Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 3, 2020

On the product side, once you have a proven product and business model, all you need is money to build inventory, and a sales and marketing operation to drive the business. With services, scaling the business often implies cloning yourself, since you are the intellectual property and the competitive advantage.

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Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 18, 2014

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. Is it any wonder why so few entrepreneurs ever find the professional investors they seek? Opportunity segmentation and competitive environment. Marty Zwilling.

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Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 6, 2023

For the elite startups and entrepreneurs who manage to attract the investor they dream of, and survive the term sheet negotiation, there is still one more hurdle before the money is in the bank. A smart investor will take an independent final reading in the market on barriers to entry, active competition, demographics, and price sensitivity.

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Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 5, 2014

Yet I see many technology entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. In fact, this article was driven by a startup press release I saw recently, highlighting a startup’s “geo-fencing technology” as a new basis for discount coupons. Instead of asking themselves “How and when will this generate sales?”

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Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 14, 2012

All the experts these days are talking about the increasing need for customer focus and maximizing sales. Typically entrepreneurs and even professional sales people think this means more emphasis on the customer selling process, when in fact it really means spending more time understanding the customer buying process (view from the customer).

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Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 23, 2011

All the experts these days are talking about the increasing need for customer focus and maximizing sales. Typically entrepreneurs and even professional sales people think this means more emphasis on the customer selling process, when in fact it means spending more time understanding the customer buying process (view from the customer).

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InfoChachkie

AUGUST 4, 2014

A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. In fact, for the past 27-years, he has specialized in bringing exotic travel destinations to those of us who are healthy and active but whose competitive sporting days are long behind us. If you could share one startup lesson with a young entrepreneur, what would it be?

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Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2022

I still have to tell some entrepreneurs that even with the best idea, they have to move to Silicon Valley to find the investors they need, or they need to move to the U.S. billion dollar sale to Oracle from Bozeman, Montana. Exposure instills the fear and urgency you need to deliver the right competitive solution.

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InfoChachkie

OCTOBER 29, 2012

However, certain questions can be tricky for an entrepreneur to answer. Below are five common questions an entrepreneur will encounter when seeking venture funding. Handled appropriately, these questions provide investors a window into an entrepreneurs’ soul, which minimizes the chances of a future misalignment.

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InfoChachkie

JANUARY 16, 2018

A version of this article previously appeared Forbes. Without taking a dime of outside capital, the company has achieved impressive success in a competitive, SaaS market segment, landing companies such as Nike, Intuit, NASA, AutoDesk and PBS. What advice you can offer entrepreneurs validating their new products?

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Both Sides of the Table

JULY 21, 2014

I’d like to do a few posts on what life looks like on the way up and perhaps how to keep your head on straight and avoid drinking your own Kool Aid because as I often advise entrepreneurs on irrational exuberance, “ In a strong wind even turkeys can fly.” Have sales bonus plans based on more than just sales targets.

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InfoChachkie

AUGUST 11, 2014

A version of this article previously appeared in The Wall Street Journal. If you haven''t already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly JohnGreathouse.com articles! "A For instance, a team comprised solely of engineers is greatly handicapped, as is a team exclusively made up of sales and marketing executives.

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Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2011

Equally important, marketing and sales people should be able to identify benefits and marketing strategies, set prices, and validate a business model. Competition analysis. Here is where you pick a few of these, characterize what they do, and position your own product to show your competitive advantage. Market research.

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Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2012

I believe it’s because too many entrepreneurs and leaders are so self-centered that they really don’t see what impact their actions have on others. These people may appreciate having a job in these tough economic times, but they won’t be motivated to take any risk, or lead your company through the competitive minefield.

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Both Sides of the Table

MAY 13, 2018

The most important advice I could give you before you set out in fund raising mode is to understand that fund-raising a sales & marketing process and needs to be managed. Somehow many first-time founders equate “sales” with something that is beneath them. In sales there are also three rules: Qualify, qualify, qualify.

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Berkonomics

APRIL 4, 2019

On the other side, entrepreneurs and CEO’s usually have a natural fear of giving too much information to us investors after the initial investment is received. Shareholders may vote on other issues during the year by written consent, including acquisitions, stock issuance, changes to the articles of incorporation and bylaws, and more.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2021

For the elite startups and entrepreneurs who manage to attract the investor they dream of, and survive the term sheet negotiation, there is still one more hurdle before the money is in the bank. A smart investor will take an independent final reading in the market on barriers to entry, active competition, demographics, and price sensitivity.

Technical Review 151

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Invest 151

InfoChachkie

JULY 26, 2010

Entrepreneurs can emulate de la Guerra’s strategy and make their adVenture appear far larger than reality and thus increasing its influence and market reach while discouraging competitive threats by creating an industry alliance. free weekly Infochachkie articles! If you haven’t already subscribed yet, subscribe now for.

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socalTECH

JUNE 19, 2009

For our Insights and Opinions section today, we have an article from Peter Lee , a venture capitalist at Baroda Ventures (www.barodaventures.com), discussing company valuation, and what the real goal of setting a value on a company is, and should be. They view the "valuation negotiation" with a VC just another competition to win.

