Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 26, 2022

One of the myths I often hear as an advisor to many entrepreneurs is that their lifestyle would somehow be better if they could more easily find other people’s money to build their startup. Usually it pays to move a startup slower rather than risk relationships. Many times friends and family have been broken by failed investments.

Funding 107

Funding Startup Satisfaction Venture Capital 107

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 30, 2022

Perhaps sparked by the recent pandemic, I’m seeing a new era of the entrepreneur, with startups springing up all around. After some review of available resources, I’m convinced that problem solving is a learnable trait, rather than just a birthright. Don’t let it make your startup dysfunctional in resolving future challenges.

Startup 135

Startup Mentor Entrepreneur Technical Review 135

socalTECH

DECEMBER 28, 2020

Every year, we feature the year end reflections of founders, CEOs, investors, and others in Southern California's high tech community. This presented MomentFeed with an immense opportunity to help multi-location consumer brands meet the challenges brought on by an overnight shift in consumer shopping patterns.

Technical Review 140

Technical Review Software Review Organic Search Startup 140

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

Out of curiosity, I often ask aspiring entrepreneurs like you, who come to me for help, what drives them to take on the workload and risk of a new startup. Many entrepreneurs I know conclude they can never be in control, due to the constant and unpredictable need to satisfy investors, vendors, and customers.

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Startup Technical Review 124

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 23, 2017

As an advisor to startups, and a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m still surprised at the number who are determined to go it alone. Even worse, when they figure out that they really need help, the first place they look is for an intern or untrained helpers. A startup has enough unknowns, without ignorance of the basics.

Help 66

Help Startup Course Technical Review 66

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 29, 2020

One of the myths I often hear as an advisor to many entrepreneurs is that their lifestyle would somehow be better if they could more easily find other people’s money to build their startup. Usually it pays to move a startup slower rather than risk relationships. Many times friends and family have been broken by failed investments.

Startup 124

Startup Satisfaction Venture Capital Entrepreneur 124

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2021

Almost every entrepreneur and new business owner I mentor is certain that his/her idea has a very high probability of success, and all find it hard to believe that ninety percent of startups ultimately fail. Bill Gates was the technical genius, but Steve Ballmer, from Procter & Gamble, ran the business side of the equation.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Case Study Mentor Software Review 131

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. In the old days, key employees were rotated through all roles as part of their training, to help them understand the business.

Customer 147

Customer Custom Technical Review Metrics 147

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2017

Perhaps sparked by the now forgotten recession, I’m seeing a new era of the entrepreneur, with startups springing up all around. After some review of available resources, I’m convinced that problem solving is a learnable trait, rather than just a birthright. Resolve conflict, accept outcomes, and rebuild communications.

Satisfaction 53

Satisfaction Marketing Mentor Entrepreneur 53

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2023

When I dig deeper, I find that many of you are easily excited by a great new idea, but fail to diligently follow a validation process to test the limits of your thinking, before proceeding to rollout. Start with a real problem, rather than a technology or solution looking for a problem.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Ideas Study Social Media 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2019

Most of you aspiring entrepreneurs have no idea how dramatically your own role has to evolve as you develop a solution, start a business, and expect it to scale into a successful self-managed company. For example, I knew Bill Gates back in the early startup days of Microsoft. Recruit the best talent and promote/train team managers.

Company 99

Company Companies Technical Review Startup 99

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 19, 2022

In my experience, the good news is that everyone is becoming more and more comfortable with relationships via the new media and technology. Here is my list of some key recommendations to help you get your fair share of business: Customize and personalize every communication you can. Make sure clients know how you manage your business.

Services 121

Services Technical Review Social Media Case Study 121

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 24, 2015

Entrepreneurs need to be effective team leaders, since no one can transform an idea into a product and a business without some help. Unfortunately many founders I work with as a mentor are experts on the technical side, but have no insight into leading a team. Otherwise, in my experience, the startup will fail.

