Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2015

Social media is so pervasive in today’s world that every entrepreneur believes instinctively that they know how to use it for their startup. Many soon find that what you do in a personal context doesn’t necessarily translate to your business, and measuring business value is quite different from measuring personal satisfaction.

Social Media 108

Social Media Media Startup Tips 108

Xconomy

SEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Zingle, a startup whose software is used by hospitality, travel, and retail industries to more easily and quickly connect with their customers via messaging, has been acquired for about $42 million in cash by Medallia, a publicly traded software company in San Francisco. Read more » Reprints | Share: UNDERWRITERS AND PARTNERS.

Software 95

Software Startup Satisfaction Customer 95

socalTECH

JULY 17, 2013

It looks like the battle between Los Angeles e-commerce startup Beachmint and technology blog PandoDaily is flaring up into a major firestorm, over the accuracy of a story posted a couple of weeks ago by the tech blog. READ MORE>>. ecommerce news retraction rumor content publishing pandodaily beachmint'

Blogging 153

Blogging Satisfaction News Commerce 153

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2022

High-technology product startups, without customers, don’t make a business. Most consumers now research online product reviews, blogs, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, for authoritative guidance. When these do not line up in the decision-making cycle, consumers feel true psychological discomfort. Scarcity – less is more.

Customer 122

Customer Custom Social Media Technical Review 122

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 29, 2021

It started a few years ago with the advent of email satisfaction surveys after an online purchase, but now includes interactive Internet ads, as well as custom requests for input on the design of future products and influencers on social media. Are your costs going up, and the returns going down?

Customer 168

Customer Custom Marketing Social Media 168

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2010

You hear a lot of talk these days about the importance of customer satisfaction, but customer loyalty is the real win. Whatever the reasons for the change, and there are many, it represents a big opportunity to the small businesses and startups who recognize it. Customers say it takes ten good experiences to make up for one bad one.

Satisfaction 49

Satisfaction Customer Custom Startup 49

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 22, 2012

You hear a lot of talk these days about the importance of customer satisfaction, but customer loyalty is the real win. Herein lies an opportunity for startups to beat the big guys. Whatever the reasons for the change, and there are many, it represents a big opportunity to the small businesses and startups who recognize it.

Customer 104

Customer Custom Startup Competition 104

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Everyone knows that that startups are risky, but they also expect that the job will be exciting and potentially very lucrative (think early employees at Facebook and Google). The truly indispensible person in a startup is a problem solver, because every startup has plenty of problems. Educate yourself one notch up.

Startup 103

Startup Entrepreneur Journal Outsource 103

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2019

Everyone knows that that startups are risky, but they also expect that the job will be exciting and potentially very lucrative (think early employees at Facebook and Google). The truly indispensable person in a startup is a problem solver, because every startup has plenty of problems. Educate yourself one notch up.

Tips 100

Tips Startup Journal Outsource 100

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2013

My internal compass has always steered me strongly toward the belief that founders who can scale with their startup companies are better to back that founders who eventually need to hire a CEO. Very few founder CEOs go into the job ever expecting to give up their seat. So give up the CEO role? It’s your baby.

Startup 303

Startup Technical Review Product Blogging 303

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2016

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Capture your “secret sauce.”

Services 61

Services Startup Training Writing 61

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 18, 2015

I may be old fashioned, but the term consultant still conjures up an image of a self-proclaimed expert who can make great presentations, generate recommendations and leave you to do the hard work of implementation. Startups need outside experts who can do the work, as well as provide training on what needs to be done.

Services 100

Services Startup Software Review Social Media 100

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 29, 2021

Studies have shown that work productivity is related to a happier work culture , and customer satisfaction and loyalty are also dependent on the culture. Use marketing, blogging, and industry conferences to get the message out. The stigma of a clunky desktop today can easily lower worker engagement and satisfaction.

Satisfaction 108

Satisfaction Outsource Study Platform 108

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 3, 2021

In the past, if your startup had a website presence, the company was credible by definition. Yet most startups I know experience the same shock of disappointment when they first open up their website to offer their “million dollar idea” product, and nobody comes. Set up an award, and show winners. People buy from people.

Web 117

Web Search Engine Optimization eBook Advertising 117

InfoChachkie

MARCH 16, 2016

However, they clearly have a long term impact on the customer’s overall satisfaction and thus their propensity to purchase additional products in the future. Startups do not always have the luxury to optimize their product for both buyers and users. Follow John’s startup-oriented Twitter feed here: @johngreathouse.

SaaS 100

SaaS Startup Software Review Development Team Review 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 12, 2015

One of the simplest questions I get from aspiring entrepreneurs, and ironically one of the hardest, is “How do I start?” I want to tell them to just start anywhere, but I realize that most have no idea where anywhere is. The wealth of online education offerings is a great start, but is not enough.

Entrepreneur 112

Entrepreneur Startup Education Tool 112

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 1, 2009

This is part of my ongoing posts on Startup Advice. The world has changed much since I started my first company in 1999. Tim started to change our processes. Tim encouraged us to set up a blog and start talking openly about what we were doing as a company and inviting comments. He’s a smart guy.

Organization 280

Organization Customer Custom Tips 280

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2012

Everyone knows that that startups are risky, but they also expect that the job will be exciting and potentially very lucrative (think early employees at Facebook and Google). The truly indispensible person in a startup is a problem solver, because every startup has plenty of problems. Educate yourself one notch up.

