Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2023

But, for the rest of us, don’t believe the Silicon Valley myth that all you have to do is sketch your million-dollar idea on the back of a napkin, and investors will line up to give you money. If you don’t have the time to write things down, or your writing skills leave something to be desired, don’t be afraid to get some help.

Startup 102

Startup Writing Mentor Sample 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2016

Even in this age of videos and text messages, the quickest way to kill your startup dream with investors, business partners, or even customers, is embarrassingly poor writing. In the competitive realm of business, you only get one chance to make a great first impression. Keep your writing voice friendly and courteous.

Writing 62

Writing Summary Email Ideas 62

socalTECH

OCTOBER 11, 2010

Last week, the University of Southern California 's Viterbi School of Engineering announced that it had established a new, business plan competition, the Maseeh Entrepreneurship Prize Competition ([link] specifically aimed at students in the engineering school. Why a business plan competition, and why in engineering school?

Competition 154

Competition Southern California Mentor USC 154

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2023

Many aspiring entrepreneurs I mentor can talk at length about their innovative ideas and passions, and ask lots of good questions, but never make much progress in building a real business. In my experience, building a business is much more about getting things done than having great ideas. Establish a clear visual picture of each goal.

Writing 92

Writing Ideas Startup Entrepreneur 92

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2022

As a mentor to many business professionals and owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs, I find a wealth of innovative ideas, but often less insight on what it really takes to transform ideas into an income stream that can excite new customers into long-term business success. A great innovation starts with at least three ideas.

Ideas 145

Ideas Startup Case Study Writing 145

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 8, 2018

As Mr. Johnson points out, big ideas generally result from the collision of many small hunches. In isolation, a particular hunch may be worthless, but when combined with other ideas, at the right time, the result can be a game-changing innovation. Seth notes that, “Ideas are a lot like exercising. The Idea – brief description.

Ideas 69

Ideas Startup Technical Review Santa Barbara 69

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 20, 2022

A few years ago, I saw a classic primer on the key elements of great online content that I like, in “ Launch: How to Quickly Propel Your Business Beyond the Competition ,” by Michael Stelzner, founder of SocialMediaExaminer.com. Your content must continue to deliver new ideas. Then write it down. Educational. Easy to digest.

Content 146

Content Newsletter Competition Writing 146

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

I’m over-paying for every check I write into the VC ecosystem and valuations are being pushed up to absurd levels and many of these valuations and companies won’t hold in the long term. However, to be a great VC you have to hold two conflicting ideas in your head at the same time. By definition?—?I’m The legends of Silicon Valley?—?two

Venture Capital 471

Venture Capital Writing Invest Pricing 471

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 11, 2011

It was a pleasure to write them myself. He presented the idea at the TED conference in the mid 90′s and was literally boo’d while he was on stage. The idea actually came to him from the Yellow Pages business. He came up to Bill after the event and said, “clever idea, we should do that with you.&#

Competition 350

Competition Idealab Product CitySearch 350

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2021

But, for the rest of us, don’t believe the Silicon Valley myth that all you have to do is sketch your million-dollar idea on the back of a napkin, and investors will line up to give you money. If you don’t have the time to write things down, or your writing skills leave something to be desired, don’t be afraid to get some help.

Sample 137

Sample Writing Mentor Content 137

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 12, 2023

I believe the old adage that you don’t know what you don’t know until you try to write it down. The discipline of writing down your plan is the best way to make sure you understand how to transform your idea into a business, and how to communicate it. Not every great idea is a viable business.

Startup 124

Startup Writing Entrepreneur Ideas 124

Berkonomics

NOVEMBER 21, 2018

And it is more satisfying because it is yours, from idea to execution. This moment is not to be spoiled by such mundane warnings from advisors or consultants to plan carefully, research the market and competition, and execute the plan with tenacity and enthusiasm. Write your own Hollywood script.

