Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 26, 2022

Trust your own insights, and if you have to ask for business ideas from others, I recommend that you stay where you are until you’re certain of your own idea and solution. In business, there will always be someone out there with more money, a better location, or more resources, ready to take your idea and squeeze you out.

Social Media 105

Social Media Writing Ideas Resource 105

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2020

You may think that patents and copyrights are not required, since your products are so innovative, but you will find that competitors are quick to copy your idea if you don’t protect it. Although Elon Musk doesn’t talk about it very much, he owns over 350 patents through Tesla, just one of his many companies.

Entrepreneur 173

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Technical Review 173

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2023

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. Watch that patent provide a real barrier to competitive entry. Increasing customer focus and loyalty.

Startup 118

Startup Satisfaction Customer Custom 118

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2023

This point was illustrated well in the classic book, “ The Power of Positive Destruction: How to Turn a Business Idea Into a Revolution ,” by Seth Merrin. I like his approach to first making sure the idea has the potential for a unique selling proposition, by asking yourself a few key questions: Does the idea solve a painful problem?

Startup 96

Startup Education Ideas Customer 96

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 23, 2020

It’s still popular these days for startup founders to operate in stealth mode, meaning no details about the idea or progress are shared with anyone until the big reveal and rollout. The common reason given is that this prevents any competitor from stealing their idea and beating them to market. Get competitors to surface early.

Search Engine Optimization 174

Search Engine Optimization Ideas Startup Customer 174

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. Ideas to improve the usability of an existing product, or ways to extend its audience, are not likely to be unique to you, and difficult to win over competitors.

Startup 162

Startup Metrics Ideas Entrepreneur 162

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

As a new business advisor and occasional investor, I get approached regularly by people who have a dream or a new business idea, and are looking for support and money to make it a reality. Thus, I’m more impressed with entrepreneurs who ask me to review their implementation plan, rather than listen again to their idea.

Ideas 94

Ideas Slides Technical Review Patents 94

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2020

This point was illustrated well in the classic book, “ The Power of Positive Destruction: How to Turn a Business Idea Into a Revolution ,” by Seth Merrin. I like his approach to first making sure the idea has the potential for a unique selling proposition, by asking yourself a few key questions: Does the idea solve a painful problem?

Startup 166

Startup Education Ideas Customer 166

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2020

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. Watch that patent provide a real barrier to competitive entry. Increasing customer focus and loyalty.

Satisfaction 174

Satisfaction Customer Custom Outsource 174

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2020

Use social media for early marketing. Social media is not rocket science. In this case, the primary cash outflow would be for product development and operating expenses, with potentially enough runway to build the initial product, get a patent, attract some early adopters, and build the initial revenue stream.

Search Engine Optimization 124

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 124

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 29, 2017

Yet I recommend to every entrepreneur that there are still situations where an NDA (sometimes called Confidential Disclosure Agreement) makes sense compared to normal situations, where your risk of losing an investor or advisor is greater than the risk of your idea being compromised. Get an NDA before detailed patent disclosures.

Technical Review 61

Technical Review Patents Ideas Social Media 61

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 18, 2022

Many new entrepreneurs are so excited by their latest idea that they can’t resist contacting every investor they know, assuming the investor will be equally excited and want to contribute immediately. They only want a quick overview of the product, not detailed features and patent secrets.

Technical Review 109

Technical Review Startup Statistics Social Media 109

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2015

Trademarks, copyrights and even patents can be completed online by anyone through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office site for a few hundred dollars. Take advantage of social media and free websites for marketing. Site marketing is easily extended through blogs, Twitter, Facebook and social media.

Startup 108

Startup Search Engine Optimization Social Media Outsource Development 108

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

Use social media for early marketing. Social media is not rocket science. In this case, the primary cash outflow would be for product development and operating expenses, with potentially enough runway to build the initial product, get a patent, attract some early adopters, and build the initial revenue stream.

Startup 89

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 89

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 3, 2018

There are many levels of innovation that go beyond copying someone else’s idea, but stop short of pushing the leading edge (bleeding edge). And we all know Facebook didn’t invent social media. Or you may decide that your dream was not really the great idea that you thought it was.

Startup 65

Startup Social Media Study Research 65

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

Use social media for early marketing. Social media is not rocket science. In this case, the primary cash outflow would be for product development and operating expenses, with potentially enough runway to build the initial product, get a patent, attract some early adopters, and build the initial revenue stream.

Startup 108

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 108

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 21, 2020

Many new entrepreneurs are so excited by their latest idea that they can’t resist contacting every investor they know, assuming the investor will be equally excited and want to contribute immediately. They only want a quick overview of the product, not detailed features and patent secrets.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Statistics Startup Social Media 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2014

The same is true for filing patents, registering trademarks, and filing copyrights. Social media facilitates marketing and sales. For startups, social media and color printers have essentially replaced the need for external public relations and marketing services. Work out of your home, and keep your own books.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Startup Social Media Commerce 104

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2014

Use social media for early marketing. Social media is not rocket science. In this case, the primary cash outflow would be for product development and operating expenses, with potentially enough runway to build the initial product, get a patent, attract some early adopters, and build the initial revenue stream.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 105

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2014

It’s popular these days for startup founders to operate in stealth mode, meaning no details about the idea or progress are shared with anyone until the big reveal and rollout. The common reason given is that this prevents any competitor from stealing their idea and beating them to market. Get competitors to surface early.

