Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2013

Since the recent recession, and at least partially sparked by it, I’m seeing a real resurgence of entrepreneurial spirit, and more startup activity than ever before. It still adds up to over 20 million non-employer businesses out there today, with more starting every day. No wonder 90% of the successful startups still bootstrap.

Startup 109

Startup Entrepreneur Social Media Satisfaction 109

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2022

Sometimes the hesitation I see is not just the qualms of starting and growing a business, but an actual inability to think big, chase dreams, or build a support community around you. Good brainstorming requires you to assemble a half-dozen of the right people who are not afraid to speak up and participate. No idea should go unspoken.

Startup 142

Startup Ideas Satisfaction Social Media 142

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2020

It may not be as sexy, but starting a new business which builds on an existing technology or business model is usually less risky than introducing that ultimate new disruptive technology. Many of the major business successes started this way. Many of the major business successes started this way.

Startup 157

Startup Social Media Study Research 157

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

OCTOBER 11, 2010

If you are an entrepreneur these days, or trying to grow an existing business, everyone is telling you that you need to use social media. Social media is the realm of public opinion and customer conversations. With social media, it is also important to identify how many people see your message as remarkable.

Social Media 84

Social Media Metrics Media Satisfaction 84

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 29, 2021

New generations of customers respond better to the “ participative ” approach, where they get to provide input via social media and the Internet. You should be constantly trying new approaches via social media and online, and asking for feedback and input from influencers and customers.

Customer 168

Customer Custom Marketing Social Media 168

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 19, 2015

Since the recession, and at least partially sparked by it, I’m seeing a real resurgence of entrepreneurial spirit, and more startup activity than ever before. The rate of new entrepreneurs increased about 10 percent, from 280 out of 100,000 adults in the 2014 Startup Activity Index, to 310 out of 100,000 adults in the 2015 Index.

Startup 108

Startup Social Media Entrepreneur Satisfaction 108

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2020

If you are seriously looking to start the next billion-dollar startup, you need to get beyond the realm of enhancing a current solution. Rather than starting from a mindset of pushing the limits of technology, be determined to first find a customer need that can only be solved by the technology you know.

Startup 134

Startup Artificial Inteligence Ideas Entrepreneur 134

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2014

The E-Myth (“Entrepreneurial Myth”) is the mistaken belief that most businesses are started by people with tangible business skills, when in fact most are started by “technicians” who know nothing about running a business. Perhaps an innate business savvy is no longer a requirement for starting a successful business.

Entrepreneur 107

Entrepreneur Startup Social Media Technical Review 107

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 20, 2019

With the current strong economy I’m seeing a continued resurgence of entrepreneurial spirit, and more startup activity than ever before. There is additional encouraging news for aspiring entrepreneurs on many fronts, just in case you are thinking about joining the existing ranks: Valuations of successful startups have hit an all-time high.

Startup 128

Startup Social Media Satisfaction Entrepreneur 128

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2023

New business models that provide an ongoing revenue stream, or a secondary stream from advertising, raise your margins and can give you some additional satisfaction. Enjoy that first video interview at an industry conference, or the newspaper story which enhances your startup visibility and credibility. Marty Zwilling

Startup 118

Startup Satisfaction Customer Custom 118

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2015

For the elite startups and entrepreneurs who manage to attract the investor they dream of, and survive the term sheet negotiation, there is still one more hurdle before the money is in the bank. That might start with the CEO giving the investor pitch to the whole organization, and distributing the current business plan document to everyone.

Technical Review 108

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur 108

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2021

For the elite startups and entrepreneurs who manage to attract the investor they dream of, and survive the term sheet negotiation, there is still one more hurdle before the money is in the bank. That might start with the CEO giving the investor pitch to the whole organization, and distributing the current business plan document to everyone.

Technical Review 151

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Invest 151

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 12, 2017

If you are an entrepreneur these days, or trying to grow an existing business, everyone is telling you that you need to use social media. Social media is the realm of public opinion and customer conversations. With social media, it is also important to identify how many people see your message as remarkable.

Social Media 69

Social Media Media Metrics Satisfaction 69

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 3, 2020

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Capture your “secret sauce.”

Startup 174

Startup Training Services Writing 174

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2020

New business models that provide an ongoing revenue stream, or a secondary stream from advertising, raise your margins and can give you some additional satisfaction. Enjoy that first video interview at an industry conference, or the newspaper story which enhances your startup visibility and credibility. Marty Zwilling.

Satisfaction 174

Satisfaction Customer Custom Outsource 174

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2021

Today’s customers quickly sense the growing momentum of specific businesses, or lack of it, via social media, online reviews, and texting with friends, and change their habits accordingly. Your long-term success and satisfaction depends on it. Marty Zwilling First published on Inc.com on 12/22/2020.

Technical Review 160

Technical Review Technical Advisors Startup Mentor 160

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 26, 2020

a leading researcher on consumer behavior and the impact of digital, reports that decision makers, social media users, and younger demographics are more and more comfortable sharing data in order to close the gap between thought and action. In his classic book, “ Digital Context 2.0: Norton, Ph.D., No-comfort consumers – 17 percent.

Social Media 131

Social Media Startup Tool Google 131

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 22, 2013

In fact, businesses need to adapt just as completely to the changes in the buying and social behavior of consumers. High-technology product startups, without customers, don’t make a business. Solis outlines the heuristics of social psychology that are key to building positive customer experiences today. Consistency.

