Business Strategies That Last the Test of Time with Bob Slone

hayleegaffin
Jul 28, 2025
3 min read

Want to know the secret to staying relevant in your market and with your customers? Communication.

In this episode of Everyday Expert Insights, I’m joined by business consultant Bob Slone, a former colleague whose career arc (from journalism to big tech to saving startups) has always fascinated me. Listen in as he shares invaluable tips that all new business owners need to learn. From selling your product to pivoting into a new direction, his advice covers those crucial first few years of business that can set you up for long-term success.

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The Unexpected Power of Communication

Bob never planned to enter the tech world. He was a reporter-turned-writer who stumbled into a startup in Seattle and ended up bridging the gap between product and people through storytelling. He wasn't a salesperson by trade, but his ability to explain complex ideas in plain language built trust and drove results.

Start With More Than an Idea

Most new businesses, especially in tech, start with an idea. It takes about a year of “head-down” work to get the idea up and running, and in that time, no one is getting paid.

When the idea is finally developed and ready for the market, no one knows where or how to sell it. They don’t have any connections in their industry because they spent all their time focused on developing the idea.

To avoid this path, it’s crucial for new businesses to have someone on board who is a communicator. It’s not enough to go to tech conferences and pitch your idea. You need to make solid connections with people who can give you feedback and advise you on the next steps.

You need a person who can go out and tell the story of your team and your idea. You don’t need a large marketing budget to get your story out there; you simply need a good communicator on your team.

Don’t be Afraid to Pivot and Reassess Your Progress

New business owners start with one idea of where they want their business to go. However, it’s important to stay open to new opportunities that you didn’t initially consider.

Oftentimes, what saves startups isn’t just product tweaks, but instead stepping back, talking to people, and discovering new directions through conversation. For example, a GPS idea meant for hospitals ended up working better in the RV industry.

Along with pivoting, you need to assess your progress often in the beginning. It’s easy to get so far into an idea and fail to realize when it’s ready to go to the market. All you need is the first version of your product, not the final version.

Never Stop Talking to People

Your connections are the key to a successful and fulfilling career. Never stop meeting new people, and keep in touch throughout the years. You never know when someone is going to hand you your next opportunity.

At the heart of it all, Bob champions abundance: share ideas, stay in touch, and don’t hoard opportunities. The best growth happens when you're open to learning, collaborating, and helping others thrive too.