Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 19, 2013

The era of VCs investing in successful consumer Internet startups such as eBay led to a belief system that seemed to permeate many enterprise software startups that hiring sales or implementation people was a bad thing. But the “no sales people” mantra isn’t what I’m here to take on. Let me explain why: 1.

Startup 403

Startup Sales Software Review Technical Review 403

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2019

In the interests of helping you work smarter and last longer, I would like to offer my top ten list of key resource drains to avoid in early businesses and startups, based on my years of advising entrepreneurs and my own business experience: Expanding your product line too quickly for scaling. Poor communication and visibility from the top.

Outsource Development 122

Outsource Development Outsource Metrics Technical Review 122

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2020

To help you focus, I have prioritized the following list of success principles, too often overlooked by otherwise smart people, blinded by dollar signs, who jump in before they consider the consequences and alternatives: Find a unique niche you love which adds real value. Minimize one-time sales in your business model.

Outsource Development 154

Outsource Development Social Media Software Review Customer 154

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2021

On the business side, I am adapting here his seven success principles, too often overlooked by people who leap before they look: Find a niche to help real people. Provide website forums to help customers solve their own problems. Use free e-commerce software and services like PayPal before building an expensive customized solution.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Case Study Software Review Startup 124

InfoChachkie

OCTOBER 13, 2009

Customer Service – As newspaper boys were the face of their employers, savvy carriers learned to establish healthy customer relationships to facilitate timely collections and generous tips. Unfortunately, the paperboy has met the same fate as the iceman, milkman and diaper services. Make Money – Get Prizes. Boys To Men.

Web 2.0 222

Web 2.0 Web Sales Outsource Development 222

InfoChachkie

JUNE 4, 2012

As an entrepreneur, I helped create companies which achieved two IPOs and two trade sales totaling $385 million. Hopefully this article and the accompanying six-minute video will help you avoid learning these mission-critical lessons the hard way. Public relations at a startup is a sales process. Grant Exclusivity.

Entrepreneur 272

Entrepreneur Outsource Ideas Technical Review 272

socalTECH

OCTOBER 2, 2008

inQ provides outsourced, online chat services which are used to help companies improve sales conversions. According to inQ, the firm is looking to bring its services--which are being used by telecommunications firms to boost their online sales--to large banks and financial institutions. READ MORE>>

Agoura Hills 100

Agoura Hills Agoura Outsource Sales 100

socalTECH

MARCH 5, 2014

So, how do you help ease enterprise customers into the cloud--or at least, help them use cloud technology to help them with their business goals? Companies were saying--we want to outsource these kinds of things, because they''re not our core competency. The sale approach is actually very different in those markets.

Cloud Computing 217

Cloud Computing Outsource Development Outsource Startup 217

socalTECH

OCTOBER 28, 2008

Agoura Hills-based inQ, a provider of outsourced web sales services, has renamed itself TouchCommerce, the firm said today. inQ offers web chat services for e-commerce web sites, which helps to close online sales and guide users to select and find products. inQ did not detail reasons for the name change.

Agoura Hills 100

Agoura Hills Agoura Outsource Guide 100

InfoChachkie

MAY 16, 2011

As an entrepreneur and startup investor, I have helped create companies which achieved two IPOs which collectively raised over $100 million, as well as two acquisitions which totaled $385 million. However, it is my hope that this article will help you avoid learning the following lessons the hard way. 7) Hire A Consultant.

Startup 242

Startup Outsource Development Outsource Sales 242

Tech Coast Venture Network

APRIL 21, 2010

They began small; a small business owner understanding a need, filling that need, and slowly adding products, services and people. Don’t even think about getting money from others before you manage sale number one. If you are confident in your product or service, you need to take a chance on yourself with your own money.

Outsource 100

Outsource Tips Venture Capital Resource 100

socalTECH

APRIL 30, 2018

For this morning's interview, we caught up with Elizabeth Cholawsky , the new CEO of Santa Barbara-based HG Data (www.hgdata.com), which develops software which helps marketers and salespeople understand the "technology stack" of their potential customers and prospects. Craig was CEO up until two and a half weeks ago, when I joined.