Startup 92

Startup Journal Outsource Tips 92

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

Online it may be time to take a formal position via blogs and interviews. Be self-starting and tenacious on key challenges. Every business leader must be the role model for tackling problems and never giving up until they are resolved, without playing the victim, placing blame, or not making a decision.

Mentor 145

Mentor IBM IBM Social Media 145

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 22, 2013

High-technology product startups, without customers, don’t make a business. 77% of consumers now research online product reviews, blogs, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, for authoritative guidance. When these do not line up in the decision-making cycle, consumers feel true psychological discomfort. Scarcity – less is more.

Customer 100

Customer Custom Startup Social Media 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 20, 2013

In the past, if your startup had a website presence, the company was credible by definition. Yet most startups I know experience the same shock of disappointment when they first open up their website to offer their “million dollar idea” product, and nobody comes. Set up an award, and show winners. People buy from people.

Search Engine Optimization 105

Search Engine Optimization Startup Advertising SEO 105

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2011

By John Williams Fast Company magazine recently reported that PayPal founder Paul Thiel is giving away $100,000 to twenty-four young men and women to finance startup businesses. Thiel is providing his mentees with capital to make their startups a reality. You get the personal satisfaction of making something out of almost nothing.

Startup 92

Startup Capital Blogging Ideas 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 21, 2018

One of the simplest questions I get from aspiring entrepreneurs, and ironically one of the hardest, is “How do I start?” I want to tell them to just start anywhere, but I realize that most have no idea where anywhere is. The wealth of online education offerings is a great start, but is not enough.

Startup 51

Startup Education Entrepreneur Tool 51

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2011

Everyone knows that that startups are risky, but they also expect that the job will be exciting and potentially very lucrative (think early employees at Microsoft and Google). The truly indispensible person in a startup is a problem solver, because every startup has plenty of problems. Educate yourself one notch up.

Startup 91

Startup Journal Outsource Tips 91

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Capture your “secret sauce.”

Services 72

Services Startup Training Writing 72

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2019

According to a recent poll , contractors and freelancers could make up half of the American workforce within a decade. Every entrepreneur and every startup needs to have a clear “elevator pitch,” which identifies a unique strength and value they bring to the table. Start today thinking at least one job ahead.

Startup 98

Startup Outsource Development Competition Social Media 98

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2019

High-technology product startups, without customers, don’t make a business. Most consumers now research online product reviews, blogs, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, for authoritative guidance. When these do not line up in the decision-making cycle, consumers feel true psychological discomfort. Scarcity – less is more.

Customer 85

Customer Custom Social Media Technical Review 85

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2016

One of the simplest questions I get from aspiring entrepreneurs, and ironically one of the hardest, is “How do I start?” I want to tell them to just start anywhere, but I realize that most have no idea where anywhere is. The wealth of online education offerings is a great start, but is not enough.

Entrepreneur 58

Entrepreneur Startup Education Tool 58

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 27, 2014

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Capture your “secret sauce.”

Services 105

Services Startup Training Writing 105

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2018

Starting a new venture and thriving in today’s economy is hard, but the best have figured out that customers and employees need to feel that you have a sense of purpose, to complement the company’s pursuit of profit. Today anyone with a purpose can test their message through blogging, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and many other channels.

Startup 58

Startup Customer Custom Competition 58

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2014

This indicates that lifestyle and satisfaction factors are usually more important than financial ones. Entrepreneurs love the continuous challenges of a startup, and the satisfaction of tackling them. With a startup there are no rules until you make them. Choosing entrepreneurship is no exception. The cycle never stops.

Startup 92

Startup Tips Satisfaction Entrepreneur 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 14, 2017

Everyone knows that that startups are risky, but they also expect that the job will be exciting and potentially very lucrative (think early employees at Facebook and Google). The truly indispensable person in a startup is a problem solver, because every startup has plenty of problems. Educate yourself one notch up.

Startup 58

Startup Journal Outsource Tips 58

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 20, 2019

In the past, if your startup had a website presence, the company was credible by definition. Yet most startups I know experience the same shock of disappointment when they first open up their website to offer their “million dollar idea” product, and nobody comes. Set up an award, and show winners. People buy from people.

Search Engine Optimization 88

Search Engine Optimization eBook Advertising SEO 88

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 18, 2014

In a startup, key resources include funding, facilities and tools, and the time to get the job done. Positive social interactions with fellow team members lead to improved job satisfaction and motivation. Cash incentives are a good start, but even intangible rewards, like lunch with the boss, can be powerful motivators.

Startup 108

Startup Resource Tips Layoffs 108

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 19, 2022

I still find too many service organizations that ignore or discount online reviews and satisfaction surveys. It pays to invest more in building remote relationships with these site owners, or spending quality time with podcasters and popular blog influencers. Highlight your personal leadership values and experience.

Services 121

Services Technical Review Social Media Case Study 121

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 5, 2010

In the past, if your startup had a website presence, the company was credible by definition. Yet most startups I know experience the same shock of disappointment when they first open up their website to offer their “million dollar idea” product, and nobody comes. Set up an award, and show winners. People buy from people.

Tips 92

Tips Search Engine Optimization Startup Advertising 92

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 19, 2016

Does it sometimes seem like people all around you are getting promoted, or leaving to start their own business, while all your hard work and experience are getting you nowhere? Particularly in an innovative startup, everyone has to expect problems and change. They certainly would be unlikely to succeed in a new startup.

Startup 60

Startup Mentor Education Journal 60