Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 14, 2017

There’s a lot of mystique about what happens at board meetings and a lot of imagined board-room drama. I read commentary or Twitter or blogs and realize that there are also strongly held convictions that there are these evil VCs who do terrible things to mostly altruistic founders. The image of boards and of investors vs. founder conflicts has been so at odds with my experiences on dozens of boards over the past 20 years that I thought it was worth sharing what I actually see.

Cofounder 217

Cofounder Stock Options Equity Technical Review 217

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 16, 2017

Many business executives and entrepreneurs I know are convinced that business success is all about having the right solution for the right price. These are indeed important, but we all know people who have failed, despite having a great solution, or have succeeded with a mediocre solution. Thus most investors I know claim to invest in the person, rather than the product.

Silicon Valley 144

Silicon Valley Software Review Technical Review Metrics 144

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 17, 2017

by Eddie Navarrette, founder of FE Design & Consulting. Opening a business can be an intimidating endeavor. From creating a viable concept to implementing cost-effective processes to ensure continual progress, building a business takes time, strategy and the right kind of advice. Check out my five helpful tips for budding entrepreneurs looking to open their own business: 1.

Small Business 164

Small Business Software Review Entrepreneur Due Diligence 164

Up and Running

AUGUST 15, 2017

“The entrepreneur is essentially a visualizer and an actualizer. He can visualize something, and when he visualizes it he sees exactly how to make it happen.” ― Robert L. Schwartz. It takes guts and gumption to leave behind the familiar and secure 9 to 5 job, start something new from scratch, and be completely accountable for its fate. Having said that, entrepreneurship continues to attract a large number of millennials, especially those thirsting to carve a niche for themselves in the crowded b

Software Review 96

Software Review Social Media Search Cloud 96

Speaker: Nick Noreña, Innovation Coach and Advisor, Kromatic

Every startup and innovation project exists within an ecosystem that either helps or hurts that project. As innovation managers, we need to keep a pulse of that ecosystem and make sure we're helping those innovation projects we're managing every step of the way. In this webinar, Nick Noreña will walk through an Innovation Ecosystem Model that he and his team at Kromatic have developed to help investors, heads of product, teachers, and executives understand how they can best support innovation in

Startup

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 15, 2017

Many board meetings are bored meetings. Management teams whisk through slides trying to get through a presentation to share how great things are going and they are eager to get through the meeting so they can get back to their real jobs. This is a shame since the value that the right board could add is immense if you select the right board members and manage them effectively.

Early Stage 212

Early Stage Technical Review Email Valuation 212

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2017

Marketing is everything these days. You can have the best technology, but if customers don’t know you exist, or they don’t know how your technology solves a real problem for them, your startup will fail. Yet I see many technology entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. They skimp on the design of their website, procrastinate on the rollout to make sure the product is perfect, and get so excited about technology features that they forget about creating value f

Marketing 188

Marketing Technical Review Social Media Technology 188

Berkonomics

AUGUST 17, 2017

Close. Let’s examine the relationship between time, quality and competitiveness. If you are getting the impression from these many insights that complex relationships cause simple problems, you are right. We have heard the “haste makes waste” ditty since childhood. There is little need to reinforce the obvious. On a larger scale, there are epoch stories of giant companies eating massive losses in a recall of product, often based upon limited testing before release.

Software Review 97

Software Review Reputation Internet Cost 97

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 15, 2017

According to Christopher Penn , the Director of Sales at the Princeton Review, their sales team recently saw a significant increase in closed deals following the implementation of a new lead scoring sales tool. How significant? Almost 200 additional deals in under 6 weeks, representing $170,000 in additional revenue. Christopher Penn- Director of Sales at The Princeton Review.

Software Review 60

Software Review Technical Review Startup Algorithm 60

Up and Running

AUGUST 18, 2017

Harvard Business Review recently published an article on how using the same old business metrics can result in missed opportunities for entrepreneurs. The author, Eddie Yoon, says one of the reasons why investors seem increasingly unwilling to bet against Tesla is that when you look at Musk’s projections outside of traditional metrics, there’s an incredible case for continued growth and profit.

Metrics 83

Metrics Software Review .Net Demand 83

Austin Startup

AUGUST 17, 2017

Together, we will see our workplaces develop new strategies to improve diversity the right way. Let’s face it: Interviews are nerve-wracking situations. The thought of being picked apart for your dream job by a simple sheet of paper, and the best explanation of your entire career in an hour-long meeting, can make even the most experienced professionals have sweaty palms.

Technical Review 48

Technical Review Silicon Valley Software Review Austin 48

crowdSPRING Blog

AUGUST 13, 2017

Most business owners say that they lack the time to get everything done. This is especially true if your job involves travel. Travel puts extra pressure on our ability to deal with email, meet with our teams, review deliverables, etc. It doesn’t help that when we’re away from the office, we rarely have access to the technology and tools that help us stay productive.

