Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2013

As I visit the websites of many startups, as well as more mature businesses, I still too often see a “contact” page offering nothing but a sterile form for customers to submit, never to be heard from again. Customers are not all like you, and they have choices, so a “one size fits all” customer service is no longer a viable option.

Social Media 99

Social Media Customer Custom Media 99

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2013

Customer service has always been reactionary, meaning someone has to wake up and answer website email requests. That’s just not savvy enough to hold today’s fickle, less loyal, and ready to jump customer. This exemplary customer service is just savvy marketing. Respect your customer’s view of usability.

Customer 89

Customer Custom Services High Tech 89

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2016

For too many small businesses, customer service is still seen as a “burden.” The report also indicates that customer problem experiences continue to increase, up four percent to 54 percent since the last study. These days, relationships and online reviews are key drivers for over 80 percent of new customers.

Customer 56

Customer Custom Startup Satisfaction 56

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 5, 2021

Here are some tips from a classic book by Harvey Mackay, “ Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door ,” which work even better in a startup than they do in a bigger company: Make yourself indispensable. You can’t outsource that one. Very few people are willing and able to take on any challenge, and make it work. Think big picture.

Startup 125

Startup Journal Outsource Tips 125

Tech Zulu Event

DECEMBER 26, 2013

Just as I don’t recommend you outsourcing the writing of your business plan, I wouldn’t pass on this task. If your company has already shown real traction, you’re acquiring a significant customer base, or you’re earning substantial revenue, make this the focus of your executive summary. Keep it short and simple. . What makes it so?

Summary 76

Summary Tips Startup Writing 76

InfoChachkie

DECEMBER 2, 2009

As noted in Pour and Stir Part I , the key to the successful execution of this strategy is managing the following equation: The cost to acquire a customer < lifetime value of a customer. Decreasing Your Customer Acquisition Costs. This is equivalent to being handed a free customer for every ten customers you acquire.

Customer 164

Customer Custom Advertising SEM 164

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 11, 2015

Here are some pragmatic tips on how to make your startup more scalable and investable: If you need investors, start with a scalable idea. I see too many business plans that are really product plans for customers, touting free services and long feature lists. Outsource what is non-strategic to optimize leverage.

Startup 103

Startup Outsource Invest Ideas 103

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Having paying “Customers” is what makes the cash register roar. An entrepreneur having low self worth is the number one deterrent for a potential customer not buying into what you are selling. Using your service or owning your product isn’t why a person buys, it’s the experience your customer will have. Second, how to get leads.

Customer 85

Customer Custom Marketing SEO 85

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2010

Here are some tips from a recent book by Harvey Mackay, titled “ Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door ,” which work just as well in a startup as they do in a bigger company: Make yourself indispensible. You can’t outsource that one. Very few people are willing and able to take on any challenge, and make it work.

Tips 49

Tips Startup Journal Outsource 49

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Here are some pragmatic tips on how to make your startup more scalable and investable: If you need investors, start with a scalable idea. I see too many business plans that are really product plans for customers, touting free services and long feature lists. Outsource what is non-strategic to optimize leverage.

Funding 67

Funding Startup Outsource Ideas 67

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Here are some tips from a book by Harvey Mackay a while back, titled “ Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door ,” which work even better in a startup than they do in a bigger company: Make yourself indispensible. You can’t outsource that one. Very few people are willing and able to take on any challenge, and make it work.

Startup 103

Startup Entrepreneur Journal Outsource 103

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 14, 2017

Here are some tips from a classic book by Harvey Mackay, “ Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door ,” which work even better in a startup than they do in a bigger company: Make yourself indispensable. You can’t outsource that one. Very few people are willing and able to take on any challenge, and make it work. Think big picture.

Startup 58

Startup Journal Outsource Tips 58

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 30, 2011

In the initial phases of any new market you’re developing a product (hopefully with a minimal set of features), getting feedback from customers, refining your product based on user feedback and then re-launching your product. The former was outsourced, the latter was our own team. Rinse & repeat. This is total bullshit.

Development Team Review 374

Development Team Review Technical Review Startup Resource 374

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 26, 2012

Below are some take away tips… and the video of the of the panel. This means selling at least 5-10 customers in advance, before it is even built. Offer the customers a discount for buying in advance. cleverua.com – outsourced web & mobile app development based in the Ukraine, Ask for Pavlo.

CTO Hire 81

CTO Hire Outsource Development Develop Development 81

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2012

Here are some tips from a book by Harvey Mackay a while back, titled “ Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door ,” which work even better in a startup than they do in a bigger company: Make yourself indispensible. You can’t outsource that one. Very few people are willing and able to take on any challenge, and make it work.

