Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

In my own business career, many years as a business advisor, and mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I have validated the following strategies to practice and guide you. A broken process or a subtle quality issue can generate a flood of customer satisfaction problems, cost overruns, and loss of market share. Then pick the best one.

Satisfaction 152

Satisfaction Mentor Study Startup 152

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 20, 2012

Tracy DiNunzio isn’t your typical Silicon Valley startup founder. She did her first tech startup after the age of 30. And she didn’t start her company in Northern California. She leveraged herself and even sold many of her possessions to get started. She started her business from a personal need.

Startup 363

Startup Entrepreneur SEO Venture Capital 363

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 10, 2022

I was shocked to read an old Gallup study that indicates only 13 percent of employees worldwide are actively engaged at work, and more recent data shows only a small change in the right direction. As a startup founder or executive, you need to subvert your own troubles for the sake of the team. Start today. Marty Zwilling.

Examples 145

Examples Mentor Activity Product 145

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2022

If you aren’t yet adapting to the market and your customers, you are falling behind. I define business agility for my consulting clients as the ability to change your business rapidly to meet customer and environmental changes, with minimal organizational disruption and cost. Be proactive rather than reactive to market change.

Competition 148

Competition Metrics Demand Custom 148

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2015

You need to have business relationships with team members, investors, customers, and a myriad of other support people. See my article a while back “ Entrepreneurs Learn Best From Business Networking ” on how and where to get started. It should end by asking for something, to start the relationship. Give and you will receive.

Startup 108

Startup Social Network Mentor Entrepreneur 108

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 7, 2020

We all face pressure in our lives, but there’s nothing like that of an entrepreneur facing customer crises and the competitive challenges of a new business. Don’t believe the myth that all you have to do to get rich is bring up an ecommerce website, and the money rolls in while you sleep. Reframe from tension to humor in your approach.

Startup 134

Startup Entrepreneur Competition Press 134

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2022

A common request I get while mentoring entrepreneurs is for a copy of the startup checklist they need to follow, in order to build a successful new business. Nevertheless, there is nothing wrong with studying and learning from the wisdom and experience of others. I wish it was that easy. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

Technology 133

Technology Cloud Computing Social Media Networking 133

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

Unfortunately, many of the business professionals I meet these days in my mentoring and consulting activities feel perennially stressed and out of control, versus calm and satisfied with their position. Make every effort to have your mind be totally present for each challenge from a team member or customer.

Demand 103

Demand Activity Email Mentor 103

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 8, 2022

Yet, based on my own years of experience “in the business”, mentoring many entrepreneurs, and following stalwarts like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, even these potentially controversial mindsets ring true to me: All risk isn’t risky. Fire your worst customers. Ignorance can be bliss. You’re in no rush to get an MBA.

Entrepreneur 117

Entrepreneur Startup Custom Customer 117

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

The market is changing so fast these days, and if you are not planning a solution today for tomorrow’s customers, you may be setting yourself up for failure and don’t even realize it. There are many free generalized tools, including Google Trends , which can be used to track customer behavior in looking for things that don’t exist yet.

Customer 57

Customer Custom Technical Review Software Review 57

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 26, 2016

The “what” Troy Carter does also led him to be an early investor in Uber, Lyft, Dropbox, Warby Parker and several other great startups of the last era. So what did it take for Gaga to break out and what does Troy preach to startups? I think the common denominator and the one word is ‘hustle’ .

Mentor 150

Mentor Venture Capital Marketing Product 150

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2023

These leaders not only recognize team members who have high potential, but they willingly and selflessly customize their coaching to what these special protégés really need. They mentor protégés on talent spotting, creativity, and motivation as well as strategy. Good connections and team building are the keys to success.

Oracle 94

Oracle Organization Examples Coach 94

InfoChachkie

OCTOBER 20, 2014

According to a recent Forbes article , UC Santa Barbara''s Technology Management Program offers students a superior startup education over the University of Pennsylvania (home of Wharton), as well Harvard, Northwestern and even its acclaimed southern neighbor, the University of Southern California. Techpreneurs.