Technical Review 99

Technical Review Tips Development Team Review Startup 99

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2013

My internal compass has always steered me strongly toward the belief that founders who can scale with their startup companies are better to back that founders who eventually need to hire a CEO. Very few founder CEOs go into the job ever expecting to give up their seat. So give up the CEO role? It’s your baby.

Startup 303

Startup Technical Review Product Blogging 303

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 5, 2020

No matter what people may proclaim, everyone in business is looking to achieve the highest possible level of satisfaction and financial success in their career. Entrepreneurs relish change and new technology, which lead to new sales. For best results, my advice is to think like an entrepreneur, even if you are a corporate employee.

Entrepreneur 117

Entrepreneur Sales Customer Custom 117

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 9, 2012

Pressure Helps You Break Through Your Breakdowns. "Mickey Properly channeled, stress can help generate the energy and creativity required to move you from one breakthrough to another. Friendly constituents will not sustain your startup. Startups cannot afford to mistake what has gone before for what lies ahead.

Tips 277

Tips Startup Entrepreneur Entertainment 277

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 24, 2019

It says we still have a long way to go in improving workplace cultures, and moving up workplace engagement from the worldwide current dismal 15 percent level. Team members want development plus satisfaction. They want ongoing conversations, not just annual reviews. I also found it’s never too late to start.

Coach 95

Coach Technical Review Satisfaction Examples 95

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2022

Helping your organization adapt and get ahead, with results, will have a positive impact on everyone, and you will remember. Every year, new things happen, like the current COVID pandemic, which raise the challenge of how to deal with new situations, new technology, and changing business trends.

Coach 119

Coach Organization Technical Review Satisfaction 119

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 18, 2020

I just finished a new book, “ Unfiltered Marketing ,” by Stephen Denny and Paul Leinberger, which helped me put this digital communication transformation into perspective for all business owners. For trust, they look online to see how you handle real support and satisfaction issues.

Customer 173

Customer Custom Social Media Technical Review 173

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2012

Every startup faces a myriad of challenges that are well beyond the scope of any founder, so you need a few guiding lights to illuminate the road ahead. These should be carefully selected, with a proven track record, willing and available to help, and be completely trustworthy. Let’s talk specifics.

Startup 95

Startup Technical Review Software Review High Tech 95

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 3, 2016

As a small business and startup advisor, I find that entrepreneurs often love to talk about their latest idea, but not their execution. The best entrepreneurs know what they don’t know, aren’t afraid to ask for business help, and always offer something in return. Team members follow the model of the people they look up to.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Metrics Ideas 106

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2016

Entrepreneurs need to be effective team leaders, since no one can transform an idea into a product and a business without some help. Unfortunately many founders I work with as a mentor are experts on the technical side, but have no insight into leading a team. Otherwise, in my experience, the startup will fail.

Technical Review 54

Technical Review Development Team Review Startup Activity 54

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2015

Great technology leads to innovative solutions that are possible, but not necessarily great businesses. Yet, due largely to non-technology business considerations, including pricing, safety concerns and support infrastructure, there are none that most people can name.

Technical Review 54

Technical Review Product Activity Technology 54

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2019

In fact, it’s all about the “focus” required to get early stage technology products across the deadly chasm from early adopters to mainstream customers. Most investors and startup professionals expand this concept of focus to apply to key issues of every aspect of strategic and tactical planning in a startup.

Technical Review 102

Technical Review Customer Custom Satisfaction 102

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 5, 2011

Every startup faces a myriad of challenges that are well beyond the scope of any founder, so you need a few guiding lights to illuminate the road ahead. These should be carefully selected, with a proven track record, willing and available to help, and be completely trustworthy. Let’s talk specifics.

