Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2011

Why is it that most of the business plans I see are really product plans? I define a product plan as a detailed description of your product or service, with a bit of business thrown in at the end. A business plan is a detailed description of your business, with a bit of product description thrown in near the front.

Product 93

Product Entrepreneur Outsource Development Competition 93

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 3, 2013

Entrepreneurs seeking funding should emulate Addie''s efficient and focused pursuit of perfection. When securing funding, entrepreneurs must balance the desire for perfection with the urgent need to ensure the process is efficient. Better than Amazon''s customer experience for any brand" and "LinkedIn on Steroids.". One-liners.

Product 208

Product Yammer Technical Review Google 208

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 20, 2019

For example, if it’s getting harder to charge a price premium for the product you’re marketing, or others are offering your subscription service for free, it may be time to start thinking in a new box. Another example is seeing substitute versions of a product, like eBooks, for a low price displacing hardcover books.

Entrepreneur 93

Entrepreneur eBook Metrics Examples 93

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 14, 2015

“Scope creep” (or feature creep) is an insidious disease that kills more new business solutions than any other, especially high-tech ones, and yet most founders (who may be the cause) never even see it happening. The best product is one that is highly focused, and has the absolute minimum number of features to do the job.

Technical Review 104

Technical Review Product Software Review High Tech 104

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 7, 2016

The funding came from Aristos Ventures, private angel investors and investment from serial entrepreneurs, founders and executives from several high tech companies, according to the company.

Artificial Inteligence 100

Artificial Inteligence Platform Southern California Seed Funding 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2012

Customer service has always been reactionary, meaning someone to wake up and answer website email requests. That’s just not sufficient to hold today’s fickle, less loyal, and ready to jump customer. Self-service technologies, social media, and smart phones have created a new set of expectations for high-tech consumers today.

Customer 97

Customer Custom Services Startup 97

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2013

Customer service has always been reactionary, meaning someone has to wake up and answer website email requests. That’s just not savvy enough to hold today’s fickle, less loyal, and ready to jump customer. This exemplary customer service is just savvy marketing. Respect your customer’s view of usability.

Customer 89

Customer Custom Services High Tech 89

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 12, 2010

I recently wrote a post about avoiding the “ Deferred Life Plan &# and some related thoughts about personal productivity that came from Tim Ferriss’s book, The Four Hour Workweek. I would love to say that I’m the productivity guru. Tim Ferriss gave this extra emphasis in his book.

Product 280

Product Startup Email Technical Review 280

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 23, 2013

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. In fact, most of the rich entrepreneurs you know actively turned away early equity proposals. Need to spread the risk.

Startup 100

Startup Entrepreneur Technical Review Equity 100

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 29, 2011

For most new high-tech products, the first customers are always “early adopters.” The conventional wisdom is that early adopters are the ideal target for new products, to get business rolling. Product suggestions by early adopters often ask for increased user control over details of the technology.

Customer 91

Customer Custom High Tech News 91

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 18, 2015

For example, if it’s getting harder to charge a price premium for the product you’re marketing, or others are offering your subscription service for free, it may be time to start thinking in a new box. Another example is seeing substitute versions of a product, like eBooks, for a low price displacing hardcover books. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur eBook Metrics Startup 106

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 20, 2012

Why is it that most of the business plans I see are really product plans? I define a product plan as a detailed description of your product or service, with a bit of business thrown in at the end. A business plan is a detailed description of your business, with a bit of product description thrown in near the front.

Product 92

Product Outsource Development Competition High Tech 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 21, 2019

Image via Wikipedia From the advice I hear these days, if you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you need to be in Silicon Valley, Boston, New York, or one of the few other financial hubs around the world. Being an entrepreneur anywhere without fear likely means your business is at risk. All businesses require collaboration.

