Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 23, 2021

Yet, as a business consultant, I often find minimal focus on improving employee engagement and assessing their customer-facing performance. For example, I commonly see metrics to keep track of revenue per employee, overtime, and absenteeism, but I don’t often see measures of overall customer satisfaction with individual employees.

Customer 147

Customer Custom Technical Review Metrics 147

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 24, 2022

Entrepreneurs and business executives seem to be even more focused on their technology than the rest of us, and less inclined to listen to the voice of the customer, even if they remember to ask. Real two-way conversations with real customers, including the all-important body language, are unheard-of these days.

Customer 104

Customer Custom Product Social Network 104

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 22, 2021

Every business I know is intimately familiar with outbound marketing, or pushing your message out to customers through email, newspaper, and television advertising. Only a few really understand the process and value of inbound marketing, for pulling customers to your brand. Don’t just monitor – engage customers.

Customer 172

Customer Custom Marketing Social Media 172

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 15, 2013

For much of 2013 I watched the press write articles about how the YouTube “MCNs” (multi-channel networks) were doomed and tried to square that with the data I was watching at the one I invested in, Maker Studios, who has had one hell of a year. I agree with YouTube (that they provide more (hosting, ad sales, etc.)

Networking 366

Networking Media Content Customer 366

TechEmpower

JULY 31, 2023

How does it meet customers’ needs? One way to approach that last question is to use this simple model: Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) How will your business reach prospects? Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) How much money will your business generate from each converted customer? Don’t worry about scaling just yet.

Metrics 260

Metrics Startup Slides Technical Review 260

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 7, 2014

I spend a lot of time with startups and thus hear many companies talk about their approach to sales and their interactions with customers. From these meetings you can really tell the leaders that care deeply about their customers and those the look down on them. We were talking about raising money from LPs.

Customer 341

Customer Custom Venture Capital Software Review 341

Berkonomics

MAY 30, 2019

Using new tools in a social age. And the best way to do this is with the placement of a case study, a story told about and by a satisfied customer with something to say about how your product solved their problem or pain. That story can be in print or in multimedia form.

Case Study 120

Case Study Study Customer Custom 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 20, 2020

Contrary to popular opinion, viral marketing has not eliminated the need for old-fashioned lead generation to bring customers to a startup. It’s also one of the most accountable, with in-depth data provided by search engines about performance. Some consider direct mail very expensive or dead as a lead-generation tool.

Customer 146

Customer Custom Marketing Startup 146

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 14, 2022

With the ITRC 2021 End-of-Year Data Breach Report revealing a 68 percent increase in stolen sensitive personal information, there is a growing population out there worried about all the people intent on hurting them. But that is just the beginning of the opportunity to provide or take advantage of the new power and tools on the Internet.

Custom 137

Custom Customer Technical Review Symantec 137

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 29, 2020

Entrepreneurs and business executives seem to be even more focused on their technology than the rest of us, and less inclined to listen to the voice of the customer, even if they remember to ask. Real two-way conversations with real customers, including the all-important body language, are unheard-of these days.

Customer 128

Customer Custom Activity Social Network 128

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 12, 2020

These days, with the instant access to information and experts in every field around the world, and the wealth of personal assessment tools available on the Internet, there is no excuse for not exploring and evaluating the alternatives before you make a step forward. It can also help you better relate to others and become more self-aware.

Tool 125

Tool Mentor Help Education 125

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

When Ethan was considering leaving Google we talked about it. And because I wanted Ethan to be able to attract a great team, build & iterate a product, test it with initial customers and refine his strategy before having to take the wrappers off of his company. What do we like about OpenTable?

CTO Coach 359

CTO Coach Google CTO Hire Yammer 359

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 15, 2019

Further, based on results from the annual Sierra-Cedar HR Systems Survey , businesses that use data and tools in their people management, rather than traditional manual processes, see a 79% higher return than other organizations, suggesting the time is ripe for relying on data and analytics. Working on the wrong problem or assumption.

