Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 30, 2020

One of the things I’ve learned in working with aspiring entrepreneurs is that managing and leading a team is a scary venture into the unknown for many people, even if they have worked as a business professional for years. As an entrepreneur, executive, or team member, you are most impacted by the people you gather around you.

Tips 152

Tips Training Startup Entrepreneur 152

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2023

Most technical entrepreneurs I know demand the discipline of a product specification or plan, and then assume that their great product will drive a great business. Serious investors, on the other hand, look for a professional business plan or summary first, and hardly ever look at the product plan.

Product 112

Product Summary Activity Entrepreneur 112

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 29, 2022

Every entrepreneur can learn from a mentor, no matter how confident or successful they have been to date. Yet most entrepreneurs simply don’t know how to work with a mentor. Book follow-up sessions, with an agenda, rather than fill time with random discussions. Agree on specific objectives and time frames.

Mentor 101

Mentor Develop Development Startup 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 11, 2014

Change is about the only thing constant in the world of startups. Since the startup environment is usually more volatile, the challenge there in balancing advantage, risk, and performance, is more critical than in big companies. It starts at the top with the founder and CEO, but has to extend quickly to the bottom of the organization.

Entrepreneur 110

Entrepreneur Startup Training Statistics 110

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

I find it amusing when a journalist writes an article about a prominent startup (either privately held or preparing for an IPO) and decries that, “They’re not even profitable!” Exec Summary: Most companies (98+%) in the world (even tech startups) should be very profit focused. What makes up revenue?

Startup 418

Startup Venture Capital Sales Technical Review 418

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2019

While these may be necessary for funding, they may not be sufficient to make your startup the great success embodied in your vision. I found many of these in the classic book “ Great From The Start: How Conscious Corporations Attract Success ,” by John B. A startup needs to find a voice relevant to its ecosystem.

Startup 97

Startup Education Customer Custom 97

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 23, 2021

While these may be necessary for funding, they may not be sufficient to make your startup the great success embodied in your vision. I found many of these in the classic book “ Great From The Start: How Conscious Corporations Attract Success ,” by John B. A startup needs to find a voice relevant to its ecosystem.

Education 151

Education Customer Custom Sales 151

Berkonomics

FEBRUARY 24, 2012

I cannot tell you how many times I have seen executive summaries of business plans in which the entrepreneur seeks $5,000,000 to build the business. First, few startups can use that much money today with all of the virtual services available and increasingly inexpensive methods of development, prototyping and marketing.

Resource 180

Resource Invest Summary Startup 180

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 18, 2014

Most technical entrepreneurs I know demand the discipline of a product specification or plan, and then assume that their great product will drive a great business. Serious investors, on the other hand, look for a professional business plan or summary first, and hardly ever look at the product plan. Marty Zwilling.

Product 101

Product Entrepreneur Summary Activity 101

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2014

Sometimes entrepreneurs are so focused on making change happen for others, that they forget that continually changing themselves and their company is equally important. Here is a summary of recommendations from both of us, based on my own business mentoring insights: Re-launch using your enhanced core competency.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Technical Review Mentor Summary 105

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 30, 2022

I’m sure you will agree that not all business leaders are created equal, starting from the CEO on down. Leaders with this “be bold” mindset are willing and able to take radically unique direction-setting actions in the face of today’s pace of change and customer demands. Every business leader needs good “ managing up ” skills.

Template 109

Template Demand Social Media Summary 109

SoCal Tech Calendar

JUNE 7, 2019

Due to the overwhelming demand to pitch at our last event in Orange County, we're throwing an exclusive PitchFest speed dating event where you will be pitching to over 20 investors one-on-one! As an additional benefit, entrepreneur 1/4 page summaries will be given to the investor speakers and attendees. We're doing it again!

Orange County 100

Orange County Venture Capital Angel Tech Coast Angels 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 16, 2019

If every entrepreneur could predict the future, starting the right new business would be easy. First, a quick summary of the major U.S. That means that starting soon, our doctors, hospitals, eldercare, hospice and even death care systems are going to face unprecedented demand. Technology won’t solve this one.

