Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2011

Since my background includes software development, I often get the question about when to build a solution in-house, versus outsourcing it to a local company, near-shore service, or off-shore organization in China, India, or Eastern Europe. Don’t outsource your core competency. Product or services. Technology level.

Outsource Development 90

Outsource Development Outsource Software Development Software 90

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 13, 2022

You may feel good when that first burst of customers arrives, but don’t assume that “ word of mouth ” and those early adopters will grow your business to match your dreams of success. In these days of global competition via multiple channels, you need continuous marketing to find more customers. They won’t find you.

Technical Review 142

Technical Review Social Media Conference Customer 142

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2020

I suggest looking for painful problems to solve, rather than “easier to use” or “nice to have” solutions, for customers with money. Customers line up to believe and buy from people who are viewed as leaders or experts relative to a specific solution. Collaborate with customers to tune your solution.

Outsource Development 154

Outsource Development Social Media Software Review Customer 154

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2010

Since my background includes software development, I often get the question about when to build a solution in-house, versus outsourcing it to a local company, near-shore service, or off-shore organization in China, India, or Eastern Europe. Don’t outsource your core competency. Product or services. Technology level.

Outsource Development 51

Outsource Development Outsource Software Offshore 51

socalTECH

APRIL 21, 2017

What's the secret to creating a profitable, successful, physical subscription based business--and to do that at the scale of large, consumer product goods (CPGs) companies? For people who send things out, it's a chance to be in front of your customer. How did you get into this? Our hands are full handling all of that growth.

Startup 145

Startup Product Customer Custom 145

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 20, 2010

I don’t believe that one exists. But I do have more insight into understanding your startup team. Still, I believe I’m offering an accurate representation of the ideal configuration of the main technology leaders. I don’t believe it. I recently did a post for startups on understanding sales people.

CTO Hire 400

CTO Hire Fractional VPE Startup Outsource Development 400

socalTECH

AUGUST 7, 2014

Bryce Maddock: TaskUs is the best provider in the world of customer care and back office services for emerging growth companies. Customer care, obviously, is emails, phone calls, and customer service back office services. We do a whole host of other back-office services in that space. Who are some of those companies?

Startup 231

Startup Technology Outsource Santa Monica 231

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 30, 2011

The part of the movement that resonates the most with me (in my words) is that entrepreneurs should keep their capital expenditures really low while they’re experimenting with their product and determining whether there is a large market for what they do. I believe that over capitalizing companies too early often favors the VC.

Development Team Review 374

Development Team Review Technical Review Startup Resource 374

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2014

If you have a software development background like mine, Im sure you often get questions about when to outsource, versus building the solution in-house. Outsourcing is defined as contracting the work to another company, usually located in a developing country, like India, China, or Eastern Europe. Factor in all the cost elements.

Outsource Development 95

Outsource Development Outsource Offshore Software Review 95

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

Many writers have outlined the critical success factors for product companies, like sell every unit at a profit, patent the design, and continuous product improvement. The distinction between product companies and services companies is easy to see. The distinction between product companies and services companies is easy to see.

Product 91

Product Services Satisfaction Patents 91

InfoChachkie

MAY 16, 2011

Thus, I will recruit independent distributors and they will sell my new and innovative products on my behalf. Fallacy: AdVentures tend to evolve once you begin speaking with pesky customers and demanding partners. Rationale: I am busy and do not have time to accomplish all of my critical tasks. 3) Attempt To License An Idea.

Startup 242

Startup Outsource Development Outsource Sales 242

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 29, 2016

I believe that the resourcefulness to turn constraints into competitive differentiators and new opportunities is a trait that separates the great entrepreneurs from the “wannabes.” Do it yourself with new tools rather than hire outside help. Focus on a top productivity bottleneck each week.

Startup 57

Startup Resource Entrepreneur Outsource 57

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 26, 2012

Always have a developer do a test project before hiring them to make sure they deliver quality work. One method to negotiate a lower rate or no cost to have a developerwork with you > Pre sell your product. This means selling at least 5-10 customers in advance, before it is even built. Ask for is code samples.

CTO Hire 81

CTO Hire Outsource Development Develop Development 81

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2012

Many writers have outlined the critical success factors for product companies, like sell every unit at a profit, patent the design, and continuous product improvement. The distinction between product companies and services companies is easy to see. The distinction between product companies and services companies is easy to see.

Satisfaction 91

Satisfaction Patents Outsource Development Services 91

Tech Zulu Event

MAY 12, 2014

Local manufacturing on the other hand can produce quality and more complex products, but the costs is what prevents many taking this route. Traditional manufacturing would subtract materials to create a product. The traditional ways of manufacturing are still key to creating some of the most complex and sturdiest products.

Design 84

Design Platform Patents Outsource Development 84

Tech Zulu Event

DECEMBER 13, 2013

Our mobile phones are capable of doing almost anything these days. Your chores can be outsourced through Porter. You don’t have to do them yourself and you can free up time. How did you find all the people to do all these services? How did you find all the people to do all these services?

Technical Review 87

Technical Review Mobile Startup Los Angeles 87

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 11, 2023

Many are quick to call this innovation, but I believe it is often just the resourcefulness of a highly motivated owner and team, who never give up in the face of a survival challenge. I believe it all starts with you as a leadership role model, and the mindset and expectations you broadcast to your team.