Hollywood 120

Hollywood Writing Press Startup 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020

Most colleges have now added classes in entrepreneurship to include the necessary business focus to technical majors that usually drive innovative ideas. Every school recognizes the power of “hands-on” work to help you develop your own ideas into a business. Write a business plan and pitch deck for learning.

Entrepreneur 157

Entrepreneur Mentor Class Resource 157

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2022

You shouldn’t be making this decision just because you are mad at your boss, or you would like to be rich, or someone else thinks you have a good idea. Usually that means writing something down, since it’s hard to maintain something, or track yourself against it, if it’s not written down. Right idea at the right time.

Startup 115

Startup Resource Training Ideas 115

Berkonomics

MARCH 5, 2020

This risk can be mitigated by finding a customer willing to purchase as soon as a proven model is completed, and willing to state this in writing. Email readers, continue here…] A great idea often fails from the inexperience or inability of management to bring the idea to market. And fifth: Competitive risk. .

Outsource Development 156

Outsource Development Ideas Resource Patents 156

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 17, 2020

I believe the old adage that you don’t know what you don’t know until you try to write it down. The discipline of writing down your plan is the best way to make sure you understand how to transform your idea into a business, and how to communicate it. Not every great idea is a viable business.

Startup 174

Startup Writing Entrepreneur Ideas 174

Berkonomics

NOVEMBER 9, 2017

You’ll have less competition. But you have no idea what to do next. Competition is good, but – if there are hundreds of businesses out there that already have gotten to and penetrated this niche – you’re going to find it hard to get through the marketing noise. So, what other benefits are there to niche marketing?

Marketing 266

Marketing Resource Advertising Social Media 266

Berkonomics

FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Dropping that name will often immediately draw a response if the decision maker is curious or particularly competitive. Let me reinforce this: never reveal competitive information to gain access or advantage. It is unethical and your target will immediately worry whether you might do the same someday. But what power.

Ideas 120

Ideas Sales Competition Venture Capital 120

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 29, 2009

Facebook popularized the short-form “status update&# and this initially is called the “feed&# but over time starts to become known as the “ stream.&# Twitter then popularizes the idea of having only a stream (e.g. If we continue our success we will have strong competition. So did the media. Everybody gains.

Ideas 286

Ideas Advertising Google Technical Review 286

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2020

As an advisor to new hardware entrepreneurs, I often hear the myth that a business plan is no longer required to find an investor, if your idea is good enough. Call out your top competitors, highlighting your sustainable competitive advantage, including patents, trade secrets. Highlight your advantages over three top competitors.

Product 169

Product Summary Startup Examples 169

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 11, 2022

I have often thought that creative endeavors where one has a quick turn-around between idea and realization of one’s work as one of the more fulfilling experiences in life. Starting in 2009 I began writing checks consistently, year-in and year-out. It was a way to make it hard for your competition to compete. It was 1991.

Venture Capital 466

Venture Capital Startup Marketing Pricing 466

Berkonomics

MARCH 14, 2019

This risk can be mitigated by finding a customer willing to purchase as soon as a proven model is completed, and willing to state this in writing. A great idea often fails from the inexperience or inability of management to bring the idea to market. And fifth: Competitive risk. . Third: Management risk. .

Outsource Development 120

Outsource Development Ideas Resource Patents 120

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 30, 2019

In addition, the discipline of producing it, like writing a business plan, will help you immensely in understanding the key elements that drive you and your business. I often hear the excuse that writing a book takes precious time away from building and running your business, which you cannot afford.

Writing 19

Writing Technical Review Entrepreneur Advertising 19

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

Stegmaier recommends that you start by writing a regular blog, joining a few related campaigns, building a high-quality video, and completing up to a hundred additional lessons before you even launch your own project. You need a polished, tested concept, not just an idea. Don’t expect to run a crowdfunding campaign in your free time.

Startup 100

Startup Equity Entrepreneur Demand 100

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

Raising money is difficult, even with the best idea, so don’t assume any entitlement to loans, grants, or seed funding. Remember that investors tend to fund entrepreneurs, not ideas. Write a business plan for your desired new business. You can’t keep all these in your head.

