Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2021

Too many founders have learned that passion and free beta products do not imply a sustainable business. Proof of any business model starts with a finished product or solution, sold to a new customer for full price, with high satisfaction for the value received. Marketing is everything these days. Plan for a real revenue model.

Sales 165

Sales Customer Custom Social Media 165

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2022

For example, if it’s getting harder to charge a price premium for the product you’re marketing, or others are offering your subscription service for free, it may be time to start thinking in a new box. Another example is seeing substitute versions of a product, like eBooks, for a low price displacing hardcover books.

eBook 111

eBook Metrics Examples Startup 111

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 18, 2015

For example, if it’s getting harder to charge a price premium for the product you’re marketing, or others are offering your subscription service for free, it may be time to start thinking in a new box. Another example is seeing substitute versions of a product, like eBooks, for a low price displacing hardcover books. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur eBook Metrics Startup 106

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 22, 2016

My venture firm, Rincon Venture Partners recently teamed with Jason Lemkin, Founder of SaaStr , to host the first SaaStrX event. The Most Important Metric. We had a spirited discussion regarding a number of issues related to blowing past $10M in annual recurring SaaS revenue, in front of a sold-out crowd of about 400 entrepreneurs.

Customer 100

Customer Custom Cornerstone OnDemand Metrics 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2021

Based on my own years of experience in startups and big business, and more recently as an angel investor, I often cringe when I see one of you entrepreneurs missing a cue that I have seen work for many before you. A passionate entrepreneur I met a while back had found that a certain algae could be grown cheaply, and could end world hunger.

Entrepreneur 162

Entrepreneur Social Media Examples Metrics 162

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 23, 2007

skip to main | skip to sidebar SoCal CTO Friday, February 23, 2007 Events and Networking in Los Angeles One of the issues I discussed in Innovation and Geography was that the geography and traffic in Los Angeles generally makes it more difficult for networking. He is a frequent speaker at industry and academic events.

Los Angeles 150

Los Angeles Networking CTO Coach Angel 150

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 21, 2014

I’d like to do a few posts on what life looks like on the way up and perhaps how to keep your head on straight and avoid drinking your own Kool Aid because as I often advise entrepreneurs on irrational exuberance, “ In a strong wind even turkeys can fly.” How frequently they’re using the product?

Marketing 354

Marketing Case Study Metrics Sales 354

Tech Zulu Event

APRIL 23, 2013

amSTATZ is an online community that brings fitness professionals, athletes and fitness events together into one place. Founded in the summer of 2011 and their first product out a few weeks ago amSTATS wants to help users to follow fitness events and programs near them and find a great fitness trainer to help them stay fit.

Social Network 92

Social Network Networking Training Summary 92

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 28, 2011

He disclosed the struggles he went through in building a solid productive team. Being that the theme of the night was community, it was perfect that the event was held at CoLoft , a workspace in Santa Monica that focuses on start up entrepreneurs. Noah has what I believe he called “Thank You metrics”. I resisted.

Metrics 87

Metrics Email Startup Technical Review 87

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 11, 2014

The solution is to establish and maintain a culture and processes that don’t view change as a discrete event to be spotted and managed, but as an ongoing opportunity to improve competitiveness. This contextual focus is critical to innovation and survival – the right product at the right time. Increase change agility. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 110

Entrepreneur Startup Training Statistics 110

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2020

Although his focus is naturally on bigger companies, I contend that his recommended strategies apply equally well to entrepreneurs and startups: Demand a mindset of deep thinking for the long term. Overtly connect every operational problem to your strategy, rather than putting strategy on a different plane and making it only an annual event.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Layoffs Social Media Metrics 124

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2015

Yet, as an advisor to startups, I see some common disasters, and recommend some anticipation and recovery moves that can save every entrepreneur some painful time and money. Five major elements of every business include your people, product, opportunity, money and marketing. The solution fails to come together.

Startup 105

Startup Entrepreneur Marketing Satisfaction 105

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 20, 2015

Too many founders have learned that passion and free beta products do not imply a sustainable business. Proof of any business model starts with a finished product or solution, sold to a new customer for full price, with high satisfaction for the value received. Marketing is everything these days. Plan for a real revenue model.

