Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 4, 2023

For all those entrepreneurs and startups who can’t yet afford a new age marketing agency, it’s impossible to keep up with “best of breed” marketing activities and strategies. I found some help in catching up via a classic book “ Sell Local, Think Global ,” by marketing message expert Olga Mizrahi.

Marketing 107

Marketing Technical Review Startup Innocal 107

TechCrunch LA

FEBRUARY 3, 2021

Grocery delivery startup Good Eggs is announcing that it has raised $100 million in new funding, and that it’s planning to launch in Southern California in either the summer or fall of this year. It seems, however, that the company has found plenty of opportunity for growth while remaining focused on the San Francisco Bay Area.

Southern California 318

Southern California Orange County San Diego Commerce 318

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 23, 2021

Some investors seem to focus wholly on the strengths of the management team, or a sustainable competitive advantage, and in reality these are the core attributes for every funding equation. While these may be necessary for funding, they may not be sufficient to make your startup the great success embodied in your vision.

Education 151

Education Customer Custom Sales 151

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2020

For all those entrepreneurs and startups who can’t yet afford a new age marketing agency, it’s impossible to keep up with “best of breed” marketing activities and strategies. I found some help in catching up via a classic book “ Sell Local, Think Global ,” by marketing message expert Olga Mizrahi.

Mobile 173

Mobile Marketing Technical Review Startup 173

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2019

Some investors seem to focus wholly on the strengths of the management team, or a sustainable competitive advantage, and in reality these are the core attributes for every funding equation. While these may be necessary for funding, they may not be sufficient to make your startup the great success embodied in your vision.

Startup 97

Startup Education Customer Custom 97

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 25, 2012

Porter proposed his Five Forces framework for analyzing the competitive environment which I think makes even more sense today. Every existing business, as well as every startup, needs to reassess their product or service in the context of these five forces: Intensity of competitive rivalry. Way back in 1979, Michael E.

Competition 94

Competition Startup Pricing Framework 94

Xconomy

SEPTEMBER 7, 2016

For the cybersecurity industry, 2016 is shaping up to be the year of alliances. There have been a series of tie-ups, as security-tech companies try to boost their businesses and amplify their products via acquisitions. The C³ Alliance is led by CyberArk, and SecureAuth and SailPoint are also members of that group.

Press 40

Press Symantec Organization IBM 40

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2013

Every entrepreneur tries to maximize his startup growth by building and selling more product and services for the widest geographic area that he can support. Many entrepreneurs are paranoid about the partnership approach, and think that M&A is only an alternative for large companies who are flush with cash.

Acquisition 88

Acquisition CTO Hire Startup Outsource Development 88

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 24, 2013

Porter proposed his Five Forces framework for analyzing the competitive environment which I think makes even more sense today. Every existing business, as well as every startup, needs to reassess their product or service in the context of these five forces: Intensity of competitive rivalry. Way back in 1979, Michael E.

Startup 80

Startup Framework Competition Pricing 80

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2020

As an angel investor, I see plenty of startups focusing on building an innovative product, but I’m looking for the few who are also leading with an exponential growth strategy, to put them in the category of the next Amazon or Google. Sponsor some friendly competitive events with prizes. Market an image of exclusivity or premium only.

Marketing 170

Marketing Startup Examples Customer 170

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2013

In 2012, total entrepreneurial activity in the United States hit its highest level since their survey started in 1999, according to Babson College. The opportunity for change is huge, with everyone taking a new look at the world after the recession, but the competition is also huge, since the cost of entry is at an all-time low.

Startup 99

Startup Competition News Framework 99

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2012

Companies today are paranoid, afraid that even their friends will steal their business. It’s a great survival strategy for small companies or entrepreneurs, and a good expansion strategy for even the largest companies. Up-sell related products after the initial sale. Cost sharing and economies of scale.

