Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2022

Alex is a Silicon Valley veteran and Cisco executive, often referred to as the ‘innovation therapist,’ who details his knowledge of many real-world cases and specifics on how to keep up with change and win in the marketplace.

Technical Review 252

Technical Review Silicon Valley Software Review Metrics 252

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

Workships, according to workplace expert Dr. Jan Yager, refers to those workplace relationships that haven’t yet developed into full-blown friendships, but are closer than mere acquaintances. In reality, their effectiveness is usually more related to how well they develop their work relationships with peers and business leaders.

Business Model 229

Business Model Developer Partner Entrepreneur 229

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 3, 2022

Team managers in a hurry to hire often skip references, assuming they won’t get the real story anyway. The best approach is to ask open-ended questions, really listen to the answers, and then follow-up for depth. Have multiple team members do their own two-way interviews, and compare notes. Avoid surprises through proactive homework.

Hiring 337

Hiring Technical Cofounder Cofounder Retention 337

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Your gut-feelings are important, but need to be validated by normal background and reference checks. Some candidates can talk a great story, but have trouble delivering, or may have team relationship challenges. Candidates with few credentials on paper may be your best growth candidates. Quick to hire and slow to fire.

Cost 260

Cost Hiring Matching Internet 260

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2022

These authors reference real cases and real business leaders, based on their decades of experience in building companies and executive coaching. I found real insights into this strategy, along with specific sources of purpose inspiration in a new book, “ Leading With Heart ,” by John Baird and Edward Sullivan.

Technical Review 357

Technical Review Green Social Media Lean 357

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2022

Ethical behavior refers to actions consistent with personal principles and commonly held values in your business community. Values are your most valuable assets. Demonstrate leadership by acting ethically and with integrity. People judge you by what you do in your business, more than by what you say.

Leadership 285

Leadership Reputation Venture Capital Global 285

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2022

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers.

Intellectual Property 261

Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator Bootstrapping 261

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2022

These begin with the following Cialdini’s Six Principles of Influence , which consumers use to make decisions, buttressed by results from various social media surveys he references in the book: Social proof – follow the crowd. Solis outlines the heuristics of social psychology that are key to building positive customer experiences today.

Customer 306

Customer Technical Review Social Media Social Network 306

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 21, 2020

Workships, according to workplace expert Dr. Jan Yager, refers to those workplace relationships that haven’t yet developed into full-blown friendships, but are closer than mere acquaintances. In reality, their effectiveness is usually more related to how well they develop their work relationships with peers and business leaders.

Business Model 339

Business Model Developer Partner Entrepreneur 339

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2020

Your gut-feelings are important, but need to be validated by normal background and reference checks. Some candidates can talk a great story, but have trouble delivering, or may have team relationship challenges. Candidates with few credentials on paper may be your best growth candidates. Quick to hire and slow to fire.

Hiring 339

Hiring Matching Cost Internet 339

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2020

Another approach is to ask the investor for references, where their involvement has made a real difference, leading to success. Personally visit another startup funded by this investor. Through networking with other entrepreneurs, you should find one or more to visit that have relationships with this investor.

Technical Review 310

Technical Review Due Diligence Term Sheet Offshore 310

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2019

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers.

Finance 320

Finance Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 320

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2019

Thus you should do the same or more due diligence on educational background, previous work, and references. Carry minimal historical baggage. Partner decisions are more important than team member hiring decisions. Look impartially from all angles and do the follow-up on all relevant previous roles.

Cofounder 221

Cofounder Software Review CTO Hire Founder 221

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2015

Make sure everyone accurately posts their role with your startup on social media profiles, resumes, and references. Visit reference customers, partners, and vendors. For reference, here is a quick summary of key elements which most investors include in their due diligence process: Key personnel review.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Due Diligence Startup Term Sheet 120

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2019

Here are the five customer segments outlined in his analysis: Innovators – they love the challenge of a new technology and expect problems Early adopters - customer visionaries driven by technology who expect it to work Early majority – pragmatists that buy only with peer review, references and support Late majority – conservatives who wait until the (..)

Technical Review 255

Technical Review Dilution Early Stage Product Development 255

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2022

Enlightenment refers to an interest in staying informed and approaching every interaction free of prejudice. Dynamic leadership refers to an energy or force that is spirited and magnetic. Everyone needs to take the necessary action, despite their fears, to continuously explore new ideas.

Leadership 380

Leadership Customer Employee Channel 380

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2019

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers.

Intellectual Property 219

Intellectual Property Technical Review Startup Incubator 219

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 31, 2021

This refers to the human tendency to select and interpret available information in a way that confirms pre-existing hopes and beliefs. This refers to our mind’s tendency to give excessive weight to the first information we receive about a topic or the first idea we think of.

Startup 373

Startup Founder Entrepreneur Cost 373

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 26, 2013

Ask everyone to update their resume, and personally call probable references, so there are no surprises. That means questioning each of these key players, and calling references or prior associates. Make sure the Business Plan and all related documents are current, synchronized, and in the hands of every key employee.