Startup 107

Startup Sales Customer Custom 107

socalTECH

JANUARY 2, 2020

Every year, at the end of the year, we share some reflections on the past year from our readers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, sponsors, and others in the local technology community. One of our SaaS companies made great strides with a new product. What is the biggest lesson you learned this year? READ MORE>>.

Capital 100

Capital SoCal Southern California SaaS 100

Tech.Co

APRIL 30, 2018

Festi is a blend between Eventbrite and Venmo for your private events. Festi allows users to create an event, choose a public or private setting, and control who attends the events. Being a part of the Festi community allows you to follow events happening in your area. Private party planning just got a lot easier.

Startup 70

Startup Tool Platform Metrics 70

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 23, 2015

New products and startups often require a culture shift to drive acceptance, which can best be accelerated by zealots or a visible chief disciple, like Steve Jobs. Other sources stronger than paid media today include key social media influencers, such as “mommy bloggers” and popular YouTube events. Earned media. Real customers.

Marketing 100

Marketing Social Media Framework Media 100

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 15, 2013

For example, if it’s getting harder to charge a price premium for the product you’re marketing, or others are offering your subscription service for free, it may be time to start thinking in a new box. Another example is seeing substitute versions of a product, like eBooks, for a low price displacing hardcover books. Marty Zwilling.

eBook 95

eBook Metrics Startup Examples 95

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2013

New products and startups often require a culture shift to drive acceptance, which can best be accelerated by zealots or a visible chief disciple, like Steve Jobs. Other sources stronger than paid media today include key social media influencers, such as “mommy bloggers” and popular YouTube events. Earned media. Real customers.

Media 101

Media Marketing Startup Framework 101

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2017

For example, if it’s getting harder to charge a price premium for the product you’re marketing, or others are offering your subscription service for free, it may be time to start thinking in a new box. Another example is seeing substitute versions of a product, like eBooks, for a low price displacing hardcover books.

eBook 52

eBook Metrics Examples Startup 52

socalTECH

AUGUST 30, 2017

Along the way, we've also attracted almost 1,000 talent seekers, from event planners, to venue managers, to talent managers. David Baird: We have a deep product pipeline, with lots of enhanecments planned. We're fortunate that we've been able to kickstart the marketplace, by having so musicians and bands already in place.

Startup 150

Startup Metrics Offshore Sites 150

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2016

Most people have heard of Foursquare for local nightlife and Airbnb for rooms, but other nationally recognized sources for local services are still hard to find, including social media, local news, advertising, and event calendars. Overcoming these hesitations may require promotion events, meet and greet opportunities, and more time.

Advertising 63

Advertising Content Social Media Satisfaction 63

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 23, 2019

If you need funding, make a list of people you know who might help, and plan to attend specific business events where you can use your pitch and written plan. Set target date milestones and metrics to gauge progress. The result was a product that was bloated and late to market. Consult with business peers to learn what you need.

Ideas 99

Ideas Slides Writing Startup 99

SoCal CTO

MARCH 1, 2007

skip to main | skip to sidebar SoCal CTO Thursday, March 1, 2007 Entreprenuer Network Great post by Ben Kuo - The Importance of the “Network&# to Entrepreneurs - the informal connections between people in the technology industry here who have a vested interest in helping entrepreneurs take their companies to the next level.

Networking 150

Networking CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire 150

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2015

Social media is so pervasive in today’s world that every entrepreneur believes instinctively that they know how to use it for their startup. Ask yourself where are the influencers in your market, the majority of your target customers, and what type of interaction will be most productive to your business? Marty Zwilling.

Social Media 108

Social Media Media Startup Tips 108

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 29, 2012

That’s why investors invest in entrepreneurs, rather than ideas. Communication is a challenge in any organization, but it’s a particular challenge when you’re working in a startup, where customers, products, processes, and the team are new. Metrics are required for ensuring the return to a known good baseline.

Ideas 94

Ideas Startup Summary Competition 94

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 8, 2011

We have significant VC commitments (listed below) – every entering company will get $50,000 in funding, mentorship from top VCs and successful entrepreneurs plus free office space. But the most important metric has been the deep and lasting relationships that have been built with startups and also between senior executives.

