Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 14, 2011

I was recently approached by Fast Company to comment on “crisis management&# at startups in the wake of the Airbnb “ranksackgate&# story. I agreed to do the interview because the story was about what other companies can learn rather than about airbnb in particular. Make the story be about your market.

Startup 329

Startup Press Training Media 329

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2020

The idea has four principles guiding and underlying every business: Higher purpose. I would expect that to seem intuitive to all entrepreneurs, but every investor I know has many stories about startup funding requests with no clear business model.

Guide 128

Guide Capital Entrepreneur Course 128

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 10, 2021

Socially distant hiking in Sedona (we drove there) I recently wrote about my weight-loss journey over the past 18 months where I lost 65 pounds without a fad diet and returned to my college weight. If you want to get in better shape and haven’t read that you might start there. I separately wrote about some food plans I use.

Coach 538

Coach Startup Guide Journal 538

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

The conversation centered around a founder who's key question is "Where Do I Find a Developer for My Startup?" The situation is pretty common it got us to riff a bit around how to get programmers to help him build out a proof-of-concept version for his startup. Or ask me Free Startup CTO Consulting Sessions.

Guide 296

Guide Startup Mobile Framework 296

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 3, 2012

His talk was especially intriguing, as he attended UCSB, but dropped out to start a clothing design company. As I note in Spilling The Beans , the basic ideas upon which startups are founded are worth nothing. It is the dogged pursuit of excellence that turns worthless ideas into worthwhile startups. Chaos By Design.

Ideas 266

Ideas Guide Startup Santa Barbara 266

TechEmpower

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

As part of the onboarding process, the app asks both job seekers and employers what they’re looking for - in a text box - while providing a few suggestions in a pop-up. This isn’t just our opinion - our startup metrics prove it! Even with the pop-up suggestions, we saw significant drop-off during user onboarding.

Generative AI 295

Generative AI Artificial Inteligence TechEmpower Tips 295

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 2, 2014

Many startups these days are started by young, technical or product founders who are in the idealistic phase of their lives and careers. Thus I hear many talk about “radical transparency” when virtually ever experienced operator in my inner circle talks knowingly about that naiveté. Then Evan Williams.

Startup 385

Startup Coach Course Snapchat 385

SoCal Tech Calendar

MARCH 30, 2012

Thursday, April 5, 2012 -- Insider's Guide: How to Raise Startup Capital. Comprehensive 2 1/2 hour workshop on everything you need to know about how to raise capital for your startup, taught by Jon Funk, one of LA's most experienced and successful vc's. See [link] (more)

Guide 113

Guide Capital Startup Venture Capital 113

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2022

In my years of advising startups and occasional investing, I’ve seen many great ideas start and fail, but the right team always seems to make good things happen, even without the ultimate idea. Yet every entrepreneur I meet wants to talk about the idea, and rarely mentions the team. The sales professional.

Technical Advisors 123

Technical Advisors Startup Outsource Development High Tech 123

SoCal CTO

APRIL 25, 2017

Here is the most recent version of an all too common email inquiry from a startup founder. I'm working on a start up idea in the XXX market with my partner and we are currently looking for full stack developer to join us as a technical co-founder. I've written before about having an Initial Conversation with a Potential CTO.

Email 150

Email Startup Develop Development 150

SoCal CTO

MAY 17, 2011

I was just talking with someone who's new to Los Angeles and wanting to connect into the Los Angeles Startup Community. I told them that I had recently seen several posts/articles talking about how vibrant the community has become. I will do my best to keep this up to date.

Los Angeles 196

Los Angeles Southern California Startup Angel 196

SoCal CTO

MAY 17, 2011

I was just talking with someone who's new to Los Angeles and wanting to connect into the Los Angeles Startup Community. I told them that I had recently seen several posts/articles talking about how vibrant the community has become. I will do my best to keep this up to date.

Los Angeles 188

Los Angeles Southern California Startup Angel 188

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 21, 2013

For our Insights and Opinions section today, Sean Callahan--who co-founded Plixi, and is now working on SlimSurveys --gives thirteen tips for tech startup founders. Sean is also author of Startup Field Guide, Mistakes To Avoid, Tips to Get Ahead , documenting what he's learned over his time in the startup world.

