Remove Customer Remove Patents Remove Product Remove Technology
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6 Keys To Aiming Your Product To Mainstream Customers

Startup Professionals Musings

Every technical entrepreneur is an early adopter of technology, so naturally they build things with people like themselves in mind. Unfortunately, for most solution markets, early adopters represent only 10 to 15 percent of the total opportunity, so it’s easy to get mislead on the real requirements of mainstream customers.

Customer 117
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Can you guess 10 tests for your success?

Berkonomics

Test yourself as to whether you can identify the size of your market niche, and whether you can overcome the many barriers to access customers within your niche. A core patent or “thicket” of patents protecting your offering? A strategic relationship with one or more of the largest customers? Are margins high enough?

Patents 286
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Every New Venture Needs A Product And A Business Plan

Startup Professionals Musings

Most technical entrepreneurs I know demand the discipline of a product specification or plan, and then assume that their great product will drive a great business. Serious investors, on the other hand, look for a professional business plan or summary first, and hardly ever look at the product plan.

Product 112
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6 Guidelines For How And When To Use Non-Disclosures

Startup Professionals Musings

First of all, I will admit that there is some risk involved with talking to any potential investors, even with an agreement, just as there is risk in all the elements of your plan, product and market opportunity. Disclosures relative to patents. Product details in the public domain can never be patented. Marty Zwilling

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5 Tips To Keep Your Startup Productive, Not Just Busy

Startup Professionals Musings

Yet if that leaves you with no documented business plan or unclear strategy, most investors and even customers will walk away. Use technology and tools, but don’t let them sink you. There are complex processes, like filing a patent, and financial tools that may be new to you, including Excel and Quickbooks.

Product 123
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Here are ten vision tests for your success

Berkonomics

Test yourself as to whether you can identify the size of your market niche, and whether you can overcome the many barriers to access customers within your niche. A core patent or “thicket” of patents protecting your offering? A strategic relationship with one or more of the largest customers? Are margins high enough?

Patents 291
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6 Mistakes Often Made Positioning Against Competition

Startup Professionals Musings

How an entrepreneur answers this question speaks volumes about their knowledge of business realities, customers, confidence, and their ability to handle investor funding. He or she will assume your comment means there is no market for your product or service, or you haven’t looked. Neither speaks well for you or your startup.