Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2022

Since language and implication have changed a bit since then, I’ll restate Carnegie and Hill’s original principles here, with my own current-day commentary and recommendations added: Definiteness of purpose. Every entrepreneur needs to start by setting a major purpose for embarking down a specific business path.

Technical Review 297

Technical Review Angel Investor Differentiation Business Model 297

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 3, 2021

In the past, if your startup had a website presence, the company was credible by definition. Smart potential customers only visit and buy from credible and memorable websites. In today’s world, a website is necessary but not sufficient for credibility.

Internet 294

Internet Web Affiliate Advertising 294

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 18, 2020

As a long-time business executive and adviser to entrepreneurs, I see a definitive shift away from customer trust in traditional business messages, and the executives who deliver them. Today’s digitally distracted consumer is led to trust only things that they see with their own eyes, senses, so they can render their own judgement.

Customer 433

Customer B2C Technical Review Social Media 433

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

As you look at your entrepreneur goals, make sure you are following your own definition of success that gives you pride and passion in its pursuit. Once you have clarified your personal definition of startup success, examine where you currently are relative to where you want to be.

Entrepreneur 247

Entrepreneur Developer Startup Product 247

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 25, 2022

It’s definitely worth your time to complete real due diligence before it is too late to back out. Remember business partnerships are a lot like marriages, which need to survive and thrive for the long term, at the gut level as well as the logical level.

Technical Review 313

Technical Review Due Diligence Partner Cofounder 313

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2021

If entrepreneurs answer these questions for their startup, they will definitely stay ahead of most of their competitors in the startup world: What is the “secret sauce” that my startup brings to the problem? Here are ten of the key questions that apply equally well to the world of startups and entrepreneurs, as they do to large organizations.

Metrics 387

Metrics Technical Review Leadership Framework 387

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 13, 2020

By definition, entrepreneurs need to love the art of the start, and that love needs to come across as part of the first impression you deliver to any investor. There is no substitute for experience and trained skills in the business area you are attacking.

Intellectual Property 316

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Early Stage Venture Capital 316

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2022

I’ve never had a definitive list of recommendations to overcome these qualms, so I was pleased to see the insights in a new book, “ Arrive and Thrive ,” by Susan MacKenty Brady, Janet Foutty, and Lynn Perry Wooten. This is a tough challenge for every coach and mentor.

Leadership 227

Leadership Entrepreneur Agile Demand 227

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2020

Since language and implication have changed a bit since then, I’ll restate Carnegie and Hill’s original principles here, with my own current-day commentary and recommendations added: Definiteness of purpose. Every entrepreneur needs to start by setting a major purpose for embarking down a specific business path.

Technical Review 315

Technical Review Angel Investor Differentiation Business Model 315

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2023

With the advent of social media, and instant communication via the Internet, that definition has been expanded to include all aspects of the customer experience , from finding you and what they need, to the ease of completing the transaction, as well as all follow-on support. Marty Zwilling First published on Inc.com on 1/3/2023.

Differentiation 274

Differentiation Social Media Customer Matching 274

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 7, 2019

I suspect it’s a function of pride and confidence in my own problem solving abilities, but my hesitation has definitely cost me time and money. While starting a new business always involves tackling many new challenges, I’ve personally found myself reluctant to ask for help.

Entrepreneur 307

Entrepreneur Leadership Search Software 307

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2019

In fact, I would broaden the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.” Very few entrepreneurs have the range of skills and experience to be the solution creator as well as business creator, or operational as well as sales leader.

Cofounder 221

Cofounder Software Review CTO Hire Founder 221

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 12, 2021

The future of work is definitely changing, accelerated by the current pandemic. They are now, or will soon be, a majority of your workers, and definitely need the same sense of personal satisfaction and purpose, as well as coaching and communication, as the remainder of your employees. Integrate freelancers seamlessly into your team.

Employee 398

Employee Matching Leadership Technology 398

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

All other sections, starting with a definition of the problem and the solution, opportunity sizing, business model, competition, executive team, and financial projections, are just as critical for nonprofits as for-profits.

Equity 235

Equity Angel Investor Technical Review Exit Strategy 235

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2021

Expand your definition of the problem. The more you understand the scope of a problem, the more likely you are to arrive at the right definition, which will lead to the correct solution. In fact, there are always multiple solutions, so a better definition always leads to a better decision.

Entrepreneur 350

Entrepreneur Sales Management Cost 350

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 20, 2019

In the past, if your startup had a website presence, the company was credible by definition. Smart people only visit and buy from credible and memorable websites. In today’s world, a website is necessary but not sufficient for credibility.

Affiliate 221

Affiliate Advertising Technical Review Social Network 221

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2022

By definition, an angel investor is not an “institutional investor.” But if it results in a good angel or two watching over your startup, you will definitely be one step closer to heaven. Quite a while back, I outlined “ The 10 Best Sources of Cash to Start Your Business ” for startups, listing angel investors as alternative six.

Angel Investor 384

Angel Investor Advisory Board Database Institutional Investors 384

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

As you look at your entrepreneur goals, make sure you are following your own definition of success that gives you pride and passion in its pursuit. Current research is conclusive that self-esteem is linked to our sense of competence in the areas that are important to us. Identify your current strengths and establish plans for improving.

Entrepreneur 143

Entrepreneur Developer Startup Product 143

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2023

This section of the plan would include the definition of specific test processes, how results will be measured, and who has responsibility for execution and approval. Quality testing and approval processes. Product certification or product qualification requirements and processes are a key part of every product plan.

