Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2023

I found these challenges and opportunities outlined well in a classic book, “ Out-Innovate ,” by Alexandre Lazarow. 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.

Capital 138

Capital Marketing Ideas Venture Capital 138

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2022

Marketing is everything these days. Yet I see many technology entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. I like the guidance from marketing coach David Newman’s classic book “ Do It! Don’t fall into the marketing-speak trap. Good marketing is not rocket science.

Marketing 141

Marketing Startup Social Media Technical Review 141

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 21, 2020

Harry was gracious enough to invite me back so this past week we recorded an episode discussing the current market environment. Nobody will be immune because in a bull market executives are paid to “innovate” so they sign software contracts and run projects. The reality is that when unemployment sinks in demand is likely to get worse.

Venture Capital 263

Venture Capital Marketing Startup Writing 263

Tech.Co

SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

The idea of video on demand has been around since as early as 1990 when GTE partnered up with AT&T to create the first VOD system. Hollywood studios are jumping on the trend of the VOD market. is suggesting offering recently released films on-demand seventeen days after debut for a $50 dollar fee. For example, Warner Bros.

Hollywood 93

Hollywood Demand Marketing Netflix 93

socalTECH

OCTOBER 30, 2015

Los Angeles, which appears to be the capital of on-demand, mobile phone driven services (Uber-for-almost anything), has yet another entry into the on-demand personal services market: Hairdoo , a startup which says it can connect users with a haircut as soon as an hour from booking.

Demand 100

Demand Los Angeles Mobile Services 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 11, 2023

I agree with the classic book by Ros Taylor, “ Creativity at Work: Supercharge Your Brain and Make Your Ideas Stick ,” which outlines some key psychological impediments to creative business thinking and change: Just use the data metrics. It is possible to be creative on demand, and to demand creativity in your startup.

Marketing 119

Marketing Metrics Demand Statistics 119

socalTECH

APRIL 1, 2014

Handybook , one of a crop of new companies which provides on-demand, mobile access to local service providers--in this case, handyman services and house cleaners--said yesterday that it has launched its services in Los Angeles, and also hired a local general manager. READ MORE>>.

Los Angeles 159

Los Angeles Angel Marketing Southern California 159

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 20, 2020

You don’t realize that person-to-person noise now dominates all channels through social media, effectively hiding business marketing messages. You now need a personal context in your marketing to get results. For example, the company GoPro makes cameras, yet now rarely ever talks about cameras in its marketing.

Marketing 130

Marketing Technical Advisors Social Media Media 130

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 12, 2014

But being best-in-class at online marketing is also a sine qua non to standout from your peer group. The starting point of product IS marketing, which is what a lot of young entrepreneurs that never studied business don’t realize. Online marketing uses techniques for driving promotion and place.

Marketing 379

Marketing Startup SEM SEO 379

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 21, 2015

Every entrepreneur knows that good demand generation marketing is the key to growth these days, but very few have the discipline or know-how to measure return in a world of a thousand tools and techniques. In fact, we now live in a buyer-led digital age, where the traditional media push-marketing efforts just don’t work.

Metrics 101

Metrics Marketing Demand Paramount 101

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2016

I just finished a new book, “ Navigating the Talent Shift ,” with convincing arguments for this approach by Lisa Hufford, Founder of Simplicity Consulting talent solutions. The author outlines eight necessary steps for every business and entrepreneur to capitalize on this movement to on-demand project teams, versus permanent hires.

Demand 99

Demand Training Outsource Development Entrepreneur 99

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Breather , which operates a network of meeting rooms, offices, and other spaces aimed at the flexible work space market, said it plans to expand into Los Angeles this year, as part of a national expansion. The company is backed by Valar Ventures, and others. The company said it is tapping Cushman & Wakefield for its expansion plans.