Demand 83

Demand Startup Course Summary 83

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 27, 2011

There are very few people in Silicon Valley who have such a precise grasp on what defines success of early-stage startup companies than Eric Ries. Importantly we also discussed: should startups raise small amounts of money or large? how should you organize teams in a startup? And make sure to pick up a copy of his book.

Social Media 301

Social Media Startup Metrics Media 301

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 3, 2015

Every entrepreneur can learn from a mentor, no matter how confident or successful they have been to date. Yet most entrepreneurs simply don’t know how to work with a mentor. Book follow-up sessions, with an agenda, rather than fill time with random discussions. Agree on specific objectives and time frames.

Mentor 105

Mentor Startup Summary Satisfaction 105

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2012

Every entrepreneur can learn from a mentor, no matter how confident or successful they have been to date. In any case, it is good form to offer compensation, such as a small monthly stipend, plus expenses, and perhaps a 1% ownership in your startup, to show your commitment. Agree on specific objectives and time frames.

Mentor 105

Mentor Satisfaction Entrepreneur Startup 105

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 28, 2012

Most startups dream of attracting a celebrity endorsement, and assume that it will take their startup to the stars. Startups using celebrities is such a hot topic these days that Gary Vaynerchuck , noted author and entrepreneur, has coined a new term “star-ups” for the phenomenon.

Startup 85

Startup Entrepreneur Examples Summary 85

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 13, 2018

If you truly believe that you, your company and your products are exceptional and your company will be valuable then you’re actually doing them a FAVOR by helping them invest in your startup. In my post “ Measure twice, cut once ” I’ve outlined how to plan before you start raising. Should You Start with Your “Safety Schools?”

Venture Capital 332

Venture Capital Funding Startup Sales 332

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 28, 2018

My friend Michael Broukhim, founder & co-CEO of FabFitFun and I recently had a catch-up meeting for 3-miles on the Santa Monica “Bird Trail” No company has ever elicited so many questions by friends, colleagues, entrepreneurs, fellow VCs and journalists as has Bird, the company that pioneered the electronic scooter as a service market.

Santa Monica 256

Santa Monica Funding Startup Course 256

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2016

As a startup advisor and investor, I find that more and more entrepreneurs avoid using the term “profit” in pitching their new venture. Thus I was pleased and a bit surprised to see a new book, “ The Purpose Is Profit ,” by Ed “Skip” McLaughlin, an entrepreneur who has both succeeded and failed in starting multiple businesses.

Entrepreneur 58

Entrepreneur Ideas Pricing Customer 58

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2013

While these may be necessary for funding, they may not be sufficient to make your startup the great success embodied in your vision. In the last couple of years, perhaps in reaction to some business atrocities leading to the recent Recession, I am seeing a renewed focus on other less tangible attributes which can set your startup apart.

Startup 117

Startup Education Customer Custom 117

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2011

Most startups dream of attracting a celebrity endorsement, and assume that it will take their startup to the stars. Startups using celebrities is such a hot topic these days that Gary Vaynerchuck , noted author and entrepreneur, has coined a new term “star-ups” for the phenomenon. Funding the relationship.

Startup 92

Startup Summary Examples Entrepreneur 92

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2018

As an active angel investor, I’m accustomed to hearing entrepreneurs pitch their expectation to quickly create a new dominant brand, based on their disruptive technology. Of course, in a world which spawns over a half million startups every month, these accomplishments are very rare, but they are happening like never before.

Marketing 57

Marketing Startup Entrepreneur Social Media 57

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2018

One of the things I’ve learned in working with aspiring entrepreneurs is that managing and leading a team is a scary venture into the unknown for many people, even if they have worked as a business professional for years. As an entrepreneur, executive, or team member, you are most impacted by the people you gather around you.