Company 96

Company Companies Startup Examples 96

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2014

Startup founders are known for their passion for their startup idea, and for their passion to kill every competitor. For example, I once worked for a small software company selling a sophisticated enterprise workflow solution. Ability to up-sell customers with related products. We both often lost as a result.

Startup 103

Startup Outsource Development Examples Customer 103

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2017

The good news is that the rate of new entrepreneurship leveled off a bit last year, although it is still rising, according to the latest Kauffman Index of startup activity. In this context, it’s time for every business, not only startups, to take a fresh look at the basics of business success. If you want to be feared.

Startup 57

Startup News Framework Entrepreneur 57

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

One of the key sections of any business plan is the analysis of the competition. I especially love the ones that start and end by saying “We don’t have any competitors.” Investors take that to mean either 1) there is no market for your product, or 2) you don’t understand the concept of business and competition.

Startup 86

Startup Competition Pricing Framework 86

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 24, 2019

In this context, it’s time for every business, not only startups, to take a fresh look at the basics of business success. Once you have a proven business model, you need to scale the business up quickly to stay ahead of competitors. Every startup needs a sustainable competitive advantage. If you want to be feared.

Startup 94

Startup News Framework Outsource 94

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

Every entrepreneur tries to maximize his startup growth by building and selling more product and services for the widest geographic area that he can support. Many entrepreneurs are paranoid about the partnership approach, and think that M&A is only an alternative for large companies who are flush with cash.

CTO Hire 91

CTO Hire Startup Outsource Development Resource 91

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2013

Some investors seem to focus wholly on the strengths of the management team, or a sustainable competitive advantage, and in reality these are the core attributes for every funding equation. While these may be necessary for funding, they may not be sufficient to make your startup the great success embodied in your vision.

Startup 117

Startup Education Customer Custom 117

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 17, 2016

Some investors seem to focus wholly on the strengths of the management team, or a sustainable competitive advantage, and in reality these are the core attributes for every funding equation. While these may be necessary for funding, they may not be sufficient to make your startup the great success embodied in your vision.

Capital 58

Capital Startup Education Customer 58

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 6, 2012

A good many startups I know have been “successful” over a couple of years in overcoming the challenges of starting the business, including incorporation, services development, funding, and setting up operations. It’s important to stand up to competition and wear your reputation on your sleeve. Mix things up.

Startup 94

Startup Outsource Development Sales Social Media 94

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 28, 2012

Some investors seem to focus wholly on the strengths of your management team, or your sustainable competitive advantage, and in reality these are the core attributes for every funding equation. While these may be necessary for funding, they may not be sufficient to make your startup the great success embodied in your vision.

Startup 99

Startup Education Customer Custom 99

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 23, 2015

For all those entrepreneurs and startups who can’t yet afford a new age marketing agency, it’s impossible to keep up with “best of breed” marketing activities and strategies. I found some help in catching up via a recent book “ Sell Local, Think Global ,” by marketing message expert Olga Mizrahi.

Marketing 56

Marketing Startup Technical Review Innocal 56

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2021

Based on my own years of experience in startups and big business, and more recently as an angel investor, I often cringe when I see one of you entrepreneurs missing a cue that I have seen work for many before you. Every startup demands logical changes along the way. Postulate competitive reactions and your responses.

Entrepreneur 162

Entrepreneur Social Media Examples Metrics 162

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 28, 2011

A good many startups I know have been “successful” over a couple of years in overcoming the challenges of starting the business, including incorporation, services development, funding, and setting up operations. It’s important to stand up to competition and wear your reputation on your sleeve. Mix things up.

Tips 92

Tips Startup Services Outsource Development 92

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2018

Most of you new venture founders I meet as an angel investor seem convinced that starting the business is the hardest part. I’m sure you can all think of several examples of businesses that popped up quickly, with great business models, but then faded just as quickly. Pursue strategic alliances and partnerships.

