socalTECH

MARCH 19, 2014

Sales tax compliance is not a typical sexy startup area. So, it was a surprise when a number of smart, insider angels -- including Roy Rubin (founder of Magento, which he sold to eBay), and Dan Rose (VP of Partnerships at Facebook)--put their money behind TaxJar (www.taxjar.com), a San Diego startup developing sales tax compliance software.

Sales 149

Sales Software Startup Commerce 149

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 20, 2023

Instead, they need to validate a customer problem and real market need first. Don’t create solutions looking for a problem , since investors ignore these, and customers other than early adopters will be hard to find. I say again, customers buy solutions, not technology. Look for customer willingness and ability to pay.

Customer 110

Customer Custom Social Media Technology 110

socalTECH

MARCH 14, 2018

As part of our sponsor relationship with the conference, we're running a series of interviews with speakers from the conference about their experience in the area of recurring revenues, customer service, and similar topics. Today's interview is with Jon Ferrara of Nimble (www.nimble.com), the maker of contact management software-as-a-service.

Customer 166

Customer Custom Conference Social Media 166

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 24, 2022

As a business consultant and angel investor, I often ask for your own assessment of marketing ROI , or customer acquisition cost (CAC). Leaders and investors need to know if you have and are tapping into your key sources of relevant data, including web analytics, sales management data, and customer relationship management (CRM) software.

Customer 100

Customer Custom Acquisition Technical Review 100

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 21, 2013

help you integrate your product with other systems making it harder for your product to be replaced by competitors. deliver profitable revenue that while on gross margins of 50% vs. software at 85-95% it is still profits to help you cover fixed costs. Only Work on Projects That Support Your Core Product Effort.

Software Review 321

Software Review Software Services Company 321

socalTECH

JULY 24, 2014

Southern California has a growing number of companies in the customer relationship management area, including a fairly new company in the area, Pipeliner CRM (www.pipelinersales.com). We spoke with Nikolaus Kimla , the CEO of Pipeliner CRM, to learn more about the company, its move here, and its software. Who are your customers?

Sales 229

Sales Startup Software Customer 229

TechCrunch LA

JULY 19, 2022

It also handles the back end as well by automating the posting, sale and shipment of unsold inventory while offering immediate payment to creditworthy sellers. More people are focused on the beginning of the product lifecycle; very few are focused at the end.”. to develop some sweet inventory-planning software.

Product 191

Product Funding Technical Review Equity 191

socalTECH

MAY 15, 2014

Irvine-based document processing software developer Kofax reported a $1.1M win yesterday, saying that it is offering up its products to an un-named provider of finance and insurance products. kofax document processing software customer' Kofax develops applications used for document capture and handling.

Sales 147

Sales Software Development Software Report 147

socalTECH

MAY 23, 2018

Playa Vista-based Appetize , which develops modern, tablet- and handheld-based point of sale (POS) systems, has added a number of high profile customers, and says it has seen record growth this year. The company's point-of-sale terminals and software are a significant upgrade from legacy point-of-sale terminals.

Customer 100

Customer Custom Sales Education 100

socalTECH

JANUARY 15, 2014

Hosted IT business management software provider Autotask says that it is planning to expand in Los Angeles, and will be opening up a new field sales office here sometime later this year. autotask business management software sales' The company did not say where in Los Angeles it will be setting up the office. READ MORE>>.

Los Angeles 147

Los Angeles Cornerstone OnDemand Sales Angel 147

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 17, 2013

In my first enterprise software company we developed a methodology for sales that we called PUCCKA. Having a methodology instead of just going on random sales visits helped force a bit of rigor and honesty amongst team members about how well or not we thought we were doing. The best sales meetings are discussions.

Sales 367

Sales Slides Startup Customer 367

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2021

Most technical entrepreneurs focus hard on building an innovative product, but forget that an elegant solution doesn’t automatically translate into a successful business. Businesses require an equally elegant business model, with the right price, messaging and delivery channel to the right target customers to keep the dream alive and growing.

