Frank Addante

MAY 12, 2007

About Frank Addante > (from the Silicon Valley Business Journal) Twitter Updates follow me on Twitter Blog Archive ► 2010 (2) ► June (1) Part II: Optimized for Profitability ► February (1) Get Out of the Office! Outsourcing ► April (1) GoogleClick - Who owns your cash register? ► October (1) New Video!

Outsource Development 40

Outsource Development Outsource Software Review Startup 40

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 22, 2015

I must admit I discuss this very frequently with portfolio companies but hadn’t thought to write about it. Why Exclusivity Matters to Your Customers or Business Development Partners. So often exclusivity on mega deals is of huge importance to your potential customers or business development partners.

Outsource Development 150

Outsource Development Startup Customer Custom 150

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

Pilot agreements are provisional contracts under which companies can assess the veracity of a potential, long-term relationship. The “go / no go” structure of such contracts effectively allows big companies to defer their ultimate decision of whether or not they want to work with the startup until after the Pilot is completed.

Sales 215

Sales Outsource Development Metrics Resource 215

socalTECH

AUGUST 18, 2011

We thought it would be interesting to hear from co-founder Graham Farrar, to hear about how the business of books-as-iPhone apps works, what the firm is doing with the funding, and what's next. First of all, for the folks who haven't run across your children's story books on their iPhone or iPad, talk about what your firm is all about?

Content 208

Content Startup Marketing Santa Barbara 208

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2014

Think about the implications of each to your own business, and the potential impact of getting them done incorrectly, or forgetting to do them entirely: Manage your financials and physical assets. Develop your business plan. Product development process. If you are contracting or outsourcing, this is even more important.

Startup 107

Startup Outsource Development Training Outsource 107

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2014

A while back I talked about how and where to find a co-founder in “ For a Startup, Two Heads are Always Better Than One ”. In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.”

Software Review 107

Software Review Entrepreneur CTO Hire Outsource Development 107

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

One of the readers asked my opinion around sharing your startup concept: My first question has always been - how do you protect your idea while shopping around for feedback, partners, developers, etc.? You’ll learn a lot more about the sector/industry. You’ll learn about competitive products that exist or are being built.

Startup 211

Startup IP Ideas Patents 211

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 8, 2019

We created Dentistry.com as a destination for consumers, and a place where they can learn about dentistry, ask questions to dentists, interact with others, and find a dentist and book an appointment, all online. Talk a little bit about your startup-within-a-corporation, and how that came aboutand how independent are you able to be?

Startup 113

Startup CitySearch Outsource Development Organization 113

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 3, 2019

Start the product design process by thinking about what a historian in the future would look back on as the one big thing that changed everything. Outsource services back to the customer. Pick an impossible target and get mad about it. That’s how an industry reinvents itself. The future history assessment approach.

Startup 105

Startup Outsource Development Entrepreneur Ideas 105

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

One of the readers asked my opinion around sharing your startup concept: My first question has always been - how do you protect your idea while shopping around for feedback, partners, developers, etc.? You’ll learn a lot more about the sector/industry. You’ll learn about competitive products that exist or are being built.

Startup 198

Startup IP Ideas Patents 198

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2014

It wasn’t so many years ago that starting a new e-commerce business on the Internet was a complex custom development project, usually costing a million dollars or more. You can now skip the mandatory office space rental, with secretary and bookkeeping staff, or outsourcing. Work out of your home, and keep your own books.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Startup Social Media Commerce 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2020

To be clear, I define a product specification as the technical definition of your product, to be used for development and testing purposes, with a quick business summary for context. Scale your funding requests to the value of your startup today, consisting of assets, contracts, and intellectual property you currently own.

Product 169

Product Summary Startup Examples 169

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2013

A while back I talked about how and where to find a co-founder in “ For a Startup, Two Heads are Always Better Than One.” In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.”

Software Review 103

Software Review Equity CTO Hire Outsource Development 103

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2013

Think about the implications of each to your own business, and the potential impact of getting them done incorrectly, or forgetting to do them entirely: Manage your financials and physical assets. Develop your business plan. Product development process. If you are contracting or outsourcing, this is even more important.

Outsource Development 92

Outsource Development Training Outsource Metrics 92

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 19, 2013

Why would you have your most important success factor (successful implementations) outsourced to a third-party where you don’t control quality and who is strictly mercenary (i.e. doesn’t care as much about the successful outcomes as I do). I wrote about that extensively in “ the fallacy of channel partners.”

Startup 403

Startup Sales Software Review Technical Review 403

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2018

In reality, data today is only memory about past transactions. Too many businesses still tolerate archaic IT tools, or resort to rogue mashups developed to circumvent the approved tools. Traditional waterfall development and outsourcing won’t keep up with change. Don’t count on big data alone to save you.

Demand 71

Demand Customer Custom Tips 71

socalTECH

MARCH 12, 2013

What is it about the content delivery network market which has enabled Santa Monica-based EdgeCast to go from startup to over $100M in revenues in only a few, short years? For those who don't know about EdgeCast, CDN services, who/what kind of clients you serve? Instead, they outsource to an expert like Edegcast.

CTO Hire 248

CTO Hire Content Networking Web 248

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2015

In reality, data today is only memory about past transactions. Too many businesses still tolerate archaic IT tools, or resort to rogue mashups developed to circumvent the approved tools. Traditional waterfall development and outsourcing won’t keep up with change. Don’t count on big data alone to save you.

Customer 97

Customer Custom Social Media Outsource Development 97

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

My partner Greg Bettinelli is an avid sports fan who throughout his career has developed an expert understanding in online ticketing (at eBay has was a champion of the StubHub acquisition) and online marketing. If you’re interested in sports tech (or want to argue with a 49ers fan) you should definitely follow Greg.

