SoCal CTO

AUGUST 4, 2011

Think of these as the big upfront questions: Who are the customers? Please be able to provide me with a few specific examples of different types of customers, what they need, what the system will do for them. What are your key Startup Metrics ? What set of functionality would make your company launch-ready? Wireframes?

Develop 396

Develop Development Startup SEO 396

SoCal CTO

AUGUST 4, 2011

Think of these as the big upfront questions: Who are the customers? Please be able to provide me with a few specific examples of different types of customers, what they need, what the system will do for them. What are your key Startup Metrics ? What set of functionality would make your company launch-ready? Wireframes?

Develop 384

Develop Development Startup SEO 384

Berkonomics

APRIL 8, 2021

Not every new game-related site is a Steam, and surely not every social network is a Facebook. Discord is a great example of a company going viral mostly from word of mouth. And of course, that could easily require a large amount, far beyond the capability of a small company looking for its initial audience.

Sites 156

Sites Product Social Network Press 156

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.

Ideas 117

Ideas Entrepreneur Netflix IBM 117

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2022

For example, if you are working on a great social networking idea to replace Facebook, and need funding, you probably won’t find any interested and focused VCs or angel investors in Arizona, where I live. Exposure to customers, incumbents, and competitors all drive success. get the attention of the market they choose.

Technical Review 123

Technical Review Oracle Software Review Ideas 123

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 1, 2019

According to one study a while back, only 45% of founders plan to exit after stage one, and my guess is that less than half the remainder survive the next stage in their own company. These only come with the proper training, investment in tools, and focus on customer relationships. Managing business growth is more than metrics.

Startup 97

Startup Sales Metrics Guide 97

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2015

The most common proposals I hear are for yet another social networking site ( over 200 active ), or another dating site (now over 2500 in the US alone). In my experience, finding real innovation in existing company environments is even tougher. Set milestones and meet them. Ownership. Value creation. Accountability.

Entrepreneur 101

Entrepreneur Startup Coach Metrics 101

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 18, 2018

The most common proposals I hear are for yet another social networking site ( over 200 exist ), or another dating site (over 2500 in the US alone). In my experience, finding real innovation in existing company environments is even tougher. From time to time, include customers and sales members in ideation sessions.

Entrepreneur 64

Entrepreneur Coach Metrics Competition 64

socalTECH

APRIL 15, 2016

Los Angeles-based Gatsby (www.thinkgatsby.com) has come up with a way to combine both ways to promote social sharing, as well as reduce shopping cart abandonment, via discounts which change depending on your social influence and sharing activity. Brett Bernstein: First and foremost, we are allowing any customer to be an influencer.

Social Media 100

Social Media Social Network Examples Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 14, 2016

The most common proposals I hear are for yet another social networking site ( over 200 active ), or another dating site (over 2500 in the US alone). In my experience, finding real innovation in existing company environments is even tougher. From time to time, include customers and sales members in ideation sessions.

Coach 64

Coach Metrics Competition Ideas 64

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 2, 2013

According to a study of 1700 CEOs last year, only 60% of companies today use social media for marketing, and only 12% of those feel that they are using it effectively. Currently, social media is the least used of all customer interaction methods. Social media demands two-way communication, rather than outbound only.

Social Media 106

Social Media Media Startup Social Network 106

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

According to one study a while back, only 45% of founders plan to exit after stage one, and my guess is that less than half the remainder survive the next stage in their own company. These only come with the proper training, investment in tools, and focus on customer relationships. Managing business growth is more than metrics.

Startup 108

Startup Sales Metrics Entrepreneur 108

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2015

Startups should begin by selecting just a few of the vast array of social media offerings out there, and customize based on results. Top social networks are Facebook (1.2 Assess your target customer demographics. Identify your target customer and create customer profiles. billion users).

Social Media 108

Social Media Media Startup Tips 108

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

According to a recent Harvard Business Review article , only 60% of companies today use social media for marketing, and only 12% of those feel that they are using it effectively. They don’t know if they should move to social networks for lead generation, branding, customer loyalty, or for direct marketing and e-commerce.

Social Media 115

Social Media Media Startup Social Network 115

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 9, 2019

For example, if you are working on a great social networking idea to replace Facebook, and need funding, you probably won’t find any interested and focused VCs or Angel investors in Arizona, where I live. Exposure to customers, incumbents, and competitors all drive success. get the attention of the market they choose.

Startup 97

Startup Technical Review Oracle Software Review 97

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2011

I suggested that he add some social network marketing initiatives, and his answer was he is “too busy.” He is not alone, according to a recent study , which concludes that only 47% of companies use social media today for marketing, despite the fact that 78% of executives polled feel it’s critical for success.

Social Media 104

Social Media Media Marketing Social Network 104

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

According to one study a while back, only 45% of founders plan to exit after stage one, and my guess is that less than half the remainder survive the next stage in their own company. These only come with the proper training, investment in tools, and focus on customer relationships. Managing business growth is more than metrics.

Startup 56

Startup Sales Metrics Guide 56

SoCal CTO

JUNE 9, 2010

Kathy Sierra at Business of Software 2009 - Business of Software Blog , May 4, 2010 "In the old days, getting customers was easy. Now, thanks to social media, you don't have to outspend. Putting customers first. Legendary customer support. They’re deep into Customer Development ,” he said. The Holy Grail of.

