Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 18, 2015

I rarely talk to any startup entrepreneur or VC who doesn’t feel it and somehow long for simpler times despite the benefits we all enjoy from increased enthusiasm for our sector. For entrepreneurs there’s too much money sloshing around. And it’s true that I still take a whole lot of first meetings with entrepreneurs.

Software Review 150

Software Review Startup Venture Capital Invest 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2016

Whether you are talking to peers, competitors or investors, you as an active entrepreneur will be judged on your familiarity with today’s startup and funding jargon. In that context, I offer you my latest collection of popular investor-to-entrepreneur terms and concepts. Prime examples include Uber, Airbnb and Snapchat.

Startup 57

Startup Software Review Equity Invest 57

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Most of the guidance you see for entrepreneurs is aimed at those who are selling a product (Apple, Tesla, Xiaomi), or selling a service (Uber, Airbnb, Snapchat). The “product” value is difficult to quantify, the costs are nebulous, and entrepreneurs have to clone themselves to scale the business.

Social Media 56

Social Media Pricing Technical Review Demand 56

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 16, 2013

I remember just a decade ago in 2003 when we all laughed at how dumb people in the 90′s were talking about the race to “capture as many eyeballs as possible” before your competition. ” Case in point: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, SnapChat. You would figure out how to monetize later. I have said so for years.

Venture Capital 412

Venture Capital Startup Funding Snapchat 412

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2013

They are going to Instagram, Tumblr, Snapchat, Kik, and other applications. That won’t build any competitive advantage. engagement entrepreneur Jim Tobin marketing social media startup' That’s 99.96% of people not clicking on those ads. When the glass is only.04% 04% full, you should start looking for a new container.

Social Media 100

Social Media Media Marketing Platform 100

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 22, 2014

It’s insanely competitive to get into our industry so most have degrees from institutions like Stanford, Harvard, Wharton and University of Chicago (blatant plug ;-). Most entrepreneurs I encounter seem to make their decisions more on perceived brand, past successes and ability to intro. VCs, how to select a VC, etc.) FourSquare.

Venture Capital 364

Venture Capital Coach Writing SaaS 364

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 15, 2014

I then got my MBA at University of Chicago so I secretly pull for local entrepreneurs as long as they don’t make me visit in the Winter any more. And consider Snapchat – one of our hometown favorites as they’re based in LA (Venice Beach). Locally we call it “the Snapchat effect.”

Company 369

Company Companies Startup Snapchat 369

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 20, 2017

Most budding entrepreneurs don’t realize that nine out of ten startups fail within 24 months. They only see and remember the recent new entrants in the billion dollar valuation club, including Uber, Airbnb, and Snapchat. Never under-estimate or ignore the competition. Position your barriers to entry.

Startup 65

Startup Competition Resource Snapchat 65

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

Valuing any company can be difficult because it requires a degree of forecasting future growth & competition and ultimately the profits of the organization. ” “This will be great for VCs and bad for entrepreneurs.” What is the True Sentiment of VCs? ” “Sure, prices are dropping. All of these are false.

Startup 150

Startup Company Companies Venture Capital 150

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 6, 2015

When I counsel startup entrepreneurs I give them my blunt dose of reality, “If you can’t easily identify target leads who have a problem you can solve then hang up your cleats – you’re not going to succeed.” Assume competition and assume within the buying organization you have enemies. We are hands on.

Sales 150

Sales SaaS Startup Venture Capital 150

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 20, 2016

Why ADD Might Actually Benefit Startup Entrepreneurs. I wrote about that experience in my post, “ The Yo-yo Life of a Tech Entrepreneur ,” in which I described an experience that some entrepreneurs has told me mirrored their own so much they found it scary. Turning the Urgency Addiction into a Competitive Asset.

Tips 150

Tips Startup Help Mobile 150

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 17, 2017

This market structure in which the few, large players use their market position to eliminate competition is inevitable. Our social graphs are locked in Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat. But putting large sums of money in the hands of first time or even experienced entrepreneurs with absolutely no oversight is a recipe for disaster.

Course 280

Course Startup Framework Marketing 280