Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 27, 2023

With interactive social media and video everywhere, everyone needs to feel they have a relationship with their leaders, and every brand needs leader personification for customers to relate. Interact with employees and customers on a regular basis. Never be too busy to talk to real customers.

Customer 140

Customer Custom Social Media Metrics 140

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2022

Potential startup founders are always looking for ideas to implement, when they should be looking for problems to solve. Customers pay for solutions, but there is no market for ideas. I’m often approached by people with a “million dollar idea,” but I haven’t seen anyone pay that for one yet. Marty Zwilling.

Ideas 145

Ideas Startup Tips Competition 145

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2023

Today’s customers demand more than a good product; they expect a great customer experience. A few companies are leading the way, including Apple with their iPad and iPhone, offering irresistible stores with friendly experts, elegant packaging, and customer service that never ends. Make user-centered design processes iterative.

Design 105

Design Customer Custom Product 105

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2020

As an advisor to entrepreneurs, one of the most common requests I get is for an evaluation of a next startup idea. I try to explain that even the most innovative idea will fail if it is not a good fit for you at this time, so the question I ask them is “why you now” rather than “ why this solution now ?” He succeeded well in both.

Ideas 151

Ideas Entrepreneur Resource Knowledge Base 151

Berkonomics

JULY 27, 2017

Your customers know what they want more than you do. This week’s insight came from personal experience and from a good friend who advanced the notion of the “teacher-customer” years ago. The customer would be the first to receive the new functionality in a new release. Find one to teach you.

Custom 243

Custom Customer Design Conference 243

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 15, 2022

Most people think innovation is all about ideas, when in fact it is more about delivery, people, and process. They take you step-by-step through the innovation execution process, in the context the ten most common myths about innovation, which I think makes their approach particularly instructive: Innovation is all about ideas.

Ideas 135

Ideas Startup Resource Research 135

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2021

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. In reality, I like most ideas, but I have to tell them that the real challenge is taking the inspiration from a dream to a business reality. Now you see why no one should judge business success potential by the idea alone.

Ideas 136

Ideas Entrepreneur Mentor Resource 136

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 16, 2022

Yet I still too often hear the question, “Can you give me a really sure-fire idea for starting my own business?” My standard answer is that ideas are a dime a dozen, and success is all about smart execution, not ideas. Customers don’t want new technologies to be like recreational drugs that they become dependent on.

Ideas 105

Ideas Artificial Inteligence Entrepreneur Startup 105

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 26, 2021

Every business I know needs to be on a constant lookout for new ideas, both in what they offer to customers, and in their internal operations, to stay competitive. Fortunately, there are ways to nurture the creation and capture of new ideas. Openly ask for new ideas from your team and others.

Ideas 132

Ideas PPC Customer Custom 132

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2022

We are living in a new generation of business, where customers drive the experience, and highly engaged employees are required to keep up with customer expectations. Everyone needs to take the necessary action, despite their fears, to continuously explore new ideas. Enlightened: open your mind and constantly learn.

Customer 152

Customer Custom Coach Satisfaction 152

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Most entrepreneurs I meet are reluctant to disclose anything about their idea to investors before getting a signed confidential disclosure agreement (CDA). These professionals value their integrity, like your therapist or financial advisor, and will not share your business details nor steal your idea. Marty Zwilling.

Ideas 159

Ideas Tips Technical Review Patents 159

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

In business, and in your personal life, the ability to anticipate and overcome criticism is one of the biggest differentiators between leaders, who make things happen, and followers, who may have great ideas but never seem to get things to go their way. The reality is that good ideas are always challenged, so you need to expect it.

Ideas 126

Ideas Case Study Mobile Resource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2023

Entrepreneurs have always believed that their product or service must show real value to customers, but today the smart ones are even able to make their marketing valuable. Now customers seek out people who are willing and able to add value, with expertise and insight, even before they have a product. The key is consistency.

Content 104

Content Customer Custom Marketing 104

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2020

In my experience, consummate entrepreneurs tend come up with more startup ideas than they can ever implement, and some of the ideas may not even make business sense. But how does any entrepreneur know which ideas to implement, and which ones are best left behind? Separate nice-to-have ideas from ones solving painful problems.

Technical Review 173

Technical Review Ideas Patents Startup 173

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2023

The technology is now embodied in a solution that can be replicated to reliably solve a real customer problem. Business investors and customers want to hear about solutions, and tend to back away from technology, until it is proven. Product development at this stage is the process of scaling up for manufacturing and marketing rollout.

Resource 102

Resource Ideas Funding Research 102

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 4, 2023

Most entrepreneur that fail are quick to offer a litany of constraints that caused their demise – not enough money, time, customers, or support from the right players. Subtraction leads to simplicity, better usability, and easier education of your customers. Find new ways to augment.

Resource 112

Resource Ideas Competition Entrepreneur 112

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 23, 2020

Today’s customers demand more than a good product; they expect a great customer experience. A few companies are leading the way, including Apple with their iPad and iPhone, offering irresistible stores with friendly experts, elegant packaging, and customer service that never ends. Make user-centered design processes iterative.

Customer 150

Customer Custom Design Product 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 2, 2020

One thing I have learned the hard way in business is that implementing new ideas is usually much more difficult than conceiving the idea in the first place. That’s why I caution my aspiring entrepreneur clients against proclaiming to investors that they are a great “idea” person. For example, I have a friend with a Ph.D.

Ideas 126

Ideas Writing Examples Outsource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 27, 2021

The entrepreneurs I see are always talking about “disruptive innovation” ideas, but the plans I read are more often linear extensions of a current hot offering, like one more social network with the best of Facebook and Twitter, one more dating site dimension, or another “must-have” accessory for smartphones.

