Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

First of all, a definition. Obviously this definition is generic, so my first recommendation is that you take the lead in defining traction metrics for your startup, and then selling your results convincingly to investors. One customer is not traction, and beta tests with a thousand customers at no cost don’t count.

Startup 121

Startup Metrics Customer Custom 121

InfoChachkie

JUNE 2, 2014

The gowns are then dry cleaned and readied for the next customer, in the spirit of the emerging sharing economy in which goods are communally used multiple times. Quality is definitely key for us.". We keep our eye on a handful of metrics, but we’re focused on customer satisfaction.

Design 208

Design Customer Custom Satisfaction 208

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

There is nothing more pure than building a product, putting it out in the world and seeing paying customers using your product and in some cases loving it. As companies get this initial customer feedback on their product they start to have to ask harder questions about unit economics: How much does it cost us to acquire a new customer?

Startup 286

Startup Technical Review Customer Custom 286

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

A broken process or a subtle quality issue can generate a flood of customer satisfaction problems, cost overruns, and loss of market share. A better definition of a problem always leads to a better solution. Without this mindset, and the determination to make a decision, nothing happens, and customers find alternatives.

Satisfaction 152

Satisfaction Mentor Study Startup 152

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

One of our customers is Inc. However, I definitely see value in video discovery beyond what''s already been built. The metrics are very solid. Because we do auto customization, we''re really. magazine, for example. Other people have worked on content recommendation before, how are you different?

Google 233

Google Content Startup Venice 233

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 26, 2013

First of all, a definition. Obviously this definition is generic, so my first recommendation is that you take the lead in defining traction metrics for your startup, and then selling your results convincingly to investors. One customer is not traction, and beta tests with a thousand customers at no cost don’t count.

Startup 106

Startup Metrics Customer Custom 106

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2018

What is the definition of traction for a business startup today? According to most investors I know, traction is some clear evidence that the “dogs are eating the dog food” – usually meaning that you have at least one customer paying full price for your solution. Define metrics on customer feedback and user counts.

Tips 79

Tips Metrics Technical Review Customer 79

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2013

You can jump into social media with a poor brand definition, poorly focused content, unrealistic expectations of customer service, or be killed by malware or viruses. For some customers and many investors, a heavy focus on social networks and viral marketing may be a negative, rather than a positive. Marty Zwilling.

Social Media 101

Social Media Media Entrepreneur Metrics 101

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2021

By definition, the world of startups today is one of rapidly changing unknowns, where the inputs you receive will often conflict. You continually get frustrated with your team members, customers, vendors, and partners. Instead of controlling the business, the business is controlling you. It’s very frustrating.

Entrepreneur 174

Entrepreneur Search Engine Optimization Satisfaction Social Media 174

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 15, 2022

You can jump into social media with a poor brand definition, poorly focused content, unrealistic expectations of customer service, or be killed by malware or viruses. For some customers and many investors, a heavy focus on social networks and viral marketing may be a negative, rather than a positive.

Social Media 126

Social Media Media Startup Platform 126

SoCal CTO

MARCH 22, 2007

Where I use LinkedIn: * I definitely use LinkedIn for Specific Requests - Ex. I definitely check people out using LinkedIn. However, it definitely has served as a hub. Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -. Open Source Business Models, speakers for Web 2.0

Blogging 150

Blogging CTO Coach CTO Hire Southern California 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 23, 2007

And there are definitely other service providers who provide things like marketing services who are interesting, so its not all service providers, its more like the wealth management types. Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -. You know what I mean.

Los Angeles 150

Los Angeles Networking CTO Coach Angel 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 10, 2019

They don’t realize that they are missing out on a great opportunity for “free” promotion, as well as taking a great risk by not listening to what customers are saying, and not monitoring or responding to undeserved challenges to their reputation. Use business metrics and tools to tune your efforts. Do your homework before you begin.

Social Media 99

Social Media Media Tool Startup 99

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 28, 2020

This must include metrics and tracking, with the necessary systems and resources to act, recalibrate, and iterate as required. Give special attention to traits that fit your specific customer context, or a higher purpose you espouse, such as a focus on the environment. The process must focus not only on the “what,” but the “how.”

Coach 159

Coach Resource Summary Metrics 159

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 6, 2011

That, plus I love the space of high-customer-service, focused eCommerce for moms worried about what their kids eat & wear.&#. Starting with exclusive rights to sell celebrity chef, Tyler Florence’s, line of baby food online, SproutBaby began seeing initial traction from customer interest as physical distribution spread.

Startup 292

Startup Venture Capital Blogging Summary 292

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2015

When pitching to investors, entrepreneurs always seem to start with a customer pitch, then add a slide or two about the business. In every case, the relevant pitch needs to start by highlighting a real customer problem, then outlining a new solution, with all the features and disruptive technology.

Product 103

Product Slides Customer Custom 103

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2011

In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Terms like “every customer needs this” and “next generation platform” are far too soft, and should be avoided. Clearly define the customer, channel, and revenue model associated with this solution.

Competition 116

Competition Metrics Startup Sales 116

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2012

In fact, a business plan is needed more by you than investors, as the blueprint for your company, team communication, and progress metrics. Terms like “every customer needs this” and “next generation platform” are far too soft, and should be avoided. Clearly define the customer, channel, and revenue model associated with this solution.

Competition 113

Competition Metrics Startup Invest 113

InfoChachkie

JULY 14, 2015

While every state has a slightly different definition of nexus, it is generally defined as, "a physical presence, employee, or products stored in the state." The complexity of simply knowing what rate to charge each online customer will increase exponentially, as there are over 10,000 taxing jurisdictions within the United States.

