Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2021

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. In reality, I like most ideas, but I have to tell them that the real challenge is taking the inspiration from a dream to a business reality. Now you see why no one should judge business success potential by the idea alone.

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Ideas Entrepreneur Mentor Resource 136

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2022

We are living in a new generation of business, where customers drive the experience, and highly engaged employees are required to keep up with customer expectations. As a business advisor, I’m always looking for guidance on leadership practices that work, and I was impressed with the classic book, “ The Leadership Mind Switch ,” by D.

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Customer Custom Coach Satisfaction 152

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Today’s customers demand more than a good product; they expect a great customer experience. A few companies are leading the way, including Apple with their iPad and iPhone, offering irresistible stores with friendly experts, elegant packaging, and customer service that never ends. Make user-centered design processes iterative.

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Customer Custom Design Product 150

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 26, 2021

Every business I know needs to be on a constant lookout for new ideas, both in what they offer to customers, and in their internal operations, to stay competitive. Fortunately, there are ways to nurture the creation and capture of new ideas. Openly ask for new ideas from your team and others. Firestien, Ph.D.

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Ideas PPC Customer Custom 132

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 27, 2021

The entrepreneurs I see are always talking about “disruptive innovation” ideas, but the plans I read are more often linear extensions of a current hot offering, like one more social network with the best of Facebook and Twitter, one more dating site dimension, or another “must-have” accessory for smartphones.

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Ideas Entrepreneur Netflix IBM 117

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 2, 2020

One thing I have learned the hard way in business is that implementing new ideas is usually much more difficult than conceiving the idea in the first place. That’s why I caution my aspiring entrepreneur clients against proclaiming to investors that they are a great “idea” person. For example, I have a friend with a Ph.D.

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Ideas Writing Examples Outsource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2023

Entrepreneurs have always believed that their product or service must show real value to customers, but today the smart ones are even able to make their marketing valuable. Now customers seek out people who are willing and able to add value, with expertise and insight, even before they have a product. The key is consistency.

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Content Customer Custom Marketing 104

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 4, 2023

Most entrepreneur that fail are quick to offer a litany of constraints that caused their demise – not enough money, time, customers, or support from the right players. Subtraction leads to simplicity, better usability, and easier education of your customers. It allows them turn resource constraints into stunning new businesses.

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Resource Ideas Competition Entrepreneur 112

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

In business, and in your personal life, the ability to anticipate and overcome criticism is one of the biggest differentiators between leaders, who make things happen, and followers, who may have great ideas but never seem to get things to go their way. The reality is that good ideas are always challenged, so you need to expect it.

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Ideas Case Study Mobile Resource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 29, 2023

That’s why I’m impressed with the classic book, “ All Dreams on Deck: Charting the Course for Your Life and Work ,” by Jeremy Cage. In his book, he couches his guidance in a real-life metaphor of his sailing trip around the world. I’ve always wished I had a magic metaphor to motivate the best dreamers to become the best entrepreneurs.

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Ideas Startup Entrepreneur Social Media 105

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 13, 2020

Many aspiring entrepreneurs I mentor can talk at length about their innovative ideas and passions, and ask lots of good questions, but never make much progress in building a real business. In my experience, building a business is much more about getting things done than having great ideas. It’s time to get the help you need.

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Ideas Writing Startup Entrepreneur 121

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 24, 2023

Investors invest in people, not ideas. Customers buy from people, not companies. That means relationships with team members, investors, customers, and vendors. One of my favorite authors, Brian Tracy, in his classic book “ No Excuses!: Think back on your own recent experiences as a customer or contractor.

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Customer Custom Outsource Development Entrepreneur 90

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 25, 2022

I’m sure you have all noticed how today’s customers have changed the way they shop, but I still find, as an advisor and consultant, that many of you aren’t sure how to deal with the new mode, or are still waiting for things to get back to the old normal. Convenience is in the eye of the customer, not your company.

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Demand Customer Custom Startup 126

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 22, 2020

Entrepreneurs have always believed that their product or service must show real value to customers, but today the smart ones are even able to make their marketing valuable. Now customers seek out people who are willing and able to add value, with expertise and insight, even before they have a product. The key is consistency.

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Customer Custom Marketing Content 127

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 26, 2022

They do it because engaged customers become loyal advocates and buyers. If you want all the specifics, you must follow the new wave of marketing experts, like Daina Middleton, and her classic book “ Marketing in the Participation Age.” It’s a dynamic customer environment out there. Innovate; don’t perfect. The message is simple.

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Customer Custom Technical Review Social Media 107

socalTECH

DECEMBER 7, 2015

The idea of creating a technology enabled marketplace is one of the biggest trends among startups today. Los Angeles-based VolJet (www.voljet.com) is looking to solve that puzzle, with its online system for booking charter jets, just as you would a commercial flight. You can also get commercial results for commercial bookings.

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Pricing Sites Services Customer 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 28, 2023

In business, and in your personal life, the ability to anticipate and overcome criticism is one of the biggest differentiators between leaders, who make things happen, and followers, who may have great ideas but never seem to get things to go their way. The reality is that good ideas are always challenged, so you need to expect it.

Ideas 136

Ideas Case Study Mobile Resource 136

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2019

Is your marketing focus product-centric or customer-centric ? With a wealth of products now available, customers look for the most memorable experience , not just the best product. Amazon is very customer-centric, but it can make all the difference in retail as well as online. Status factors are more important than demographics.

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Customer Custom Product Metrics 85

Berkonomics

DECEMBER 29, 2022

From their book, “Designing for Growth,” they iterate a four-question matrix, each with steps for creation through launch. What if we could do it better, do it in a new way, do it to attract new customers, do it to distance ourselves form the competition? Do we need to co–create this with a “teacher–customer?” What wows?

