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Improving Sales: The Excuse Departement is Closed

Both Sides of the Table

Specifically what is often not in the DNA of founders are sales skills. The result is a lack of knowledge of the process and of sales people themselves. I had never had any sales training so everything we did for the first couple of years was instinctual. I boil it down to this: sales people are sales people.

Sales 316
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Ten Rookie Startup Mistakes You Won’t Make

InfoChachkie

1) Expect Independent Channel Sales Reps To Perform Missionary Sales. Rationale: I cannot afford to hire a direct sales force. Fallacy: Third-party, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) representatives succeed once the sales process is defined, proven and documented. 5) Allow Partners To Write Your Agreements.

Startup 242
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When Should You Allow Exclusivity in Deals?

Both Sides of the Table

I must admit I discuss this very frequently with portfolio companies but hadn’t thought to write about it. Why Exclusivity Matters to Your Customers or Business Development Partners. So often exclusivity on mega deals is of huge importance to your potential customers or business development partners.

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Should Startups Focus on Profitability or Not?

Both Sides of the Table

I find it amusing when a journalist writes an article about a prominent startup (either privately held or preparing for an IPO) and decries that, “They’re not even profitable!” The most obvious way to explain this is with sales people. “COGS” represents the amount that each sale costs you.

Startup 418
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Embrace Losing – It Will Make You Stronger

Both Sides of the Table

Write things down. Looong Appendix (only for those interested in reading another story about losing a sale & key lessons): A personal story of losing a sale that haunted me for years. I had been competing to win a contract at Thames Water, the largest water company in the UK. Be gracious.

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Embrace Losing – It Will Make You Stronger

Both Sides of the Table

Write things down. Looong Appendix (only for those interested in reading another story about losing a sale & key lessons): A personal story of losing a sale that haunted me for years. I had been competing to win a contract at Thames Water, the largest water company in the UK. Be gracious.

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Top 120 Startup Posts for 2010

SoCal CTO

First Principles. 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. -

Startup 378