The Clover CANAL Principles
Strategies for Emerging Entrepreneurs to Cultivate Favorable Opportunities
in Ever-Evolving Landscapes of Unprecedented & Inevitable Change
If you didn’t start a company in your dorm room, did you even go to college, Bro???
The Clover CANAL Principles is a career toolkit for cultivating favorable opportunities in an ever-evolving landscape of unprecedented and inevitable change.
We are in the era of entrepreneurship. In the past decade, it seemed like a rite-of-passage for college students to operate businesses out of their dorm rooms.
The American Dream has morphed into the Fraternity Fantasy.
Nevermind GPA, what’s your IPO?
The problem is entrepreneurship is difficult! We’ve all heard the dire fail rates of startups, but we prefer to selectively glorify the unicorns. The New York Times reminds us that “For all the successes, entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that about 20 percent of small businesses fail in their first year, and by year five, half close. Those are discouraging odds…”
This book helps founders improve essential strategies necessary for the sustainable success of their companies, especially those starting without the advantages of money or professional connections.
Entrepreneurship may start with one good idea, but it requires a portfolio of skills to flourish.
The purpose of this book is to guide you in building a strong foundation from which to grow your business.
Like a clover, the book expands into four sections, covering four main principles:
1. Cultivate intellectual curiosity by constant reading across topics, learning and applying new knowledge. Being a better thinker will make you a better communicator throughout your network. Always keep the mindset that you have something to learn from everyone — From toddlers to the most successful CEOs. There’s always something more to know.
2. Articulate ideas effectively through practice, integration of feedback and reiteration with the evolution of progress. As I mentioned in Forbes, Tuck School of Business corporate communication professor Paul Argenti states, “You can’t be a great leader if you’re not a great communicator. You can’t execute it if you can’t communicate it. It’s that simple.”
3. Nurture purposeful community by connecting with others who will support you in the short and long-term. Strategically expand your circles but remember that Networking Should Never Be Forced, as I co-authored with Harvard Business Press author & Forbes contributor, Dorie Clark.
4. Add value always by volunteering without the need for instant, or any, reciprocation. If you add value, your offer to help will rarely be declined. Use your efforts to open doors. Money should not be the only form of payment you accept — Access can be much more valuable, and indirectly lead to money in the long-term.
Lisa spent over a decade learning and improving upon the skills she shares in her book. She has spoken with thousands of experienced entrepreneurs, business owners and industry leaders to create this resource for you.
Lisa is also available as a Career Architect for individualized professional development sessions.
Clover CANAL Principles 