Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 28, 2015

I saw a good summary of these in a recent book, “ Ethical Leadership ,” by Andrew Leigh, an expert in this area. I like his specifics for business leaders on improving and sustaining the best company cultures, and his summary of the culture myths facing new business leaders: It’s easy to be ethical. Ethics can’t be managed.

Startup 99

Startup Software Review Summary Examples 99

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 26, 2019

I remember first seeing a good summary of these risk-reduction myths a while back in a classic book, “ How to Start a Business & Ignite Your Life ,” by Ernesto Sirolli, PhD. Their lack of trust and sharing will be noted by employees, vendors, and customers, and the business will suffer. Partner with experts who share the risk.

Software Review 98

Software Review Ideas Outsource Development Entrepreneur 98

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 17, 2013

In my first enterprise software company we developed a methodology for sales that we called PUCCKA. Customers sometimes buy things spontaneously without thinking through what their actual need is. The goal is to get the customer speaking about their organization. These references make for great discussions with customers.

Sales 367

Sales Slides Startup Customer 367

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 28, 2013

I saw a good summary of these in a new book, “ Ethical Leadership ,” by Andrew Leigh, an expert in this area. I like his specifics for business leaders on improving and sustaining the best company cultures, and his summary of the culture myths facing new business leaders: It’s easy to be ethical. Ethics can’t be managed.

Software Review 100

Software Review Summary Examples Offshore 100

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

The functions of an early-stage board are pretty obvious and well understood: Providing introductions to customers, biz dev partners, recruits, the press, other investors, etc. Reviewing financial & operational performance. Offering a sparring-partner function on strategic decisions. Mentorship. As You Start to Mature.

Startup 325

Startup Sales Technical Review Software Review 325

SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

Many of the founders of these companies are surprised to learn that I'm willing to review what they are doing (maybe an hour) and get on the phone for an hour with them and provide free advice. This overview (executive summary) needs to include: Product and Business What is the product? Who's the customer? What Is This?

CTO Hire 264

CTO Hire Startup Technical Review Development Team Review 264

SoCal CTO

MARCH 3, 2011

Many of the founders of these companies are surprised to learn that I'm willing to review what they are doing (maybe an hour) and get on the phone for an hour with them and provide free advice. This overview (executive summary) needs to include: Product and Business What is the product? Who's the customer? What Is This?

CTO Hire 259

CTO Hire Startup Technical Review Development Team Review 259

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 16, 2013

I was with IBM in the early PC days when Bill worked with us to provide PC DOS and other software. For entrepreneurs, effective networking is required to find investors, partners, and customers. Customer retention. More customers are lost to apathy after the sale than poor service or quality. Investor negotiations.

Ideas 110

Ideas Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review 110

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 13, 2011

Or, as always, summary notes available below. But, in fact, I would rather have an executive summary than a pitch deck. And I would rather, even before the executive summary, have something to play with (a demo)…” It falls in the category of show don’t tell. If you are outside internet software we are not going to invest.

Venture Capital 288

Venture Capital Startup Technical Review Software Review 288

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2012

For example, if your startup is building a high-tech software product, a dream team of advisors would be a former CEO or high-level exec in another software company, a former software marketing executive, and a former financial executive.

Startup 95

Startup Technical Review Software Review High Tech 95

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 5, 2011

For example, if your startup is building a high-tech software product, a dream team of advisors would be a former CEO or high-level exec in another software company, a former software marketing executive, and a former financial executive.

Startup 95

Startup Technical Review Software Review High Tech 95

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

Exec Summary: Most companies (98+%) in the world (even tech startups) should be very profit focused. If you had huge customer growth but just didn’t focus on revenue that’s a different story. Do 20% of the customers make 80% of the revenue or do the top 3 customers represent 80% of the revenue.

Startup 418

Startup Venture Capital Sales Technical Review 418

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 28, 2018

If Bird has thousands of scooters in a neighborhood (and if it can acquire these scooters at cheaper prices due to scale advantages) then it’s significantly more difficult for new entrants to launch without serious capital and it’s hard to get serious capital from investors who perceive you’re late to the game.

