• Herb Sih
• Website: 
  thinkbigpartners.com
• Position: 
  Managing Partner
  Think Big Partners 
• Contact:
  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Topic - Fail Fast, Fail Cheap – Using the Proof of Concept Process to Avoid Startup Disaster

Today's "new, big idea" needs to move faster and smarter than ever before to be successful. Global competition, fast moving technologies, agile work teams and low cost barriers to entry have created a hyper competitive business landscape that every new idea must survive, just to be successful. Whether you are an experienced founder, a new entrepreneur or a company looking to launch your next innovative product or service, you must learn how to fail fast and fail cheap on your way to success.

In this session, participants will learn:

• How to conduct research to determine if your big idea is worth doing
• Determine who your competition really is – today and in the future.
• Identify hidden pitfalls to your successful product or service launch.
• Learn the difference between customer development model and product development model – and which one to use to maximize your chances of success.
• Learn how to unlock the wisdom of crowds to uncover the right components for success

Bio

Herb Sih currently serves as Managing Partner and is one of the founders of Think Big Partners, Think Big Kansas City and bizperc. Collectively through these associated entities, the Think Big Partners network specializes in incubating, accelerating and maximizing business ideas, opportunities and entrepreneurs across the United States.

Born in New Jersey to two immigrant parents, he grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. As a first generation American, he started working in his father's small business (specialty chemical manufacturer) at the age of 8, and there, the lessons of hard work, perseverance and overcoming adversity began.

Prior to starting Think Big Partners, Herb was a Senior Vice President for Wachovia Securities (formerly A.G. Edwards & Sons), working with corporations, institutions and high net worth individuals. He was in the top 1% in the country as a producer, and helped manage one of the top 10 branches (out of over 700) in the country for A.G. Edwards. He also worked for Merrill Lynch early in his financial services career in the Kansas City market. Today, he still maintains a presence in the investment community, primarily through his role in private equity. Herb previously held securities licenses Series 7, 9, 10, 31, 63, 65, and 66.

As an active entrepreneur, Herb has started numerous companies and assisted in the early stages in many others. These companies range from interactive marketing agencies, call centers, software companies, numerous internet/online businesses, consumer retail, consulting companies, database marketing organizations and more. Several of these companies have appeared in publications such as Inc. (Clickspeed – 2007 Inc. 500 list, Centrinex – 2008 Inc. 5000 list), Entrepreneur, Ingram's (Top 10 Fastest Growing Companies in Kansas City list), Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition, numerous newspapers, trade journals, online publications and more. To date, Herb has either personally started or taken significant roles in the formation and successful launch of over 30 companies.

Herb has been actively involved in the internet business arena since 1998, and was formerly VP Sales for eScout.

Herb is a member of the National Business Incubator Association and completed the NBIA Incubator Management Certificate Program. He is also a member of the National Veteran Owned Business Association, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and several other professional associations. Having served on different charitable boards, Herb is also an active member in the Kansas City philanthropic community.

Prior to his business career, Herb was a helicopter pilot and officer in the military. Herb attended the University of Kansas and holds a Bachelor of Science degree.