Berkonomics

JULY 27, 2023

With a wide track, angled aggressively at the curves, and being told to hug the wall on the straightaways, there was little reference available to a novice driver as to speed. and great, relevant metrics? Finally, what good is the information contained in a great dashboard if you ignore it? Act immediately upon variances!

Metrics 156

Metrics Screening Email Customer 156

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 18, 2021

If your startup is great enough to get a term sheet from angel investors or a venture capitalist, the next step for the investor is to complete the dreaded due diligence process. Ask everyone to update their resume, and personally call probable references, so there are no surprises. Contact key vendors and existing customers.

Technical Review 152

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Summary 152

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023

Today’s business mantra must be “Take care of your people and they will take care of your customers.” Once a product-first, customer-second, and employee-last culture is set, it is extremely hard to change. Communicate what greatness looks like in the roles you need. Unfortunately, it’s easier said than done.

Organization 108

Organization Startup Satisfaction Customer 108

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2018

Your historical trading information including financials and a “customer file” which shows the history of your transactions so that investors can run “cohort” analyses Customer reference, personal references, key team members, compensation, cap table, stock option plan, etc. It felt like heresy. It would be rude!?!

Funding 336

Funding Venture Capital Startup Email 336

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2022

If one of your core values is exceeding your customer expectations for quality and service, and your potential partner ascribes to the low cost, high profit mantra, a successful partnership is highly unlikely over the long-term. Thus you should do the same or more due diligence on educational background, previous work, and references.

Software Review 154

Software Review CTO Hire Outsource Development Startup 154

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 17, 2013

The point of PUCCKA was to develop a common methodology to make sure our whole team approaches sales with the same mindset and to give us a language to talk with each other about our prospects, as in, “have you identified your customers pain point yet?”. The goal is to get the customer speaking about their organization.

Sales 367

Sales Slides Startup Customer 367

Berkonomics

MAY 4, 2017

With a wide track, angled aggressively at the curves, and being told to hug the wall on the straightaways, there was little reference available to a novice driver as to speed. Finally, what good is the information contained in a great dashboard if you ignore it?

Metrics 266

Metrics Screening Email Customer 266

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2020

Today’s business mantra must be “Take care of your people and they will take care of your customers.” Once a product-first, customer-second, and employee-last culture is set, it is extremely hard to change. Communicate what greatness looks like in the roles you need. Unfortunately, it’s easier said than done.

Organization 160

Organization Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction 160

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 3, 2014

Whenever I heard why we didn’t feel a sales process at an important customer was going well (or if we lost) I would get involved myself. Many great ones don’t thrive in the early phase of a company where the sales is more consultative or evangelical. Customers buy solutions to solve their problems.

Sales 382

Sales Help Startup Pricing 382

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 17, 2023

All the business leaders I know have noticed that the problems we all face today are becoming more complex, multifaceted, and our customers are more demanding. I will summarize these here, adding insights from my own experience in business: Great questions generate the best insights. Constantly experimenting through trial and error.

Demand 84

Demand Course .Net Startup 84

Tech.Co

MAY 31, 2023

Business tools — from customer relationship management ( CRM ) platforms to accounting software — help to save startups time and money by automating key processes and maximizing efficiency. If you're keeping a hawkish eye on your outgoings, here are some great startup tools that you won't need to spend a cent on. From its 4.3-inch

Tool 128

Tool Startup Software Review Technical Review 128

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 9, 2019

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. Of course, these are great, but they don’t happen without enlightened leadership coming first. Enlightened: open your mind and constantly learn.

Customer 92

Customer Custom Coach Satisfaction 92

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2022

As a potential investor, I always think of the high rate of failure of disruptive technologies, due to the longer learning curve of customers, infrastructure change consistently required, and higher marketing costs. Before you act, shut up and listen to employees, customers, and futurists. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

Technical Review 101

Technical Review Metrics Resource Software Review 101

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Set expectations accordingly. Commit to a major customer.

Startup 136

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 136

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2020

These days, customers expect to hear and see social and environmental value from a new business, rather than just a new technology or profit. Even if you don’t have previous businesses to reference, relate examples of your problem solving ability and determination in other contexts. Highlight your growth and continuous learning.

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Startup Examples Metrics 124

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 29, 2018

As a long-time advisor to small businesses and startups, I still find many who think marketing is still primarily broadcasting your message to as many customers as possible, hitting them again and again, until it sticks. They don’t realize that customers today are looking for relationships, meaning two-way conversations with your business.

Marketing 91

Marketing Examples Startup Customer 91

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 18, 2013

Boss Reference - Your potential boss will check your references. Even if the reference did not work directly with your future manager, they may still have valuable insights that would otherwise be impossible for you to uncover during the interview process. Although bad bosses suck, you can learn a great deal from them.

RSS 229

RSS Entrepreneur Startup Email 229

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 14, 2018

Detailed roadmap of features you plan to build Detailed customer information Salary information Any other information you wouldn’t want seen or know by your competitors or a larger audience In short, there is nothing in your deck that should give you pause or make you feel like you can’t just send the damn file to somebody.