Tips 209

Tips Startup San Diego Southern California 209

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 5, 2011

Some really great stuff in 2010 that aims to help startups around product, technology, business models, etc. 500 Hats , February 1, 2010 When to Use Facebook Connect – Twitter Oauth – Google Friend Connect for Authentication? 500 Hats , February 1, 2010 When to Use Facebook Connect – Twitter Oauth – Google Friend Connect for Authentication?

Startup 378

Startup Venture Capital Blogging CTO Coach 378

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 10, 2023

Most of the time, I’m all about providing encouragement and inspiration to entrepreneurs. A few years ago, I enjoyed one of Guy Kawasaki’s first books, “ Reality Check: The Irreverent Guide to Outsmarting, Outmanaging, and Outmarketing Your Competition.” It’s not going to get better – it already is. The reality of working.

Entrepreneur 99

Entrepreneur Startup Sample Guide 99

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

Nearly every successful tech startup I’ve observed over the past 20 years has gone through a similar growth pattern: Innovate, systematize then scale operations. Innovate In the early years of a startup there is a lot of kinetic energy of enthusiastic innovators looking to launch a product that changes how an industry works.

Startup 286

Startup Technical Review Custom Customer 286

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2020

Too many entrepreneurs I know still believe that that their great idea will carry the startup, and they may even minimize their own value, especially if they have introvert tendencies. Everyone needs to realize that whether it’s in the workplace or in the startup community, business is a new world today with new rules.

Startup 132

Startup Tips Ideas Entrepreneur 132

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 30, 2016

conversation literally every week with startups. I was always fond of saying about fund raising, “When the hor d’oeuvres tray is passed take two and put one in your pocket for later. And importantly — having limited resources forces you to make hard choices about what you’re build and what you won’t. million or $4 million.

Startup 292

Startup Software Review Pricing Entrepreneur 292

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 8, 2009

Now there are some firms that have strict rules about not funding pre-revenue companies – that’s different. Traction really is about building a relationship with a VC over time and showing them that you can move the ball forward. Funding is about developing a relationship over time. Schedule a follow up meeting.

Venture Capital 309

Venture Capital Guide Startup Technical Review 309

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 27, 2023

The idea has four principles guiding and underlying every business: Higher purpose. I would expect that to seem intuitive to all entrepreneurs, but every investor I know has many stories about startup funding requests with no clear business model.

Startup 92

Startup Capital Guide Entrepreneur 92

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 9, 2018

I found his observations, like the following, to be inspirational for those of us chasing an entrepreneurial dream: It’s all about the people. According to an MIT study a while back, only about 10% of patents granted in the United States have any meaningful commercial importance and less than one percent are of seminal importance.

Guide 95

Guide Startup Ideas Entrepreneur 95

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2023

In the world of entrepreneurs and startups, high level relationships are everything. You can’t start a business alone. More importantly, he talks about the actions required to build a network of contacts at the highest level. This is where most business relationships start and remain.

Startup 127

Startup Guide Networking Help 127

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 26, 2020

I called an (ex) LP to tell him about her and my goals for her. Kara said “no” because she wanted to start her own company, which she did and I backed. In any job you either find leadership opportunities for your best people BEFORE they ask or other people start asking them to become leaders somewhere else.

Venture Capital 361

Venture Capital Startup Invest CitySearch 361

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

Millennials have come a long way in business since I started writing about them over ten years ago. They started out as that spoiled generation of kids, born between about 1982 and 2004, who had everything, and could care less about business. Their success is now vital to our success.

Mentor 134

Mentor Coach Guide Startup 134

TechCrunch LA

NOVEMBER 27, 2019

Twitter will free up handles by deleting inactive accounts. “As part of our commitment to serve the public conversation, we’re working to clean up inactive accounts to present more accurate, credible information people can trust across Twitter,” the company said. Indian scooter rental startup Bounce raises $150M.