Los Angeles 100

Los Angeles Demand Angel Networking 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2023

Every business owner and entrepreneur like you I work with wishes they could better predict product demand and sales, for managing inventory and long-term business planning. I was impressed with the analysis and recommendation offered in a recent book, “ Trust the Plan: Demand Management For Business Leaders, ” by Greg Spira.

Metrics 81

Metrics Demand Statistics Sample 81

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2019

Marketing is everything these days. Yet I see many technology entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. I like the guidance from marketing coach David Newman’s classic book “ Do It! Don’t fall into the marketing-speak trap. Good marketing is not rocket science.

Marketing 97

Marketing Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review 97

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 27, 2019

Every new business dreams of growing from a startup to a global market leader in a few years, like Amazon.com, but that goal is elusive. Thus I was pleased to see the evidence confirming that perspective in a new book, “ The Amazon Management System ,” by Ram Charan and Julia Yang.

Marketing 123

Marketing Technical Review Customer Custom 123

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2018

An eye-opening list of insights was highlighted in a classic book, “ Build for Change ,” by Alan Trefler, Founder and CEO of Pegasystems. Use aggregated data from social media, professional market research, public sentiment, and key influencers for change analysis. Add context and intent to your customer analysis.

Demand 71

Demand Customer Custom Tips 71

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2017

Viral marketing and word-of-mouth are not enough these days to make your product and brand visible in the relentless onslaught of new promotional media out there today. Innovation in marketing is perhaps more important than product innovation. Yet in the business plans I see, the marketing content and budget are smaller than ever.

Marketing 82

Marketing Demand Startup Customer 82

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2021

For the full picture, see the classic book, “ Navigating the Talent Shift ,” with convincing arguments by Lisa Hufford, Founder of Simplicity Consulting talent solutions. The author outlines eight necessary steps for every business and entrepreneur to capitalize on this movement to on-demand project teams, versus permanent hires.

Demand 143

Demand Training Outsource Development Organization 143

socalTECH

JULY 23, 2019

According to service, it is aiming its service at consumers looking to pre-book and guarantee shared shuttles, private sedans, vans, and limos, as well as, in some of its markets, large buses.

Demand 113

Demand Los Angeles Sites Services 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2021

Vikram Mansharamani provided some great insights on the financial side in his recent book, “ Boombustology: Spotting Financial Bubbles Before They Burst, ” and I believe these can be equally applied to bubbles for startup growth opportunities as follows: Avoid the herd mentality. Supply and demand ignored. Cheap money.

Demand 145

Demand Google Commerce Pricing 145

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2013

Viral marketing and word-of-mouth are not enough these days to make your product and brand visible in the relentless onslaught of new promotional media out there today. Innovation in marketing is perhaps more important than product innovation. Yet in the business plans I see, the marketing content and budget are smaller than ever.

Marketing 104

Marketing Demand Startup Customer 104

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023

Today’s customers demand more than a good product; they expect a great customer experience. In the classic book, “ X: The Experience When Business Meets Design ,” Brian Solis details how to design the whole experience, rather than just the product. In today’s fast paced market, trends and user needs evolve.

Design 105

Design Customer Custom Product 105

InfoChachkie

NOVEMBER 5, 2012

However, many people are not aware that prior to entering academia, Steve was a wily and creative marketing entrepreneur. As the VP of Marketing, Steve inherited a department of 14people that was burning $4M annually. Despite these abundant resources, the team's ineffectiveness was reflected by the company's dismal 11% market share.

Marketing 271

Marketing Startup Sales Customer 271

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Viral marketing and word-of-mouth are not enough these days to make your product and brand visible in the relentless onslaught of new promotional media out there today. Innovation in marketing is perhaps more important than product innovation. Yet in the business plans I see, the marketing content and budget are smaller than ever.

Customer 100

Customer Custom Marketing Demand 100

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 5, 2014

Marketing is everything these days. Yet I see many technology entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. I like the guidance from marketing coach David Newman’s recent book “ Do It! Don’t fall into the marketing-speak trap. Good marketing is not rocket science.