Funding 239

Funding Venture Capital IP Email 239

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

When a product is truly unique and demanded a retailer willingly promotes and sells it en masse in part because it does get margin on the good but also because it brings customers in the door who spend on other products. Ariel understood her customer?—?the So Why Does This Matter? the modern buyer of home products?—?better Not so much.

Product 296

Product Course Customer Custom 296

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Set expectations accordingly. Commit to a major customer.

Tips 104

Tips Startup Technical Review Equity 104

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 5, 2011

Whenever I heard why we didn’t feel a sales process at an important customer was going well (or if we lost) I would get involved myself. Many great ones don’t thrive in the early phase of a company where the sales is more consultative or evangelical. Customers buy solutions to solve their problems.

Sales 316

Sales Startup Pricing Customer 316

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 26, 2013

If your startup is great enough to get a term sheet from angel investors or a venture capitalist, the next step for the investor is to complete the dreaded due diligence process. Ask everyone to update their resume, and personally call probable references, so there are no surprises. Contact key vendors and existing customers.

Technical Review 97

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Summary 97

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2018

Many customers now actively seek out new technologies, rather than wait for many others to try it first. For example, if your new product reduces pollution or world hunger, this adds immediate value and confirms a positive long-term strategy for customers today. The leading edge was too often the bleeding edge.

Marketing 92

Marketing Demand Examples Social Media 92

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 28, 2012

When is it appropriate for a VC to call your customers? If you show a list of key customers or key business partners and if this list is sensitive (READ: If you don’t want VCs calling them) then you need to make it explicit with the VCs. “We are sharing with you our list of key customers / biz dev partners.

Technical Review 316

Technical Review Venture Capital Customer Custom 316

Tech.Co

FEBRUARY 12, 2019

It’s a far cry from the way other car manufacturers deal with customer feedback. But, while the customer is king, what does it mean for the state of product development at Tesla? This gives him an immense wealth of customer feedback. But, there aren’t many brands who will agree to customer suggestions on the spot.

News 124

News Satisfaction Customer Custom 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2019

If one of your core values is exceeding your customer expectations for quality and service, and your potential partner ascribes to the low cost, high profit mantra, a successful partnership is highly unlikely over the long-term. Thus you should do the same or more due diligence on educational background, previous work, and references.

Software Review 88

Software Review CTO Hire Outsource Development Startup 88

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 29, 2012

If your startup is great enough to get a term sheet from angel investors or a venture capitalist, the next step for the investor is to complete the dreaded due diligence process. Ask everyone to update their resume, and personally call probable references, so there are no surprises. Contact key vendors and existing customers.

Technical Review 98

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Training 98

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 7, 2017

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. Of course, these are great, but they don’t happen without enlightened leadership coming first. Enlightened: open your mind and constantly learn.

Entrepreneur 59

Entrepreneur Customer Custom Coach 59

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 12, 2017

there’s a great story from Jonah in the video but you have to watch to hear it :)) But it’s undeniable that it has become a digital media powerhouse having raised around $500 million in capital with a valuation reported at $1.7 This is an idea that interests me a great deal.

Buzzfeed 210

Buzzfeed Media Content News 210

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2019

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Set expectations accordingly. Commit to a major customer.

Startup 128

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 128

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 6, 2010

developing a product you might like to survey prospective customers without biasing their answers. doing a reference call on a prospective employee. But whether you’re raising money, selling to customers, looking to make an investment or whatever – listening pays more dividends than talking. Conclusion.

Startup 311

Startup Invest Course Research 311

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 15, 2010

I have no reference point from which to judge whether you were higher on the y-axis 3 months ago or lower. You’ll be able to give them an update on key hires, pilot customers, key tech innovations – whatever. I knew he was one of the most talented entrepreneurs in LA and he has exceeded my expectations since I invested.

Invest 411

Invest Technical Review Venture Capital Startup 411

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 28, 2010

If your startup is great enough to get a term sheet from angel investors or a venture capitalist, the next step for the investor is to complete the dreaded due diligence process. Ask everyone to update their resume, and personally call probable references, so there are no surprises. Contact key vendors and existing customers.

Technical Review 91

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Summary 91

socalTECH

APRIL 18, 2017

The office manager doesn't have to order snacks, employees feel like they are cared for and are getting great products, and the office becomes a place for discovery and learning about brands, which they might also want to bring into their homes. We are also launching beverages and coffee, two new categories, next month.

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Services Sales Customer 124

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2013

Most entrepreneurs tend to avoid this area of the business, and as a result are badly surprised by cost realities, and investor expectations. Secondarily, it will be required by potential investors to validate how much money you need to get started, and how much return they can expect on their investment.

Startup 101

Startup Sample Summary Pricing 101

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2014

If one of your core values is exceeding your customer expectations for quality and service, and your potential partner ascribes to the low cost, high profit mantra, a successful partnership is highly unlikely over the long-term. Thus you should do the same or more due diligence on educational background, previous work, and references.

Software Review 107

Software Review Entrepreneur CTO Hire Outsource Development 107

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers. Set expectations accordingly. Commit to a major customer.

Startup 87

Startup Technical Review Equity Incubator 87