Startup 150

Startup Outsource Development Mobile Southern California 150

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

Think about the implications of each to your own business, and the potential impact of getting them done incorrectly, or forgetting to do them entirely: Manage your financials and physical assets. Develop your business plan. Product development process. If you are contracting or outsourcing, this is even more important.

Startup 102

Startup Outsource Development Writing Training 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 29, 2011

A while back I talked about how and where to find a co-founder in “ Ten Steps in Choosing the Right Startup Partner ”. In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” In this context, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.”

Software Review 96

Software Review CTO Hire Startup Outsource Development 96

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2018

In reality, data today is only memory about past transactions. Too many businesses still tolerate archaic IT tools, or resort to rogue mashups developed to circumvent the approved tools. Traditional waterfall development and outsourcing won’t keep up with change. Don’t count on big data alone to save you.

Demand 56

Demand Customer Custom Tips 56

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 13, 2014

In reality, data today is only memory about past transactions. Too many businesses still tolerate archaic IT tools, or resort to rogue mashups developed to circumvent the approved tools. Traditional waterfall development and outsourcing won’t keep up with change. Don’t count on big data alone to save you.

Customer 96

Customer Custom Social Media Outsource Development 96

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 4, 2013

We developed this at our first company and called it PUCCKA – the overall methodology is described here. This post talks about the “K” or Key Players involved in a buying decision. The classic definition of an expert is somebody that DOES have influence but does not have authority. Unique Selling Proposition. Compelling Event.

Sales 321

Sales Organization Startup Resource 321

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 15, 2014

Wi-Fi hotspots aren’t new by any means (duh) but this was the first time I’d heard of Karma and their always maintaining open wifi networks, no contracts, and pay it forward mantra which rewards both hub owners and would be wifi users with free data incentives. Amanda talks a bit about life working for an incubator.

Outsource Development 108

Outsource Development Startup Incubator Press 108

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Recently I wrote a post arguing to make the definition of a Startup more inclusive than that to which Silicon Valley, fueled by Venture Capital return profiles, would sometimes like to attach to the word. Most of what I think about startup communities came from mentorship by Brad Feld through hours of private discussion and debate.

Startup 378

Startup Venture Capital Press San Diego 378

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2012

It definitely works, but may be beyond your budget. Ask the candidate about things they have built on their own, and what they do to challenge themselves. Outsource your technical requirements. This is the technical equivalent of an “executive recruiter.” Start with great credentials, and focus on the culture fit.

Technical Review 92

Technical Review Technology Startup Outsource Development 92

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2010

Think about the implications of each to your own business, and the potential impact of getting them done incorrectly, or forgetting to do them entirely: Manage your financials and physical assets. Develop your business plan. Product development process. If you are contracting or outsourcing, this is even more important.

Startup 95

Startup Outsource Development Writing Training 95

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 24, 2010

A week ago I talked about how and where to find a co-founder in “ How to Select an Ideal Startup Co-Founder ”. In this article, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” In this article, I’m broadening the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” Complementary skills.

Software Review 92

Software Review CTO Hire Outsource Development Startup 92

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

I could easily go into the board rooms of major European companies (I was based in London) and land $500k – $1 million contracts so my order book grew rapidly. It soaked up all of our development resources and didn’t allow us to focus on what we felt our company strategy was. See definition of a whore.

Startup 389

Startup Customer Custom Resource 389

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 3, 2014

By definition an MVP (minimum viable product) means there’s room for improvement. We have 12 developers and they have 3. We’re definitely a premium product, which is why we don’t just drop prices to match their moves to “buy” business. Sales people will often sell future development work.

Sales 382

Sales Help Startup Pricing 382

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2011

It definitely works, but may be beyond your budget. Ask the candidate about things they have built on their own, and what they do to challenge themselves. Outsource your technical requirements. This is the technical equivalent of an “executive recruiter.” Start with great credentials, and focus on the culture fit.

Technical Review 94

Technical Review Entrepreneur Outsource Development Outsource 94

InfoChachkie

JUNE 9, 2011

Semantic technology is important… we can aggregate individual lists into the wisdom of crowd aggregations which are more statistically meaningful than one person’s opinion about a topic.”. Google can definitely work complimentary to what we are doing. I have written about people who live by strong social contracts in Humble Pride.

Google 264

Google Organic Search Sites Startup 264

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 1, 2009

I know that this all seems obvious now with the movements started by Steven Blank ( Four Steps of Epiphany ) with the whole Customer Development processes / Lean Startup movements also popularized by people like Eric Ries. Tim encouraged us to set up a blog and start talking openly about what we were doing as a company and inviting comments.

Organization 280

Organization Customer Custom Tips 280

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2014

In reality, startup titles should be more about the division of labor than an executive position. Here are some pre-conceived notions about what non-standard titles in a startup, like the following, might mean: Chief Inspiration Officer. More executives, or other more creative titles are seen as a big red flag. Chief Diversity Officer.

CTO Hire 100

CTO Hire Funding Cloud Computing CIO 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 23, 2016

Start the product design process by thinking about what a historian in the future would look back on as the one big thing that changed everything. Outsource services back to the customer. Pick an impossible target and get mad about it. That’s how an industry reinvents itself. The future history assessment approach.

Startup 57

Startup Outsource Development Entrepreneur Ideas 57

Tech Zulu Event

DECEMBER 24, 2014

Buddytruck even has the issue of unloading solved as the drivers are contracted to help customers both load and unload their hauls. TZ: What was the development schedule from idea to picking up your first haul? Not having technical backgrounds ourselves, we were fortunate to have friends develop the app in exchange for equity.

FAQ 98

FAQ Startup Technical Review Santa Monica 98