Resource 111

Resource Competition Outsource Development Startup 111

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 1, 2010

I continue to collect great content that is the intersection of startups, products, online and technology. How To Land a Job at Google (or elsewhere) - FairSoftware's Blog , November 9, 2010 It’s been 11 years now that the obvious hit me: the best way to land a job is to do the job , not talk about it. By doing the job.

Technical Review 175

Technical Review Startup Product Technology 175

Frank Addante

JUNE 13, 2006

► February (1) What do you do when a reporter you admire misrepre. Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Under Process, Over Deliver So, you need to develop a product? ▼ 2006 (20) ► December (2) Just Say What it Is 12 Proven Guidelines for Rapid Product Development.

Startup 40

Startup Outsource Development Product Advertising 40

SoCal CTO

JULY 23, 2012

While I do fill that role at the moment, I'm a little hesitant to refer to myself as a CTO as we still haven't launched a product, acquired a single user, or turned or a penny in profit. What can I do to best equip myself to step up when the need to officially fill this role arises? What options do we have?

CTO Coach 231

CTO Coach CTO Hire Outsource Development Develop 231

Frank Addante

APRIL 16, 2007

► February (1) What do you do when a reporter you admire misrepre. Outsourcing ▼ April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Under Process, Over Deliver So, you need to develop a product? ► 2006 (20) ► December (2) Just Say What it Is 12 Proven Guidelines for Rapid Product Development.

Google 40

Google Advertising Startup Venture Capital 40

Frank Addante

JULY 30, 2007

► February (1) What do you do when a reporter you admire misrepre. Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Under Process, Over Deliver So, you need to develop a product? ► 2006 (20) ► December (2) Just Say What it Is 12 Proven Guidelines for Rapid Product Development.

Startup 40

Startup Venture Capital Outsource Development Advertising 40

Frank Addante

JANUARY 30, 2007

► February (1) What do you do when a reporter you admire misrepre. Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Under Process, Over Deliver So, you need to develop a product? ► 2006 (20) ► December (2) Just Say What it Is 12 Proven Guidelines for Rapid Product Development.

Startup 40

Startup Venture Capital Outsource Development Web 2.0 40

Frank Addante

AUGUST 27, 2007

► February (1) What do you do when a reporter you admire misrepre. Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Under Process, Over Deliver So, you need to develop a product? ► 2006 (20) ► December (2) Just Say What it Is 12 Proven Guidelines for Rapid Product Development.

Startup 40

Startup Venture Capital Outsource Development Web 2.0 40

Frank Addante

AUGUST 14, 2006

► February (1) What do you do when a reporter you admire misrepre. Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Under Process, Over Deliver So, you need to develop a product? ▼ 2006 (20) ► December (2) Just Say What it Is 12 Proven Guidelines for Rapid Product Development.

Startup 40

Startup Email Ideas Venture Capital 40

SoCal Delicious

MAY 6, 2012

We believe there are awesome entrepreneurs everywhere, not just in the places constantly covered by the media. Otis Chandler built Goodreads in 2006 because he believed in social networking and wanted to see what his friends were reading. Rebecca Pontius – Co-founder of the Do Good Bus. We want to help them, and will.

Los Angeles 78

Los Angeles Entrepreneur Angel Fractional CTO 78

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 13, 2010

Everybody was doing marketing blitzes, over-paying to steal the best staff, pimping out urban offices to the nines , and hiring in a frenzy. During the down market they were able to double down on recruiting, sales, outsourcing, new market entries and marketing (yes, with Tiger ads ). Everybody was raising a shit-ton of money.

Technical Review 302

Technical Review Marketing IP Outsource Development 302

Frank Addante

MAY 15, 2006

► February (1) What do you do when a reporter you admire misrepre. Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Under Process, Over Deliver So, you need to develop a product? ▼ 2006 (20) ► December (2) Just Say What it Is 12 Proven Guidelines for Rapid Product Development.

Advertising 40

Advertising Startup Chief Technology Officer Technical Review 40

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

August was a slow month in terms of traffic and I was away for a lot of the month, but there were some really great posts at the intersection of startups, technology, product and being a Startup CTO. If you do a lot of pitches, spend the six minutes to watch this. Do it because you love small teams. m the f%*kin’ boss.”.

Startup 191

Startup Venture Capital Blogging CTO Hire 191

Frank Addante

MAY 22, 2006

► February (1) What do you do when a reporter you admire misrepre. Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Under Process, Over Deliver So, you need to develop a product? ▼ 2006 (20) ► December (2) Just Say What it Is 12 Proven Guidelines for Rapid Product Development.

Startup 40

Startup Venture Capital Outsource Development Advertising 40

Frank Addante

JUNE 4, 2006

► February (1) What do you do when a reporter you admire misrepre. Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? Under Process, Over Deliver So, you need to develop a product? ▼ 2006 (20) ► December (2) Just Say What it Is 12 Proven Guidelines for Rapid Product Development.

Startup 40

Startup Venture Capital Email CTO Hire 40

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 5, 2010

You attend five customer meetings together over a two-week period and after each meeting you replay the results in the office about what it meant. The CEO weighs in with his perspectives, the head of product management disputes his conclusions and the marketing VP has a different take. He downs cold ones with the head of biz dev.

Technical Advisors 335

Technical Advisors Outsource Development Offshore Startup 335