One of the best bits of advice I ever received was to practice the same way I intended to play — good advice when pertaining to sports, the military, and business.

Startups are often given a pass for not following sound practices.

“Hell, they’re just startups.”

The challenge becomes this — when is a startup expected to practice the way they are actually going to play the game?

I particularly see this in the lack of quality of the Vision, Mission, Strategy, Tactics, Objectives, Values, and Culture.

The answer I get when I ask about them is usually, “We’re working on that stuff. We’ll have it done when it needs to be done.”

Therein lies the problem. It will never get done.

As a CEO, look the part even when you are at the very instant of birth. By dressing the part, you signal that you are going to be professional from the start. A very small thing in the overall scheme of things, but a big thing as it relates to intentions.

This is particularly true in the quality of websites, graphic design, documents, messaging, public impression.

Practice the way you intend to play. Practice makes perfect.

But, hey, what the Hell do I really know anyway? I’m just a Big Red Car.