Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 23, 2021

For example, I commonly see metrics to keep track of revenue per employee, overtime, and absenteeism, but I don’t often see measures of overall customer satisfaction with individual employees. Incentives should be a combination of metrics and recognition to highlight results. Incent and reward employees who delight customers.

Customer 147

Customer Custom Technical Review Metrics 147

Berkonomics

JULY 9, 2020

An example would be a real time display of the value of the dollar against the yen. Earliest warning metrics: [Email readers, continue here…] What good is information if you can’t act upon it in a timely manner? Find metrics that will be “leading indicators” of trouble to come.

Metrics 156

Metrics Software Review Statistics Technical Review 156

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 30, 2021

For example, I find that more people now look for a great total experience , including selection choices, ease of return, and friendly support, versus just the lowest cost transaction. When sales fall off, you need to dig deep for the “why,” rather than just assuming the price needs to go down.

Marketing 162

Marketing Social Media Metrics Customer 162

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2022

In the book, Jaffe introduces three new sets of metrics for gauging progress: Medium-term metrics. Examples include counting members of an advocacy program, app downloads, tenured customers, or subscribers to an e-mail list. Long-term sales.

Marketing 127

Marketing Framework Social Media Media 127

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 21, 2014

I remember, for example, when business intelligence swept through companies globally. Create company measures for success that go beyond financial metrics. You manage what you measure so be careful about having too narrowly defined of performance metrics. Have sales bonus plans based on more than just sales targets.

Marketing 354

Marketing Case Study Metrics Sales 354

socalTECH

MAY 2, 2017

We spoke with Andrew about how the company pivoted from its original model after finding a huge amount of traction for its sales software and data, and its ability to guide brokers on the best practices for them to close more deals, which it is now offering as software-as-a-service. What is Digsy?

Sales 145

Sales Startup Email Tool 145

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 10, 2021

Thus there are some key things that we can do as a leader to improve people’s self confidence and ability to deliver, as well as be a better example for others: Practice what you preach on accountability. For example , Starbucks' chief executive officer, Kevin R. First of all, you need to be a role model for accountability.

Startup 132

Startup Training Metrics Examples 132

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

Obviously this definition is generic, so my first recommendation is that you take the lead in defining traction metrics for your startup, and then selling your results convincingly to investors. As an investor, I would like to see one month of sales, and see how that compares to your projections. Market penetration.

Startup 121

Startup Metrics Customer Custom 121

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 31, 2022

If you are a genius at invention, for example, then that is the role you should seek to keep you motivated and productive. I like his model and examples from the field to help you identify the type of work that is your forte, and will likely bring you joy and energy, rather than frustration and burnout.

Activity 108

Activity Satisfaction Metrics Startup 108

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2022

For example, if it’s getting harder to charge a price premium for the product you’re marketing, or others are offering your subscription service for free, it may be time to start thinking in a new box. Another example is seeing substitute versions of a product, like eBooks, for a low price displacing hardcover books.

eBook 111

eBook Metrics Examples Startup 111

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 12, 2022

As a business advisor, I have too often seen technical entrepreneurs get a product or service off the ground with ease, but then struggle mightily when their business reaches a couple of million in annual sales, or the employee count grows beyond a handful. Implement metrics and set objectives for every organization.

Startup 137

Startup Training Entrepreneur Organization 137

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2021

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. For example, smart entrepreneurs look for recognizable patterns in disconnected domains. You may be a product expert, but have little experience with running a business, or marketing, or sales.

Startup 162

Startup Metrics Ideas Entrepreneur 162

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 18, 2020

For example, when I was with IBM, in an era where constant change was necessary to compete, we made job rotation and training a prerequisite for good performance ratings, so that team members sought change and new learning, rather than passively resisting. Set up training courses that highlight agility, and adopt agile working practices.

Metrics 122

Metrics Training Satisfaction IBM 122

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2021

For example, a few years ago, the company Beepi had a vision to build a new market for buying and selling used cars, but became overly focused on fundraising to grow fast, and ignored many customer complaints. Obsessive sales – must meet revenue goals. Hypermetricemia – metrics for everything.

Metrics 133

Metrics Product Yahoo Examples 133

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2021

For example, early adopters may be easily sold, but new technology product success really hinges on adoption by certain demographics, perhaps more influenced by celebrities or mommy bloggers. Define hard (data) and soft (anecdotal) metrics on the change, as well as on the quality of your leadership. Just because Google sales hit $1.5

Startup 155

Startup Resource Metrics Technical Review 155

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 22, 2021

A winning linked focus example is to choose a higher purpose common to all cultures, such as protecting the environment, or helping the underprivileged. Your goal must be to make every aspect of a customer interaction a joy to both you and them, starting from the shopping experience, to the sales close, to delivery and service.

Customer 114

Customer Custom Satisfaction Metrics 114

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

For example, Blake Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes attributes his ability to raise a seed round and build a $400M company to his commitment to provide a free pair of shoes to the underprivileged for every pair sold. Emphasize your real ambition to change the world, through helping the underprivileged, improving healthcare, or saving the environment.

Ideas 140

Ideas Entrepreneur Equity Resource 140

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2023

Measure progress through metrics on sales, revenue, and penetration. For example, Toms shoes achieved success by donating a pair of shoes for every pair sold. These start with your brand image, search visibility and process, and extend to the actual sales transaction. Seek to dominate your market over competitors.