Santa Barbara 113

Santa Barbara High Tech Outsource Development Startup 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 5, 2019

On the business side, I am adapting here his seven success principles, too often overlooked by people who leap before they look: Find a niche to help real people. Provide website forums to help customers solve their own problems. Use free e-commerce software and services like PayPal before building an expensive customized solution.

Technical Review 97

Technical Review Case Study Software Review Startup 97

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 13, 2013

Marketing is key in helping you to develop long-term, strategic plans that can stop your cash drain. Your sales forecast is an essential variable for cash and profit planning. Identify all non-core competencies and find reputable firms to help ease the burden of these functions. Create a Marketing Plan.

Outsource Development 91

Outsource Development Outsource Startup Marketing 91

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Our business is helping those guys make more money, through our better ad product. Our ad product helps them close more RFPs, gives them better engagement, and creates additional inventory which is not just an ad spot on a page. The HTML5 platform that we use is also available as a self service tool to customers.

Buzznet 100

Buzznet Outsource Development Design HTML 100

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 20, 2010

I recently did a post for startups on understanding sales people. I know this will fall like a lead balloon to the many people who believe it is possible to have a [insert: startup incubator or technology accelerator or technology consultant or outsource firm] build your technology. I don’t believe that one exists.

CTO Hire 400

CTO Hire Fractional VPE Startup Outsource Development 400

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2012

There are dozens of sources to help you construct your business model, and a good example is a recent book by venture capital investor Elizabeth Edwards, simply named “ Startup ,” which is really designed as a handbook for launching a company for less. Sales/Marketing. Be specific on sales channels and marketing initiatives.

Sales 97

Sales Customer Custom Outsource 97

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2014

With the appearance of do-it-yourself services on the Internet, entrepreneur curriculums at every university, and a wealth of new books on the subject, the need for expensive consultants and business advisors has also been mitigated. You can now skip the mandatory office space rental, with secretary and bookkeeping staff, or outsourcing.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Startup Social Media Commerce 104

socalTECH

APRIL 21, 2017

Georg Richter , CEO and founder of OceanX (www.oceanx.com), tells us how he's applying what he learned in many years of experience in direct selling, most recently as President and COO at Guthy Renker, to help large CPGs decode how to succeed in creating their own, physical subscription businesses. How did you get into this?

Startup 145

Startup Product Customer Custom 145

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2016

On the business side, I am adapting here his seven success principles, too often overlooked by people who leap before they look: Find a niche to help real people. Provide website forums to help customers solve their own problems. Use free e-commerce software and services like PayPal before building an expensive customized solution.

Startup 107

Startup Technical Review Case Study Software Review 107

socalTECH

MAY 7, 2012

Fine Art America handles all of the details of fulfilling sales for images. Sean Broihier: We are an online art marketplace, and help living artists and photographers sell prints of their artwork. You hit submit, and your images are instantly available for sale as prints on our website. from photographers and artists.

Santa Monica 258

Santa Monica Pricing Sites Sales 258

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 29, 2011

There are dozens of sources to help you construct your business model, and a good example is a recent book by venture capital investor Elizabeth Edwards, simply named “ Startup ,” which is really designed as a handbook for launching a company for less. Sales/Marketing. Be specific on sales channels and marketing initiatives.

Sales 98

Sales Customer Custom Outsource 98

Tech Coast Venture Network

MAY 15, 2011

This is not about paying lip-service to helping small companies — it’s about the genuine representation of their needs and interests in Washington D.C.” said Kevin McDonald, President of TCVN. In today’s quickly evolving global economy, technology start-ups need every bit of support to emerge from the confusion and thrive.

TCVN 113

TCVN Technology AeA Press 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2014

This will include the first version of many critical processes that can be split out later, including market opportunity, requirements, product definition, business model, sales process, and organization. If you are contracting or outsourcing, this is even more important. Customer service and support. Manage human resources.