Mobile 48

Mobile Cloud Software Review Technical Review 48

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 18, 2017

Due to their potent blend of trail‐blazing technology and disrup ti ve innova ti on, FinTech players have the ability to accelerate the digital transforma ti on of financial services in Africa and, in turn, further spur incumbent banks to rapidly ramp‐up their own innova tion initiatives to meet the financial needs of under‐served markets across the con ti nent.

Africa 62

Africa Ethiopia Elevator Pitch Technical Review 62

deal architect

AUGUST 16, 2017

In my book, Silicon Collar and in several blogs I have critiqued the 2013 study by two Oxford researchers which reached this alarmist conclusion about the impact of modern day machines on jobs: “According to our estimates, about 47% of.

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225

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 17, 2017

​by Judy Lees , AYC Web Solutions. If you’re a business owner unfamiliar with CRM, it’s time to get to know what it means and how it will help you drive your business forward with greater chance of success. CRM is simply customer relationship management. You know the adage, “The customer is always right,” even when they’re not. The customer is the lifeline of any good business.

Customer 180

Customer Social Media Audience Media 180

crowdSPRING Blog

AUGUST 13, 2017

Most business owners say that they lack the time to get everything done. This is especially true if your job involves travel. Travel puts extra pressure on our ability to deal with email, meet with our teams, review deliverables, etc. It doesn’t help that when we’re away from the office, we rarely have access to the technology and tools that help us stay productive.

Mobile 48

Mobile Cloud Software Review Technical Review 48

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 17, 2017

Ever wonder why established businesses like McDonald’s or Coca-cola spend millions on brand building? Building a solid and easily recognizable brand gives you a HUGE advantage over the competition because products have limited life cycles but brands can be remembered forever. For online stores, the same brand building emphasis is critical. Carefully building your brand identity from the start is as important to your online store as picking the right e-commerce platform to build from.

Audience 61

Audience Technical Review Customer Product 61

Gust

AUGUST 15, 2017

So you’ve developed a game-changing product, formed a business with a killer team, quit your job, and are rolling the product out to market. Your business is the next unicorn, and all is good in the world. Fantastic. Now only one thing is inhibiting your company’s growth: you have no money. For many founders of high-growth startups, bootstrapping has limits.

Bootstrapping 178

Bootstrapping Founder Developer Startup 178

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 18, 2017

by Soulaima Gourani , founder and CEO of Tradeconductor. Millions of U.S dollars are wasted on “talent spotting” and “talent management.” We are wasting our energy on talents who are not really talents at all. And we overlook many who truly have a talent, just because we can’t SEE their talent. What is talent, and how do you spot a talented person?

Global 176

Global Restful Founder Search 176

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 18, 2017

If you are proposing a merger or acquisition, or simply seeking an investor for your business, the process is the same. You have to put together a convincing story of a win-win opportunity for both sides. This may seem intuitively obvious, but as an angel investor, I have heard hundreds of new business pitches that focus heavily on the product, but don’t tell the rest of the story.

Merger 146

Merger Angel Investor Social Media Audience 146

The Next Web

AUGUST 13, 2017

How many startups launched last year? How many of them succeeded? Some data suggests that up to 95 percent of startups fail, but it’s difficult to exactly pinpoint why it happens. Some of them fail simply because they didn’t create something people want, while great many vanish due to the wrong execution of their growth and marketing. Growth is key, yet growing a startup is really hard and most founders struggle with it.

Startup 153

Startup Web Founder Marketing 153

View from Seed

AUGUST 15, 2017

Today, Samantha Howe of Grove Collaborative shares her in-depth knowledge of a massive trend in marketing: working with influencers. You’ll hear how to get started, approach influencer in your space, and measure impact. Jay and Samantha also rant against some of the less effective but common tactics permeating this approach to marketing. Channel Links: Apple Podcast , SoundCloud , Stitcher , Google Play.

Marketing 120

Marketing Startup Channel Founder 120

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 15, 2017

by Maurice De Castro, founder of Mindful Presenter. Businesses owners and entrepreneurs have a story to tell and must think strategically in order to tell it. Yes, pitching your business idea to a prospective investor can be nerve-wracking, but there are ways to make it easier – for yourself and for the person listening. The audience – the investor – is the centre of your universe for those few precious moments in which you have their undivided attention.

Cofounder 157

Cofounder Forecast Restful Finance 157

Up and Running

AUGUST 14, 2017

At BarBend , we like to think we know a thing or two about building strong, healthy bodies—and as a newer business, we’re also interested in creating a strong and healthy company culture. The startup boom has disrupted and challenged many traditional ways of doing business, but perhaps none more so than company culture. Flexible time off, frequent remote work, and inspiring office spaces—once only a pipe dream for starched-collared stiffs chained to their cubicles—is now becoming a reality for m

Silicon Valley 136

Silicon Valley Startup Early Stage Leadership 136

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 17, 2017

Two girls with a love for beauty and wellness are helping consumers rethink their daily shower by sharing information on shower water quality, and raising awareness on the importance of water conservation. Vitaclean HQ is a lifestyle product with a sustainability twist. A Vitaclean is a shower head with three levels of filtration for instant soft hair and skin.