Ideas 117

Ideas Entrepreneur Netflix IBM 117

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 13, 2020

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. It’s time to get the help you need.

Ideas 121

Ideas Writing Startup Entrepreneur 121

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 29, 2021

New generations of customers respond better to the “ participative ” approach, where they get to provide input via social media and the Internet. Some call it a move from always “ hunting ” for new customers in the wild, to “gardening” or nurturing loyalty and value from the ones you already have.

Custom 168

Custom Customer Marketing Social Media 168

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 8, 2020

Savvy entrepreneurs start testing their ideas on potential customers even before the concept is fully cooked. They have enough confidence in their ability to deliver that they don’t worry about someone stealing the idea to get there first, and they don’t forget to listen carefully to critical feedback.

Ideas 124

Ideas Marketing Tips Social Media 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 24, 2023

Investors invest in people, not ideas. Customers buy from people, not companies. That means relationships with team members, investors, customers, and vendors. The simplest way to express appreciation is to simply say, “Thank you” for an idea, some good feedback, time spent together, or an order. Be agreeable.

Customer 90

Customer Custom Outsource Development Entrepreneur 90

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 29, 2023

Thus you need to listen and learn the current reality from your customers, your team, advisors, and experts. In business, to get from dreams to reality, it takes effective communication with many others, including your team, customers, investors, and partners. Good listening leads to timely innovations and pivots.

Ideas 105

Ideas Startup Entrepreneur Social Media 105

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 25, 2022

I’m sure you have all noticed how today’s customers have changed the way they shop, but I still find, as an advisor and consultant, that many of you aren’t sure how to deal with the new mode, or are still waiting for things to get back to the old normal. Convenience is in the eye of the customer, not your company.

Demand 126

Demand Custom Customer Startup 126

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2019

A popular approach for aspiring entrepreneurs these days seems to be to corner anyone who will listen, with a pitch on their current “million dollar idea.” In my opinion, ideas are a commodity, and are really not worth much, outside the context of a visionary leader who can execute. Positive inspirational communication.

Ideas 101

Ideas Startup Entrepreneur Resource 101

SoCal CTO

OCTOBER 6, 2011

His basic point was: If someone, including me, tells you something isn’t a great idea and there’s no market for it there are only two acceptable responses. I’m going to take that thought out into the field and validate it with my customers." Customer Validation 101. Either: "That’s interesting. billion dollar mistake.

Custom 227

Custom Customer CTO Coach Startup 227

TechCrunch LA

MAY 3, 2022

The company Winters was working for sponsored her MBA to Harvard Business School, and it was there that she came up with the idea for Upgrade. “I Upgrade’s e-commerce marketplace has two sides: one that enables consumers to choose a vetted stylist and have their wig colored or customized based on their desired look. Remember Mary J.

Tool 179

Tool Custom Customer Marketing 179

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 22, 2020

Entrepreneurs have always believed that their product or service must show real value to customers, but today the smart ones are even able to make their marketing valuable. Now customers seek out people who are willing and able to add value, with expertise and insight, even before they have a product. The key is consistency.

Custom 127

Custom Customer Marketing Content 127

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 11, 2020

They forget that adapting their company and themselves as their customers evolve is the key to long-term survival. Think of Blockbuster and Toys ‘R’ Us , both of whom missed customer changes and the move to online. Create an overt strategy to react to emerging customer trends. Remember when you were a startup?

Customer 143

Customer Custom Examples IBM 143

Berkonomics

JUNE 27, 2019

And that behavior results in leaving little time for outreach to the most critical component in your chain – your key customers. Then, what is a benchmark for customer outreach? But, do your customer know that they want? Do customers know what they want from their suppliers for future products? That’s bad behavior!

Customer 120

Customer Custom Course Email 120

Berkonomics

JUNE 22, 2023

Test yourself as to whether you can identify the size of your market niche, and whether you can overcome the many barriers to access customers within your niche. A strategic relationship with one or more of the largest customers? Some great ideas just can’t make money and ultimately die for lack of profit potential.

Patents 286

Patents Pricing Ideas Marketing 286

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2020

Here are some key drivers that will likely lead you to a fundable idea: A business crisis. So why do I see some many funding requests for products along these lines? As an alternative, if you are an entrepreneur looking for the next big thing, where should you look?

Customer 167

Customer Custom Startup Outsource Development 167

socalTECH

JUNE 22, 2011

Founders I interview keep telling me to focus on the One Thing, the key feature that's so important to users that they'd put up with the bugs which are a natural part of a startup's early days, but I often wonder, "how can we find that One Thing?" David Cohen gave me the answer.

Ideas 172

Ideas Customer Custom Startup 172

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 23, 2019

They can talk with passion about their innovative new idea, and ask lots of questions, but never seem to really get started. The challenge we all have as business founders is to move from the idea stage to a real business. The process will force you solidify the specifics, and mentally commit to them.

Ideas 99

Ideas Slides Writing Startup 99

SoCal Tech Calendar

SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

Thursday, September 20, 2012 -- 12 Ideas for Stronger Website Engagement. Karen Marchetti from Response FX will take you through the 12 hottest ideas to drive stronger prospect and customer engagement across your web "Content Hubs". TCOSC Marketing and Sales Executives Society. See [link].

Ideas 113

Ideas Technology Council TCOSC Content 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 8, 2015

A popular approach for aspiring entrepreneurs these days seems to be to corner anyone who will listen, with a pitch on their current “million dollar idea.” In my opinion, ideas are a commodity, and are really not worth much, outside the context of a visionary leader who can execute. Positive inspirational communication.

Ideas 115

Ideas Startup Entrepreneur Resource 115