Startup 107

Startup Outsource Development Training Outsource 107

socalTECH

MAY 5, 2009

The company was incorporated in January of 2004, and we provide outsource e-commerce services to organizations, such as brands and retailers. The second, is we provide fulfillment services, such as product shipments. So, we have a really strong balance sheet to help grow the company. One, is we build and design websites.

Venture Capital 113

Venture Capital SEM Commerce Email 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 25, 2014

Offer a story, entertainment, or a compelling idea that you can link convincingly to your brand, rather than trying to sell products or services directly. Sell yourself as the expert, and business sales will follow. Provide content and interaction that helps solve a problem or answers a critical information need for your audience.

Customer 99

Customer Custom Startup Content 99

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 19, 2011

They’re essential in helping us get our jobs done because they specialize in something we do not. They outsource the critical negotiations and “trust their advisors to handle the details.&# I value the service they provide. You can’t outsource this to a recruiter. Middle Men. Middle People? Recruiters.

Venture Capital 319

Venture Capital Pricing Startup Outsource 319

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 7, 2013

On the business side, I am adapting here his seven success principles, too often overlooked by people who leap before they look: Find a niche to help real people. Provide website forums to help customers solve their own problems. Use free e-commerce software and services like PayPal before building an expensive customized solution.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review Case Study 105

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Offer a story, entertainment, or a compelling idea that you can link convincingly to your brand, rather than trying to sell products or services directly. Sell yourself as the expert, and business sales will follow. Provide content and interaction that helps solve a problem or answers a critical information need for your audience.

Entrepreneur 111

Entrepreneur Startup Content Media 111

SoCal CTO

OCTOBER 15, 2009

I have about 11 years in the technology sector including roles doing market research, sales and product development. I’m currently working with several startups, helping them launch new web businesses. And do you know anyone that I should speak with who might be able to help me find more work? What are you working on now?

Los Angeles 179

Los Angeles Product Angel Startup 179

Tech Zulu Event

DECEMBER 13, 2013

Matt Lucido wanted to help with everyone’s daily life by creating a service app called Porter. Porter is a service app that provides daily services to your door, hassle-free. Services such as house cleaning, dry cleaning, wash & fold, and pet care. Your chores can be outsourced through Porter.

Technical Review 87

Technical Review Mobile Startup Los Angeles 87

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2013

This will include the first version of many critical processes that can be split out later, including market opportunity, requirements, product definition, business model, sales process, and organization. If you are contracting or outsourcing, this is even more important. Customer service and support. Manage human resources.

Outsource Development 92

Outsource Development Training Outsource Metrics 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2013

Customers are not all like you, and they have choices, so a “one size fits all” customer service is no longer a viable option. That means forget using interns or outsourcing this function. A positive result could be a reputation that you put customer relationships first and sales second. You need insider “deciders” here.

Social Media 99

Social Media Customer Custom Media 99

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2014

Even if you are looking in all the right places, it helps to know what you are looking for. If one of your core values is exceeding your customer expectations for quality and service, and your potential partner ascribes to the low cost, high profit mantra, a successful partnership is highly unlikely over the long-term.

Software Review 107

Software Review Entrepreneur CTO Hire Outsource Development 107

Tech Zulu Event

MARCH 1, 2013

You need an accounting system in place that helps you keep track of money in, money out. Especially keep an eye on the balance between expenses and sales. Undercharging for your product/service. For more information on pricing, see my previous post 6 Pricing Tips for Your product/Service. It’s that simple.

Startup 93

Startup Pricing Outsource Competition 93

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2012

Customers are not all like you, and they have choices, so a “one size fits all” customer service is no longer a viable option. That means forget using interns or outsourcing this function. A positive result could be a reputation that you put customer relationships first and sales second. You need insider “deciders” here.

Social Media 91

Social Media Customer Custom Media 91

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2011

These efforts proved to be a major distraction from our main objective, namely sales and service of our high tech products. In practice that meant that we could once again focus on running our sales and service activities. However, in reality the U.S. You can contact him directly at ernst@startupprofessionals.com.

Outsource Development 88

Outsource Development High Tech Outsource Examples 88