Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2021

You can’t win as an entrepreneur working alone. You need to have business relationships with team members, investors, customers, and a myriad of other support people. See my article from way back “ Entrepreneurs Learn Best From Business Networking ” on how and where to get started. Give and you will receive.

Entrepreneur 140

Entrepreneur Startup Social Network Mentor 140

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 4, 2013

Because entrepreneurs often went to lawyers at their earliest stages to get their company registration done. Entrepreneurial lawyers like Don Lee , Dave Young or Ted Wang are good at sussing out which entrepreneurs are high potential. I asked for intro’s from entrepreneur friends. I spent time on college campuses.

Startup 361

Startup Venture Capital Pricing Technical Review 361

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 21, 2013

This article originally appeared on TechCrunch. This morning I was reading my social media and came across an article that Christine Tsai had posted on Facebook. It was about the founder of Sriracha sauce, David Tran, displaced from Vietnam when the North’s communists took power. What I learned from the article?

Entrepreneur 415

Entrepreneur Startup Pricing Product 415

InfoChachkie

DECEMBER 15, 2014

A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. If you haven''t already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly JohnGreathouse.com articles! Multiple surveys confirm that honesty is one of the most common traits of serial entrepreneurs. Employees, investors, customers and suppliers seek entrepreneurs they trust.

Entrepreneur 189

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Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

As of today, I will have published an article here for entrepreneurs and startups every day for the last 1001 days, since I started Startup Professionals Musings near the close of 2008. Here are ten key messages that I would like to leave you with: I continue to gain respect for entrepreneurs. I’m sure you know what I mean.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Startup Blogging Social Media 96

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 27, 2011

This is a post to help you figure out why you should write and what you should talk about. If you care about accessing customers, reaching an audience, communicating your vision, influencing people in your industry, marketing your services or just plain engaging in a dialog with others in your industry a blog is a great way to achieve this.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2020

Most of you aspiring entrepreneurs have new ideas on a regular basis, and find it hard deciding which to pursue, or try to tackle several at the same time. In addition to personal focus, I find that the best entrepreneurs build and demand a culture of focus and excellence in their team, their investors, and even their advisors.

Entrepreneur 126

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Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 31, 2020

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? Now let’s talk about the basic components of a business plan.

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Startup Summary Product 124

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 14, 2014

In fact 61% of all mobile searches where a customer contacts a business it is via a phone call (source: Google). I’m sure you’ve heard the meme that “email is dead” – if fact if you Google it you’ll find a long list of articles that will mislead you. Much more data in the full post. THE FULL STORY.

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Email SaaS Venture Capital Google 339

socalTECH

AUGUST 21, 2014

Today''s Insights and Opinions article comes from longtime socalTECH reader Frank Addante --who recently took Rubicon Project public. He talks about his strategy for how to build a company: the ''find out'' and the ''roll out''. Put yourself in your customer/consumers shoes and ask the following questions: Why do I need this?

Entrepreneur 159

Entrepreneur SoCalTech Advertising Ideas 159

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 4, 2019

Maybe starting a new business isn’t your passion, but in these days of rapid change, where everyone is dealing with uncertainty, I believe that thinking and acting like entrepreneurs will help you get ahead in any profession. So how do good entrepreneurs do it, and what do they do that everyone can learn from?

Entrepreneur 116

Entrepreneur Mentor Competition Study 116

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 14, 2011

I agreed to do the interview because the story was about what other companies can learn rather than about airbnb in particular. The short article in Fast Company is here if you’d like to read it. Understand the Gravity of the Situation for Your Customers. What are the teachable moments? Don’t Bury Bad News.

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Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2019

You can have the best technology, but if customers don’t know you exist, or they don’t know how your technology solves a real problem for them, your startup will fail. Yet I see many technology entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. How many customers will have any idea what this means to them?

Marketing 97

Marketing Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review 97

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Many of the entrepreneurs I advise or invest with spend considerable time on the Internet, keeping up with technology, customers, and competitors, but very few feel the need for an early personal presence. Every future entrepreneur should start by networking. Consistently review and respond to relevant online feedback.

Product 127

Product Entrepreneur Technical Advisors Technical Review 127

InfoChachkie

APRIL 29, 2013

A version of this article previously appeared on Inc. You operate your business from a small boat in the remote waters of northern Fiji and your customers are spread across the globe, residing in the US, Europe and Asia. How can you protect your company''s reputation when a rouge customer unjustly flames your startup?

Social Media 213

Social Media Custom Customer Media 213

InfoChachkie

NOVEMBER 3, 2014

A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. If you haven''t already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly JohnGreathouse.com articles! As noted in this recent Wall Street Journal article, Google has begun requesting that merchants include rating and review data to ensure that the efficacy of their search results.

Entrepreneur 210

Entrepreneur Commerce Sites Social Network 210

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 22, 2016

A version of this article previously appeared in Forbes. L-to-R: John Greathouse, unknown woman about to slap John, Reed Shaffner, Jerry Jao & Ara Mahdessian. If you haven't already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly JohnGreathouse.com articles! He started by stating, “We track customer success.”

Custom 100

Custom Customer Cornerstone OnDemand Metrics 100

InfoChachkie

DECEMBER 9, 2013

A version of this article previously appeared on The Wall Street Journal. If you haven''t already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly JohnGreathouse.com articles! At Rincon Venture Partners , we have invested in several female entrepreneurs(so far), including Tracy DiNunzio, Founder and CEO of Tradesy. What Gives?

Custom 185

Custom Customer Study Metrics 185

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 21, 2009

This is part of my new series on what makes an entrepreneur successful. I originally posted it on VentureHacks , one of my favorite websites for entrepreneurs. I started the series talking about what I consider the most important attribute of an entrepreneur : Tenacity. It’s not. It’s not just Europe.