Startup 101

Startup Search Engine Optimization Ideas Customer 101

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

You can press a button, and it scans the social media chatter and organizes highlights aroundyou, of relevant conversations around a particular location and particular time. Ali Khoshgozaran: It''s funny, as people have the idea that Twitter and Instagram are the fastest ways of getting good real time information.

USC 236

USC Southern California Organization UCLA 236

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2018

Work to build a compelling story around your new idea. Customers need to see personal and social benefits around a new solution, not just a new technology. Use social media and the media to build demand for change. The change must also include long-term benefits, as well as short-term.

Marketing 92

Marketing Demand Examples Social Media 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 16, 2015

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. Watch that patent provide a real barrier to competitive entry. Increasing customer focus and loyalty.

Satisfaction 101

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Customer Custom 101

SoCal Delicious

JANUARY 15, 2010

Shortcut: sebastian-x.com Blog About Blogroll Links How brain-amputated developers created the social media plague Posted on 12 January, 2010 The bot playground commonly refered to as “social media&# is responsible for shitloads of absurd cretinism. Twitter was such a great idea with so much promise.

Social Media 41

Social Media Develop Development Media 41

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 30, 2014

There are many levels of innovation that go beyond copying someone else’s idea, but stop short of pushing the bleeding edge. Or you may decide that your dream was not really the great idea that you thought it was. Many of the major business successes started this way. Capitalize on the lessons from early adopters and competitors.

Technology 103

Technology Entrepreneur Study Research 103

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 13, 2016

It’s still popular these days for startup founders to operate in stealth mode, meaning no details about the idea or progress are shared with anyone until the big reveal and rollout. The common reason given is that this prevents any competitor from stealing their idea and beating them to market. Get competitors to surface early.

Startup 60

Startup Search Engine Optimization Ideas Customer 60

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 25, 2017

This point was illustrated well in a new book, “ The Power of Positive Destruction: How to Turn a Business Idea Into a Revolution ,” by Seth Merrin. I like his approach to first making sure the idea has the potential for a unique selling proposition, by asking yourself a few key questions: Does the idea solve a painful problem?

Startup 58

Startup Education Ideas Customer 58

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2015

A popular approach these days seems to be for founders to regale investors early with a pitch touting the newest “million-dollar idea.” In fact, ideas are a commodity and by themselves won’t generate any funding interest, outside the context of a leader who can execute. Your credibility as an entrepreneur is at stake.

Entrepreneur 59

Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review Ideas 59

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2016

He lays out very plainly his own experiences on both sides of this equation, and I particularly enjoyed his summary startup roadmap of twenty-one steps to success, which add real content to the eight that I recommend to every entrepreneur: Select an idea you can clearly communicate in thirty seconds.

Entrepreneur 58

Entrepreneur Ideas Pricing Customer 58

SoCal CTO

JUNE 9, 2010

Now, thanks to social media, you don't have to outspend. Guide to Evaluating Startup Ideas - Tony Wright dot com , May 27, 2010 A great developer I once worked with was kvetching at lunch one day. particularly like his first point, which is that you should draw out your ideas before you start coding them. We get it!

Startup 248

Startup Venture Capital Conference Social Media 248

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2016

There are many levels of innovation that go beyond copying someone else’s idea, but stop short of pushing the leading edge (bleeding edge). Or you may decide that your dream was not really the great idea that you thought it was. Many of the major business successes started this way.

Technology 57

Technology Startup Study Research 57

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2016

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. Watch that patent provide a real barrier to competitive entry. Increasing customer focus and loyalty.

Satisfaction 61

Satisfaction Startup Customer Custom 61

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2016

Founders generally need more focus on the market sizing, volume projections, cost details and margin expectations to balance the optimism of their passion for the idea. Patents issued to you before you incorporate the business will not be considered part of the business valuation by investors.

Company 61

Company Companies Startup Equity 61

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2015

Many new entrepreneurs are so excited by their latest idea that they can’t resist contacting every investor they know, assuming the investor will be equally excited and want to contribute immediately. They only want a quick overview of the product, not detailed features and patent secrets.

Technical Review 109

Technical Review Entrepreneur Startup Statistics 109

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

Many new entrepreneurs are so excited by their latest idea that they can’t resist contacting every investor they know, assuming the investor will be equally excited and want to contribute immediately. They only want a quick overview of the product, not detailed features and patent secrets.

Entrepreneur 119

Entrepreneur Technical Review Statistics Startup 119

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 5, 2018

Many new entrepreneurs are so excited by their latest idea that they can’t resist contacting every investor they know, assuming the investor will be equally excited and want to contribute immediately. They only want a quick overview of the product, not detailed features and patent secrets.

Funding 62

Funding Technical Review Entrepreneur Startup 62

socalTECH

MARCH 31, 2014

We''re rolling it out to finance and Wall Street, monitoring thousands of sources of continuously changing information, such as news, social media, internal email systems, and analyzing specific, material conditions that our customers are looking for. Alan Chaney is our Chief Architect, and ran Olivetti Resaerch in the UK.

Orange County 245

Orange County Startup News IBM 245