SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

One of the readers asked my opinion around sharing your startup concept: My first question has always been - how do you protect your idea while shopping around for feedback, partners, developers, etc.? You’ll learn about competitive products that exist or are being built. Definitely take a look at he suggests you balance the choices.

Startup 211

Startup IP Ideas Patents 211

Frank Addante

MAY 12, 2007

► February (1) Building and Developing an A++ Team ► 2008 (14) ► December (1) Develop a Culture Roadmap ► November (2) Green Week - Save the Environment and Your Cash Creating a Culture of Innovation: Cultural Values. Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Startup 3.0:

Outsource Development 40

Outsource Development Outsource Software Review Startup 40

Berkonomics

MARCH 5, 2020

And fifth: Competitive risk. . If there are high barriers to entry with such protections as patents, long development time already spent or contracts with the major potential customers, then the risk of a competitor with more resources jumping into the frothy pool and taking advantage of the demand created by the company is minimized.

Outsource Development 156

Outsource Development Ideas Resource Patents 156

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

One of the readers asked my opinion around sharing your startup concept: My first question has always been - how do you protect your idea while shopping around for feedback, partners, developers, etc.? You’ll learn about competitive products that exist or are being built. Definitely take a look at he suggests you balance the choices.

Startup 198

Startup IP Ideas Patents 198

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 10, 2018

It’s like the entire industry wants to outsource its brain to the smartest person they know and then follow that person. The “sure, let’s continue the process” by definition are not yeses so the no’s rack up and the yeses stay stuck at zero. I have successfully used this in business development, sales, fund raising and even the press.

Press 232

Press Funding Venture Capital Technical Review 232

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2014

In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” If both of you are experts at software development, even though one loves design and the other loves coding, that still won’t get the marketing done. Look at the big picture first of development, finance, and marketing/sales.

Software Review 107

Software Review Entrepreneur CTO Hire Outsource Development 107

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2014

Develop your business plan. This will include the first version of many critical processes that can be split out later, including market opportunity, requirements, product definition, business model, sales process, and organization. Product development process. If you are contracting or outsourcing, this is even more important.

Startup 107

Startup Outsource Development Training Outsource 107

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2013

In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” If both of you are experts at software development, even though one loves design and the other loves coding, that still won’t get the marketing done. Look at the big picture first of development, finance, and marketing/sales.

Software Review 103

Software Review Equity CTO Hire Outsource Development 103

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

Develop your business plan. This will include the first version of many critical processes that can be split out later, including market opportunity, requirements, product definition, business model, sales process, and organization. Product development process. If you are contracting or outsourcing, this is even more important.

Startup 102

Startup Outsource Development Writing Training 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2020

To be clear, I define a product specification as the technical definition of your product, to be used for development and testing purposes, with a quick business summary for context. Call out your top competitors, highlighting your sustainable competitive advantage, including patents, trade secrets. and trademarks.

Product 169

Product Summary Startup Examples 169

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2011

It’s definitely positive to have a product plan. The product plan tells your developers what to build, and the marketing team what to market. Enough detail is required so that someone else can build it without you (outsourcing). Competition analysis. Development and rollout. Market research and competition.

Product 93

Product Entrepreneur Outsource Development Competition 93

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 20, 2012

It’s definitely positive to have a product plan. The product plan tells your developers what to build, and the marketing team what to market. Enough detail is required so that someone else can build it without you (outsourcing). Competition analysis. Development and rollout. Market research and competition.

Product 92

Product Outsource Development Competition High Tech 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 29, 2011

In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” If both of you are experts at software development, even though one loves design and the other loves coding, that still won’t get the marketing done. Look at the big picture first of development, finance, and marketing/sales.

Software Review 96

Software Review CTO Hire Startup Outsource Development 96

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2010

Develop your business plan. This will include the first version of many critical processes that can be split out later, including market opportunity, requirements, product definition, business model, sales process, and organization. Product development process. If you are contracting or outsourcing, this is even more important.

Startup 95

Startup Outsource Development Writing Training 95

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 1, 2009

We spent time out in the marketplace talking with customers, looking at their solutions, comparing ourselves with our competition and then squirreling ourselves away in our offices designing our next set of features. I used to always tell my development team, “you need to design a product that my dad could use.

Organization 280

Organization Customer Custom Tips 280

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 24, 2010

In this article, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” If both of you are experts at software development, even though one loves design and the other loves coding, that still won’t get the marketing done. Look at the big picture first of development, finance, and marketing/sales.

Software Review 92

Software Review CTO Hire Outsource Development Startup 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2013

Develop your business plan. This will include the first version of many critical processes that can be split out later, including market opportunity, requirements, product definition, business model, sales process, and organization. Product development process. If you are contracting or outsourcing, this is even more important.

Outsource Development 92

Outsource Development Training Outsource Metrics 92

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. Monopoly is a great training ground to develop rudimentary cash management skills. Hands On Learning.

Entrepreneur 216

Entrepreneur Startup Outsource Development Paramount 216

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2011

It definitely works, but may be beyond your budget. If you already have some technical people on board, like software developers, and need a new manager, you supply the candidates based on credentials, and let them do initial interviews and make recommendations. Outsource your technical requirements.

Technical Review 94

Technical Review Entrepreneur Outsource Development Outsource 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2019

In fact, I would broaden the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” If both of you are experts at software development, even though one loves design and the other loves coding, that still won’t get the marketing done. Look at the big picture first of development, finance, and marketing/sales.