Venture Capital 287

Venture Capital Funding Startup GRP Partners 287

socalTECH

OCTOBER 14, 2019

Los Angeles-based BiasSync (www.biassync.com) was founded by three, very experienced serial entrepreneurs-- Michele Ruiz (broadcast journalism), Robin Richards (CareerArc, Internships.com, NTI Group, MP3), and Dan Gould (former VP of Technology for Tinder). Most companies have not been able to address unconscious bias in a meaningful way.

Content 150

Content Training Education Outsource Development 150

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Most of the guidance you see for entrepreneurs is aimed at those who are selling a product (Apple, Tesla, Xiaomi), or selling a service (Uber, Airbnb, Snapchat). The “product” value is difficult to quantify, the costs are nebulous, and entrepreneurs have to clone themselves to scale the business.

Social Media 56

Social Media Pricing Technical Review Demand 56

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2011

That’s why investors invest in entrepreneurs, rather than ideas. Communication is a challenge in any organization, but it’s a particular challenge when you’re working in a startup, where customers, products, processes, and the team are new. Metrics are required for ensuring the return to a known good baseline.

Startup 100

Startup Ideas Summary Competition 100

SoCal CTO

MARCH 20, 2007

He is a frequent speaker at industry and academic events. Product Manager Entrepreneur Mark Geller SEO for Startups Startup Version 1.0 Social Media for Service Professionals LearnTrends Speakers and Topics Accounced Tags not Folders - LinkedIn Saved Profiles Product Management for Startups in Los Angeles – S.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Guide CTO Coach Southern California 150

Tech Zulu Event

MAY 10, 2011

The venue was lined with vibrant and inviting decor, a spacious loft style presentation room, and plenty of mini-workstations for the motivated and social entrepreneur; a great setting for the presentation at hand. Metrics-Guided. Overall, I really enjoyed Binetti’s presentation as well as the feel of the event.

Startup 86

Startup Santa Monica Los Angeles Custom Development 86

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 19, 2015

Entrepreneurs could learn about loneliness of success: nobody talks about. As an industry we need to pay attention to those who are struggling as they build their startups and make sure we pay as much attention to the mental stresses of the job as we do to the business challenges like shipping product, hiring staff and raising money.

Press 150

Press Venture Capital Startup Entrepreneur 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 20, 2007

Evening events in Orange County require about 2 hours of round trip drive time. It has to be a pretty good event for it to be worth attending. Some events, like a recent Tech Coast Angel event at UCLA are really worth it. But some events you dont get quality attendees and then its a drag to drive that far.

CTO Coach 150

CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire Social Media 150

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 5, 2011

I have conversations with entrepreneurs and other VCs on a daily basis about fund raising, the prices of deals, how much companies should raise, etc. You’re unlikely to want to make this sort of investment with the product or the market not yet validated. The risk wouldn’t be appropriate.

Startup 336

Startup Pricing Technical Review Marketing 336

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 28, 2007

He is a frequent speaker at industry and academic events. Product Manager Entrepreneur Mark Geller SEO for Startups Startup Version 1.0 Social Media for Service Professionals LearnTrends Speakers and Topics Accounced Tags not Folders - LinkedIn Saved Profiles Product Management for Startups in Los Angeles – S.

Google 150

Google Mobile CTO Coach Southern California 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 25, 2007

He is a frequent speaker at industry and academic events. Product Manager Entrepreneur Mark Geller SEO for Startups Startup Version 1.0 Social Media for Service Professionals LearnTrends Speakers and Topics Accounced Tags not Folders - LinkedIn Saved Profiles Product Management for Startups in Los Angeles – S.

CTO Coach 150

CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire Startup 150

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 17, 2007

He is a frequent speaker at industry and academic events. Product Manager Entrepreneur Mark Geller SEO for Startups Startup Version 1.0 Social Media for Service Professionals LearnTrends Speakers and Topics Accounced Tags not Folders - LinkedIn Saved Profiles Product Management for Startups in Los Angeles – S.

Blogging 150

Blogging CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire 150