Product 159

Product Technical Review Pricing Software Review 159

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Los Angeles-based Fan Appz , which is headed by Jon Siegal, said today that it has launched a new social media marketing product. The firm said its Personalized Marketing Platform is aimed at brand, to help them turn their fans into customers. Jon Siegal was previously a VP of Sales at Siebel Sytsems., READ MORE>>.

Social Media 234

Social Media Media Marketing Product 234

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 23, 2016

Los Angeles-based software developer Bridg said this week that it has launched a new customer relationship management (CRM) software product specifically aimed at restaurants. READ MORE>>.

Software 100

Software Email Software Development Customer 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2020

For the rest of us, we need a business plan, as well as a product plan. Some of you may be convinced that your product specification communicates the product message even better than a business plan, so why be redundant? Use non-fuzzy terms to quantify customer value. Provide specifics on the customer business model.

Product 169

Product Summary Startup Examples 169

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Los Angeles-based Fan Appz , which is headed by Jon Siegal, said today that it has launched a new social media marketing product. The firm said its Personalized Marketing Platform is aimed at brand, to help them turn their fans into customers. Jon Siegal was previously a VP of Sales at Siebel Sytsems., READ MORE>>.

Social Media 197

Social Media Media Marketing Product 197

InfoChachkie

JULY 7, 2016

The entrepreneur cannot wait to show me their product via a demo. You’re the first one I’ve met who didn’t want to see our product.” I then explain that I evaluate the veracity of a product by seeking guidance from current, past and prospective users, rather than relying on a product demonstration. Don’t Demo Me Bro.

Venture Capital 176

Venture Capital Product Software Review Technical Review 176

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 3, 2010

I’d like to talk about Crocodile Salesmen in 3 scenarios: 1) when YOU are selling (or someone on your team), 2) when you are trying to recruit a sales person. But how to apply “listening&# in a sales meeting? Let’s assume you run a Customer Support software company. I still do this sometimes, too.

Sales 314

Sales Startup Venture Capital Customer 314

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 20, 2020

Contrary to popular opinion, viral marketing has not eliminated the need for old-fashioned lead generation to bring customers to a startup. For new product startups, search engine marketing (SEM) is still one of the most cost-effective and scalable lead-generation approaches. Display advertising. Email marketing. Trade shows.

Customer 146

Customer Custom Marketing Startup 146

socalTECH

JANUARY 8, 2015

San Diego-based sales software developer Seismic has raised $20M in a Series B funding round, to go towards its sales content management software, the company said this morning. Seismic said it will use the funding for product and sales, marketing, and customer support. Seismic is led by Doug Winter.

Content 100

Content Software San Diego Sales 100

socalTECH

MARCH 1, 2018

As part of the lead in to the conference, and as a part of our sponsor relationship with the conference, we're running a series of interviews with speakers from the conference about their experience in the area of recurring revenues, customer service, and similar topics. We respond very quickly to all of our customers. Kevin Anderson.

Customer 113

Customer Custom Services Conference 113

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Santa Monica-based Nimble , which develops contact management software-as-a-service, has linked up its tools with call center software developer Talkdesk. According to Nimble, the move will automatically pair information from a customer''s contact history to Nimble''s contact records and customer data. READ MORE>>.

Software Development 140

Software Development Software Develop Development 140

SoCal CTO

OCTOBER 6, 2011

I’m going to take that thought out into the field and validate it with my customers." I’ve spoken to dozens of customers, I have a validated customer persona, built an MVP to test key behavioral hypotheses, and the data doesn’t back what you’re saying." " One was an enterprise software product.

Customer 227

Customer Custom CTO Coach Startup 227

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 14, 2022

There seems to be an insatiable demand from consumers for a better shopping experience, meaning they will pay a premium to a company that can present them a better match in products to their interests, without jeopardizing their good name. Don’t take shortcuts on these. Few people are paranoid about something they want and enjoy.

Customer 137

Customer Custom Technical Review Symantec 137

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 21, 2010

Los Angeles-based Leads360 , the developer of online sales lead management software-as-a-service, said Tuesday that it has launched a new, real-time prioritization product. According to the company, the new product automatically ranks and prioritizes leads, based on custom business rules defined by its customers.

