a culture of experimentation, where ideas are tested, and changes are made based on the outcomes. This approach allows businesses to adapt to changes and seize new opportunities more effectively. A second key insight from the book is the importance of customer feedback. Ries suggests that businesses should not merely rely on intuition or assumptions about what customers want. Instead, they should engage with customers, seek their feedback, and use this information to shape their products and services. This is an integral part of the iterative design process advocated by Ries. The concept of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is central to the Lean Startup methodology. Rather than spending extensive resources developing a perfect product right from the start, Ries suggests starting with a basic version of the product, testing it in the market, learning from customer feedback, and making modifications accordingly. The MVP helps businesses to test their market hypotheses with minimal resources. Ries introduces the concept of validated learning, which is a process of learning from each iteration of the product. Through rigorous testing and adjustment based on customer feedback, startups can learn valuable insights about their product and the market. A significant concept in the book is innovation accounting, a method to measure progress, set up milestones, and prioritize work in a startup environment. This accounting system is designed to provide startups with a clear measure of their progress and inform decision-making processes. The Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop is another core concept in the Lean Startup methodology. Startups are encouraged to build a product, measure how it performs in the market, learn from the outcomes, and then build again. This iterative process fosters continuous improvement and innovation. Ries also introduces a decision-making process in which a startup decides whether to pivot or persevere. If a product is not meeting its objectives or gaining traction in the market, the startup may decide to pivot, i.e., make a fundamental change to the product. If the product is showing promise, the startup may decide to persevere and keep improving the product. Continuous deployment of updates to the product is another strategy advocated by Ries. Based on the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop, updates are made to the product and deployed continuously. This approach ensures that the product is always improving and adapting to customer needs and market changes. Finally, the Lean Startup approach extends to lean management, with streamlined processes and decision-making strategies. The goal is to create an organization that is adaptable, efficient, and focused on continuous innovation. In conclusion, "The Lean Startup" presents a new approach to business, emphasizing agility, customer feedback, and continuous innovation. It provides a roadmap for startups looking to achieve success in a rapidly changing business landscape.
ViewThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
Stephen R. Covey
Key Insights from "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" Be Proactive: One of the fundamental principles posited by Covey is that individuals have the power to shape their own destinies through their actions and decisions. Begin with the End in Mind: The author emphasizes the importance of envisioning the desired outcome before commencing any task or project. Put First Things First: Covey encourages prioritizing tasks based on importance, not urgency. Think Win-Win: Covey advocates for mutually beneficial solutions or agreements in your interpersonal relationships. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood: The importance of empathetic listening to build trust and establish open communication is stressed. Synergize: Covey underscores the power of teamwork and collaboration to achieve goals that may not be attainable individually. Sharpen the Saw: The need for continual personal improvement and renewal in four areas - physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual - is highlighted. Paradigm Shift: Covey introduces the concept of "Paradigm Shift," explaining how changing our perceptions can lead to a change in understanding and behavior. Circle of Influence vs Circle of Concern: The author differentiates between things we can control (circle of influence) and things we worry about but cannot control (circle of concern). The Maturity Continuum: Covey discusses the progression from dependence to independence to interdependence. Emotional Bank Account: Covey likens building relationships to maintaining a bank account, where positive actions are deposits and negative actions are withdrawals. An In-depth Analysis of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey provides a holistic approach towards effectiveness in our personal and professional lives. The book encapsulates a framework for personal effectiveness, focusing on character ethics and universal principles that have been tested through time. The first three habits that Covey presents - Be Proactive, Begin with the End in Mind, and Put First Things First - focus on self-mastery and moving from dependence to independence. These habits underscore the significance of taking responsibility for one's own life, creating a vision for the future, and executing that vision through prioritization. The subsequent three habits - Think Win-Win, Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood, and Synergize - are about developing interdependence and achieving success through teamwork and understanding. These habits encourage developing effective interpersonal leadership skills, valuing differences, and creating synergistic relationships. The final habit, Sharpen the Saw, pertains to achieving sustainable, long-term effectiveness by taking time for self-renewal and continuous learning in all areas of life. The Paradigm Shift is a recurring theme throughout the book. Covey encourages readers to change their perceptions and interpretations of the world in order to change their attitudes and behaviors. This shift is closely tied to the concept of proactivity. Instead of reacting to external circumstances, we can choose to respond based on our values. The Circle of Influence vs Circle of Concern concept is another significant insight. Covey urges us to focus our energy on our circle of influence, which includes things we can actually control, rather than wasting energy on our circle of concern, which encompasses things beyond our control. The Maturity Continuum discussed by Covey details the progression from dependence (relying on others to get what we want), to independence (getting what we want through our efforts), to interdependence (combining our efforts with others to achieve a greater success). The notion of the Emotional Bank Account is an effective metaphor for understanding the importance of trust in personal and professional relationships. Just like a financial bank account, the emotional bank account is built up through deposits (acts of kindness, honesty, keeping commitments) and depleted by withdrawals (disrespect, dishonesty, broken promises). In conclusion, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" offers timeless wisdom about principles of effectiveness that are universally applicable. It provides a roadmap for personal change and growth, moving from dependence to interdependence, with a strong focus on character ethics and value-based decisions.
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P.
21.February 2024Very wonderful and informative session.he has very vast experience .he solve all my queries.listen very patiently and answer all the query.i gain very clarity over the thing. Looking forward to book again.thanks