Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2021

Most of the entrepreneurs I meet as an investor and advisor have no shortage of right-brain thinking, showing vision and creativity, but often don’t realize that their potential is being limited by a balancing focus on results, metrics, and customer specifics. Listen to customer feedback and tune your vision.

Technical Review 133

Technical Review Satisfaction Metrics Startup 133

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 21, 2023

Test specifics and potential on friends, advisors, and potential customers. Don’t be afraid to adapt your thinking and look for just the right timing to capitalize on a business opportunity that also satisfies your purpose. Make sure your plan makes business sense before committing real resources.

Satisfaction 114

Satisfaction Custom Customer Social Media 114

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 30, 2023

Capitalize on the lessons from early adopters and competitors. Smart startups save cost and time by capitalizing on the pivots of others before them. Market research can thus be based on real customers and a previously tested market. Timing is critical, as well as focus on marketing and customer satisfaction.

Social Media 92

Social Media Study Research Satisfaction 92

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023

Excellent detailed resources are everywhere, including a classic book, “ The Startup Checklist ,” by serial entrepreneur and founder of the New York Angels, David S. Building a minimum viable product, with customer validation. Who would not want to join the unicorns (recent startups with a current valuation of over $1 billion)?

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Startup Social Media News 104

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2020

Excellent detailed resources are everywhere, including a classic book, “ The Startup Checklist ,” by serial entrepreneur and founder of the New York Angels, David S. Building a minimum viable product, with customer validation. Who would not want to join the unicorns (recent startups with a current valuation of over $1 billion)?

Tips 161

Tips Startup Social Media News 161

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2020

Capitalize on the lessons from early adopters and competitors. Smart startups save cost and time by capitalizing on the pivots of others before them. Market research can thus be based on real customers and a previously tested market. Timing is critical, as well as focus on marketing and customer satisfaction.

Startup 157

Startup Social Media Study Research 157

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 17, 2018

." Revenue doesn't pay your bills, GM does  —  @msuster 2/ Founders obsess with revenue as a vanity metric. Payback periods on customer acquisition way more important to you in the near-term. Some even grow "bad" revenue just to show growth.

Software Review 242

Software Review Technical Review Pricing Metrics 242

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2022

Also, investors from the super-hubs (Silicon Valley, New York, or Boston), probably won’t assume anyone outside their domain has the savvy and resources to make it happen. Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world. Exposure to customers, incumbents, and competitors all drive success.

Technical Review 123

Technical Review Oracle Software Review Ideas 123

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 24, 2017

In an effort to learn a bit more about this phenomenon, and how to capitalize on it rather than fight it, I just completed a new book, “ Retail’s Seismic Shift ,” by Michael Dart, with Robin Lewis. Measure your agility by putting metrics on change. Create a non-online memorable customer experience. Look outside for benchmarks.

Custom 52

Custom Customer Technical Review Summary 52

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2021

I like the summary of the competitive reality in a new book, “ Rethinking Competitive Advantage: New Rules for the Digital Age ,” by Ram Charan, who relates a wealth of current experience from global clients: Customers expect a personalized experience. These have the vision and the resources to fund long-term digital success.

Competition 142

Competition Software Review Social Media Custom 142

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 30, 2021

Yet I still see many companies focusing on what I believe are ineffective approaches to turning this productivity challenge around, including stricter processes, more metrics, and financial incentives to improve motivation. That’s a huge opportunity for productivity in your business, as well as your team well-being.

Satisfaction 168

Satisfaction Coach Resource Tool 168

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2020

For the business to prosper, every employee, and your customers, must know and relate to your core values, such as product excellence, care for the environment, and personal integrity. Implement the key business metrices you will live by. Don’t try to do it all – capitalize on your strengths. Stay in your personal sweet spot.

Metrics 140

Metrics Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction 140

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2012

You can’t succeed in your new startup if you can’t win customers, and the new Internet-empowered customers are tough. Bloom’s “ The New Experts ,” that today’s customers are armed with three lethal weapons – instant access to information about every potential purchase, immense choice, and real-time comparison of competitive prices.