Santa Monica 256

Santa Monica Funding Startup Course 256

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 15, 2010

I was with IBM in the early PC days when Bill worked with us to provide PC DOS and other software. For entrepreneurs, effective networking is required to find investors, partners, and customers. Customer retention. More customers are lost to apathy after the sale than poor service or quality. Investor negotiations.

Ideas 95

Ideas Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review 95

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2010

For example, if your startup is building a high-tech software product, a dream team of advisors would be a former CEO or high-level exec in another software company, a former software marketing executive, and a former financial executive.

Invest 50

Invest Technical Review Software Review High Tech 50

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 29, 2010

If you want to watch the show click the image above or this link , but if you want a quick read – here’s a summary: 1. People buy companies for 3 primary reasons: 1) they want the management team / talent 2) they want the technology or 3) they want the market traction (revenue, customer base, profits, etc).

Venture Capital 282

Venture Capital Capital Startup Pricing 282

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 30, 2010

He’s a natural leader, appropriately competitive, very customer focused and a pleasure to work with. It broke the hegemony that the carriers had over software on mobile phones and the industry will forever be changed (for the better) for this. He knows the ad management and ad network businesses. What does it do?

Mobile 282

Mobile Invest Company Companies 282

socalTECH

DECEMBER 1, 2008

But we're also technology focused, looking primarily at consumer facing software and services firms in digital media. We're also looking, at the same time, at infrastructure--infrastructure software, which advertising agencies or marketers would use. What's your prior experience and how'd you get into this?

Southern California 100

Southern California Media Venture Capital Invest 100

socalTECH

DECEMBER 1, 2008

But we're also technology focused, looking primarily at consumer facing software and services firms in digital media. We're also looking, at the same time, at infrastructure--infrastructure software, which advertising agencies or marketers would use. What's your prior experience and how'd you get into this?

Capital 100

Capital Southern California Media Venture Capital 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2020

Here is my summary of key principles that you can follow to join that select realm of recognized and successful entrepreneurs: Thinking and talking won’t get you there – just do it. Starting something new is risky, no matter how many experts have reviewed it, or how much money you have. You can’t win a race that you never start.

Entrepreneur 131

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Software Review 131

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 14, 2009

I’m a software guy so I’m sure there are cases where building isn’t feasible. release out the door and get some customers using it, or friendly people piloting it then at least there is some validation to the product and some people to speak to about their experiences. But for most businesses it is.

Angel 291

Angel Funding Venture Capital Startup 291

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2011

Gemassmer Startups struggling for survival are not uncommon, due to economic changes, management problems, or product issues. This is a hard and painful process for everyone, but it’s usually better than the alternative of liquidating or losing the assets and antagonizing many customers. By Ernst H.

Course 88

Course Software Review Customer Custom 88

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 20, 2010

Gemassmer Startups struggling for survival are not uncommon, due to economic changes, management problems, or product issues. This is a hard and painful process for everyone, but it’s usually better than the alternative of liquidating or losing the assets and antagonizing many customers. By Ernst H.

Course 48

Course Startup Software Review Customer 48

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 22, 2010

Use the fact that you were on an anointed list to build credibility when you eventually approach journalists (and VC’s, customers, employees). Imagine if you had to release your software daily in order to keep your job or to have the traffic numbers you need to earn your paycheck. Summary: Journalists are people.

Tips 307

Tips Startup Press Blogging 307

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 17, 2014

I was with IBM in the early PC days when Bill worked with us to provide PC DOS and other software. For entrepreneurs, effective networking is required to find investors, partners, and customers. Customer retention. More customers are lost to apathy after the sale than poor service or quality. Investor negotiations.

Ideas 108

Ideas Startup Technical Review Entrepreneur 108

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 22, 2019

I just completed a new book on this challenge, “ Disrupt-It-Yourself ,” by Simone Bhan Ahuja, which includes a great summary of the required attributes to maximize your success potential in this area. If you act, you learn from other people, especially customers, and you build momentum. Focused on progress rather than process.

Company 93

Company Companies Software Review IBM 93