Metrics 98

Metrics Tool Statistics Entrepreneur 98

InfoChachkie

JULY 7, 2016

When investors do interject, demos typically become even more pedantic, as Founders feel compelled to speak expansively about specific features in an attempt address the investor’s concerns. As such, I understand the degree to which hand waving and vaporware can influence investors and potential customers. However, I am indifferent. .

Venture Capital 176

Venture Capital Product Software Review Technical Review 176

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2019

Is your marketing focus product-centric or customer-centric ? With a wealth of products now available, customers look for the most memorable experience , not just the best product. Amazon is very customer-centric, but it can make all the difference in retail as well as online. Status factors are more important than demographics.

Customer 85

Customer Custom Product Metrics 85

socalTECH

JANUARY 6, 2022

billion was raised by its nonprofit customers on its platform in 2021. The company--which helps nonprofits reach out to donors--said about $30.8 The company has been developing tools to help nonprofits move donors to give on a recurring basis--more like a subscription--rather than just provide on-time donations.

San Diego 189

San Diego Platform Software Development Tool 189

TechEmpower

OCTOBER 9, 2023

Utilizing AI, the tool interprets the queries, scans through a broad range of documents spread across different repositories, and delivers relevant answers. Enhancing Front-End Product Search We also developed a front-end search tool that revolutionized the way users search for products.

Generative AI 346

Generative AI Artificial Inteligence Tool Knowledge Base 346

TechCrunch LA

OCTOBER 27, 2020

Replicated began as a developer of software security and management services for Docker containerized development tools, but as the market shifted to Kubernetes, the company shifted to service those applications. As developers embrace Kubernetes, Replicated launches tools to manage its deployments.

Software 224

Software Tool SaaS Los Angeles 224

socalTECH

MARCH 28, 2016

A new, Los Angeles startup, Pingo Solar --backed by technology veterans Jerry Slavonia, Kang Ahn, and others--said it is about to launch a new service to provide more transparency to the solar industry. The startup says is is releasing a DIY tool which will simply and automate the purchasing process for solar power.

Tool 100

Tool CarsDirect Truecar Pricing 100

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2020

I hear this term every day, wrongly applied to new social media site, or a new productivity tool. That’s the great thing about being an entrepreneur. Many of the current opportunities in alternative energy are the result of these forces, as well as the lack of effective government coalitions to conserve other resources.

Custom 167

Custom Customer Startup Outsource Development 167

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

Vonjour (www.vonjour.com), a Los Angeles startup, has developed a cloud-based customer support and phone system which, in addition to handling all of a company''s usual enterprise phone needs--also lets employers harness employee smartphones to deal with customer support issues, make calls, and interact with customers directly from a mobile app.

Customer 133

Customer Custom Startup Mobile 133

TechCrunch LA

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020

After operating in stealth mode for about two years, First Resonance , a company founded by former SpaceX engineers, is finally showing the world their software toolkit designed to let manufacturers make things using the processes employed by their former boss.

SpaceX 248

SpaceX Tool Los Angeles Design 248

Berkonomics

APRIL 28, 2022

Start with a simple tool. There are tools to inform you when your company name or personal name is mentioned. Try registering in NAYMZ.com and work to increase your “rep score” to a maximum of 99 with a combination of testimonials, media postings, customer up–votes and more. Then add more complex listening posts.

Social Media 156

Social Media Media Search Engine Optimization Tool 156

Berkonomics

DECEMBER 10, 2015

Both of these time–honored methods of reaching our customers have worked for as long as there was print and radio–TV to get the message out. If you feel overwhelmed by this, there are experts waiting to serve you with new tools, ideas and channels you have never used, and which will open your eyes to powers that may shock you.

Customer 120

Customer Custom Marketing Email 120

InfoChachkie

MARCH 20, 2012

You can watch the 11-minute excerpt from Seth’s talk below, in which expounds upon the Seven Tools Of Awesomeness. Too many people spend their time in the bleachers commenting about business, but where you are really going to learn something is on the playing field. On the playing field is talking to customers.