Customer 91

Customer Custom Marketing Startup 91

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2023

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Waiting until you have something to sell before bringing on a sales and operations staff. Getting a sales contract before manufacturing inventory. Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young. Social media is not rocket science.

Search Engine Optimization 103

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 103

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 28, 2020

In business vernacular, targets are usually called metrics. A good metric has to be easily measurable, and directly correlated to results, rather than hours worked. For example, for a sales person, this metric number would likely measure new revenue or new customers.

Metrics 124

Metrics Entrepreneur Satisfaction Study 124

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 24, 2019

In the book, Jaffe introduces three new sets of metrics for gauging progress: Medium-term metrics. Examples include counting members of an advocacy program, app downloads, tenured customers, or subscribers to an e-mail list. Long-term sales.

Media 95

Media Framework Social Media Metrics 95

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2021

For example, it’s great to pursue a higher purpose, like feeding the hungry, but don’t forget that running any business is a hungry mouth you have to feed. For example, if you have ever watched the Shark Tank show on TV, they always ask about the cost of customer acquisition. Present a viable exit strategy for investors to cash out.

Entrepreneur 162

Entrepreneur Social Media Examples Metrics 162

Berkonomics

AUGUST 15, 2013

An example would be a real time display of the value of the dollar against the yen. Earliest warning metrics: What good is information if you can’t act upon it in a timely manner? Find metrics that will be “leading indicators” of trouble to come.

Metrics 184

Metrics Software Review Statistics Technical Review 184

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2019

Too many business owners still think of “ customer support ” as an after-sale process to rectify customer problems with completed transactions. For example, the days are gone when simply replacing a purchase or giving your money back was considered premium service. The marketing metrics covers support as part of experience.

Customer 84

Customer Custom Company Companies 84

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

See the story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos for an example of product snags leading to a disaster. Funding is depleted before customer sales ramp up. Examples abound of startups who had to pivot for success, including Twitter moving from podcasts to social commentating, and Yelp moving from email to online.

Startup 131

Startup Entrepreneur Examples Customer 131

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 15, 2020

As a business advisor, I have too often seen technical entrepreneurs get a product or service off the ground with ease, but then struggle mightily when their business reaches a couple of million in annual sales, or the employee count grows beyond a handful. Implement metrics and set objectives for every organization.

Startup 125

Startup Training Entrepreneur Organization 125

socalTECH

MAY 17, 2019

We're in the space, and leading the thought process on what needs to be combined, for example, CRM with ITSM tools, to create meaningful results that you can act on at the C-level. David Loo: In my mind, at this stage, it's the ability to have sales efficiency with enterprise customers. What specific problem were you seeing?

SaaS 113

SaaS Startup Customer Custom 113

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 20, 2019

For example, if it’s getting harder to charge a price premium for the product you’re marketing, or others are offering your subscription service for free, it may be time to start thinking in a new box. Another example is seeing substitute versions of a product, like eBooks, for a low price displacing hardcover books.

Entrepreneur 93

Entrepreneur eBook Metrics Examples 93

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

For example , when Yvon Chouinard founded Patagonia , a successful outdoor products company, his real goal was building safe products to help the environment. He also still gets excited to donate one percent of sales to environmental groups around the world. Document and communicate a solid business plan.

Startup 94

Startup Ideas Metrics Entrepreneur 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2020

Implement the key business metrices you will live by. Identify the three most important metrics your business must hit every week to achieve growth goals. These will almost always be related to sales and marketing, since they must tie back to cash flow.

Metrics 140

Metrics Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction 140

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 6, 2021

A required metric is average days to payment compared to expectations. For example, I find many entrepreneurs are certain they can make a profit on a 20% margin, even though most of their competitors target 60% margins, or even higher. Considering the job done once a client has been invoiced. Marty Zwilling.

Technical Review 151

Technical Review Startup Summary Pricing 151

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2019

For example, one of the first home grocery delivery companies, Webvan, was so enamored with early traction in Silicon Valley, it raised and spent nearly a billion dollars and went public, before filing for bankruptcy three years later. Document processes and metrics for economies of scale.

Metrics 86

Metrics Startup Training Customer 86

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 12, 2021

For example, Warby Parker boosted selling glasses online a while back with “Try five frames at home for free.” You won’t need the multiple follow-ups and time to close new sales. Build a marketing plan with deliverables and metrics. Talk to real live customers in addition to marketers.

Technical Advisors 154

Technical Advisors Tips Marketing Case Study 154

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2020

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. Waiting until you have something to sell before bringing on a sales and operations staff. Getting a sales contract before manufacturing inventory. Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young. Social media is not rocket science.

Search Engine Optimization 124

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 124

SoCal CTO

JULY 13, 2011

This site aggregates and filters content from thought leaders who talk about topics such as Marketing , Sales , Design , Revenue , Hiring , Social Media , Business Models , Metrics , PR , Venture Capital , Angel Investors , Bootstrapping , Incubators , Agile and many others.

Content 175

Content Startup Social Media IP 175

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2021

For example, I believe Bill Gates would have failed without his partners Steve Ballmer and Paul Allen. If you are the hot-shot technical innovator that invented your solution, make sure you have an equally adept business and marketing expert to complement your skills. “If It takes the right team to build a great business.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Case Study Mentor Software Review 131

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2021

Customers today quickly get beyond these, and put a competitive priority on the experience of others, reflected in reviews and social media, and their own total experience with your sales process, delivery, returns, and support on their schedule. You need to be part of a larger ecosystem.

Competition 142

Competition Software Review Social Media Customer 142