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Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 19, 2011

I believe it’s because too many entrepreneurs and leaders are so self-centered that they really don’t see what impact their actions have on others. These people may appreciate having a job in these tough economic times, but they won’t be motivated to take any risk, or lead your company through the competitive minefield.

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Entrepreneur Email Competition Startup 93

InfoChachkie

MAY 16, 2011

As an entrepreneur and startup investor, I have helped create companies which achieved two IPOs which collectively raised over $100 million, as well as two acquisitions which totaled $385 million. However, it is my hope that this article will help you avoid learning the following lessons the hard way. 7) Hire A Consultant.

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Berkonomics

AUGUST 27, 2015

He has written numerous books and articles for entrepreneurs and investors, and was the publisher and editor-in-chief of Venture Magazine. Mr. Lipped addresses the issue of exits, and whether entrepreneurs should take the long view or cash out quickly when the opportunity arises. By Arthur Lipper.

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InfoChachkie

JULY 18, 2011

Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham and Marcia Brown’s Stone Soup , the seemingly innocuous board game Monopoly has played a pivotal role in the edification of several generations of entrepreneurs. If you haven’t already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly Infochachkie articles! Hands On Learning. Monopoly is no different.

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Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 18, 2021

During this time or earlier, you should also be doing your own due diligence on the investor, as suggested in a classic article on avoiding problem investors. Sales and marketing strategy. Depending on the availability of staff and needed information, the due diligence process generally takes 2–6 weeks to perform.

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Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Summary 152

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 4, 2012

Most sophisticated investors ignore them, focusing their attention on an entrepreneur's pitch and presentation materials, financial forecast and executive summary. As noted in Entrepreneurs Shouldn't Pitch Their Ideas To Venture Capitalists , most sophisticated investors place their bets on people rather than opportunities.

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InfoChachkie

JULY 21, 2011

free weekly Infochachkie articles! 5) When I interviewed people at my past startups, I rejected them if they asked me about our dental plan, as true entrepreneurs don’t care about such pedestrian benefits. 3) I’ve heard some great stories about your weekend sales “boot camps.” 6) Paige, why does the world need BetterWorks? . “We

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InfoChachkie

NOVEMBER 15, 2011

Article first published as Why Selling To The Government Can Downgrade Your Startup on Technorati. In fact, during my many years as an operational entrepreneur, I explicitly avoided working with governments, for the reasons described below. free weekly Infochachkie articles! First Greece, now Spain and Italy.

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Startup Outsource Development Software Review Sales 207

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 5, 2011

This article originally appeared on TechCrunch. I acknowledged this in the article. I said both in the article but felt compelled to provide a statement up front for the skimmers. I have conversations with entrepreneurs and other VCs on a daily basis about fund raising, the prices of deals, how much companies should raise, etc.

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InfoChachkie

MAY 19, 2011

This series describes how entrepreneurs can craft company-changing agreements with BDCs, while avoiding Kiss of Death contract provisions. If you haven’t already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly Infochachkie articles! Clearly, this is the sort of provision that a savvy entrepreneur will never fall prey.

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InfoChachkie

DECEMBER 10, 2012

This article previously appeared in Forbes. If you haven't already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly Infochachkie articles! The team subsequently earned a coveted position in Launchpad LA's current accelerator class after winning the Crowdstart LA competition. For us, the audience was perfect.

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Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2019

I still have to tell some entrepreneurs that even with the best idea, they have to move to Silicon Valley to find the investors they need, or they need to move to the U.S. billion dollar sale to Oracle from Bozeman, Montana. Exposure instills the fear and urgency you need to deliver the right competitive solution.

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Startup Technical Review Oracle Software Review 97

InfoChachkie

MARCH 9, 2019

A version of this article previously appeared in Forbes. As a Professor at UC Santa Barbara , I constantly battle Hollywood’s stereotype of the rapacious, maniacal businessperson, by teaching my students that Honesty is a competitive advantage. Michael Bloomberg, American Entrepreneur and Politician. It turns out, I was right.

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InfoChachkie

DECEMBER 5, 2011

Article first published as Eleven Startup Tips From Mark Cuban on Technorati. Mark Cuban is a lifelong serial entrepreneur, launching his startup career with a variety of teenage schemes, including buying and selling collectable stamps to pay for college. free weekly Infochachkie articles! Mark’s Startup Tips. What Risk? "Because

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Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2019

In the popular press, it’s easy to find articles that will convince you that companies with a good culture, such as Google, do it by lavishing perks and benefits , including some combination of free meals, trips and parties, financial bonuses, gyms, and a dog-friendly environment. It’s easier to go from bad to good, than from good to great.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 13, 2015

Entrepreneurs and startups often ask if they should select only social media for marketing, or stick with digital media, or just count on traditional media. None should be considered competitive mutually exclusive to any other. None should be considered competitive mutually exclusive to any other.

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Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 3, 2010

The path I went down after a few years was to hire more process driven people and devolved more daily operational ownership to people running individual functions such as product management, sales management, finance, etc. One of the most obvious places where you see this is in sales & marketing. Ditto the CFO. I was the laggard.

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Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

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. I have had this discussion with many a first-time entrepreneur.

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