Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 16, 2009

I was in New York last week with my class at Columbia University and several events made me realize that the Customer Development model needs to better describe its fit with web-based businesses. In it, I got asked a question I often hear: “What if we have a web-based business that doesn’t have revenue or paying customers?

Customer Development 219

Customer Development Web Developer Customer 219

SoCal CTO

MARCH 5, 2007

There are quite a few other Software Development Companies in Southern California working on open source and/or freemium business models. Common revenue streams are consulting, training, support, customization, upgraded versions for corporate applications, etc. Attorney and Startup Business Advisor – Aaron Shec.

Open Source 150

Open Source Business Model Technical Cofounder Southern California 150

VC Cafe

OCTOBER 23, 2022

” No one questions the importance of revenue, but asking the question enabled us to start thinking on what would be the right metric. Did you know that companies like Airbnb, Spotify and Netflix purposely avoid setting revenue as their North Star Metric? Why is revenue not a good ‘North Star’ Metric?

Metrics 179

Metrics Revenue B2C Portfolio 179

ConversionXL

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Growth hacking is a practice that aims to acquire as many customers as possible while spending as little money as possible. The faster this process can be repeated, the more likely they’ll find scalable, repeatable ways to grow the business.”. Rather than run marketing campaigns to pull customers away from its rival, it experimented.

Retention 113

Retention Marketing Acquisition Channel 113

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

MARCH 21, 2017

Revenue multiples, profit multiples, premium over the previous financing — these are metrics used by sellers to help determine a minimum acceptable price. So this acquisition is worth more than $20m in revenue, which at the average revenue-multiple for public tech companies , yields $100m in market value.

Balance Sheet 242

Balance Sheet Vertical Acquisition Revenue 242

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 24, 2017

Subscription business models have been around for a pretty long time, but thanks to modern technology, this model has evolved from milk or newspapers delivery to a versatile eCommerce experience. Subscription business brings recurring revenue. It is a bootstrappable model. Conclusion.

Churn Rate 149

Churn Rate eCommerce Business Model Bootstrapping 149

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

Sales is all about how to get more customers, and relationship funnels prioritize establishing a genuine connection with your customers. To boost customer engagement and prepare them so that they can be presented with your offer, which will be the ideal answer to their problem at the ideal time. Build and define relationships.

Sales 152

Sales Audience Social Media Email 152

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 5, 2023

Bill was relentless in his focus on getting the software PC DOS project delivered, while continually challenging us with new business models. Let me be a bit more specific on how follow-up trumps ideas for success in the key challenges of a startup, or any small business: Networking with investors, partners, and customers.

Cofounder 389

Cofounder Startup Term Sheet Acquisition 389

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

AUGUST 6, 2013

This is the second article in a series on novel ideas for SaaS metrics, which started with The unprofitable SaaS business model trap. You probably know this is because as you get large it’s hard to continue growing fast enough to cover the amount of customers you’re losing by cancellation.

Metrics 270

Metrics Business Model .Net Revenue 270

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 21, 2023

It starts with a vision, but benefits quickly from a structured process of idea generation, evaluation, prototyping, customer feedback, and success metrics. Business risks are not just development risks. Business risks are not just development risks. Set milestones and meet them. Ownership. Value creation. Accountability.

Intellectual Property 343

Intellectual Property Metrics .Net Social Network 343

Gust

JUNE 8, 2023

You should know EVERYTHING about your business, product, customers and competition. You should know every metric regarding customer acquisition, conversion and retention. You should have a crystal clear understanding of your business model and your financials.

Retention 202

Retention Acquisition Metrics Business Model 202

ConversionXL

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

Like any popular business term, “customer centricity” is often abused by businesses that shoehorn it into their core values. It’s actually better not to claim customer centricity if you can’t get people across your business to really care about your customers. Find new ways to fix old customer pains points.

Customer 85

Customer Community Revenue Software Review 85

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

JULY 23, 2013

So no, this upside-down business model isn’t what a SaaS business should construct. The mindset works like this: It costs a lot of money to land an enterprise customer. And: how many times do you run through that process and still lose the customer? 30% cost to serve the customer. (Can

Business Model 335

Business Model .Net Revenue IPO 335

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 26, 2020

You (think) you have product-market fit with real customers and real revenue and need money to grow and expand. What most founders don’t realize is: Every stage of a startup requires a different set of metrics and milestones and founder skills. Series B is about proving your net revenue model (can you be profitable?).