Cambodia 122

Cambodia Founder Iceland Social Media 122

YFS Magazine

AUGUST 14, 2017

If you work from home, consider keeping a coworking space on the side. Here’s why I like coworking and what to look for when considering one.

Operations 130

Operations 130

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 18, 2017

The market is expanding and as a result of that, the numbers of project managers who are capable of dealing with their work strategically and also execute them successfully are finding themselves overburdened with work. So there is huge scope for those individuals who can deal with the stress and workload of a project engineer. But in order to achieve that there are several hurdles which one needs to cross.

Management 150

Management Green Programming Design 150

Mike Michalowicz

AUGUST 16, 2017

Remember when you were in grammar school and everyone warned you about the dangers of peer pressure? What would you say if I told you peer pressure was the solution? Because it is. If you want to get the most from your employees, they’re going to need accountability partners. These are people who they’ll share their goals with, report their progress to and receive advice from.

Partner 99

Partner Employee Product 99

ConversionXL

AUGUST 17, 2017

What we know today as a “website redesign” isn’t what it used to be. ‘Radical’ website redesign – where the company embarks on a ‘big-bang’ website overhaul – is becoming less common these days – which is generally a good thing, and there are a number of reasons why. Pretty much every UX/CRO expert and company will advise you to tread lightly when it comes to radical redesigns.

Metrics 103

Metrics Framework Conversion Design 103

YFS Magazine

AUGUST 16, 2017

E-Commerce isn't as easy as it seems. Learn the most common reasons why online businesses fail and what you can do to avoid the same fate.

eCommerce 121

eCommerce Sales Marketing Startup 121

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 14, 2017

by Andrew Durlak, Co-Founder & VP of Operations at Scout RFP. One of the best ways for your business to increase savings is to foster competition. If this doesn’t sound right, think again: When procurement is taking the lead, creating constructive competition within the vendor space is vital for businesses that want to increase savings and, in turn, positively increase their bottom line.

Due Diligence 140

Due Diligence Private Equity Cofounder Finance 140

K9 Ventures

AUGUST 14, 2017

42: The Answer to the ultimate fund size? Those of you who have read or watched the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy are aware of the pop culture meme around the number 42. Yes, 42: The answer to life, the Universe, and everything. For anyone who hasn’t seen the movie, here’s a clip courtesy of YouTube for the reference. Enjoy watching… It took the supercomputer Deep Thought (the name seems oddly fitting with the current buzz around Deep Learning!

Technology 96

Technology LP San Francisco Portfolio 96

Feld Thoughts

AUGUST 16, 2017

I read Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant’s book Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy a few weeks ago. It’s a must read for every human on this planet. Some of you know that I’m a huge fan of Adam Grant. His book Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success is a key inspiration for the #GiveFirst moment, my own personal philosophy, and my upcoming book #GiveFirst: A New Philosophy for Business which should be out in 2018.

Conversion 83

Conversion Media 83

YFS Magazine

AUGUST 18, 2017

With over $19.8 billion successfully closed transactions – in Q2 2016 alone, eBay is a large and vibrant marketplace where sellers can earn big bucks.

eCommerce 113

eCommerce 113

YoungUpstarts

AUGUST 17, 2017

by Melissa Fox, Director of Shipping and Receiving for Readers.com. As ecommerce becomes a larger percentage of retail business it is imperative that ecommerce companies are able to keep up with the growth of the industry. While many departments are relatively easy to scale, a company’s fulfilment department is not always as easy. Substantial growth may require an entirely new warehouse layout and additional staff.

eCommerce 138

eCommerce Operations Product Sales 138

Version One Ventures

AUGUST 16, 2017

George Psiharis (the awesome VP of Business Operations at Clio ) reached out with a great suggestion: connect the data teams across our portfolio companies with the goal of building a peer network to share best practices, and together push the bar on data science innovation. A few weeks ago, we had our first virtual hangout with data scientists in our portfolio from San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto, and New York.

San Francisco 87

San Francisco Metrics SQL Portfolio 87

SiliconHills

AUGUST 15, 2017

Chris Treadaway doesn’t chain smoke or drink cocktails all day at his office at WeWork at the Domain. But he is living a Modern-Day version of Mad Men, the AMC TV series that dramatized the lives of ad men in the 1960s at a fictional New York advertising agency. Today, Treadaway is involved in the […]. The post Polygraph Media is Disrupting the Advertising Industry through Data and Analytics appeared first on SiliconHills.

Advertising 91

Advertising Analytics Media New York 91