Training 87

Training Startup Entrepreneur Summary 87

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2014

Most startups dream of attracting a celebrity endorsement, and assume that it will take their startup to the stars. Startups such as Chirpify have managed to flourish and raise millions with endorsements from folks like Lil Wayne and Snoop Lion. Beyond that, the place to start is with publicists, agents, and other handlers.

Help 96

Help Startup Entrepreneur Summary 96

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2011

Startups and entrepreneurs are drowning in the information overload, where the volume of data created is like a new Library of Congress every 15 minutes. Acting without thinking, and thinking without action, are both deadly to a startup. Here is a summary as put forth by the research from Mr. Forrester: Control we assert.

Entrepreneur 99

Entrepreneur Summary Organization Startup 99

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Change is about the only thing constant in the world of startups. Since the startup environment is usually more volatile, the challenge there in balancing advantage, risk, and performance, is more critical than in big companies. It starts at the top with the founder and CEO, but has to extend quickly to the bottom of the organization.

Startup 93

Startup Training Statistics Summary 93

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 29, 2010

We received so much positive feedback from our This Week in Venture Capital show walking through valuation calculations & term sheets that we decided to do a Q&A show this week to address topics that entrepreneurs want to learn about. on the entrepreneur side of the table) when I raised at too high of a price. This is wrong.

Venture Capital 282

Venture Capital Capital Startup Pricing 282

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2019

Every entrepreneur can learn from a mentor, no matter how confident or successful they have been to date. Yet most entrepreneurs simply don’t know how to work with a mentor. Book follow-up sessions, with an agenda, rather than fill time with random discussions. Agree on specific objectives and time frames.

Mentor 85

Mentor Startup Summary Satisfaction 85

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

One of the things I’ve learned in working with aspiring entrepreneurs is that managing and leading a team is a scary venture into the unknown for many people, even if they have worked as a business professional for years. As an entrepreneur, executive, or team member, you are most impacted by the people you gather around you.

Training 97

Training Startup Entrepreneur Summary 97

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Change is about the only thing constant in the world of startups. Since the startup environment is usually more volatile, the challenge there in balancing advantage, risk, and performance, is more critical than in big companies. It starts at the top with the founder and CEO, but has to extend quickly to the bottom of the organization.

Startup 94

Startup Marketing Training Statistics 94

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2016

Most technical entrepreneurs I know demand the discipline of a product specification or plan, and then assume that their great product will drive a great business. Serious investors, on the other hand, look for a professional business plan or summary first, and hardly ever look at the product plan.

Product 55

Product Startup Summary Entrepreneur 55

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 17, 2016

While these may be necessary for funding, they may not be sufficient to make your startup the great success embodied in your vision. In the last few years, perhaps in reaction to the business integrity issues leading to the recession back in 2008, I am seeing a renewed focus on other less tangible attributes which can set your startup apart.

Capital 58

Capital Startup Education Customer 58

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 14, 2017

If every entrepreneur could predict the future, starting the right new business would be easy. First, a quick summary of the major U.S. That means that starting soon, our doctors, hospitals, eldercare, hospice and even death care systems are going to face unprecedented demand. Technology won’t solve this one.

Startup 57

Startup Demand Course Summary 57

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 12, 2014

If you’re a technology startup you need to excel at product, of course. The starting point of product IS marketing, which is what a lot of young entrepreneurs that never studied business don’t realize. Link has a summary of his argument plus a great video). My argument is pretty simple.

Marketing 379

Marketing Startup SEM SEO 379

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 20, 2014

Many entrepreneurs still don’t understand that building a business culture today of doing good, like helping people (society) and planet (sustainability), is also a key to maximizing profit. By adding to perceived value, a company attracts more sophisticated and demanding customers less expensively and more quickly. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 91

Startup Organization Pricing Customer 91

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 26, 2019

Starting a new business is fraught with challenges, and none of us has the bandwidth to kill them all. 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. More money would solve all your startup problems.

Software Review 98

Software Review Ideas Outsource Development Entrepreneur 98