Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2022

Entrepreneurs are now measured against the “triple bottom line” (TBL or 3BL) of people, planet, and profit. How does any entrepreneur define the right balance, and then measure their performance against real metrics? Many young entrepreneurs seem to think that capitalism and making profit are dirty words.

Startup 110

Startup Entrepreneur Capital Examples 110

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2021

Most aspiring entrepreneurs I know are just waiting for that unique idea to strike them that will kickstart their new venture, put them in control of their lifestyle, achieve financial independence, and maybe even change the world. For example, TOMS shoes agreed to donate a pair of shoes to the needy for every pair sold.

Startup 159

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Equity 159

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2020

As a startup advisor and investor, I’ve heard and seen hundreds of pitches from entrepreneurs, and the majority of founders are convinced that if you will just give them an hour or more time, you will love their business. Is there an educated marketplace waiting? That may sound easy, but I rarely see it happening.

Startup 166

Startup Education Ideas Customer 166

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 15, 2021

As a long-time business advisor and mentor to entrepreneurs, I’ve always been impressed with the few who seem to always come out ahead, no matter what the challenge. It seems to be more a function of mindset and principles, more than education or natural ability. Your strengths are your real competitive advantages, so focus on them.

Education 148

Education Mentor Customer Custom 148

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 21, 2013

Many believe that entrepreneurs are born, not made. While I agree that successful company builders usually have a natural inclination to be entrepreneurs, a good education helps polish that apple. We can all point to examples of successful entrepreneurs who dropped out of college, but still went on to make a big impact.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Startup Course Education 105

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 24, 2014

Unfocused entrepreneurs boast that their new technology will generate multiple disruptive products for consumers as well as enterprises around the world. Investors hear this as trying to do too many things with limited resources, meaning the startup will not shine at anything, and will not survive the competition. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 103

Entrepreneur Competition Technical Review Oracle 103

InfoChachkie

JUNE 4, 2012

As an entrepreneur, I helped create companies which achieved two IPOs and two trade sales totaling $385 million. Fallacy: An entrepreneur’s two most precious assets are time and money. In addition to paying the consultant, you must invest time to educate them. “Learn from the mistakes of others. Grant Exclusivity.

Entrepreneur 272

Entrepreneur Outsource Ideas Technical Review 272

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 20, 2023

Technical entrepreneurs love their technology, and often are driven to launch a startup on the assumption that everyone will buy any solution which highlights this technology. Smart entrepreneurs build market-driven solutions, per the following principles: Size the opportunity and customer interest first. Neither is positive.

Customer 110

Customer Custom Social Media Technology 110

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. That means educating targeted supporters is key, even before you start to sell. A startup needs to find a voice relevant to its ecosystem.

Education 151

Education Customer Custom Sales 151

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2020

For example, I usually hear about an aggressive marketing budget, with a plan to penetrate a few big retail chains, and some videos to catch your attention on YouTube. Sponsor some friendly competitive events with prizes. Examples include the Nike Run Club app where people participate in challenges and win trophies.

Marketing 170

Marketing Startup Examples Customer 170

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 13, 2013

Entrepreneurs are now measured against the “triple bottom line” (TBL or 3BL) of people, planet, and profit. How does any entrepreneur define the right balance, and then measure their performance against real metrics? Many young entrepreneurs seem to think that capitalism and making profit are dirty words.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Startup Examples Satisfaction 98

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2011

Many believe that entrepreneurs are born, not made. While I agree that successful company builders usually have a natural inclination to be entrepreneurs, a good education helps polish that apple. We can all point to examples of successful entrepreneurs who dropped out of college, but still went on to make a big impact.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Startup Course Education 105

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 11, 2020

In my experience working with entrepreneurs, once they feel they have a winning formula for their business, they are often hesitant to change or update it. For example, Uber recently made the move into food delivery with UberEATS. This were done in a complementary fashion to provide support and education, and not undermine sales.

Customer 143

Customer Custom Examples IBM 143

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2022

Very few entrepreneurs have the range of skills and experience to be the solution creator as well as business creator, or operational as well as sales leader. A good overall example is the synergy between Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, as well as long-time Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt.

Software Review 154

Software Review CTO Hire Outsource Development Startup 154

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2014

A good overall example is the synergy between Google co-Founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, as well as with Chairman Eric Schmidt. Most entrepreneurs work long hours and weekends to get the job done. The passion has to be in the business context – meaning results oriented, customer oriented, and sensitive to competition.

Software Review 107

Software Review Entrepreneur CTO Hire Outsource Development 107

InfoChachkie

OCTOBER 20, 2014

Want to be an entrepreneur? According to a recent Forbes article , UC Santa Barbara''s Technology Management Program offers students a superior startup education over the University of Pennsylvania (home of Wharton), as well Harvard, Northwestern and even its acclaimed southern neighbor, the University of Southern California.

Santa Barbara 258

Santa Barbara Technical Review Startup Venture Capital 258

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 28, 2019

Entrepreneurs are now measured against the “triple bottom line” (TBL or 3BL) of people, planet, and profit. How does any entrepreneur define the right balance, and then measure their performance against real metrics? Many young entrepreneurs seem to think that capitalism and making profit are dirty words.

Startup 93

Startup Entrepreneur Capital Examples 93

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 9, 2015

Successful entrepreneurs make similarly educated guesses. Today’s entrepreneurs should take these historical commonalities to heart, as a means of predicting the future. Entrepreneurs who recognize such ramifications are well positioned to shape and commercialize emerging innovations. 1. The Hummingbird Effect.