Customer 100

Customer Custom Startup Social Media 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 5, 2020

As an advisor to entrepreneurs, I find that I often have to remind them that the world of customers has changed since they started their last business. But even the older Boomers have learned to use technology and social media as the source of expectations from your business, more so than your own traditional marketing.

Customer 133

Customer Custom Social Media Startup 133

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

As a startup advisor, when I suggest cooperating with competitors, most entrepreneurs initially think I'm crazy or suggesting something illegal. And growth is the lifeblood of every startup. And growth is the lifeblood of every startup. Complementary advantages can expand both markets. Be cautious, but not paranoid.

Startup 102

Startup Customer Custom IBM 102

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2021

The best part of being an entrepreneur is having the independence to make your own decisions, the flexibility for a better work/life balance, and personal satisfaction from driving change. You don’t have enough control over your time, investors, the market, or your startup. But nobody said it would be easy. It’s very frustrating.

Entrepreneur 174

Entrepreneur Search Engine Optimization Satisfaction Social Media 174

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 4, 2011

Changing the culture and mindset in an existing businesses is difficult and slow, so this becomes another “opportunity” for smart entrepreneurs and startups to excel. They apply to any business, but every startup better lead with these: Prepare your team to always say “Yes”. Stop bossing and start teaching. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 105

Startup Cloud Computing Customer Custom 105

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2022

In my consulting work with small businesses and startups, I find that real teamwork is still a rare commodity. Fortunately, it’s a skill you can start to develop at any stage in your career, which will pay off now, as well as in future leadership roles. The days of a single autocratic leader are gone.

Startup 119

Startup Technical Review Activity Social Media 119

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2020

One of the biggest myths in the business world is that startups are no place for Baby Boomers, that aging generation born between 1945 and 1964. They couldn’t possibly understand the new social media culture, new technologies, or have the determination to beat their younger counterparts in the market.

Startup 124

Startup Technical Review Software Review Entrepreneur 124

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 18, 2021

Yet I still see most of the focus in the startup community on creating the best technology and process, rather than practicing the most effective habits. Being proactive in a new business means starting with a vision of how to do things better, rather than following someone else’s success model. We have enough social network startups.

Startup 148

Startup Entrepreneur Social Media Social Network 148

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 6, 2020

One of the simplest questions I get from aspiring entrepreneurs, and ironically one of the hardest, is “How do I start?” I want to tell them to just start anywhere, but I realize that most have no idea where anywhere is. The wealth of online education offerings is a great start, but is not enough.

Entrepreneur 137

Entrepreneur Tips Startup Education 137

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 14, 2021

Innovation is the key to long-term business success, both in startups as well as established organizations. Then, when you are unable to remove more layers, you can build up to the fastest and most efficient way of getting that base thing done. Elon Musk recommends this approach. Practice the one-sentence method.

Entrepreneur 158

Entrepreneur Startup Outsource Development Design 158

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 28, 2015

A common request I get while mentoring entrepreneurs is for a copy of the startup checklist they need to follow, in order to build a successful new business. The challenge is that every new business needs to be innovative and different, in order to rise above the crowd, bring real change to the world, and give you the satisfaction you seek.

Startup 107

Startup Cloud Computing Social Media Entrepreneur 107

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 18, 2015

I may be old fashioned, but the term consultant still conjures up an image of a self-proclaimed expert who can make great presentations, generate recommendations and leave you to do the hard work of implementation. Startups need outside experts who can do the work, as well as provide training on what needs to be done.

Services 100

Services Startup Software Review Social Media 100

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 26, 2013

The E-Myth (“Entrepreneurial Myth”) is the mistaken belief that most businesses are started by people with tangible business skills, when in fact most are started by “technicians” who know nothing about running a business. Perhaps an innate business savvy is no longer a requirement for starting a successful business.

Startup 94

Startup Technical Review Social Media Satisfaction 94

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 31, 2023

These haven’t changed much over the years, but still seem to be often overlooked by business professionals and leaders in their haste to keep up with peers, competitors, and customers in today’s volatile environment. The reality is that starting a business, as well is working an existing business, has always required perseverance.

Startup 121

Startup Satisfaction Technical Review Ideas 121

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

Most of you business professionals that I know have at least thought about or talked about starting their own business, to get more control, make more money, or to get more satisfaction out of their life. As a mentor to young aspiring entrepreneurs , I often get asked for tips on a strategy to get started.

Startup 114

Startup Tips Coach Satisfaction 114

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

Today, in this age of pervasive social media and two-way communication, the focus needs to get beyond demographics into personalities. Commitment means signing up willingly, showing up mentally, standing up for the customer, and never ever giving up. Add the extra mile to make the experience exceptional.

Customer 158

Customer Custom Social Media Satisfaction 158

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2022

In fact, businesses need to adapt even more completely to the changes in the buying and social behavior of consumers. High-technology product startups, without customers, don’t make a business. Solis outlines the heuristics of social psychology that are key to building positive customer experiences today. Consistency.

Customer 122

Customer Custom Social Media Technical Review 122

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 13, 2022

I continue to be amazed that more than a quarter of new businesses don’t even have a website , and many more don’t pay attention to social media, or monitor feedback on sites like Yelp. At minimum, that requires a modern website, and visibility on relevant social media sites, likely including Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

Technical Review 142

Technical Review Social Media Conference Customer 142

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

Today, customers are looking for real relationships, a memorable shopping experience, and satisfaction of a higher purpose. Other companies, including Ritz-Carlton , now incent their employees to build real relationships with guests, by authorizing them to spend up to $2,000 per guest to solve an individual concern.

Customer 133

Customer Custom Satisfaction Examples 133