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How to Decrease the Odds That Your Startup Fails

Both Sides of the Table

Lately I’ve been having to say things I thought I’d never have to remind people, like, “getting to positive gross margin in several territories is a very low bar to claim success” or “profitable excluding marketing costs” is not actually a real thing. But not doing basic research makes no sense.

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Should Startups Focus on Profitability or Not?

Both Sides of the Table

If you hire 6 sales reps in January at $120,000 / year salary then you’ve taken on an extra $60,000 per month in costs yet these sales people might not close new business for 4-6 months. ” If you’re not profitable you’re purely a cost center to them. Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) =. Operating Costs.

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