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How to Configure Your Startup Team

Both Sides of the Table

Early-stage companies shouldn’t: outsource core product development, have consulting firms build it for them to speed up time-to-market, shouldn’t hire too many business people until product is complete and early product/market fit tested. Don’t hire “relationship management” sales people too early.

Startup 389
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Want to Know the Difference Between a CTO and a VP Engineering?

Both Sides of the Table

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
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How Great, Operationally-Focused CFO’s Can Transform Your Business

Both Sides of the Table

What I love about my job is getting to see teams of super-early-stage companies develop ideas that while raw have potential to make an impact on the market. It freed up Ophir to grow out our sales organization, to work more closely with agencies, to innovate on product and to raise capital. It literally can put you out of business.

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What Makes an Entrepreneur (2/10) – Street Smarts

Both Sides of the Table

Because they’re street smart, most great entrepreneurs tend to prefer getting out and talking with real customers rather than sitting in a cubicle all day doing beautiful PowerPoint slides. He asked each sales / biz dev person to call customers and tell them they had to change their contracts. We were SMOKING cash.

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Top 120 Startup Posts for 2010

SoCal CTO

First Principles. Steve Blank , January 25, 2010 10 Tips for Adding Game Mechanics to a Non-Gaming Service - ReadWriteStart , September 21, 2010 Startups & VCs: Learn How to Design, Market, & Eat Your Own. -

Startup 378
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5 Tips to Becoming a More Customer Centric Organization

Both Sides of the Table

Our sales guys were on the front line and heard what they needed to win deals. He decided that our largest customers would be involved in the setting of our priority lists (we did some of this internally in the early years but we saw it mostly as a sales process). The Outside In organization had a one-way flow. He’s a doctor.

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NDA Stealth Mode and Sharing Your Startup Concept

SoCal CTO

One of the readers asked my opinion around sharing your startup concept: My first question has always been - how do you protect your idea while shopping around for feedback, partners, developers, etc.? You’ll refine your sales and investor pitch. Someone Stole My Startup Idea – Part 2: They Raised Money With My Slides?!

Startup 211