Technical Review 107

Technical Review Entrepreneur Startup Customer 107

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

There is so much written these days about how to attract investors that most entrepreneurs “assume” they need funding, and don’t even consider a plan for “bootstrapping,” or self-financing their startup. In fact, most of the rich entrepreneurs you know actively turned away early equity proposals. Need to spread the risk.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Technical Review Startup Equity 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2022

For example, if it’s getting harder to charge a price premium for the product you’re marketing, or others are offering your subscription service for free, it may be time to start thinking in a new box. Another example is seeing substitute versions of a product, like eBooks, for a low price displacing hardcover books.

eBook 111

eBook Metrics Examples Startup 111

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 1, 2010

I continue to collect great content that is the intersection of startups, products, online and technology. So let’s be very specific: let’s assume your dream job is product manager at Google, working on the Analytics product. love to find great products and services made by entrepreneurs who are trying to change the world.

Technical Review 175

Technical Review Startup Product Technology 175

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

Technology is so key to every business these days that experienced business-smart but non-tech entrepreneurs are feeling deeper and deeper in the hole. Should they go after high-tech nerds for partners, or professional technologists? The right answer for a good business partner today is neither of the above.

Technology 87

Technology High Tech Startup Social Media 87

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

Of the 225 customer reviews currently posted on Amazon, over 90% are highly positive. As Guy notes in the accompanying video interview, his primary goal with Enchantment is to reach a broader audience, beyond the high-tech, startup world. What tips can you share to help emerging entrepreneurs be as responsive? “I

Santa Barbara 262

Santa Barbara Technical Review Social Media Startup 262

socalTECH

DECEMBER 26, 2012

For the last week of the year, we're featuring the thoughts and reflections of some of the movers and shakers of Southern California's high tech community. I think that the biggest news for StartEngine this year is our productivity. You have to listen to your consumers and customers. Oh man this is going to be big.

Southern California 168

Southern California High Tech SaaS Social Media 168

socalTECH

AUGUST 7, 2009

Thanks to all of the sponsors and advertisers, who allow us to keep you updated on Southern California's high tech news and companies. Helping entrepreneurs succeed. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. Custom Insurance Programs for Technology Companies. They include: Sponsors. Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com).

SoCalTech 100

SoCalTech Orange County Southern California IP 100

socalTECH

JULY 24, 2009

Southern California's high tech news and companies. Helping entrepreneurs succeed. Custom Insurance Programs for Technology Companies. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth (www.sycr.com) Sponsoring socalTECH's Orange County High Tech Report. Startups Made Simple.

SoCalTech 100

SoCalTech Orange County Southern California Westlake Village 100

socalTECH

OCTOBER 30, 2009

Without all of you, we wouldn't be able to keep you updated on Southern California's high tech news and companies. Helping entrepreneurs succeed. Need office or Tech Space? Custom Insurance Programs for Technology Companies. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. Thanks in particular to: Sponsors.

Southern California 140

Southern California IP Orange County Glendale 140

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 30, 2012

For many entrepreneurs, college has little appeal. Academia's arbitrary, bureaucratic structure, combined with its predominant focus on theoretical issues, causes many entrepreneurs to depart college early. But it's also about operations and customer relationships." " [Tweet this quote]. " [Tweet this quote].

Tips 247

Tips Startup Entrepreneur Santa Barbara 247

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2011

I come from a high-tech software background, and only a few years ago, it would cost at least a million dollars ($1M) for a team of professionals to produce any commercial software product. Remember when you had to build a $1M factory to roll-out a new product? Savings can be huge in these areas. Wages and benefits.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Startup Search Engine Optimization SEM 94

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 19, 2014

In the US, many entrepreneurs see grants as “free money,” since they are not loans and don’t have to be repaid. A grant is not an equity investment, so the entrepreneur doesn’t have to give up a stake in the company either. entrepreneur funding grants startup' Pursue grants and investors in parallel. Extend your networking.

Startup 97

Startup High Tech Research Funding 97

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 25, 2009

Once again, we'd like to thanks to all of the sponsors and advertisers, who allow us to keep you updated on Southern California's high tech news and companies. Helping entrepreneurs succeed. Custom Insurance Programs for Technology Companies. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. They include: Sponsors.