Tool 272

Tool Startup Writing Santa Barbara 272

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

But the ground we covered was awesome for anybody wanting to know more about sales. How do you get access to customers? What tools do you use? LinkedIn (we talked about some tricks we use in LinkedIn). 36:00 Sales people only care about money. When & Whom should you hire? junior vs. senior? when to call.

Software Review 300

Software Review Sales Tips Help 300

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 19, 2015

We have made 5 online video investments in total – some we will talk about later this year. But here is the most misunderstood fact about YouTube that I think most smart business people have missed in their rush to criticize revenue splits* or CPMs. I’ve written about that, too. But think of this. But think of this.

SEM 150

SEM Content Platform Acquisition 150

Berkonomics

MARCH 31, 2022

Both of these time–honored methods of reaching our customers have worked for as long as there was print and radio–TV to get the message out. Today’s marketing tools and methods. Interactive conversations with your customers. Now, if you had a choice and the inclination to do something about it, which would you want to be?

Marketing 156

Marketing Customer Custom Tool 156

Tech.Co

AUGUST 16, 2017

Finding potential customers continues to be a huge challenge not only for established marketing and sales teams but also for startup executives and solo entrepreneurs. It is not that there is a lack of lead generation tools, particularly for business-to-business (B2B) firms. Lead Capture Tool – Leadformly. What’s more?

Tool 79

Tool Startup Help Template 79

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2018

In today’s totally interconnected world with its abundance of information, choices, and marketing, how your customers buy has drastically changed. Whether you are an executive, an entrepreneur, a marketer, or a salesperson, it’s time to look beyond how you sell, and focus on how your customers buy.

Customer 94

Customer Custom Social Media Startup 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2018

In addition to obvious economic challenges, the emerging generation of customers is determined to radically change the rules for customer engagement. He makes a convincing argument that it’s time for every company to get prepared for the next customer generation, or your company is heading toward life support.

Demand 71

Demand Customer Custom Tips 71

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 22, 2016

L-to-R: John Greathouse, unknown woman about to slap John, Reed Shaffner, Jerry Jao & Ara Mahdessian. We had a spirited discussion regarding a number of issues related to blowing past $10M in annual recurring SaaS revenue, in front of a sold-out crowd of about 400 entrepreneurs. He started by stating, “We track customer success.”

Customer 100

Customer Custom Cornerstone OnDemand Metrics 100

InfoChachkie

MAY 27, 2013

Last week, Divshot turned a simple April Fool''s Day joke into a marketing coup, generating nearly 6,000 Tweets and over a thousand Beta customers. The team''s ability to drive significant customer interest without spending a dime on marketing was one of the reasons Jim Andelman and I invested in the company. Don’t Over Sell It.

Customer 195

Customer Custom Template Startup 195

Berkonomics

FEBRUARY 9, 2023

Using this technique with a supplier And how about a product purchase where you cannot come to a successfully negotiated price with your supplier? Don’t rule a too–high negotiated price out until you think carefully about the terms of purchase as a tool for leverage. Ask for extended terms well beyond sixty or ninety days.

Pricing 156

Pricing Sales Examples Tool 156

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2023

A common initiative I hear from business owners today is their effort to improve the customer experience. To achieve real growth, business leaders need to improve both employee as well as customer experiences. Flexible – listen to allow flex hours and customization. Proactive – timely communication to build trust.

Customer 113

Customer Custom Training Tool 113

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

However, savvy startups can leverage LinkedIn to create a customer acquisition and a churn reduction tool. Not knowing about a paper they have published, a talk they have given, or a job change they’ve made is just laziness. However, in some cases, especially with its larger customers, the company displaces a competitor.

Customer 100

Customer Custom Software Review Technical Review 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2015

With the advent of social media and the pervasive move to smartphones, even customers who still prefer to purchase in brick-and-mortar stores have dramatically changed their shopping habits. Many people don’t post about their experiences, but still routinely check first to see what others are saying about the brand and the product online.

Customer 103

Customer Custom Marketing Social Media 103