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53 Questions Developers Should Ask Innovators

TechEmpower

Can you provide specific examples of different types of customers, what they need, and what the system will do for them? What are some examples of similar brands? For example, you might want to offer a discount to a given group to provide incentive. Who are the customers? What’s their specific need/pain? Free trials?

Develop 520
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Faster is sometimes more valuable than better.   

Berkonomics

Dell is a great example of emphasis upon fast, creating a customized computer in 48 hours or less, bringing in assemblies and components just-in-time to make the assembly line. And in this company example, both quality and speed are the critical factors in competitive advantage. And doing both well usually wins the day.

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The Berkus Method: Valuing an Early-Stage Investment

Berkonomics

An example would be a drug development company needing various stages of FDA approval, substituted for “prototype” above. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with placing higher individual maximums on each of these elements to reflect geographic differences and sometimes great differences in type of businesses.

Invest 306
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Know your four “P’s” to build business in a new year!    

Berkonomics

For example: Hire a great sales person then fail to support him or her with a good marketing effort or a properly priced quality product, and that person will be set up to fail, and for reasons you might have fixed. [Email readers, continue here…] The second P is for productivity.

Resource 156
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8 Smart Tips To Soliciting Friends And Family Funding

Startup Professionals Musings

For example, I just read an otherwise impressive business plan last week from a first-timer who asked for $10 million to get started. It’s great to start with a big dream as you contemplate a new business, but finding the money you need takes more than dreaming.

Tips 86
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7 Steps To Finding Investors Aligned With Your Values

Startup Professionals Musings

For example, if you are a doctor, look for funding from the medical world. For example, rather than getting cash from professional investors and hiring programmers, find qualified developers who are willing to work for equity or deferred payments. Also, it pays to be more creative with your investment offer.

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Three magic questions to increase your sales:   

Berkonomics

An example of how not to do it Recently, a roofing insulation salesperson had my attention as he described his company’s sale that would end the next Friday, and he made sure I understood that the Federal tax credit for such energy-saving home improvements would be applicable to this sale.

Sales 156