Entrepreneur 290

Entrepreneur Startup Venture Capital Ideas 290

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 26, 2013

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! Many entrepreneurs naively hire a PR firm to launch their nascent products in the hope of leveraging the firm''s industry contacts. Prove The Hypothesis.

Marketing 247

Marketing Entrepreneur Journal Media 247

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2022

You can have the best technology, but if customers don’t know you exist, or they don’t know how your technology solves a real problem for them, your startup will fail. Yet I see many technology entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. How many customers will have any idea what this means to them?

Marketing 141

Marketing Startup Social Media Technical Review 141

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 19, 2019

What entrepreneurs forget or don’t realize is that most customers are wary of all technology, educating the market on new technology is expensive, takes a long time, and people buy problem solutions rather than technology. We heard a lot of this sort of thing about Pinterest in the early days. We don't quite get it. Acceptance.

Technical Review 87

Technical Review Technology Startup Social Media 87

InfoChachkie

JUNE 30, 2014

A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. If you haven''t already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly JohnGreathouse.com articles! In such cases, entrepreneurs risk confusing marketing traction with product traction. Although only a short Uber ride away, it is seldom frequented by the business students.

Marketing 193

Marketing Software Review Product Social Media 193

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 21, 2019

If an entrepreneur doesn’t find themselves in over their head at least 20% of the time, they are probably not pushing the limits, not taking enough risk, and probably not working on an idea that’s worth doing. Unfortunately, too many entrepreneurs I know are terrible at finding and accepting help. You start playing the blame game.

Entrepreneur 99

Entrepreneur Startup Help Mentor 99

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2017

Not so long ago, every business assumed that the keys to success were the highest quality product, the best value for the buck, and the best customer service. Now all we hear about is providing the best “customer experience.” Entrepreneur of the Year” finalist. Every relationship requires listening, as well as talking.

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Custom Customer Product Marketing 85

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2015

With the advent of social media and the pervasive move to smartphones, even customers who still prefer to purchase in brick-and-mortar stores have dramatically changed their shopping habits. Many people don’t post about their experiences, but still routinely check first to see what others are saying about the brand and the product online.

Custom 103

Custom Customer Marketing Social Media 103

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

In fact, I often have to tell aspiring entrepreneurs that their inventions have zero value, at least not until they are put in the context of a business plan, with qualified people committed to executing the plan. A business is about making money, while inventions are more about spending money.

Technical Review 156

Technical Review Funding Patents Ideas 156

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 31, 2011

One of the most common questions that entrepreneurs who meet me for the first time like to ask is, “Do you miss being an entrepreneur? If you’ve taken the roller coaster ride that is a startup – you know what I’m talking about. On Being an Entrepreneur. This post originally appeared on TechCrunch. Long hours.

Entrepreneur 384

Entrepreneur Startup Venture Capital Ideas 384

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2014

Not so long ago, every business assumed that the keys to success were the highest quality product, the best value for the buck, and the best customer service. Now all we hear about is providing the best “customer experience.” Entrepreneur of the Year” finalist. Remember, customers are the reason you do what you do.

Custom 98

Custom Customer .Net Competition 98

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 26, 2015

Not so long ago, every business assumed that the keys to success were the highest quality product, the best value for the buck, and the best customer service. Now all we hear about is providing the best “customer experience.” Entrepreneur of the Year” finalist. Remember, customers are the reason you do what you do.

Custom 100

Custom Customer .Net Competition 100

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 11, 2013

A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. If you haven't already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly Infochachkie articles! If your business model is predicated on online customer acquisition, do not exclusively rely on consultants to craft and execute your online marketing initiatives.

Technical Review 264

Technical Review Entrepreneur IP RSS 264

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2022

Maybe starting a new business isn’t your passion, but in these days of rapid change, where everyone is dealing with uncertainty, I believe that thinking and acting like entrepreneurs will help you get ahead in any profession. So how do good entrepreneurs do it, and what do they do that everyone can learn from?

Entrepreneur 127

Entrepreneur Mentor Competition Study 127

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 27, 2022

If an entrepreneur doesn’t find themselves in over their head at least 20% of the time, they are probably not pushing the limits, not taking enough risk, and probably not working on an idea that’s worth doing. Unfortunately, too many entrepreneurs I know are terrible at finding and accepting help. You start playing the blame game.

Help 131

Help Startup Entrepreneur Mentor 131

InfoChachkie

JULY 14, 2015

A version of this article previously appeared in Forbes. If you haven't already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly JohnGreathouse.com articles! The complexity of simply knowing what rate to charge each online customer will increase exponentially, as there are over 10,000 taxing jurisdictions within the United States.

Sales 100

Sales Custom Customer Metrics 100

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 14, 2009

This is part of my new series on what makes an entrepreneur successful. I originally posted it on VentureHacks , one of my favorite websites for entrepreneurs. I wanted to also post the series here to have it as a resource on my blog for future entrepreneurs who stop by. If you haven’t spent time over there you should.

Entrepreneur 338

Entrepreneur Startup Venture Capital Google 338

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

This article initially appeared on TechCrunch - with a minor update highlighted in red below. My initial reaction to Adeo when we spoke was that while it may have solved some issues (debt versus equity) it didn’t solve the ones that I’ve been warning entrepreneurs about most loudly. That’s all that matters.

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Startup Pricing Equity Venture Capital 354

SoCal CTO

MARCH 12, 2007

skip to main | skip to sidebar SoCal CTO Monday, March 12, 2007 MyShape Article - Analyst Misses the Point The NY Times did a piece today on MyShape, a start-up in Pasadena - Log in Your Measurements, and the Clothes May Fit. Having help narrowing choices is what its going to be about going forward.

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MyShape CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire 150