Startup 248

Startup Venture Capital Conference Social Media 248

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 3, 2013

According to one study , only 45% of Founders plan to exit after stage one, and my guess is that less than half the remainder survive the next stage in their own company. Weinfurter, who has made the leap a couple of times himself, and spent many years consulting with other companies who have done the same.

Sales 96

Sales Metrics Startup Entrepreneur 96

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 23, 2015

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.

Startup 102

Startup Ideas Entrepreneur Netflix 102

SoCal CTO

MARCH 5, 2007

However, Elgg could power 100,000 networks and it would make no difference - there is no revenue stream as we give everything away under a GPL license. However, there are lots of companies that are making money from open source and freemium models. One of his companies - Gluecode - was sold to IBM for a pretty good price.

Southern California 150

Southern California CTO Coach CTO Hire Social Media 150

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2010

Understand the basic tools – the social media trinity. Blogging (Wordpress), micro-blogging (Twitter), and social networks are the trinity. Key social networks are Facebook (500 million consumers) and LinkedIn (60 million professionals). Put your social network links on your stationery, business cards, and email.

Social Media 95

Social Media Media Startup Blogging 95

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 9, 2017

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.

Ideas 58

Ideas Entrepreneur Netflix IBM 58

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2012

In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Every plan must start with the problem you are solving, not a description of your company and product. Clearly define the customer, channel, and revenue model associated with this solution.

Competition 113

Competition Metrics Startup Invest 113

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2014

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.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Ideas Netflix IBM 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 4, 2010

I suggested that he add some social network marketing initiatives, and his answer was he is “too busy.” According to this study from last year, over 65% of existing small businesses still ignore social media for marketing, so he is still the rule rather than the exception. Start social networking with peers.

Social Media 88

Social Media Media Marketing Startup 88

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2011

In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Every plan must start with the problem you are solving, not a description of your company and product. Clearly define the customer, channel, and revenue model associated with this solution.

Competition 116

Competition Metrics Startup Sales 116

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2015

For example, if you are working on a great social networking idea to replace Facebook, and need funding, you probably won’t find any interested and focused VCs or Angel investors in Phoenix, Arizona, where I live. Exposure to customers, incumbents, and competitors all drive success. get the attention of the market they choose.

Startup 109

Startup Technical Review Oracle Software Review 109

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2017

For example, if you are working on a great social networking idea to replace Facebook, and need funding, you probably won’t find any interested and focused VCs or Angel investors in Arizona, where I live. Exposure to customers, incumbents, and competitors all drive success. get the attention of the market they choose.

Sites 59

Sites Startup Technical Review Oracle 59

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 7, 2013

For example, if you are working on a great social networking idea to replace Facebook, and need funding, you probably won’t find any interested and focused VCs or Angel investors in Phoenix, Arizona, where I live. Exposure to customers, incumbents, and competitors all drive success. get the attention of the market they choose.

Startup 102

Startup Technical Review Oracle Entrepreneur 102

SoCal CTO

MARCH 22, 2007

Its also been interesting to see the interaction of tools involved - Social Networking, Blogging and a Discussion Group. The level of resumes we get through our LinkedIn networks is top notch. Weve also found that other social networks such as FaceBook and MySpace to have almost no results when it comes to recruitment.

Blogging 150

Blogging CTO Coach CTO Hire Southern California 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 17, 2007

When I recently was looking to find people who had experience with using social networks to reach people for what might be considered guerilla marketing efforts, again LinkedIn worked great. Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -.

CTO Coach 150

CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire Social Media 150

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2010

In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Every plan must start with the problem you are solving, not a description of your company and product. Clearly define the customer, channel, and revenue model associated with this solution.

Invest 74

Invest Tips Competition Metrics 74

Tech Zulu Event

APRIL 1, 2015

Traditional brick and mortar stores might say, “We don’t need likes and shares, we need customers.” With distributing flyers and buying advertisement spots on TV, the information about the brand is pushed and the relationship is mainly one-way with the company rallying for popularity. Focus on customers.

Guide 40

Guide Social Media Content Advertising 40

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 12, 2008

Matthew spoke to us to give us a better idea of what the company offers and why it was started. What's your background, and how did you decide to start the company? It was the third week of December 2006, and I was involved with a biodiesel company. Who are you targeting with this -- buyers at companies?

SEO 100

SEO Advertising Gogii Tech Coast Angels 100

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 25, 2014

Anima Sarah Lavoy – Connect , Geo locational convenience for your social networks. Erin Korogosky – Beckon , Performance management for marketing companies. Susan Etlinger – Altimeter , research and consulting company for business disruption. Here are some sites from the trade show floor!

Entertainment 99

Entertainment Google Entrepreneur Course 99

SoCal CTO

MARCH 4, 2010

I’ve worked with 30+ early-stage companies in all sorts of capacities (and spoken to many, many more), so I thought it might be worthwhile trying to classify the various ways that I’ve engaged in different technology roles in startups.

Technical Review 170

Technical Review Technical Advisors CTO Coach Startup 170