Examples 100

Examples Startup Press Entrepreneur 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 19, 2020

Technical entrepreneurs love their technology, and often are driven to launch a startup on the assumption that everyone will buy any solution which highlights this technology. Smart entrepreneurs build market-driven solutions, per the following principles: Size the opportunity and customer interest first. Neither is positive.

Technology 127

Technology Marketing Social Media Customer 127

Berkonomics

APRIL 8, 2021

Discord is a great example of a company going viral mostly from word of mouth. It was as much in reaction to my getting blank stares from entrepreneurs when I asked the above question as it was for me to better understand the problem itself. And the tools for most are available, sometimes free, for the educated marketer.

Sites 156

Sites Product Social Network Press 156

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 31, 2018

For example, Facebook added WhatsApp as a cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP (VoIP) service to enhance the self-sustaining growth their social media platform before any downturn. Rather than rely only on linear thinking, the best entrepreneurs are always looking to offer in parallel a more dramatic new alternative.

Examples 99

Examples IP Acquisition Social Media 99

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 15, 2010

As an entrepreneur, you always need to be on the lookout for ways to expand your current business, and always on the lookout for your next big thing. 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.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Customer Custom .Net 100

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2018

For example, consider how many years it took for the market to move from radio to television, or fully accept personal computers on every desktop. Bold entrepreneurs now can credibly talk about entirely new markets, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), genetic modifications, and privatized space travel.

Marketing 92

Marketing Demand Examples Social Media 92

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 18, 2016

When entrepreneurs introduce new products to the market, their passion and conviction often leads them to assume that every potential customer will see the immediate need and value, and will quickly adopt the solution. The more revolutionary the solution, the more important it is to educate customers on a solution’s existence and value.

Product 95

Product Case Study Customer Custom 95

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2019

A winning USP example is the FedEx lead “When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight.” This statement leaves no confusion in the minds of investors, or customers, of what the company does and how it is different (and better) than the competition. Educated customers ready and able to pay for the solution.

.Net 73

.Net Examples Customer Custom 73

Tech.Co

NOVEMBER 9, 2017

It is here where innovators, artists, entrepreneurs and more have moved from all around the world to join it's welcoming startup community. On a macro level, one of my main responsibilities is elevating the idea of being an entrepreneur and the importance of entrepreneurs to our economy. For example, Myriad Mobile raised $1.5

Screening 70

Screening Mobile Entrepreneur Startup 70

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2014

Entrepreneurs are now measured against the “triple bottom line” (TBL or 3BL) of people, planet, and profit. How does any entrepreneur define the right balance, and then measure their performance against real metrics? Many young entrepreneurs seem to think that capitalism and making profit are dirty words.

Startup 104

Startup Entrepreneur Examples Satisfaction 104

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2018

One of the biggest challenges I have as an advisor to tech entrepreneurs is to convince you that marketing is required for your product, no matter how great it is, just to get it found with today’s information overload. A comparable problem is to get entrepreneurs to market themselves, for the same reason. In the new book, “ Convinced!:

News 91

News Startup Education Training 91

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2018

Continuing to micromanage both as your business grows is the downfall of many entrepreneurs. As a small business owner and entrepreneur, you may relish the flexibility and the challenge of getting that first traction and customer recognition. The result was a growth plateau, as well as entrepreneur health and family balance challenges.

Sales 69

Sales Organization Entrepreneur Examples 69

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. That means educating targeted supporters is key, even before you start to sell. A startup needs to find a voice relevant to its ecosystem.

Startup 97

Startup Education Customer Custom 97

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 27, 2013

Unfocused entrepreneurs boast that their new technology will generate multiple disruptive products for consumers as well as enterprises around the world. Investors hear this as trying to do too many things with limited resources, meaning the startup will not shine at anything, and will not survive the competition. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 103

Startup Competition Technical Review Oracle 103

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2015

As an angel investor, I hear many entrepreneurs making negative comments about competitors or asserting they don’t have any competitors. They don’t realize that knocking competitors is assessed as a weakness and denying that you have any competition suggests there is no market for your solution.

Capital 63

Capital Competition Case Study Patents 63

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 9, 2017

Entrepreneurs are now measured against the “triple bottom line” (TBL or 3BL) of people, planet, and profit. How does any entrepreneur define the right balance, and then measure their performance against real metrics? Many young entrepreneurs seem to think that capitalism and making profit are dirty words.

Tips 55

Tips Startup Entrepreneur Examples 55

socalTECH

JUNE 2, 2014

Last month, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti created a new program, aimed at growing, assisting and sustaining entrepreneurs in Los Angeles. The new "Entrepreneur-in-Residence" program has appointed its first, two, EIRs--Krisztina "Z" Holly and Amir Tehrani.--both I hope we can make some policy recommendations around this.

Los Angeles 216

Los Angeles Startup USC Angel 216

socalTECH

OCTOBER 23, 2012

One of the biggest complaints that local entrepreneurs have with Los Angeles has been a dearth of local sources of venture capital. Specifically, we look at digital media, healthcare IT, e-commerce, education technology and financial services. They're pretty competitive about deals. Experience is a big thing for you?

Funding 253

Funding Startup Invest Commerce 253

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 25, 2017

As a startup advisor and investor, I’ve heard and seen hundreds of pitches from entrepreneurs, and the majority of founders are convinced that if you will just give them an hour or more time, you will love their business. Is there an educated marketplace waiting? That may sound easy, but I rarely see it happening.

Startup 58

Startup Education Ideas Customer 58

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2013

Many entrepreneurs think that diversity on their team just makes their job harder, since startups are all about making fast decisions, and executing efficiently. In reality, diversity in a startup can be your big competitive advantage. In reality, diversity in a startup can be your big competitive advantage.

Startup 91

Startup Tips Competition Entrepreneur 91