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Design Framework Ideas Customer 156

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 20, 2013

Successful startups are all about turning ideas into action quickly and efficiently. These actions must be the hard part, since entrepreneurs always seem to come to me with ideas, and ask me for help on the actions. Show extreme customer focus. Your great ideas deserve more than mediocre actions. Then fix it.

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Ideas Organization Entrepreneur Customer 110

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

In business, and in your personal life, the ability to anticipate and overcome criticism is one of the biggest differentiators between leaders, who make things happen, and followers, who may have great ideas but never seem to get things to go their way. A new idea is a step into the unknown, and always represents some risk.

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Ideas Case Study Mobile Resource 92

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2017

Based on my own experience as a startup investor, and feedback from like-minded friends, we all get pitches for at least ten startup ideas for every one new business plan. New business founders need to remember that investors fund business implementations, not ideas. Draft a short pitch for customers, and one for investors.

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Ideas Social Media Startup Customer 74

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 12, 2019

Much has been written recently about the requirement to focus today on the total customer experience, as a competitive edge or even for survival. The challenge I hear from savvy business owners and entrepreneurs operating on a shoestring is that providing a superior customer experience costs money.

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Customer Custom Coach Pricing 96

InfoChachkie

MAY 7, 2012

Ideas are infinite, and in the absence of competent execution, they are worth nothing. Thus, if both ideas and money are abundant, what is the scarce constraint in the fundraising equation? Skilled entrepreneurs bring ideas and money together by building a bridge of trust. Think Stewardship. The same precept holds true today.

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Ideas Venture Capital Education Entrepreneur 251

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

A theme I often hear from the entrepreneurs and startups I advise is that once they see that first surge of traction from customers, they can relax and enjoy life for a change. In today’s world of growing competition and customer evolution , holding your own, and growing to the next level is a constant challenge that can never be ignored.

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Ideas Customer Custom Competition 77

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2022

As a mentor to many business professionals and owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs, I find a wealth of innovative ideas, but often less insight on what it really takes to transform ideas into an income stream that can excite new customers into long-term business success. A great innovation starts with at least three ideas.

Ideas 145

Ideas Startup Case Study Writing 145

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2016

Investors invest in people, not ideas. Customers buy from people, not companies. That means relationships with team members, investors, customers, and vendors. One of my favorite authors, Brian Tracy, in his classic book “ No Excuses! One of my favorite authors, Brian Tracy, in his classic book “ No Excuses!:

Ideas 99

Ideas Outsource Development Entrepreneur Customer 99

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2017

Entrepreneurs are people who dream up new ideas, and then commercialize them into new businesses. Most people believe that the hard part is coming up with the idea, and the easy part is turning it into a business. Don’t assume anything until you have done market research and listened to real customers.

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Ideas Startup Metrics Entrepreneur 72

InfoChachkie

JUNE 3, 2013

John Lusk, along with his Co-Author Kyle Harrison, leveraged their humble company''s newsletter into The MouseDriver Chronicles , a New York Times bestselling book. We''re motivated, passionate, excited, terrified and at many times, have absolutely no idea what we are doing. Saying, ''Hey, we want to pay you to write a book.’

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Newsletter Startup Entrepreneur Writing 233

SoCal CTO

NOVEMBER 17, 2009

A day might include a discussion with a finance partner, an investor, a customer or a fusion partner. I like to book my own travel, so I might be on Expedia or on an airplane. Our new customer acquisition has grown and our costs have plummeted. I might also be found working on a presentation for an event or speaking engagement.

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Acquisition Customer Custom Ideas 170

TechCrunch LA

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Founded four years ago by Matt Danna and Sean Stavropoulos, Boulevard was inspired by Stavropoulos’ inability to book a haircut and Danna’s hunch that the inability of salons and spas to cater to customers like the busy programmer could be indicative of a bigger problem.

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Software Beverly Hills Los Angeles Equity 323

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 21, 2023

Overall I like the principles in the classic book “ Robert’s Rules of Innovation: A 10-Step Program for Corporate Survival ,” by Robert F. It starts with a vision, but benefits quickly from a structured process of idea generation, evaluation, prototyping, customer feedback, and success metrics. Idea management.

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Coach Metrics Competition Ideas 137

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2015

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. In reality, I like most ideas, but I have to tell them that the real challenge is taking the inspiration from a dream to a business. Now you see why no one should judge business success potential by the idea alone.

Ideas 104

Ideas Mentor Resource Entrepreneur 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 19, 2023

Every entrepreneur has an idea for transforming a market with innovative new technology, or transforming society with a new process. But unfortunately, most of these ideas fail at the execution level, or are not truly innovative. Ideas have to be implemented well to change a market, or the world. Grab the next-mover advantage.

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Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Competition 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 28, 2023

While searching for an answer, I found insight in the classic book, “ The 4 Lenses of Innovation ,” from Rowan Gibson, one of the most recognized thought leaders in business innovation. It all starts with a customer perspective to uncover problems and frustrations, and then design solutions from the customer backward.

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Startup Entrepreneur Tool Ideas 128

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2018

Too many entrepreneurs I know still believe that that their great idea will carry the startup, and they may even minimize their own value, especially if they have introvert tendencies. Yet most investors agree that the “idea” is worth nothing alone, and it’s the entrepreneur execution that counts. Remember the rule of one.

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Ideas Marketing Startup Entrepreneur 59

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 3, 2013

Based on my own experience and feedback from friends, every investor is approached by at least ten entrepreneurs with a “hot idea” for a new business, for every one who has a real “plan” for a new business. In fact, you can find websites full of ideas, like these “ Free Innovative Ideas ,” by serial entrepreneur Kim E.

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Ideas Startup Summary CalTech 106