Netflix 243

Netflix Guide Los Angeles Screening 243

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 3, 2017

The franchise is one of the most famous of all time — the original 1977 film is up there with Gone With the Wind as the most beloved 20th century flick. Here’s our list of the best Star Wars gadgets and gear about which, frankly, we do give a damn. Stay tuned for the rest of our guide throughout the season. Definitely.

Guide 74

Guide LAMP Pricing Entrepreneur 74

Tech.Co

OCTOBER 27, 2023

It comes courtesy of Google and Amazon-backed startup Anthropic, which was only founded in 2021. More than 350,000 people signed up to the waitlist to use Claude 2, the most recent version of the language model. In this guide, you'll learn exactly what Claude is, how it works, and all about its parent company, Anthropic.

ChatGPT 139

ChatGPT Artificial Inteligence Training Startup 139

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

As an advisor to many entrepreneurs, I still hear frequently the irrational exuberance that crowdfunding is the quick alternative for startups that are passed over by overly demanding angels or venture capital investors. In reality, crowdfunding has become a major startup funding vehicle, expected to reach $3.62

Startup 100

Startup Equity Entrepreneur Demand 100

SoCal CTO

MARCH 12, 2012

I've recently received several emails from people looking for a technical cofounder for their startup. Of course, you will want to figure out a bit more about the specifics of what this developer needs to know vs. can learn. Ask them about your concept. You should definitely hit up the Startup Weekend events as well.

CTO Hire 211

CTO Hire CTO Coach Startup Equity 211

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 22, 2009

This is part of my ongoing posts on Startup Advice. There are people who tell startups that they should hire the most senior people that they can find. I’m talking about what most of you are tempted to do. Bringing in a senior person who’s “done it all before&# is often a mistake in a startup.

Startup 327

Startup Sales Class CIO 327

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Marketing your startup can be one of the most daunting tasks an entrepreneur faces on their journey to world domination. Marketing, however, is not always about what we as consumers need, but what we deeply desire. Pro tip: If you don’t have a developer and need to hack a template, be sure that the functionality is up to par.

Guide 105

Guide Startup Marketing Template 105

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 13, 2022

A very credible starting point is the classic book “ Promote Yourself: The New Rules For Career Success ” by Dan Schawbel, managing partner of Millennial Branding, a Gen Y research and consulting firm. Something you feel passionate about that doesn’t put food on the table, for example, may not be sustainable.

Guide 126

Guide Tool Mentor Help 126

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 25, 2010

I was excited to read it because Robert Cialdini had been a speaker at Google when my wife worked there and she told me that many members of the senior management team at Google had been raving about his work. Social proof is defined as “looking for others to guide our decision&# and it can be both explicit and implicit.

Guide 293

Guide Funding Venture Capital Technical Review 293

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 17, 2022

Every entrepreneur thinks he can relax a bit after his business model is proven, funding is in place, and revenues are scaling as projected up that hockey-stick curve. I’m not talking here about a small pivot. Power has been guiding growth companies for 25 years, and now teaches innovation at the Harvard Extension School.

Startup 106

Startup Pricing Cloud Computing Custom 106

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 12, 2010

Here’s my non-conventional guide to improving them. We started with our financial statements. We then talked about our product roadmap. So I changed things up and became much happier with my results. But they were in a slide and people asked you questions so it ended up chewing up 30 minutes.

Startup 331

Startup Slides Guide Writing 331

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 28, 2014

I was reading Danielle Morrill’s blog post today on whether one’s “ Startup Burn Rate is Normal. I love how transparently Danielle lives her startup (& encourages other to join in) because it provides much needed transparency to other startups. Let’s set up a framework. Gross Burn vs. Net Burn.

Startup 383

Startup Company Companies .Net 383

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2015

Most business managers preach that the key to success is holding employees accountable for actions, but I have found that successful entrepreneurs are all about holding themselves accountable. As a startup investor, I view any evidence of a victim mentality as the kiss of death. Accountability starts by acknowledging reality.

Startup 116

Startup Entrepreneur Class Coach 116