Santa Barbara 258

Santa Barbara Technical Review Startup Venture Capital 258

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2021

Almost every entrepreneur and new business owner I mentor is certain that his/her idea has a very high probability of success, and all find it hard to believe that ninety percent of startups ultimately fail. Look for validation from your mainstream customers. Even non-profits need income to run a business.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Case Study Mentor Software Review 131

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 16, 2022

Yet I find, as a mentor and outside consultant, that many of you focus only on working conditions and compensation as the key factors determining team engagement , health, and productivity. by Donna Cutting, who is a globally-recognized guru on employee culture and optimizing customer service. Emotional stability. Environmental safety.

Technical Review 141

Technical Review Mentor Social Media Custom 141

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2017

Even the most diligent investors are often surprised by apparently solid business startups that fail, while others succeed, despite the odds. I found this perspective validated in a new book, “ Plan Commit Win: 90 Days to Creating a Fundable Startup ,” by serial entrepreneur and strategic consultant Patrick Henry.

Technical Review 60

Technical Review Startup Mentor Study 60

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2020

I was shocked to read an old Gallup study that indicates only 13 percent of employees worldwide are actively engaged at work, and more recent data shows only a small change in the right direction. As a startup founder or executive, you need to subvert your own troubles for the sake of the team. Start today. Marty Zwilling.

Product 129

Product Examples Mentor Activity 129

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 28, 2015

A common request I get while mentoring entrepreneurs is for a copy of the startup checklist they need to follow, in order to build a successful new business. Nevertheless, there is nothing wrong with studying and learning from the wisdom and experience of others. I wish it was that easy. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

Startup 107

Startup Cloud Computing Social Media Entrepreneur 107

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2012

You need to have business relationships with team members, investors, customers, and a myriad of other support people. See my recent article “ Smart Entrepreneurs Plan Key Networking Activities ” on how and where to get started. It should end by asking for something, to start the relationship. Nominate someone as your mentor.

Startup 97

Startup Tips Social Network Networking 97

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2022

Based on my years of experience in both startups and large companies, trusted relationships are more the key to success than a great business model, how smart you are, or how much money you have. Don’t wait for the right people in business to find you – developers, investors, partners, or key customers. Marty Zwilling.

Oracle 113

Oracle Entrepreneur Outsource Development Mentor 113

socalTECH

APRIL 11, 2013

We caught up with Steven Cox , the company''s CEO, to learn more about the company. I don''t know if you''ve heard, but it''s actually tough for music teachers, tutors, and others to truly find enough customers to pay their bills and keep them involved in their passions. Why did you start the company? What is TakeLessons?

Startup 260

Startup Education Study Ideas 260

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 4, 2020

These leaders not only recognize team members who have high potential, but they willingly and selflessly customize their coaching to what these special protégés really need. They mentor protégés on talent spotting, creativity, and motivation as well as strategy. Good connections and team building are the keys to success.

Oracle 124

Oracle Organization Examples Coach 124

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 3, 2010

This is part of my series on Startup Advice. I love working with Aussies because their outlook on life seems very similar to what I grew up with in California. Let’s assume you run a Customer Support software company. You need to identify a customer problem and talk about how your solution meets the needs of that problem.

Sales 314

Sales Startup Venture Capital Customer 314

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2017

You need to have business relationships with team members, investors, customers, and a myriad of other support people. See my article from way back “ Entrepreneurs Learn Best From Business Networking ” on how and where to get started. It should end by asking for something, to start the relationship. Give and you will receive.