Examples 67

Examples Customer Custom Software Review 67

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 10, 2014

For all those entrepreneurs and startups who can’t yet afford a new age marketing agency, it’s impossible to keep up with “best of breed” marketing activities and strategies. I found some help in catching up via a new book “ Sell Local, Think Global ,” by marketing message expert Olga Mizrahi.

Technical Review 106

Technical Review Startup Innocal Mobile 106

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 16, 2014

In this context, it’s time for every business, not only startups, to take a fresh look at the basics of business success. Once you have a proven business model, you need to scale the business up quickly to stay ahead of competitors. Every startup needs a sustainable competitive advantage. If you want to be feared.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Startup News Framework 105

socalTECH

MARCH 8, 2016

Once upon a time, one of the best benefits that employers could offer up an employee was a company contribution to their retirement plan. Santa Monica-based Tuition.IO (tuition.io) has s created a way for companies to both help their employees tackle that mound of student debt, as well as attract better and more loyal employees.

Help 100

Help Startup Platform Santa Monica 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2013

A good many startups I know have been “successful” over a couple of years in overcoming the challenges of starting the business, including incorporation, services development, funding, and setting up operations. It’s important to stand up to competition and wear your reputation on your sleeve. Mix things up.

Entrepreneur 93

Entrepreneur Startup Outsource Development Sales 93

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2019

For example, I grew up in IBM when Bill Gates was helping us deliver the first IBM PC. Yet many business owners and leaders don’t seem to understand the basic principles of building business relationships and connections, or don’t know where to start. Very few businesses can grow organically fast enough to stay ahead of competition.

IBM 87

IBM IBM Ideas Technical Review 87

InfoChachkie

JULY 18, 2011

When you play Monopoly with your children, you can subtly underscore an entrepreneurial mindset in their gameplay which will ultimately help them develop valuable startup skills, as described below. Often, the best deals are the ones in which an alliance is formed with another player, to the detriment of the other players.

Entrepreneur 216

Entrepreneur Startup Outsource Development Paramount 216

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 2, 2012

The competition never stands still, and new opportunities are evolving, based on culture changes in your customers, new technologies, and new problems in the world which need to be solved. This often works best if you find a company similar to yours with great potential, but drowning in debt, or short on the necessary skills.

Startup 98

Startup Customer Custom Entrepreneur 98

InfoChachkie

MAY 23, 2011

As noted in Contract Traps Entrepreneurs Should Avoid , exclusivity can kill a small company. Unfortunately, many Big Dumb Companies (BDCs) assume they must unfairly skew the market in their favor by precluding you from freely working with anyone you choose. An Alliance Of Two.

Technical Review 183

Technical Review Marketing Sales Competition 183

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2011

Companies today are paranoid, afraid that even their friends will steal their business. It’s a great survival strategy for small companies or entrepreneurs, and a good expansion strategy for even the largest companies. Up-sell related products after the initial sale. Cost sharing and economies of scale.

Startup 90

Startup Examples Customer Custom 90

Tech Zulu Event

DECEMBER 11, 2015

For those not familiar with the term, the cloud wars refers to the intense competition between public cloud providers as they seek to increase their share of the lucrative and growing cloud market. In fact, to describe the competition as intense is probably an understatement. Much has been made about the ongoing cloud wars.

Competition 40

Competition Startup Marketing Customer 40

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2022

Successful startups seem to follow similar paths to greatness, and unfortunately all too often that path leads them back down the hill much faster than they went up. Thus it behooves every entrepreneur to start watching these things more carefully from the very start. Product-line expansion. Efficiency and scale.

Startup 142

Startup Web 2.0 IBM IBM 142

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 15, 2010

The competition never stands still, and new opportunities are evolving, based on culture changes in your customers, new technologies, and new problems in the world which need to be solved. This often works best if you find a company similar to yours with great potential, but drowning in debt, or short on the necessary skills.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Customer Custom .Net 100