Custom 93

Custom Customer Startup Competition 93

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

Thus, startups must quickly determine which prospects are most likely to purchase in the near term and focus their energy on delivering these prospective customers an incredible experience. The reason we previously offered our customers the option of a Pilot was to secure their business more quickly.

Sales 215

Sales Outsource Development Metrics Resource 215

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2011

You can’t succeed in your new startup if you can’t win customers, and the new Internet-empowered customers are tough. Bloom’s “ The New Experts ,” that today’s customers are armed with three lethal weapons – instant access to information about every potential purchase, immense choice, and real-time comparison of competitive prices.

Custom 88

Custom Customer Competition Metrics 88

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2021

You continually get frustrated with your team members, customers, vendors, and partners. You never have the time and resources for International expansion, acquisitions, venture capital investors, or going public. It’s very frustrating. All the constituents have their own agenda. People – Surround yourself with great people.

Entrepreneur 174

Entrepreneur Search Engine Optimization Satisfaction Social Media 174

SoCal CTO

JULY 13, 2011

This site aggregates and filters content from thought leaders who talk about topics such as Marketing , Sales , Design , Revenue , Hiring , Social Media , Business Models , Metrics , PR , Venture Capital , Angel Investors , Bootstrapping , Incubators , Agile and many others.

Content 175

Content Startup Social Media IP 175

socalTECH

DECEMBER 11, 2017

Cloud Capital--has managed to coax those equipment rental yards into the digital age, and how the company has tackled other challenges in focusing its business. From a customer standpoint, though, it's pretty clear. So, from the customer side, it was much easier. Cloud Capital. BigRentz is based in Irvine.

Startup 174

Startup Metrics Custom Customer 174

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

There is nothing more pure than building a product, putting it out in the world and seeing paying customers using your product and in some cases loving it. As a startup in this phase you often raise capital, get press, hire staff and everything feels possible. How long does it take me to pay back my original customer acquisition costs?

Startup 286

Startup Technical Review Custom Customer 286

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 2, 2015

I love the enthusiasm, the boundless energy and the sense of possibility that comes from having an idea that hasn’t yet been beat up in the marketplace of competing ideas, customer contracts, VC skepticism, jaded journalists or fickle consumers who are on the The New, New Thing. And board confidence matters in growing companies.

Outsource Development 150

Outsource Development Metrics Startup Sales 150

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 4, 2013

Compelling in the sense that you solve a real problem a target group of potential customers has with a product that is significantly better than the alternatives on that market. I see many companies these days just race to raise capital. They see capital raising at the success validator. My take on his argument is this: 1.

Startup 401

Startup Custom Customer Technical Review 401

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 16, 2018

Without taking a dime of outside capital, the company has achieved impressive success in a competitive, SaaS market segment, landing companies such as Nike, Intuit, NASA, AutoDesk and PBS. We have customers from so many different industries like software, financial services, healthcare, and media. It was a viable option for us.

Venture Capital 115

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Santa Barbara SaaS 115

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2019

Also, investors from the super-hubs (Silicon Valley, New York, or Boston), probably won’t assume anyone outside their domain has the savvy and resources to make it happen. Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world. Exposure to customers, incumbents, and competitors all drive success.

Startup 97

Startup Technical Review Oracle Software Review 97

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 19, 2016

Gather resources and skills for the journey ahead. Smart entrepreneurs prepare for their business marathon by building a support team around them, honing their skills, and assembling resources in anticipation of stretching their comfort zone beyond past limits. Define and use metrics to measure your progress.

Social Network 94

Social Network Startup Ideas Entrepreneur 94

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 3, 2018

Capitalize on the lessons from early adopters and competitors. Smart startups save cost and time by capitalizing on the pivots of others before them. Market research can thus be based on real customers and a previously tested market. Timing is critical, as well as focus on marketing and customer satisfaction.