Software Review 88

Software Review CTO Hire Outsource Development Startup 88

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2012

It definitely works, but may be beyond your budget. If you already have some technical people on board, like software developers, and need a new manager, you supply the candidates based on credentials, and let them do initial interviews and make recommendations. Outsource your technical requirements.

Technical Review 92

Technical Review Technology Startup Outsource Development 92

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2015

Too many businesses still tolerate archaic IT tools, or resort to rogue mashups developed to circumvent the approved tools. Traditional waterfall development and outsourcing won’t keep up with change. Adopt new core principles to stay competitive and assure survival. Upgrade to modern information technology tools.

Customer 97

Customer Custom Social Media Outsource Development 97

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 13, 2014

Too many businesses still tolerate archaic IT tools, or resort to rogue mashups developed to circumvent the approved tools. Traditional waterfall development and outsourcing won’t keep up with change. Adopt new core principles to stay competitive and assure survival. Upgrade to modern information technology tools.

Customer 96

Customer Custom Social Media Outsource Development 96

InfoChachkie

MAY 23, 2011

As noted in Contract Traps Entrepreneurs Should Avoid , exclusivity can kill a small company. Being the first partner may also allow the BDC to influence your technological development and conform it more closely matches its technology roadmap. Limited Scope. Excludesivity comes in a variety of flavors.

Technical Review 183

Technical Review Marketing Sales Competition 183

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 1, 2009

A number of international versions were developed soon after its initial release, but America has consistently remained the bastion of Monopoly’s popularity. Monopoly is a great training ground to develop cash management skills. Just like in Monopoly, if this contract is broken, the entrepreneur can be thrown in jail.

Outsource Development 154

Outsource Development Entrepreneur Training Startup 154

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2019

A big trend in business these days is hiring freelancers or contract personnel for the duration of a project, rather than permanent staff. Here are some key strategies that I recommend to every worker today: Develop and highlight your competitive differentiation. Develop the courage to move on.

Startup 98

Startup Outsource Development Competition Social Media 98

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2010

When I get funded,” the entrepreneur thinks, “I can build a prototype, hire a development team, go to market, scale more quickly, and beat my competition.” But there are some things that DEFINITELY come with other people’s money. To someone laboring in a cash-strapped startup, money often seems to be the endgame.

Outsource Development 93

Outsource Development High Tech Outsource Startup 93

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 2, 2012

I joined ranks with an Austin App developer, taking the role of Creative Director and setting up their design team and process. There was a distinct disconnect between apps developed by stand-alone companies, such as Gowalla or Path, versus what “work for hire” companies were producing. It simply makes more sense.

Design 94

Design Mobile Web Design Outsource Development 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2018

Too many businesses still tolerate archaic IT tools, or resort to rogue mashups developed to circumvent the approved tools. Traditional waterfall development and outsourcing won’t keep up with change. Adopt new core principles to stay competitive and assure survival. Upgrade to modern information technology tools.

Demand 71

Demand Customer Custom Tips 71

Frank Addante

JANUARY 23, 2007

► February (1) Building and Developing an A++ Team ► 2008 (14) ► December (1) Develop a Culture Roadmap ► November (2) Green Week - Save the Environment and Your Cash Creating a Culture of Innovation: Cultural Values. Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Startup 3.0:

Outsource Development 40

Outsource Development Develop Development Product 40

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2017

In fact, I would broaden the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” If both of you are experts at software development, even though one loves design and the other loves coding, that still won’t get the marketing done. Look at the big picture first of development, finance, and marketing/sales.

Software Review 56

Software Review CTO Hire Outsource Development CTO Coach 56

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 9, 2010

It’s definitely positive to have a product plan. The product plan tells your developers what to build, and the marketing team what to market. Enough detail is required so that someone else can build it without you (outsourcing). Competition analysis. Development and rollout. Market research and competition.

Product 48

Product Outsource Development Competition High Tech 48

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2018

Too many businesses still tolerate archaic IT tools, or resort to rogue mashups developed to circumvent the approved tools. Traditional waterfall development and outsourcing won’t keep up with change. Adopt new core principles to stay competitive and assure survival. Upgrade to modern information technology tools.

Demand 56

Demand Customer Custom Tips 56

Frank Addante

JUNE 13, 2006

► February (1) Building and Developing an A++ Team ► 2008 (14) ► December (1) Develop a Culture Roadmap ► November (2) Green Week - Save the Environment and Your Cash Creating a Culture of Innovation: Cultural Values. Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Startup 3.0:

Startup 40

Startup Outsource Development Product Advertising 40

Frank Addante

JULY 30, 2007

► February (1) Building and Developing an A++ Team ► 2008 (14) ► December (1) Develop a Culture Roadmap ► November (2) Green Week - Save the Environment and Your Cash Creating a Culture of Innovation: Cultural Values. Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Startup 3.0:

Startup 40

Startup Venture Capital Outsource Development Advertising 40

SoCal CTO

JULY 23, 2012

I've previously addressed the role of a CTO in early-stages in my post Startup CTO or Developer. for a Lead Developer: How much will it cost to build what we need to build? for a Lead Developer: How much will it cost to build what we need to build? How can I control costs but effectively get stuff developed?

CTO Coach 231

CTO Coach CTO Hire Outsource Development Develop 231

InfoChachkie

MAY 19, 2011

This series describes how entrepreneurs can craft company-changing agreements with BDCs, while avoiding Kiss of Death contract provisions. Guard against a preclusion that would deny you from utilizing the IP developed during the course of executing the agreement. Get The Cheese With Your Neck Intact.

Outsource Development 193

Outsource Development IP Technical Review Entrepreneur 193