Business Plan 280

Business Plan Product Architecture Business Model 280

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2014

As you look at your entrepreneur goals, make sure you are following your own definition of success that gives you pride and passion in its pursuit. Current research is conclusive that self-esteem is linked to our sense of competence in the areas that are important to us. Identify your current strengths and establish plans for improving.

Entrepreneur 228

Entrepreneur Startup Developer Employee 228

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2019

Problem solving may be a required skill, but it’s definitely one that can be learned, and perfectionism can be un-learned, independent of your IQ or book smarts (there may even be an inverse relationship here). For more help on this one, I recommend Esther Crain’s old article “ Five Ways to Blast Perfectionism and Get Your Work Done.”

Technical Review 212

Technical Review Entrepreneur Partner Restful 212

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 20, 2021

Challenge the definition from all angles. Beware of any problem for which there is only one definition. They’re not problems; they are merely facts of life, like natural disasters. Often, what appears to be a problem is actually an opportunity in disguise.

Startup 392

Startup Advertising Sales Cost 392

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Many entrepreneurs I know are confused by the definition and need for an Advisory Board versus a Board of Directors. By definition, Advisory Boards are voluntary and have no fiduciary responsibility. I suggest a few simple considerations will clarify the alternatives.

Advisory Board 348

Advisory Board IPO Angel Investor Acquisition 348

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 6, 2020

Of course, every lifestyle entrepreneur wants their business to be “successful,” but I find that the definition of success and the expectations along the way differs from that usually associated with what I call “growth startups.” If your passion is customers, you definitely will be happier as a lifestyle entrepreneur.

Small Business 311

Small Business Small Business Administration SBA Equity 311

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 30, 2017

In my experience, smart and determined entrepreneurs are usually able to avoid the whole capital raising nightmare, and associated cash-flow and control risks, by simply broadening their definition of investors to include regular people who are willing to share the risk to accomplish common objectives and impacts.

Technical Review 220

Technical Review Accredited Investor Due Diligence Equity 220

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2016

While all this is definitely a boon to entrepreneurs, it does come with its own set of challenges. Crowdfunding interest, by definition, is primarily from non-professional investors who are more focused on features and value, rather than the financials of your business. Several crowdfunding successes have failed as a business.

Non-disclosure Agreement 120

Non-disclosure Agreement Intellectual Property Technical Review Vesting 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

A better definition of a problem always leads to a better solution. If you are looking for more satisfaction from your work, or seeking to advance your career, then more focus on problem solving, utilizing the strategies outlined here, will definitely pay big dividends. Fixing only one of these will only lead to more frustration.

Dividend 382

Dividend Metrics Cost Internet 382

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2014

Others put their hopes in patent reform legislation , to tighten the definition of software patents and targets trolls. I would argue to simply eliminate the software patent – since software is an implementation and is already covered by trademark and copyright law anyway.

Software Review 250

Software Review Software Technical Review Intellectual Property 250

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2016

This section of the plan would include the definition of specific test processes, how results will be measured, and who has responsibility for execution and approval. Quality testing and approval processes. Product certification or product qualification requirements and processes are a key part of every product plan.

Business Plan 120

Business Plan Product Architecture Startup 120

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 3, 2021

According to most dictionary definitions , a friend is a person whom one knows, likes, and trusts. This definition seems totally lost on many people today. Businesses ask customers and other businesses to “Like” them and “friend” them. Are these real friends?

Social Network 317

Social Network Internet Social Media Networking 317

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

First of all, a definition. Obviously this definition is generic, so my first recommendation is that you take the lead in defining traction metrics for your startup, and then selling your results convincingly to investors.

Hockey Stick 304

Hockey Stick Early Stage Metrics Acquisition 304

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2014

By definition, entrepreneurs need to love the art of the start, and that love needs to come across as part of the first impression you deliver to any investor. There is no substitute for experience and trained skills in the business area you are attacking.

Angel Investor 268

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Early Stage 268

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2015

As you look at your entrepreneur goals, make sure you are following your own definition of success that gives you pride and passion in its pursuit. Current research is conclusive that self-esteem is linked to our sense of competence in the areas that are important to us. Identify your current strengths and establish plans for improving.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Developer Startup Product 120

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2010

You have to think about your dream, discuss it with friends, partners, and experts until it finally becomes more definitive and concrete. With the help of trusted friends and associates you can now convert the vision into a written plan with a definitive strategy. Thus, your initial dream gets turned into your personal vision.

Technical Review 229

Technical Review Channel Partner Leadership 229

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 20, 2013

In the past, if your startup had a website presence, the company was credible by definition. Smart people only visit and buy from credible and memorable websites. In today’s world, a website is necessary but not sufficient for credibility.

Startup 263

Startup Affiliate Advertising Technical Review 263

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2023

By definition, angels are accredited investors, who invest their own money for a percentage of the business. A better approach is to first understand who these people are, why and how they invest, and then focus on the ones who are the best match for your particular startup stage, location and industry.

Venture Capital 265

Venture Capital Accredited Investor Syndicate Syndication 265

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 7, 2023

In addition to saying yes too often, some entrepreneurs under pressure say no poorly, by attacking the requestor or by avoiding any definitive response. Either of these approaches always make a difficult situation worse, often leading to guilt or a later accommodation.

Matching 292

Matching Entrepreneur Conversion Partner 292