Startup 95

Startup Technical Review Software Review High Tech 95

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 10, 2012

In fact, it’s all about the “focus” required to get early stage technology products across the deadly chasm from early adopters to mainstream customers. Most investors and startup professionals expand this concept of focus to apply to key issues of every aspect of strategic and tactical planning in a startup.

Startup 101

Startup Technical Review Customer Custom 101

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 1, 2009

This is part of my ongoing posts on Startup Advice. The world has changed much since I started my first company in 1999. some came from our customer service, some were to improve performance / scalability from tech ops, some were bug fixes, etc.) Tim started to change our processes. Turn Your Organization Inside Out.

Organization 280

Organization Customer Custom Tips 280

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 8, 2016

One of the myths I often hear as an advisor to many entrepreneurs is that their lifestyle would somehow be better if they could more easily find other people’s money to build their startup. Usually it pays to move a startup slower rather than risk relationships. Many times friends and family have been broken by failed investments.

Funding 57

Funding Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur 57

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2023

Over my many years of mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals, I often hear a desire to start a new business, with a big hesitation while waiting for that perfect idea and perfect alignment of the stars. Know yourself and find help to fill in the gaps. Start today building a bigger network.

Technical Review 149

Technical Review Startup Entrepreneur Software Review 149

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2016

Many people will argue that total customer satisfaction is paramount, but I’m a pragmatist who believes that treating everyone the same really means treating all of them poorly. Just as you deal with wrong team members, it’s sometimes necessary to fire customers who have stepped out of bounds or refuse to accept your help.

Customer 65

Customer Custom Startup Satisfaction 65

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 27, 2019

Every new business dreams of growing from a startup to a global market leader in a few years, like Amazon.com, but that goal is elusive. My simple answer is that they keep their focus on customers, rather than technology. They help hiring managers raise the bar for every interview. Jeff Bezos has kept his focus on customers.

Marketing 123

Marketing Technical Review Customer Custom 123

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2019

Perhaps sparked by the now forgotten recession, I’m seeing a new era of the entrepreneur, with startups springing up all around. After some review of available resources, I’m convinced that problem solving is a learnable trait, rather than just a birthright. Resolve conflict, accept outcomes, and rebuild communications.

Mentor 85

Mentor Entrepreneur Technical Review Summary 85

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 23, 2017

In fact, it’s all about the “focus” required to get early stage technology products across the deadly chasm from early adopters to mainstream customers. Most investors and startup professionals expand this concept of focus to apply to key issues of every aspect of strategic and tactical planning in a startup.

Customer 76

Customer Custom Entrepreneur Technical Review 76

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 27, 2010

In fact, it’s all about the “focus” required to get early stage technology products across the deadly chasm from early adopters to mainstream customers. Most investors and startup professionals expand this concept of focus to apply to key issues of every aspect of strategic and tactical planning in a startup.

Startup 90

Startup Technical Review Customer Custom 90

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2014

Recently, Ive seen a lot of discussion about bringing the work back home, since costs have gone up in less-developed countries, there are issues with intellectual property, and time zone and language differences make management difficult. Saving cost wont help you if you cant make the daily innovations required to stay competitive.

Outsource Development 95

Outsource Development Outsource Offshore Software Review 95

Xconomy

OCTOBER 10, 2016

By popular acclaim, San Diego-based Echo Laboratories founder Eugene Cho claimed top honors, and a $15,000 check, for his two-minute presentation last week in the 10th annual “Quick Pitch” competition, hosted by San Diego’s Tech Coast Angels. Crowd Gathers for San Diego Tech Coast Angels “Quick Pitch” Competition.

Tech Coast Angels 40

Tech Coast Angels Technical Review San Diego Software Review 40

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2017

In my experience working with startups, the best approach these days is to find and use a good mentor (been there, done that). Yet in this age of technology, many seem to favor tools and data to get the edge, or can’t find the time to talk to real people. Regularly review progress and adjust focus (Review and Renewal).

Mentor 61

Mentor Technical Review LAMP Coach 61