Startup 65

Startup Social Media Study Research 65

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2015

Social media is now one of the key marketing tools, but not the only one, so the challenge is to manage the resource tradeoffs effectively by constantly assessing payback versus cost. Startups should begin by selecting just a few of the vast array of social media offerings out there, and customize based on results.

Social Media 108

Social Media Media Startup Tips 108

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2019

In this era of rapid change, you can’t afford to stop learning, or you will find that your competitors, your customers, and your team, may soon be following someone else. Most people agree that leadership is primarily a set of behaviors that capitalize on relationships and a current market and customer understanding in a complex world.

Tips 97

Tips Mentor Coach Metrics 97

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 30, 2014

Capitalize on the lessons from early adopters and competitors. Smart startups save cost and time by capitalizing on the pivots of others before them. Market research can thus be based on real customers and a previously tested market. Timing is critical, as well as a focus on marketing and customer satisfaction.

Technology 103

Technology Entrepreneur Study Research 103

SoCal CTO

JUNE 9, 2010

Kathy Sierra at Business of Software 2009 - Business of Software Blog , May 4, 2010 "In the old days, getting customers was easy. Putting customers first. Legendary customer support. Draw Your Ideas - A VC : Venture Capital and Technology , May 16, 2010 I saw Jack Dorsey give this talk at The 99% Conference last month.

Startup 248

Startup Venture Capital Conference Social Media 248

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2016

Until a new brand has national recognition or high promotion, it won’t be found or used by local customers or out of town visitors. You need metrics to show dominant penetration of the relevant customer demographic, added value over existing media, and real customer testimonials of value.

Advertising 63

Advertising Content Social Media Satisfaction 63

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2015

Also, investors from the super-hubs (Silicon Valley, New York, or Boston), won’t assume anyone outside their domain has the savvy and resources to make it happen. Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world. Exposure to customers, incumbents, and competitors all drive success.

Startup 109

Startup Technical Review Oracle Software Review 109

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

To grow faster businesses need resources in today’s financial period to fund growth that may not come for 6 months to a year. You have to understand whether they’re likely to yield revenue growth in the near term OR whether you have access to cheap enough capital to fund your losses until your investments pay off.

Startup 418

Startup Venture Capital Sales Technical Review 418

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2016

Capitalize on the lessons from early adopters and competitors. Smart startups save cost and time by capitalizing on the pivots of others before them. Market research can thus be based on real customers and a previously tested market. Timing is critical, as well as focus on marketing and customer satisfaction.

Technology 57

Technology Startup Study Research 57

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 18, 2014

I do think the way we work with companies is a little different from other programs, in that we view it much more like the wasyI personally think about investing and venture capital. An idea, prototype, customers, where? A prototype is one, but it could also be customer acquisition testing they''ve done. READ MORE>>.

Incubator 187

Incubator Southern California Startup Ideas 187

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2017

Also, investors from the super-hubs (Silicon Valley, New York, or Boston), won’t assume anyone outside their domain has the savvy and resources to make it happen. Today, Silicon Valley is the consumer and enterprise software capital of the world. Exposure to customers, incumbents, and competitors all drive success.

Sites 59

Sites Startup Technical Review Oracle 59

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 19, 2015

So it behooves every aspiring entrepreneur to understand their own DNA before picking a project to bet their life on, and to facilitate effective communication with all constituents, including partners, investors, team members and customers. Venture capital investors have the resources to travel to entrepreneurs with high potential.

Startup 106

Startup Incubator Entrepreneur Metrics 106

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 9, 2016

Many pundits feel entrepreneur Jonathan Abrams failed to get the professional management and resources he needed to scale, including turning down an offer from Google for $30 million and was run over by Facebook, a later competitor. Try to capitalize on your strengths, rather than trying to fix all your weaknesses.

Social Network 59

Social Network Startup Demand Entrepreneur 59