Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2023

You need a big differentiator in these arenas. These historically have included work-at-home, restaurants, telemarketing and social-service providers. On the Internet, I am wary of one more search engine provider, clones of existing social-media sites, and yet another new dating site. Products requiring changes to government regulations.

New York City 246

New York City Silicon Valley Bootstrapping Technical Review 246

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2022

This is still one of the most important competitive differentiators that you can offer. Doing more than you have to do is the only thing that justifies raises or promotions, and puts people under an obligation to you. Applied faith. This is a level of belief that has action behind it.

Technical Review 297

Technical Review Angel Investor Differentiation Business Model 297

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 4, 2023

A UVP sells a product or service because it differentiates it from other products or services that are available. I’ve paraphrased here a subset of her guidance which I believe characterizes the key changes and the implications for entrepreneurs just starting, as well as more mature businesses: Pinpoint your Unique Value Proposition (UVP).

Global 267

Global Marketing Technical Review Mobile 267

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2010

I agree with John Spence, in his book “ Awesomely Simple ,” that in a world of nearly limitless product options and highly educated consumers with instant access to price, features, and benefits of almost every product, delivering consistently superior customer service is the only differentiator left for creating loyal and engaged customers.

Differentiation 225

Differentiation Customer Matching Employee 225

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 15, 2020

Processes must be in place to clearly define standards, differentiate performance, link to consequences, provide rewards for accountability, and provide regular follow-up. Performance accountability processes. Good performance management is more about rewarding desirable behavior than penalizing bad performance.

Valuation 311

Valuation Technical Review Due Diligence Leadership 311

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 25, 2022

These days, many entrepreneurs are motivated to help the disadvantaged, such as TOMS shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, who differentiated his brand by donating a pair to the needy for every pair sold. You need someone who can easily step into your shoes when a crisis arises, or you need time off work. Trust is evident from his/her constituents.

Technical Review 313

Technical Review Due Diligence Partner Cofounder 313

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2020

A UVP sells a product or service because it differentiates it from other products or services that are available. I’ve paraphrased here a subset of her guidance which I believe characterizes the key changes and the implications for entrepreneurs just starting, as well as more mature businesses: Pinpoint your Unique Value Proposition (UVP).

Mobile 434

Mobile Marketing Technical Review Differentiation 434

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 16, 2019

Yet true product differentiation in the eye of the customer is rarely achieved. According to an old but still relevant survey by Bain & Company , 80% of businesses believe they have differentiated offerings, but only 8% of customers agree. Of course, working on perception can backfire if the differentiation reality isn’t there.

Differentiation 310

Differentiation Product Social Media Reputation 310

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 29, 2021

I’m often surprised when you as an aspiring entrepreneur, looking for investors, tell me your solution is so innovative that you don’t have to worry about differentiating it from competitors, and customers will flock to it without a real marketing campaign. Personalization is the ultimate differentiation.

Restful 336

Restful Differentiation Social Media Dilution 336

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2023

You need a business model that provides a good return for you and your team, long-term growth, value to your customer, and differentiates you from competitors. Choose a business model that will win in the market. Selling below cost doesn’t do it, nor does giving it away free, and hoping to make it up in volume. Pay attention to the market.

Technical Review 201

Technical Review Government Agile Differentiation 201

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2017

He ties business success and your personal summit to elevating your customers’ experience with the following specific recommendations and key differentiators: Listen to the individual customer. Engagement and an emotional connection will make a customer relationship the driving force for loyalty and differentiation.

Customer 213

Customer Product Technical Review Marketing 213

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

You need a big differentiator in these arenas. These historically have included work-at-home, restaurants, telemarketing and social-service providers. On the Internet, I am wary of one more search engine provider, clones of existing social-media sites, and yet another new dating site. Products requiring changes to government regulations.

New York City 315

New York City Silicon Valley Startup Bootstrapping 315

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020

In business, and in your personal life, the ability to anticipate and overcome criticism is one of the biggest differentiators between leaders, who make things happen, and followers, who may have great ideas but never seem to get things to go their way.

Technical Cofounder 315

Technical Cofounder Cofounder Mobile Differentiation 315

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2020

This is still one of the most important competitive differentiators that you can offer. Doing more than you have to do is the only thing that justifies raises or promotions, and puts people under an obligation to you. Applied faith. This is a level of belief that has action behind it.

Technical Review 315

Technical Review Angel Investor Differentiation Business Model 315

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Many are reluctant to really “market” themselves, and have trouble differentiating their offerings to clients, except by price. In addition to relationships, today’s clients want to see you and your expertise on videos online, industry conferences, and social media to feel the trust for differentiation.

Differentiation 141

Differentiation SBA Social Media Dividend 141

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2019

Customers are pulled in by differentiators that go well beyond the product, including ease of shopping, ordering, delivery, customer reviews, and personalization. Customers love to learn from leaders and innovators, and this pulls them in for sales. Provide memorable total customer experience relationships.

Marketing 235

Marketing Social Media Technical Review Mobile 235

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

If none of these five items is a clear differentiator in your case, a logical approach would be to assign each an equal weight of 20% of the total, and partition the total equity based on each co-founder’s correlation to each variable.

Equity 238

Equity Cofounder Technical Cofounder Intellectual Property 238

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2023

A key is your differential advantage from alternatives. Small differentials and more competitors give customers higher leverage. This is the degree to which customers can put your company under pressure, or leverage prices, delivery, features, and quality (market of outputs). Bargaining power of suppliers.

Differentiation 220

Differentiation Framework Equity Business Plan 220

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2021

Differentiate your brand based on a higher cause. For example, TOMS shoes differentiated their brand of common shoes by highlighting a higher purpose from founder Blake Mycoskie of donating a pair of shoes to the needy for every pair sold. Be different based on a unique value proposition, not just better quality or cost.

