Dead Fish Don't Swim Upstream: Real Life Lessons in Entrepreneurship

Business academia offers an excellent entrepreneurial foundation. Then reality sets in.

This book bridges the gap between academia and real business, to counsel by example, and to deliver timely, actionable recommendations to capitalize on opportunities, or to sidestep hidden business grenades.

Advice is best delivered by those who have successfully walked the entrepreneurial trail, but not without incurring some scars along the way. That’s us.

For the university instructor or professor, this book adds another dimension to what is being taught, and facilitates the lecturers’ ability to convey important business lessons in bite-size morsels.

Jay J. Silverberg is a "business rebel" who has started and run a number of successful enterprises. This book is a culmination of his business adventures (and misadventures) and offers up a multitude of inestimably valuable lessons. As an entrepreneurial trainer, Jay has developed innovative programs for both the beginner and the advanced businessperson, and delivered training and mentoring to thousands of entrepreneurs, managers, and business professionals.

As a business consultant, Jay's practice ranges from start-ups to Fortune 500 firms with projects that have spanned the globe. He has also represented government trade and economic development ministries at national and international conferences.

Jay sees life as a gift, and business as a game (and vice versa).

Bruce E. McLean is a business veteran who has extensive experience with start-ups and high growth companies. He has designed and delivered sales and operations programs throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Bruce's expertise led him to dealing with Fortune 500 companies in some of North Americas toughest boardrooms. In his diverse business activities, Bruce has pioneered advertising and technology companies, and set up a manufacturing presence in China.

Regardless of all his big picture experience, Bruce is a dedicated start-up junkie. He was part of small team that grew a one office start-up into a 500 employee company. As he is fond of saying, 'you don't have to break the rules, you just make new ones'.

His business adventures span national and international marketplaces. Bruce's exploits add entertaining and lesson-worthy escapades throughout this book.

Bruce is an avid sports fan and never misses a Seahawks game - Go Hawks!