Rustic Canyon 150

Rustic Canyon Product SaaS Sales 150

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 12, 2019

Much has been written recently about the requirement to focus today on the total customer experience, as a competitive edge or even for survival. The challenge I hear from savvy business owners and entrepreneurs operating on a shoestring is that providing a superior customer experience costs money.

Customer 96

Customer Custom Coach Pricing 96

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 5, 2023

Bill was relentless in his focus on getting the software PC DOS project delivered, while continually challenging us with new business models. Let me be a bit more specific on how follow-up trumps ideas for success in the key challenges of a startup, or any small business: Networking with investors, partners, and customers.

Startup 155

Startup Ideas IBM IBM 155

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 19, 2013

The era of VCs investing in successful consumer Internet startups such as eBay led to a belief system that seemed to permeate many enterprise software startups that hiring sales or implementation people was a bad thing. But the “no sales people” mantra isn’t what I’m here to take on.

Startup 403

Startup Sales Software Review Technical Review 403

socalTECH

JULY 10, 2015

Pasadena-based customer relationship management (CRM) software developer Rexter is launching a new product, later today, at the Microsoft Accelerator Demo Day in Seattle. Rexter said the new tooks with existing, CRM systems. Rexter is led by Andy Wilson. READ MORE>>.

Product 100

Product Pasadena Software Development Activity 100

socalTECH

JUNE 30, 2021

Los Angeles-based ServiceTitan, which provides software used by contractors and the trades to manage their business, has acquired another company, Aspire Software, which develops software for the commercial landscaping business. Aspire Software is based in St. Financial details of the acquisition were not announced.

Acquisition 113

Acquisition Equity Los Angeles Software 113

socalTECH

JUNE 16, 2016

Los Angeles-based Appetize , which develops tablet-based, enterprise Point-of-Sale hardware and software for venues, said on Thursday that it has scored a win in Minneapolis. Bank Statdium in downtown Minneapolis will use the company's products as its exclusive, POS solution. The company said that the new, U.S.

Customer 100

Customer Custom Sales Los Angeles 100

socalTECH

MAY 24, 2021

Santa Barbara-based Invoca, which provides software for call and sales tracking, said on Monday that it has acquired DialogTech, a developer of an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered call tracking and analytics product. Invoca said the combined company will have more than 300 employees and 2,000 customers.

Artificial Inteligence 113

Artificial Inteligence Santa Barbara Acquisition Sales 113

Berkonomics

MARCH 3, 2022

Quality” products and services…. should not be positioned as “cheap,” or your potential customers will question your message from the start and will be more critical of the delivered product than if offered as one or the other, but not both. And boy, does it apply to most of us and our offerings. Let’s define “fast.”.

Resource 156

Resource Sales Pricing Startup 156

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 21, 2014

Consumers buying through smart phones, travelers using the new, shared economy and businesses replacing old software with modern cloud-based solutions. It’s when the noise stops and you can actually get customer attention, press articles and VC meetings. And importantly we’ve had revenue. It has been a good run.

Marketing 354

Marketing Case Study Metrics Sales 354

Berkonomics

JUNE 11, 2015

In my case as a young software entrepreneur, I had a different approach: Fail Locally, one customer at a time. You just had to be lucky, write reasonably good code and land in an industry with some legs, and of course, treat the customer well. And I would learn customer service. I became an entrepreneur by default.

Customer 120

Customer Custom Writing Southern California 120

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 26, 2013

The new products are part of a push by the company to expand the services it offers to small and medium sized businesses, beyond its roots in helping those firms advertise their businesses online. According to ReachLocal, it has launched three new products, ReachSite , ReachConvert , and ReachCommerce.

ReachLocal 178

ReachLocal Woodland Hills Search Engine Optimization Services 178

socalTECH

AUGUST 10, 2010

Culver City-based Fonality , which develops business phone systems based on open source software, is claiming today that it has seen "rapid growth" in the first half of the year, and has doubled its customer sales compared to the prior year. Tags: communications source open software voip fonality. READ MORE>>.

Culver City 154

Culver City Sales Draper Software 154