Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 16, 2022

Yet I find, as a mentor and outside consultant, that many of you focus only on working conditions and compensation as the key factors determining team engagement , health, and productivity. The recent pandemic and remote team members have made the focus on social even more critical. Spiritual connections. Intellectual stimulation.

Technical Review 141

Technical Review Mentor Social Media Customer 141

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

For example, many investors I know tell me they look for business plans that allocate the largest portion of a requested investment to marketing, but most often see the top “ use of funds ” to be further product or service development. Seek out people who are already known in your space.

Marketing 133

Marketing Customer Custom Outsource Development 133

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2023

With the advent of social media, and instant communication via the Internet, that definition has been expanded to include all aspects of the customer experience , from finding you and what they need, to the ease of completing the transaction, as well as all follow-on support. Inflexible processes.

Competition 109

Competition Services Customer Custom 109

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 23, 2022

Many of you business leaders I work with, and entrepreneurs I mentor, have a great strategy and an innovative solution , but struggle with building and motivating the team necessary to run your business. Spend time coaching and mentoring team members. In my experience, what a team needs more is your connection and inspiration.

Mentor 108

Mentor Social Media Coach Customer 108

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2021

In my role as advisor and mentor to many new entrepreneurs, I often find myself suggesting that they think bigger. For example, I’m not sure the world needs one more social media niche site, or another dating site, or yet another flavored drink alternative.

Startup 162

Startup Metrics Ideas Entrepreneur 162

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2023

The first step is to set your criteria, including a match for your sector type and stage, and then proactively seek out and contact the best candidates: Review profiles on professional social media sites. Searching LinkedIn, for example, is a must for contemporary entrepreneurs. But don’t wait for them to contact you.

Statistics 98

Statistics Entrepreneur Funding Social Media 98

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 31, 2023

For example, it has long been widely accepted that one of the primary causes for entrepreneur failure in new startups is that many give up too soon. Inside the organization, it also pays to offer some of your time for coaching and mentoring to less experienced team members, as an entrée to a supportive relationship.

Startup 121

Startup Satisfaction Technical Review Ideas 121

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2022

For example, non-computer types should consider delegating their social media, website, and SEO activities. It will inspire loyalty, provide real satisfaction for work done, and become the basis for mentoring and performance reviews. Delegate what you can’t do, and what doesn’t interest you. Listen and observe.

Startup 121

Startup SEO Social Media Satisfaction 121

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 9, 2021

As an example, customer-centric may mean interacting on social media, or actively taking the customer's position in a dispute, rather than the company position. Look for accomplishments in prior roles, and a willingness to accept coaching and mentoring.

Coach 174

Coach Activity Customer Custom 174

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

These days, with all the new technology, including smartphones and social media, many are convinced that multi-tasking is the answer. I concur, based on my own extended career in business and mentoring entrepreneurs. Every entrepreneur and most professionals wish there were more hours in a day to get their work done.

Email 96

Email Activity Product Social Media 96

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2020

For example, I often hear proposals for new online social media or collaboration platforms, maybe more specifically tuned to inventors or artists, or easier to use, and populated by experts, to compete against Slack or Facebook. Investors are looking for breakthrough solutions to fund. Be forever curious and optimistic.

Startup 134

Startup Artificial Inteligence Ideas Entrepreneur 134

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2020

The first step is to set your criteria, including a match for your sector type and stage, and then proactively seek out and contact the best candidates: Review profiles on professional social media sites. Searching LinkedIn, for example, is a must for contemporary entrepreneurs. But don’t wait for them to contact you.

Funding 173

Funding Tips Startup Statistics 173

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2020

As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Use social media for early marketing. Social media is not rocket science.

Search Engine Optimization 124

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 124

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2022

In my role as a mentor to entrepreneurs and an angel investor, I find that too many are stuck in this myth that a good pitch, and good marketing content, should consist of more product features, and more hype on customer benefits. People don’t spend that much time on facts.

Startup 117

Startup Social Media Guide Content 117

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 2, 2020

For example, I have a friend with a Ph.D. For example, I often cite the case of Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer , who grew Microsoft together. These days, even with the pervasive Internet and social media, it still takes time and money for your marketing and customer communication efforts to have an impact.

Ideas 126

Ideas Writing Examples Outsource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Anticipate and establish supporting social media accounts. Customers expect consistency of your brand name across all channels, so don’t pick a web site name if the comparable name is available or already taken on relevant social media. It’s easier, cheaper, and quicker to pivot at this stage rather than later.

Product 127

Product Entrepreneur Technical Advisors Technical Review 127

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 25, 2020

These holidays, with all the new technology, including smartphones and social media, many are convinced that multi-tasking is the answer. I concur, based on my own extended career in business and mentoring entrepreneurs. Every entrepreneur and most professionals wish there were more hours in a day to get their work done.

Email 170

Email Activity Social Media Coach 170

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 6, 2020

For example, Lyft and Uber were able to capitalize on the current ride-sharing trend worldwide by tracking statistics that indicated reduced interest in car ownership by millennials, lack of parking spaces, and auto ownership costs moving up rapidly. As Andy Grove famously wrote, “Only the paranoid survive.”

Startup 124

Startup Customer Custom Statistics 124

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 20, 2022

Whole Foods , for example, has built their business with a commitment to natural and organic foods, and have a culture of loyal employees and customers, resulting in 500 stores worldwide. Your role is to provide this enablement, through listening to their needs, and providing personal coaching and mentoring as required.