Leadership 426

Leadership Management Brazil Differentiation 426

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2018

A compelling story can make or break your ability to differentiate your solution from dozens of others. Customers need to see personal and social benefits around a new solution, not just a new technology. The change must also include long-term benefits, as well as short-term. Use social media and the media to build demand for change.

Marketing 231

Marketing Demand Campaign Differentiation 231

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2023

With pervasive access to social media, customers no longer differentiate poor product repair and replacement from a poor shopping experience or customer usage satisfaction. My recommendations always include adopting a customer mindset, as well as the following steps: Accept today’s definition of relevant customer support.

Differentiation 274

Differentiation Social Media Customer Matching 274

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 24, 2020

A key is your differential advantage from alternatives. Small differentials and more competitors give customers higher leverage. This is the degree to which customers can put your company under pressure, or leverage prices, delivery, features, and quality (market of outputs). Bargaining power of suppliers.

Differentiation 378

Differentiation Framework Equity Business Plan 378

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2018

You need a big differentiator in these arenas. These historically have included work-at-home, restaurants, telemarketing and social-service providers. On the Internet, I am wary of one more search engine provider, clones of existing social-media sites, and yet another new dating site. Products requiring changes to government regulations.

New York City 202

New York City Silicon Valley Bootstrapping Technical Review 202

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 27, 2017

To attract the best candidates, they need to differentiate your company and your opportunity. Thus larger search firms with large clients in your niche may not have access to the candidates you need to fill a specific role. How will they position your company and opportunity? Create job invitations, rather than job descriptions.

Search 181

Search Technical Review Differentiation Hiring 181

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2018

In business, and in your personal life, the ability to anticipate and overcome criticism is one of the biggest differentiators between leaders, who make things happen, and followers, who may have great ideas but never seem to get things to go their way.

Technical Cofounder 168

Technical Cofounder Founder Cofounder Mobile 168

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2014

If none of these five items is a clear differentiator in your case, a logical approach would be to assign each an equal weight of 20 percent of the total, and partition the total equity based on each co-founder’s correlation to each variable.

Cofounder 261

Cofounder Stock Founder Technical Cofounder 261

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023

Be sure to differentiate compensation and rewards correctly. A key step is to push every talent lever in support of your compelling future. Make sure you are hiring, training, and promoting the future leaders who possess what it takes to create the organization you want. Measure and measure again, and be quick to course correct.

Cofounder 271

Cofounder Leadership Differentiation Employee 271

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 25, 2018

If you aren’t at least keep pace with a strong culture and finding a way to differentiate yourself, you’re already falling behind competition. Even if your business is not in the startup stage, these steps will move you in the right direction, in assessing your culture and improving it. Start today.

Silicon Valley 143

Silicon Valley Retention Metrics Architecture 143

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2012

Ask early candidates how they differentiate themselves from their peers. This approach only works if you know them, are willing and able to talk face-to-face, or meet them in at a conference or another business setting. Most employers, due to fear of lawsuits, will only confirm employment data and give you positive feedback over the phone.

Technical Review 230

Technical Review Technology Founder Management 230

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2022

The result is that ideas are no longer in short supply, and no longer a differentiator in competition. Over the past couple of decades, experts have perfected the art of brainstorming and other idea-generation techniques. Executives and investors are now increasingly exposed to a wealth of ideas.

Bootstrapping 374

Bootstrapping Angel Investor Differentiation Leadership 374

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 10, 2014

A UVP sells a product or service because it differentiates it from other products or services that are available. I’ve paraphrased here a subset of her guidance which I believe characterizes the key changes and the implications for entrepreneurs just starting, as well as more mature businesses: Pinpoint your Unique Value Proposition (UVP).

Global 266

Global Technical Review Mobile Differentiation 266

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2023

Client cost differentials of less than twenty percent are usually not enough to incent change. Focus on a customer pain that your solution satisfies better than any competitor. Quantify the results, and avoid any fuzzy words, such as better usability, advanced technology, or more productivity.

Marketing 290

Marketing Leadership Differentiation Equity 290

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

Friends and family are quick to differentiate between a passionate hobby and a sincere effort to change the world. Hire an attorney to make sure the terms are fair. This shows respect and professionalism. Let people see your own investment and commitment.

Sweat Equity 274

Sweat Equity Elevator Pitch Startup Equity 274

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 19, 2023

Make your business model your competitive differentiation, like Fred Smith with Federal Express, or Ingvar Kamprad with IKEA. Your business model is your value proposition. Free” sounds like a great model, but it doesn’t imply value. Look for customer-focused value creation. Grab the next-mover advantage.

Entrepreneur 253

Entrepreneur United States Business Model Government 253

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2014

You need a big differentiator in these arenas. These historically have included work-at-home, restaurants, telemarketing and social-service providers. On the Internet, I am wary of one more search engine provider, clones of existing social-media sites, and yet another new dating site. Products requiring changes to government regulations.

New York City 254

New York City Silicon Valley Bootstrapping Technical Review 254

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2022

Every entrepreneur needs this kind of focus to build a minimum viable product, target the right customer segment, differentiate from competitors, and drive business growth. SEALs call this front-sight focus, or the ability to envision your goal to the point that you see it, believe it, and make it happen.

Differentiation 376

Differentiation Startup Global Business Model 376

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 22, 2022

Differentiate accountability from entitlement. No tools and no data lead to total subjectivity and biased interpretations. Absolute dependence on tools leads to abdication of personal responsibility. Provide adequate tools, but trust the people. Accountability is hard, so no one is entitled to be right every time.

Leadership 322

Leadership Differentiation Naming Hiring 322