Advertising 113

Advertising Southern California IP VentureNet 113

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2013

“Scope creep” (or feature creep) is an insidious disease that kills more good startups than any other, especially high-tech ones, and yet most founders (who may be the cause) never even see it happening. This term refers to the penchant to add just one more feature to the product or service before first delivery, just because you can.

Technical Review 110

Technical Review Startup Software Review High Tech 110

socalTECH

MAY 22, 2009

Thanks to all of the sponsors and advertisers, who allow us to keep you updated on Southern California's high tech news and companies. Helping entrepreneurs succeed. Custom Insurance Programs for Technology Companies. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. They include: Sponsors. Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com).

SoCalTech 100

SoCalTech Southern California Rustic Canyon IP 100

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 9, 2010

Helping entrepreneurs succeed. Need office or Tech Space? Custom Insurance Programs for Technology Companies. An on-line community for entrepreneurs. PricewaterhouseCoopers' Vision To Reality Program for Emerging Tech Companies. Yarnell Design (www.masonyarnell.com/tech). Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com).

Southern California 113

Southern California Tech Coast Angels IP Orange County 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 9, 2010

Why is it that most of the business plans I see are really product plans? I define a product plan as a detailed description of your product or service, with a bit of business thrown in at the end. A business plan is a detailed description of your business, with a bit of product description thrown in near the front.

Product 48

Product Outsource Development Competition High Tech 48

socalTECH

APRIL 12, 2011

Watertower has been involved in a number of high visibility exits and fundings in recent months, including Riot Games (rumored to be $400M+), Machinima, and ExtendMedia. Norton spent some time talking about his vision of where LA's future in high tech lies. Derek Norton: It's that old adage--they invest in the entrepreneur.

Riot Games 199

Riot Games Technology Los Angeles Entrepreneur 199

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2016

Technology is so key to every business these days that experienced business-smart but non-tech entrepreneurs are feeling deeper and deeper in the hole. Should they go after high-tech nerds for partners, or professional technologists? The right answer for a good business partner today is neither of the above.

High Tech 58

High Tech Startup Social Media Entrepreneur 58

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 23, 2012

Ignorance is not bliss in business, but it does allow entrepreneurs to face the unknown with a measure of confidence. No 19-year old understands business at the level of a seasoned, serial entrepreneur. However, it is important for young entrepreneurs to be adequately self-aware to know what they do not know.

Startup 268

Startup Tips CTO Coach Technical Review 268

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

In the US, many entrepreneurs see grants as “free money,” since they are not loans and don’t have to be repaid. A grant is not an equity investment, so the entrepreneur doesn’t have to give up a stake in the company either. An advanced search tool is provided to search for a grant by eligibility, by issuing agency, or category.

Equity 92

Equity Startup High Tech Research 92

InfoChachkie

OCTOBER 24, 2011

There has recently been a common theme among the entrepreneurs I have interviewed and the conferences I have attended: despite the relatively weak state of the world economy, now is a great time to create a high-tech startup. As noted in Now Is Never Too Early , successful entrepreneurs are not inclined to wait.

Company 257

Company Companies Startup Study 257

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 27, 2012

Make no mistake, successful entertainers are entrepreneurs. They must compete with tens of thousands of other performers who are all pursuing the same customer dollars. Entrepreneurs and entertainers alike must address their fears. However, despite relative salary equality, there remain far fewer high-tech women entrepreneurs.

Tips 204

Tips Startup Entertainment Entrepreneur 204

InfoChachkie

APRIL 9, 2012

These entrepreneurs do not risk everything, work outrageous hours and put themselves under extreme pressure because they want to. If it were a decision to be an entrepreneur, then most right-minded individuals would decide to turn back when they encountered the first inevitable startup crises. Entrepreneurs want to matter.

Startup 243

Startup Ideas Entrepreneur Statistics 243