Product 109

Product Training Customer Custom 109

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 30, 2022

I believe these same mindsets are equally applicable to the entrepreneurs I mentor, and all of you small business leaders, so I offer you my summary of the authors’ conclusions, paraphrased here, with my own insights: Be bold in vision, strategy, and resource allocation.

Template 109

Template Demand Social Media Summary 109

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2019

A common request I get while mentoring entrepreneurs is for a copy of the startup checklist they need to follow, in order to build a successful new business. Other examples include smart-home remote control, cell-phone tracking, and remote auto traffic sensors. Social Media. I wish it was that easy. Mobile Computing.

Technology 86

Technology Cloud Computing Social Media Networking 86

From the Venture Trenches

APRIL 30, 2013

At Amplify I can truly say they take the value-add approach to another level by leading by example, demonstrating what hard work and dedication truly mean while exposing their founders to influential experts and industry change makers. Amplify Mentor Panel in full swing. Amplify Mentor Panel in full swing.

Web Design 103

Web Design Social Media Seed Funding Design 103

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2020

For example, you may feel you are saving money by doing all your own administrative work and monitoring social media feedback. I’m a total believer in servant leadership and mentoring others, but nobody wins when you are in charge as an entrepreneur, and the business fails because you didn’t do your job.

Product 123

Product Startup Tips Entrepreneur 123

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2018

For example, no one learned a couple of decades ago that the biggest opportunities ahead would include social media, ecommerce, and computers on our wrists. You need a plan on how to train yourself, or be mentored, for each step along the way. Learn from peer relationships, examples, and feedback.

Examples 85

Examples Social Media Competition Guide 85

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2019

For example, I knew Bill Gates back in the early startup days of Microsoft. You likely have hired a few helpers, such as an assistant, a social media coordinator, and a bookkeeper. Lead and mentor team members to run all business areas. All teams must be motivated and engaged by your leadership and mentoring.

Company 99

Company Companies Technical Review Startup 99

Tech.Co

JANUARY 10, 2018

For example, the company’s hashtag is #freetheV. By example,] if you sell men’s body wash or razors, you’re probably still selling to a female customer. Connecting with your customer via social media, forums or advertising is the norm these days, but there’s nothing as strong as building a community around your brand.

Tips 71

Tips Customer Custom Dollar Shave Club 71

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Use social media for early marketing. Social media is not rocket science.

Startup 89

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 89

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 18, 2019

For example, non-computer types should consider delegating their social media, website, and SEO activities. It will inspire loyalty, provide real satisfaction for work done, and become the basis for mentoring and performance reviews. Delegate what you can’t do, and what doesn’t interest you. Listen and observe.

Startup 96

Startup SEO Social Media Satisfaction 96

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2019

In my role as a mentor to entrepreneurs and an angel investor, I find that too many are stuck in this myth that a good pitch, and good marketing content, should consist of more product features, and more hype on customer benefits. People don’t spend that much time on facts.

Startup 102

Startup Customer Custom Social Media 102

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Use social media for early marketing. Social media is not rocket science.

Startup 108

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 108

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 28, 2015

A common request I get while mentoring entrepreneurs is for a copy of the startup checklist they need to follow, in order to build a successful new business. Other examples include smart-home remote control, cell-phone tracking, and remote auto traffic sensors. Social Media. I wish it was that easy. Mobile Computing.

Startup 107

Startup Cloud Computing Social Media Entrepreneur 107

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2018

For example, I still find businesses asking you to print, sign, and return documents by mail in lieu of digital signatures or email. Make sure your channels are open and responsive, through social media, websites, and easy access to executives. In my mind, these are killing their businesses.

Technical Review 84

Technical Review Customer Custom Startup 84

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

For example, as a member of an angel investment group, I sometimes do some “due diligence” on promising startups looking for funding. You need them not only to close business, but also to keep internal productivity and motivation high, and to use their own social media and friends to spread the word.

Marketing 71

Marketing Tips Technical Review Social Media 71

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2019

Image via Pixabay As a mentor to many small business owners, I always caution them that you can never relax completely, just because your initial solution or product set appears to be getting traction, and the market buzz is positive. It’s time to really focus on social media, videos, and email.

Metrics 86

Metrics Startup Training Customer 86

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2017

A common request I get while mentoring entrepreneurs is for a copy of the startup checklist they need to follow, in order to build a successful new business. Other examples include smart-home remote control, cell-phone tracking, and remote auto traffic sensors. Social Media. I wish it was that easy. Mobile Computing.

Cloud Computing 61

Cloud Computing Startup Social Media Networking 61

From the Venture Trenches

APRIL 1, 2013

Of the three horses in a brand’s marketing troika: owned , paid and earned – earned media is the least understood and least utilized, despite the fact that a conscious effort to leverage the channel can be extremely effective and long lasting.

Media 45

Media Social Media Geni Mentor 45

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 20, 2018

For example, entrepreneur Richard Branson, beyond his flamboyant and irreverent style, is known for seeming to viscerally understand the needs of his employees and being a conduit for fulfilling those needs. Then provide the feedback, assistance, and rewards required to make these a win-win proposition for both you and them.

Mentor 52

Mentor IBM IBM Examples 52