Startup 75

Startup Social Network Networking Mentor 75

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2017

A common request I get while mentoring entrepreneurs is for a copy of the startup checklist they need to follow, in order to build a successful new business. Nevertheless, there is nothing wrong with studying and learning from the wisdom and experience of others. I wish it was that easy. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

Cloud Computing 61

Cloud Computing Startup Social Media SaaS 61

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 24, 2023

We all face pressure in our lives, but there’s nothing like that of an entrepreneur facing customer crises and the competitive challenges of a new business. Don’t believe the myth that all you have to do to get rich is bring up an e-commerce website, and the money rolls in while you sleep. Reframe from doubt to confidence and skill.

Entrepreneur 82

Entrepreneur Competition Press Commerce 82

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 24, 2012

But very quickly, it is becoming obvious to startups that the value and satisfaction exceeds the costs. To legally facilitate startups who want to give top priority to socially conscious solutions, eleven states, including New York and California, have passed legislation allowing incorporation as a Benefit Corporation (B-Corp).

Startup 100

Startup Organization Customer Custom 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2013

You need to have business relationships with team members, investors, customers, and a myriad of other support people. See my recent article “ Entrepreneurs Learn Best From Business Networking ” on how and where to get started. It should end by asking for something, to start the relationship. Nominate someone as your mentor.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Tips Startup Social Network 108

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2012

I’ve often said that creating and building a business is not a one-man show, even though it usually springs from the mind and determination of one person – committees don’t start successful businesses. We all start with what researchers term the “ knowing-doing gap.” Solicit coaching and mentoring.

Study 94

Study Startup Activity Mentor 94

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 24, 2015

As an Angel investor in early-stage startups, I’ve long noticed my peers’ apparent bias toward the strength and character of the founding entrepreneurs, often overriding a strong solution to a painful problem with a big opportunity. Find and enjoy the company of one or more mentors.

Mentor 104

Mentor Ideas Entrepreneur Study 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2019

Yet, based on my own years of experience “in the business”, mentoring many entrepreneurs, and following stalwarts like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, even these potentially controversial mindsets ring true to me: All risk isn’t risky. Fire your worst customers. Ignorance can be bliss. You’re in no rush to get an MBA.

Entrepreneur 92

Entrepreneur Startup Custom Customer 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2016

I was shocked to read an old Gallup study that indicates only 13 percent of employees worldwide are actively engaged at work, and more recent data shows only a small change in the right direction. As a startup founder or executive, you need to subvert your own troubles for the sake of the team. Start today.

Startup 58

Startup Examples Mentor Activity 58

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2019

A common request I get while mentoring entrepreneurs is for a copy of the startup checklist they need to follow, in order to build a successful new business. Nevertheless, there is nothing wrong with studying and learning from the wisdom and experience of others. I wish it was that easy. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

Technology 86

Technology Cloud Computing Social Media Networking 86

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

As a startup mentor and investor, I am approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who assert that business plans take too much time, are inaccurate, and rarely add value. You’ve built a successful startup before, and plan to use the same investors. A business plan may be a small investment to get a shot at that opportunity.

Technical Review 126

Technical Review Writing Entrepreneur Slides 126

socalTECH

MAY 10, 2018

Behzad Kianmahd is the co-founder of Los Angeles coworking space Cross Campus , which is one of the major centers of startup activity in Silicon Beachand also involved as co-founder and lead investor in a brand new, venture capital fund, TAU Ventures (www.ideasimmersion.com/tau-ventures/). Behzad Kianmahd: There's a bit of a history there.

El Segundo 100

El Segundo Southern California Startup Santa Monica 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 6, 2015

Perhaps sparked by the recession recovery, I’m seeing a new era of the entrepreneur, with startups springing up all around. Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. Problems will occur in every startup, simply because you are stepping into uncharted territory.

Mentor 105

Mentor Entrepreneur Technical Review Satisfaction 105

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Don’t believe that Silicon Valley myth that all you have to do is sketch your idea on the back of a napkin, and investors will line up to give you money. Based on my experience as an angel investor and a mentor to dozens of entrepreneurs, having no business plan is the quickest way to define yourself as just a dreamer, or at best a hobbyist.

Startup 65

Startup Writing Patents Competition 65