Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2020

I second his list of top innovation challenges and strategies to capitalize on untapped global startup opportunities: Create new markets rather than disrupt existing ones. With a singular focus on building unicorns, very rapid growth has been a key metric. Target a global market rather than a local from day one.

Ideas 124

Ideas Venture Capital Software Review Technical Review 124

socalTECH

AUGUST 28, 2017

I tapped my co-founder, John Haro, who I worked for at Agency.com, and at another mobile marketing company, and we talked about the idea, ideated, and I brought him on as co-founder. That is all gearing up for a Series A funding, which will happen in the summer of 2018. I said, that's what we need for the event industry.

Technical Advisors 100

Technical Advisors Technical Review Metrics Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

With the speed of change and volume of market feedback today, as well as the advances in machine learning, Amazon, Alibaba, and others have proven the value of software driven strategy decisions. This is a new class of software that can adapt in real time to market changes. Marty Zwilling First published on Inc.com on 09/17/2018.

Artificial Inteligence 84

Artificial Inteligence Metrics Commerce Software 84

socalTECH

DECEMBER 27, 2017

Members hire Associations, Members fire Associations is what the new mantra will be for Association Executives in 2018. Cyber & nuclear threats, disruptive innovation, and increasing competition for market share will continue to reshape how members view their memberships. Will not be hired by your prospective members.

Research 140

Research Organization Help Product 140

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2018

In this era of rapid market and technological change, I know I have to challenge my small business advisory clients to keep innovating and stay ahead of the game. They have the courage to make bold decisions, often contrary to conventional market research and linear thinking. Set metrics and rewards specifically for innovation.

Metrics 58

Metrics IBM IBM Competition 58

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2018

They have to be energized and able to adapt as the market and competitors demand. You need to communicate quantified and updates goals quarterly, including the metrics to assess progress and success. Marty Zwilling First published on Inc.com on 09/25/2018. Define stretch goals and challenge your team to deliver.

Technical Review 84

Technical Review Customer Custom Startup 84

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

What sized team can I afford in order to sell, market & provide service to these customers? But expanding beyond our core customers was going to take more effort than simply launching in new markets. We realized that operating a business in distributed markets presented multi-city coordination efforts that we weren’t prepared for.

Startup 286

Startup Technical Review Customer Custom 286

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 26, 2018

We simply hadn’t tested the price sensitivity in the market segment and geography that needed the features we offered. Here are some strategies that I recommend from my own experience, to improve your odds of business success, as well as build traction points with your investors: Quote market research and input from outside experts.

Customer 59

Customer Custom Pricing Startup 59

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2018

Often, beneficial changes will have a short-term cost to achieve market growth or competitive advantage. Contingency plans make sense in every case these days, since technology and market factors are moving fast. Define metrics to assess roll-out progress and value. Ask for analysis and feedback based on long-term impact.

Tips 51

Tips Metrics Sample Statistics 51

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2019

It can be done, as proven by the market leaders, including Google and Amazon. Annual bonuses tied to production metrics are nice, but these will not generate the long-term trust and loyalty you need to set the culture. But be aware - trust is like the stock market. Provide training and mentoring directed at career growth.

Customer 92

Customer Custom Mentor Training 92

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 20, 2015

Our perspectives on the topic wax and wane with market cycles. Here’s what I believe, but won’t claim to “know” because every time I think I know something the market seems to do something entirely different. And if you’re lucky and hit product/market fit straight out of the gate – awesome.

Funding 150

Funding Venture Capital Startup Marketing 150

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 23, 2018

Luckily, I had always been a “hands-on” professional, and I had learned the pragmatics of people leadership, marketing, management tools, and funding. Simply defining yourself as a marketing specialist, designer, or project leader minimizes the stigma of the consultant role. Adopt a project-based revenue model with metrics.

Social Media 56

Social Media Software Review Customer Custom 56

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 6, 2018

They start second-guessing their own vision, and are prone to making snap decisions suggested by someone else, in lieu of their carefully crafted processes and metrics. Eliminate any contention between internal groups and functional areas, including sales, marketing, and development.

Metrics 57

Metrics Entrepreneur Customer Custom 57

TechCrunch LA

JULY 26, 2022

Holey Grail Donuts started selling its hand-fried, made-to-order taro donuts on Sunday mornings out of a little red burger trailer in Kauai in 2018. It is also scouting out new markets for additional retail and food truck locations. The firm’s Tony Conrad is on Holey Grail Donuts’ board of directors. “The It’s quite novel.

Los Angeles 183

Los Angeles Angel Culver City Startup 183

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 2, 2018

Tiny markets may excite your passion but won’t sustain a business or leave you with a long-term positive legacy. Investors look for a team with business, financial, marketing, and operational skills, as well as a social passion. Includes balanced and hard-hitting marketing and sales.

Customer 19

Customer Custom Acquisition Entrepreneur 19