Cofounder 429

Cofounder Seed Stage Valuation Metrics 429

YoungUpstarts

JANUARY 7, 2018

The digital revolution is disrupting the traditional business model for small and medium businesses (SMBs). The traditional advantages of small businesses over corporations are personalized service and an inventory of niche products tailored to their local market. by Humberto Farias, CEO and co-founder at Concepta.

Artificial Inteligence 164

Artificial Inteligence Analytics SCRUM Cofounder 164

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 30, 2011

times more likely to spend more than one standard deviation above the average on customer acquisition. times more likely to be focused on streamlining the product and making their customer acquisition process more efficient than consistent star tups. to 3 times as many of their customers early on.

Silicon Valley 189

Silicon Valley Software Review Startup Cofounder 189

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 22, 2016

That should make you wonder - how do you measure traction in a metric? According to most experts , business traction is evidence that somebody really wants your product. It’s business momentum, independent of whether you have a product delivered, proven the business model, or significantly penetrated the opportunity.

Metrics 143

Metrics Advisory Board Startup Lean 143

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

Traction is evidence that your product or service has started that “hockey- stick” adoption rate which implies a large market, a valid business model, and sustainable growth. One customer is not traction, and beta tests with a thousand customers at no cost don’t count. Average transaction size and revenue per customer.

Hockey Stick 304

Hockey Stick Early Stage Metrics Acquisition 304

Steve Blank

OCTOBER 24, 2017

None of this was law, and nothing in writing required this; this was just how these firms did business to protect their large institutional customers who would buy the stock. This required a repeatable and scalable sales process, which required a professional sales staff and a product stable enough that customers wouldn’t return it.

Founder 245

Founder Technical Review CTO Hire IPO 245

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 25, 2020

It starts with a vision, but benefits quickly from a structured process of idea generation, evaluation, prototyping, customer feedback, and success metrics. Business risks are not just development risks. Business risks are not just development risks. Set milestones and meet them. Ownership. Value creation. Accountability.

Intellectual Property 360

Intellectual Property Social Network Metrics .Net 360

SoCal CTO

MARCH 11, 2013

If you do build the MVP and show it to them, they will ask you about your metrics. They really want metrics, not a product. The real question you should be asking is "When I've built this product and show you the following metrics, would you invest?" Investors demand more than that.

Algorithm 264

Algorithm Metrics Viral Venture Capital 264

SoCal CTO

OCTOBER 8, 2009

A post by Fred Wilson pointed me to Dave McClure's Startup Metrics presentation. Normally, when I am talking to the founder of any startup trying to figure out what they need to do, one of the things I always try to do is understand their business at its core. Define what you need from a metrics and reporting standpoint.

Metrics 225

Metrics Startup Retention Acquisition 225

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2020

Bill was relentless in his focus on getting the software PC DOS project delivered, while continually challenging us with new business models. Let me be a bit more specific on how follow-up trumps ideas for success in the key challenges of a startup, or any small business: Networking with investors, partners, and customers.

Entrepreneur 307

Entrepreneur Cofounder Term Sheet Acquisition 307

Up and Running

MAY 10, 2021

You can start by researching your competitors to gain an understanding of cost structure, revenue generation, and the business model for your app. From there, begging building out complete and verifiable financial records that can help you answer questions like: How old is your business? What is your customer acquisition cost?

Artificial Inteligence 150

Artificial Inteligence Developer Development Team Review United Kingdom 150

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 23, 2016

As we prepared for the new Hacking for Defense class at Stanford, we had to stop and ask ourselves: How do we use the Business Model Canvas if the primary goal is not to earn money, but to fulfill a mission? In other words, how can we adapt the Business Model Canvas when the metrics of success for an organization is not revenue?

Business Model 120

Business Model Revenue Channel Community 120

Startup Lessons Learned

DECEMBER 14, 2009

Lessons Learned by Eric Ries Monday, December 14, 2009 Business ecology and the four customer currencies Lately, I’ve been rethinking the concept of “business model&# for startups, in favor of something I call “business ecology.&# Let’s begin with the four customer currencies.