Startup 114

Startup Tips Coach Satisfaction 114

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2016

Too many aspiring entrepreneurs I mentor can talk at length about their innovative ideas and passions, and ask lots of good questions, but never make much progress in building a real business. In my experience, building a business is much more about getting things done than having great ideas. You must be able to see it to achieve it.

Writing 100

Writing Ideas Startup Entrepreneur 100

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

I recommend a thirty to ninety-day trial period, defined in writing, where either party can terminate the relationship without recourse. On the other hand, even the best solutions and ideas will fail as a business, if excellence in execution is lacking. Assigning and measuring early milestones is a must. It won’t happen by default.

Organization 104

Organization Satisfaction Entrepreneur Screening 104

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2019

Starting a new business starts with selling everyone, including yourself, on the viability and specifics of your idea. Whether you are looking for partners, investors, or future customers, you need to show a level of professionalism and leadership very early that will draw people to your idea.

Ideas 126

Ideas Slides Sample Examples 126

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

You shouldn’t be making this decision just because you are mad at your boss, or you would like to be rich, or someone else thinks you have a good idea. Usually that means writing something down, since it’s hard to maintain something, or track yourself against it, if it’s not written down. Right idea at the right time.

Startup 94

Startup Resource Training Ideas 94

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 19, 2019

A couple of years ago, I saw a classic primer on the key elements of great online content that I like, in “ Launch: How to Quickly Propel Your Business Beyond the Competition ,” by Michael Stelzner, founder of SocialMediaExaminer.com. Your content must continue to deliver new ideas. Then write it down. Educational.

Customer 93

Customer Custom Marketing Tips 93

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 27, 2016

I answered in the same way I always do so I thought I’d just write it publicly. “I As a starting point I have to believe the founder has the attributes of an entrepreneur that matter most to me : Tenacity, resiliency, inspiration, perspiration, attention-to-detail, competitiveness, decisiveness, risk tolerance and integrity.

Invest 254

Invest Writing Pricing Metrics 254

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 18, 2014

Sometimes those motives are positive (they really want the chance to work with you, they think you have unique skills) and sometimes they are less positive (their first-tier of “go to” referrals passed on the deal, they don’t want to write another check themselves, etc.). I never thought of it that way.”

Venture Capital 337

Venture Capital Invest Ideas Entrepreneur 337

Berkonomics

MARCH 15, 2012

This risk can be mitigated by finding a customer willing to purchase as soon as a proven model is completed, and willing to state this in writing. A great idea often fails from the inexperience or inability of management to bring the idea to market. And fifth: Competitive risk.

Outsource Development 200

Outsource Development Ideas Resource Patents 200

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2020

Stegmaier recommends that you start by writing a regular blog, joining a few related campaigns, building a high-quality video, and completing up to a hundred additional lessons before you even launch your own project. You need a polished, tested concept, not just an idea. Don’t expect to run a crowdfunding campaign in your free time.

Startup 151

Startup Equity Funding Demand 151

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2015

But, for the rest of us, don’t believe the Silicon Valley myth that all you have to do is sketch your million-dollar idea on the back of a napkin, and investors will line up to give you money. If you don’t have the time to write things down, or your writing skills leave something to be desired, don’t be afraid to get some help.

Startup 109

Startup Writing Mentor Sample 109

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 12, 2014

It’s building a product that is substantially differentiated, and, as Bill Gross, one of the most prolific tech entrepreneurs of our era says, “ It needs to be 10x better than the competition ” (because if you shoot for that then in competitive markets you might achieve 3x. Rebelling is simply a form of snobbery.

Marketing 379

Marketing Startup SEM SEO 379

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2021

In my role as mentor to many of you aspiring entrepreneurs, I often find you convinced that all you need to start is a unique innovation or idea , and now you are ready to jump in with both feet and enjoy the ride. Write a business plan for your first startup. Find your level of passion early.

Satisfaction 135

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Startup Mentor 135