Gust

JUNE 19, 2012

Last weekend I caught Mashable announcing that Ebook Sales Surpass Hardcover in the U.S. One of my earliest excursions into market research was working for a research firm doing a 1979 forecast on ATMs. I want a forecast that starts with specifics like channels or traffic and conversions or segments and builds up.

Startup 180

Startup Forecast Angel Investor Software 180

Gust

NOVEMBER 2, 2011

Product Rollout or Sales. Furthermore, Dave reminds us that “it was created specifically for the earliest stage investments as a way to find a starting point without relying upon the founder’s financial forecasts.”. Quality Management Team. Zero to $0.5 Sound Idea. Zero to $0.5 Working Prototype. Zero to $0.5 Zero to $0.5 Zero to $0.5

Valuation 79

Valuation Pre-Money Valuation Intellectual Property Southern California 79

Gust

JANUARY 4, 2012

Financial, technical and operational plans and forecasts of all kinds (trade secret). Sales and marketing plans , lists of prospects, supplier and subcontractor relationships, pricing data, media buying plans and strategies, etc. Large companies] win by locking competitors out of their sales channels. trade secret).

Intellectual Property 143

Intellectual Property IP Startup United States 143

Gust

MAY 29, 2012

I want a forecast that starts with specifics like channels or traffic and conversions or segments and builds up. I hate the forecast that assets some huge market and takes a small percentage of it. Often this is part of a good forecast. By far the best validation of a plan is actual sales made already. And progress made.

Business Plan 174

Business Plan Forecast Channel Cost 174

Gust

OCTOBER 14, 2012

Don’t make wildly optimistic sales forecasts. Don’t under-forecast cash needs. Ryan Blair, a serial entrepreneur who admits to his share of million dollar mistakes, as well as some multi-million dollar successes, sums these up nicely in his book “ Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain :”.

Entrepreneur 174

Entrepreneur Forecast Hiring Leadership 174

Gust

NOVEMBER 29, 2011

Most early stage CEOs are lucky to have visibility into the next 6 months, let alone the next 3 year that are reflected in their financials and the 5 year forecast is mere fortune telling. Hockey stick sales forecasts are cool when they’re based on some justifiable logic. Well said. Otherwise, they just hurt credibility.

Hockey Stick 70

Hockey Stick Forecast Early Stage Finance 70

Gust

AUGUST 5, 2012

Marketing, sales, and partners. Describe your market penetration strategy, sales channels, pricing, and strategic partnerships. Convince investors that you have lined up sales channels, strategic partners, and a viable marketing strategy. Financial forecast and metrics. See where your cashflow bottoms out.

Business Plan 182

Business Plan Sweat Equity Exit Strategy Intellectual Property 182