Technical Review 242

Technical Review Due Diligence Startup Term Sheet 242

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 26, 2018

A successful campaign must not only capture people’s imagination but must have the right integration to move people to a new frame of reference and new thinking. All the elements of change required for the new market must be addressed consistently, not just the product elements. Acknowledge and position competitors around you.

Marketing 231

Marketing Demand Campaign Differentiation 231

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 29, 2019

Team managers in a hurry to hire often skip references, assuming they won’t get the real story anyway. The best approach is to ask open-ended questions, really listen to the answers, and then follow-up for depth. Have multiple team members do their own two-way interviews, and compare notes. Avoid surprises through proactive homework.

Hiring 184

Hiring Technical Cofounder Cofounder Retention 184

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2019

These begin with the following Cialdini’s Six Principles of Influence , which consumers use to make decisions, buttressed by results from various social media surveys he references in the book: Social proof – follow the crowd. Solis outlines the heuristics of social psychology that are key to building positive customer experiences today.

Customer 213

Customer Technical Review Social Media Social Network 213

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2013

This term refers to the penchant to add just one more feature to the product or service before first delivery, just because you can. “Scope creep” (or feature creep) is an insidious disease that kills more good startups than any other, especially high-tech ones, and yet most founders (who may be the cause) never even see it happening.

Technical Review 275

Technical Review Startup Software Review Database 275

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2014

Thus you should do the same or more due diligence on educational background, previous work, and references. No historical baggage. Partner decisions are more important than hiring decisions. Look impartially from all angles and do the follow-up.

Partner 269

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Fractional CTO 269

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 1, 2019

Ethical behavior refers to actions consistent with personal principles and commonly held values in your business community. Values are your most valuable assets. Demonstrate leadership by acting ethically and with integrity. People judge you by what you do in your business, more than by what you say.

Leadership 176

Leadership Reputation Venture Capital Global 176

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 29, 2012

Ask everyone to update their resume, and personally call probable references, so there are no surprises. That means questioning each of these key players, and calling references or prior associates. Make sure the Business Plan and all related documents are current, synchronized, and in the hands of every key employee.

Technical Review 245

Technical Review Due Diligence Term Sheet Startup 245

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2018

While the SBIR does not provide direct funding in Phase III, funding can often be acquired through referred Federal agencies, like the Department of Defense, who may intend to use the innovation once the development is complete. Phase III is all about helping you take your innovation to market, or commercialize it.

Early Stage 225

Early Stage SBIR Technical Review Seed Stage 225

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2023

I recommend that you use the top floor as the reference point to think about your own business relationships. Of course, relationships seldom fit neatly into a given level. They’re far too dynamic, and may even move up and down floors like an elevator. How many do you have at the top level, and what are you doing to actively develop more?

Networking 319

Networking Distribution Advertising Partner 319

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2017

Thus you should do the same or more due diligence on educational background, previous work, and references. Carry minimal historical baggage. Partner decisions are more important than team member hiring decisions. Look impartially from all angles and do the follow-up on all relevant previous roles.

Partner 140

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Cofounder 140

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2013

Thus you should do the same or more due diligence on educational background, previous work, and references. No historical baggage. Partner decisions are more important than hiring decisions. Look impartially from all angles and do the follow-up.

Partner 258

Partner Software Review CTO Hire Equity 258

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 23, 2017

Here are the five customer segments outlined in his analysis: Innovators – they love the challenge of a new technology and expect problems Early adopters - customer visionaries driven by technology who expect it to work Early majority – pragmatists that buy only with peer review, references and support Late majority – conservatives who wait until the (..)

Customer 191

Customer Entrepreneur Technical Review Dilution 191

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2016

This term refers to an initial venture-capital investment, often wrongly sought to seed early product development. These terms refer to a class of professional investors who invest their own money, like angels, but have the larger resources and scope of venture capitalists with other people’s money. Frothy is good for entrepreneurs.

Software Review 120

Software Review Sweat Equity Accredited Investor Angel Investor 120

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 27, 2017

This is often referred to as the “stick” rate for new hires. Other measures to gauge process efficiency include the interview-to-offer ratio, and the offer-to-close percentage. What percentage of your hires have stayed two years?

Search 181

Search Technical Review Differentiation Hiring 181

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 14, 2014

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers.

Entrepreneur 283

Entrepreneur Intellectual Property Technical Review Incubator 283

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2017

The “valley of death” is a common term in the startup world, referring to the difficulty of covering the negative cash flow in the early stages of a startup, before their new product or service is bringing in revenue from real customers.

Product Development 177

Product Development Cost Developer Product 177

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2023

Once you have some traction, you can approach venture capital organizations , with funding amounts of $1-10 million for the real rollout, often referred to as the “A-round,” or first institutional funding. This is the time for you to step out on your own, find office space, and open your business.

Incubator 305

Incubator Startup Exit Strategy Institutional Investors 305

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 29, 2017

Stick with people you meet through warm introductions, or count on the integrity of professionals who have a visible reputation and references, instead of a legal document.

Non-disclosure Agreement 153

Non-disclosure Agreement NDA Technical Review Due Diligence 153