Sales 100

Sales Customer Custom Metrics 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 27, 2021

Customers always have alternatives, most notably continuing to do what they do today without you. Every startup should start with a set of values that would fit the definition of a good cause. Plan to make it the best experiment that you can, with metrics to focus on the “why,” as much as “what.” Marty Zwilling.

Ideas 117

Ideas Entrepreneur Netflix IBM 117

InfoChachkie

MARCH 3, 2014

August Scott began her Zappos career in their customer support call center. I started in the call center, in the customer loyalty department. I love assisting our customers and I realized early on about Zappos that the opportunities are endless. Zappos is renowned for its focus on its customers and employees.

Coach 182

Coach Startup Study Customer 182

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 15, 2013

This entrepreneur gets out there and actively looks for people who can help make an idea into a business, including potential customers, suppliers, employees, investors, friends and peers. Proactively sets metrics and track goals. Effective business people work hard to align everyone in the organization toward key metrics.

Entrepreneur 103

Entrepreneur Ideas Metrics Activity 103

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 22, 2012

You can jump into social media with a poor brand definition, poorly focused content, unrealistic expectations of customer service, or be killed by malware or viruses. For some customers and many investors, a heavy focus on social networks and viral marketing may be a negative, rather than a positive.

Social Media 95

Social Media Media Startup Platform 95

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2011

You can jump into social media with a poor brand definition, poorly focused content, unrealistic expectations of customer service, or be killed by malware or viruses. For some customers and many investors, a heavy focus on social networks and viral marketing may be a negative, rather than a positive.

Social Media 93

Social Media Media Entrepreneur Platform 93

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2012

This entrepreneur gets out there and actively looks for people who can help make an idea into a business, including potential customers, suppliers, employees, investors, friends and peers. Proactively sets metrics and track goals. Effective business people work hard to align everyone in the organization toward key metrics.

Entrepreneur 97

Entrepreneur Ideas Metrics Activity 97

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2022

How does any entrepreneur define the right balance, and then measure their performance against real metrics? Most customers today won’t pay you five times the cost of alternatives, just because yours is “green.” That’s a win-win business for the customer and the entrepreneur. The whole can be greater than the sum of the parts.

Startup 110

Startup Entrepreneur Capital Examples 110

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 23, 2015

Customers always have alternatives, most notably continuing to do what they do today without you. Every startup should start with a set of values that would fit the definition of a good cause. Plan to make it the best experiment that you can, with metrics to focus on the “why,” as much as “what.” Marty Zwilling.

Startup 102

Startup Ideas Entrepreneur Netflix 102

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2015

By definition, every startup is predictably unpredictable, since new solutions have no proven track record, startups are usually building a new market, and the world around them is changing faster than ever. Smart entrepreneurs have metrics for assessing their progress against milestones and regularly communicate new insights to the team.

Startup 105

Startup Entrepreneur Marketing Satisfaction 105

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

Based on my own many years of experience as both an employee and an executive, here are my key recommendations to improve your business productivity, traction and momentum: Implement business metrics, and tie incentives to results. In most businesses, 80 percent of the revenue comes from 20 percent of the customers.

Training 105

Training Entrepreneur Tool Metrics 105

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2014

How does any entrepreneur define the right balance, and then measure their performance against real metrics? Most customers today won’t pay you five times the cost of alternatives, just because yours is “green.” That’s a win-win business for the customer and the entrepreneur. The whole can be greater than the sum of the parts.

Startup 104

Startup Entrepreneur Examples Satisfaction 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 8, 2019

A recent high-profile one, Theranos , the blood-testing company, had no trouble getting customers, but promised more than their technology could deliver, Another, Shyp , an early on-demand delivery platform, blamed their demise on premature scaling. Focus on existing customer retention and repeat business.

Startup 88

Startup Demand Training Customer 88

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2015

By definition, the world of startups today is one of rapidly changing unknowns, where the inputs you receive will often conflict. You continually get frustrated with your team members, customers, vendors, and partners. Instead of controlling the business, the business is controlling you. It’s very frustrating.

Entrepreneur 111

Entrepreneur Search Engine Optimization Satisfaction Social Media 111

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 11, 2014

Customers always have alternatives, most notably continuing to do what they do today without you. Every startup should start with a set of values that would fit the definition of a good cause. Plan to make it the best experiment that you can, with metrics to focus on the “why,” as much as “what.” Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Ideas Netflix IBM 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 13, 2013

How does any entrepreneur define the right balance, and then measure their performance against real metrics? Most customers today won’t pay you five times the cost of alternatives, just because yours is “green.” That’s a win-win business for the customer and the entrepreneur. The whole can be greater than the sum of the parts.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Startup Examples Satisfaction 98

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2014

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. Even if you are doing the work yourself, you need to document requirements, features, metrics, and milestones.

Startup 107

Startup Outsource Development Training Outsource 107

socalTECH

APRIL 15, 2016

Brett Bernstein: First and foremost, we are allowing any customer to be an influencer. To get a discount, we ask customers to share information on the brand on Twitter and in the future, other social networks, and that discount is based on how influential they are for that brand. We spoke with co-founder Brett Bernstein.

Social Media 100

Social Media Social Network Examples Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 13, 2019

You can jump into social media with a poor brand definition, poorly focused content, unrealistic expectations of customer service, or be killed by malware or viruses. For some customers and many investors, a heavy focus on social networks and viral marketing may be a negative, rather than a positive.

Social Media 79

Social Media Media Invest Platform 79