Customer 156

Customer San Francisco Viral Lean 156

Startup Lessons Learned

SEPTEMBER 22, 2008

Lessons Learned by Eric Ries Monday, September 22, 2008 The three drivers of growth for your business model. Master of 500 Hats: Startup Metrics for Pirates (SeedCamp 2008, London) This presentation should be required reading for anyone creating a startup with an online service component. Choose one.

San Francisco 167

San Francisco CPA SEM CTO Hire 167

Reid Hoffman

JULY 23, 2020

Companies make acquisitions based on strategic goal that are aligned with their inner workings. This strategic value-oriented approach is one of the things that gives Silicon Valley its crazy reputation among traditional investors, who live and die by financial metrics. Those traditional investors ask, “What’s your business model?”

IPO 36

IPO Exit Strategy Acquisition Technical Review 36

NZ Entrepreneur

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

experiments to build a product, find customers, test business models and hire amazing people. Creating this value is anchored in finding a repeatable, scalable business model. Agenda items will focus on key metrics illustrating value creation, particularly in software as a service companies. Risk and reward.

Technical Review 88

Technical Review Software Review New Zealand Due Diligence 88

crowdSPRING Blog

MARCH 8, 2013

The Skinny on Using Crowdsourcing for Your Business | The Frugal Entrepreneur – [link]. 5 Customer Experience Metrics Every Successful Company Tracks | The Buffer blog – [link]. The Ultimate Guide to Customer Acquisition | KISSmetrics Blog – [link]. Glaser-Harvard Business Review – [link].

Social Media 105

Social Media Small Business Design Media 105

Occam's Razor

MAY 2, 2017

People ask me this seemingly simple question all the time: What Key Performance Indicators should we use for our business ? There is no golden metric for everyone, we are all unique snowflakes! :). I am going to pick a whole bunch of different businesses (15 in all!), If you want to play along. Don’t read what I’ve chosen.

Metrics 141

Metrics Acquisition eCommerce Analytics 141

Startup Lessons Learned

APRIL 14, 2009

Lessons Learned by Eric Ries Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Validated learning about customers Would you rather have $30,000 or $1 million in revenues for your startup? This may sound crazy, coming as it does from an advocate of c harging customers for your product from day one. Every board meeting, the metrics of success change.

Customer 167

Customer San Francisco Lean Hockey Stick 167

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 12, 2018

But with so many people trying to get their share of the growth, many subscription box businesses fold within a year or two. Lots of new box companies have trouble ironing out the kinks in their process: their customer can’t easily unsubscribe, their boxes just aren’t exciting or well-curated, and more. Your problem and solution.

Business Plan 63

Business Plan Curation Balance Sheet Intellectual Property 63

www.forentrepreneurs.com

FEBRUARY 2, 2010

Blog About Log in Register Designing startup metrics to drive successful behavior Great companies are almost always run by great management teams. Good metrics should also be actionable, and drive successful behavior. This post is applicable to any kind of business. e.g. there could be large deals, and smaller deals.

Metrics 55

Metrics Design Entrepreneur Startup 55

SoCal CTO

MARCH 20, 2007

Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta. Attorney and Startup Business Advisor – Aaron Shec. Marketing, Startups and Networking in Los Angeles.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles 150

SoCal CTO

MARCH 9, 2007

Technology Advisor Technology Roles in Startups Pricing Customer Acquisition Sunk Costs and More -. User Interface Beyond the Web Site ► November (7) Negative Customer Acquisition Costs - Creative Sta. Attorney and Startup Business Advisor – Aaron Shec. Marketing, Startups and Networking in Los Angeles.

Technical Cofounder 150

Technical Cofounder Southern California Los Angeles CTO Hire 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2019

Don’t get me wrong, it’s always great to see that first surge of customers, but that’s just the beginning of your work. With the real data from that surge, you need to take a hard look at business model realities, cost of customer acquisition, inventory costs, and other key metrics.

Silicon Valley 215

Silicon Valley Bankruptcy Metrics Valuation 215