Startup 92

Startup Journal Outsource Tips 92

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

Scaling thru Outsourcing. Strategy to Get Your First 100 Paying Customers (bigMETHOD, Mixergy, Appsumo, Zaarly). Tips and Tools for Managing Virtual Teams (Tecca). The New Hollywood: Building Celebrity Brands Online EQAL, Cambio, Digital LA. Funding: The New Indie: BONA FIDE film. Moral Psychology and Big Data Singularity.

Southern California 89

Southern California SoCal Guide Mixergy 89

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

Others hire consultants, or outsource much of the real work. In his book, “ Out-Executing the Competition ,” seasoned executive Irv Rothman provides tips to corporate executives on how to dig in and “get their fingernails dirty.” Team members and customers expect startup founders to be innovative.

Startup 103

Startup Entrepreneur Template Mentor 103

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2011

Here are some tips from a recent book by Harvey Mackay, titled “ Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door ,” which work even better in a startup than they do in a bigger company: Make yourself indispensible. You can’t outsource that one. Very few people are willing and able to take on any challenge, and make it work.

Startup 91

Startup Journal Outsource Tips 91

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 1, 2013

Customers are notorious for stretching pay periods which means that the money you were including in your calculations may not exist. Just as you would hope (and expect) your customers to make payments in a timely fashion, you need to do likewise. Counting your revenue before payments are collected. Not minding your cash obligations.

Startup 93

Startup Pricing Outsource Competition 93

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2012

Others hire consultants, or outsource much of the real work. In his new book, “ Out-Executing the Competition ,” seasoned executive Irv Rothman provides tips to corporate executives on how to dig in and “get their fingernails dirty.” Team members and customers expect startup founders to be innovative.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Startup Template Mentor 94

Jason Nazar

JUNE 2, 2016

Nobody Else Will Figure it Out for You – Nobody else will get your customers, or figure out the toughest business challenges for you. In 2007 when we were about to launch Docstoc I attempted to outsource our PR and social marketing to no avail. TIP: read The E-Myth). TIP: read “What a CEO Does by Fred Wilson”.

Tips 40

Tips Coach Resource Startup 40

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 19, 2011

They outsource the critical negotiations and “trust their advisors to handle the details.&# You can’t outsource this to a recruiter. One tip – depending on seniority – you can sometimes hire independent reference check firms. Very customer focused. You name it. And yes, VC’s, too.

Venture Capital 319

Venture Capital Pricing Startup Outsource 319

InfoChachkie

OCTOBER 13, 2009

Customer Service – As newspaper boys were the face of their employers, savvy carriers learned to establish healthy customer relationships to facilitate timely collections and generous tips.

Web 2.0 222

Web 2.0 Web Sales Outsource Development 222

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 9, 2010

Enough detail is required so that someone else can build it without you (outsourcing). Because this document is “outward facing” the tone and level has to change to be understandable by customers and investors. See my previous article “ Ten Tips for an Investment-Grade Business Plan ” for details on requirements here.

Product 48

Product Outsource Development Competition High Tech 48

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 1, 2010

How to Enchant Your Customer - How to Change the World , November 23, 2010 I love to do business with small businesses—in-store, online, for myself, for others, for pleasure, for work—it doesn’t matter to me. No Business Plan Survives First Contact With A Customer – The 5.2 Your First Iteration of an Idea Will Be Wrong. So what gives?

Technical Review 175

Technical Review Startup Product Technology 175

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

Even so, it’s difficult (and perhaps impossible) to operate a small business or startup and not negotiate agreements with employees, vendors, customers, and others. " Solving the Innovator’s Dilemma – Customer Development in a Big Company - Steve Blank , August 23, 2010 One of the ways I learn is to teach. angel investing tips.

Startup 191

Startup Venture Capital Blogging CTO Hire 191

SoCal Delicious

MAY 6, 2012

With access to billions of mobile impressions and cutting-edge location technology we make sure that your message reaches customers ready to buy what you sell. Her health and lifestyle tips appear in Health Magazine, Shape magazine, and many other national publications. Tyler Bleszinski – Founder of SB Nation. Laura Trice , M.D.

Los Angeles 78

Los Angeles Entrepreneur Angel Fractional CTO 78

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 5, 2011

Steve Blank , January 25, 2010 10 Tips for Adding Game Mechanics to a Non-Gaming Service - ReadWriteStart , September 21, 2010 Startups & VCs: Learn How to Design, Market, & Eat Your Own. - First Principles.

Startup 378

Startup Venture Capital Blogging CTO Coach 378