Technical Review 103

Technical Review Tips Marketing Entrepreneur 103

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 10, 2021

An eye-opening list of insights was highlighted in the classic book, “ Build for Change ,” by Alan Trefler, Founder and CEO of Pegasystems. Use aggregated data from social media, professional market research, public sentiment, and key influencers for change analysis. Add context and intent to your customer analysis.

Customer 173

Customer Custom Social Media Outsource Development 173

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2018

An eye-opening list of insights was highlighted in a classic book, “ Build for Change ,” by Alan Trefler, Founder and CEO of Pegasystems. Use aggregated data from social media, professional market research, public sentiment, and key influencers for change analysis. Add context and intent to your customer analysis.

Demand 56

Demand Customer Custom Tips 56

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2017

Marketing is everything these days. Yet I see many technology entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. I like the guidance from marketing coach David Newman’s classic book “ Do It! Don’t fall into the marketing-speak trap. Good marketing is not rocket science.

Tips 75

Tips Marketing Technical Review Startup 75

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2023

If you are one of these, you may be missing win-win opportunities to incrementally expand existing markets, create new ones enabled by new technologies, or do good for society in this new age. I found many non-disruption recommendations in the new book, “ Beyond Disruption ,” by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne.

Capital 142

Capital Netflix Resource Customer 142

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 2, 2017

Every business I know is intimately familiar with outbound marketing, or pushing your message out to customers through email, newspaper, and television advertising. Only a few really understand the process and value of inbound marketing, for pulling customers to your brand. Pull marketing is less expensive than push marketing.

Marketing 76

Marketing Social Media Content Media 76

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 17, 2022

Unfortunately, the market is changing so fast these days that any upward climb can level off quickly, as the core business growth begins to stall. I’m talking about the kind of change that moved Apple from personal computers to music distribution to consumer electronics, and Amazon from books to e-Commerce to cloud computing services.

Startup 106

Startup Pricing Cloud Computing Customer 106

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 26, 2014

Most technical entrepreneurs cringe when they finally realize that marketing is still king, despite the power of technology, and they are up against competitors who have a hundred times their spending power. The cost of entry to market on these is low, and marketing leverage has very little to do with the size of your budget.

Marketing 101

Marketing Startup Case Study Resource 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 2, 2022

My conclusion either way is that they have no market, or haven’t looked. According to the classic book by serial entrepreneur and former race car driver Tom Panaggio, “ The Risk Advantage: Embracing the Entrepreneur's Unexpected Edge ,” smart business owners embrace two essential risks to every opportunity – decision and change.

Entrepreneur 153

Entrepreneur Marketing Customer Custom 153

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Today’s customers demand more than a good product; they expect a great customer experience. In the classic book, “ X: The Experience When Business Meets Design ,” Brian Solis details how to design the whole experience, rather than just the product. In today’s fast paced market, trends and user needs evolve.

Customer 150

Customer Custom Design Product 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2021

Career survival today requires thinking and acting like an entrepreneur starting a business, staying nimble and resilient, willing to pivot, and supersensitive to the market realities of supply and demand. Reid Hoffman, cofounder of LinkedIn, helped me crystallize these similarities with his classic book “ The Start-up of You.”

Startup 143

Startup Entrepreneur Demand Competition 143

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2022

You can even give it a more elegant name, like “market-focused reinvention,” but it won’t be graceful if you don’t take the lead. The classic book “ Resurgence: The Four Stages of Market-Focused Reinvention ,” by top Kellogg School of Management faculty members Gregory S. That means market-focused, rather than marketing-focused.

Course 127

Course IBM IBM Social Media 127

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2021

In a new book, “ The Unstoppable Startup ,” by Uri Adoni, a widely respected venture capitalist from Israel, I was pleased to see real specifics on how you can successfully demonstrate the right level of confidence and boldness, without stepping over the line into arrogance and insolence. Dominate or create the market category you seek.

Startup 162

Startup Entrepreneur IBM IBM 162