Sat.Jul 01, 2017 - Fri.Jul 07, 2017

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10 Strategies To Cover New Product Development Costs

Startup Professionals Musings

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. I often get asked about the real alternatives to bridge this valley, and there are some good ones I will outline here.

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Keep Customers Coming Back For More

YoungUpstarts

When you are running a business online , you need to think about what makes a customer tick. And, perhaps more importantly, what makes a customer buy. There can be a lot of factors that determine a customer’s buying behavior, and you need to be aware of them all. You need to make sure that there are no issues that could stop a customer buying from you and that there are lots of strategies in place to ensure that they keep coming back to your business.

Customer 133
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6 Things to Consider Before Entering a Market

Up and Running

Everyone thinks being an entrepreneur is sexy. We are deluged by the media with stories of multimillionaire and billionaire entrepreneurs with their ridiculous lifestyles. The truth is, being an entrepreneur is a stressful, risky profession. It’s a career filled with uncertainty, long hours with potential for little or no pay, and never being off the treadmill of finding the next sale.

Marketing 111
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Recapping Q2 2017: Portfolio News and Activities

Version One Ventures

We hope everyone had a great Canada Day and/or Fourth of July! It’s hard to believe that another quarter has flown by. Q2 has been busy for Version One and our portfolio companies – here’s a quick recap of select news coverage, funding announcements, and product updates (at least the things we can announce publicly): . Funding and follow-ons. We announced our investment in Citizen Hex , an Ethereum liquidity company.

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Building Healthy Innovation Ecosystems for Your Projects

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

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New Buying Habits Are More Important Than Technology

Startup Professionals Musings

Many entrepreneurs think that adapting to the new technologies, like smart phones and Internet commerce, are the key to attracting new customers. In fact, businesses need to adapt even more completely to the changes in the buying and social behavior of consumers. High-technology product startups, without customers, don’t make a business. Today’s customer buying dynamics are all about “user experience,” according to Brian Solis, in his classic book “ What’s the Future of Business?

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Starting an Online Casino

The Startup Magazine

Starting an online casino is tough but rewarding, in this article we’re going to show you the best way to start an online casino and give you an idea of some of the steps involved in order to win in this amazing industry. Few Industries can Match the Potential Earnings of Casinos. The gambling world currently is generating millions each year. This factor serves as the biggest motivator to establishing an online casino.

More Trending

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The LP Opportunity to Change Tech Culture

thebarefootvc

Over the past month, Silicon Valley has been at the forefront of many conversations outside of the technology world. Unfortunately not for groundbreaking technology, but for rampant sexual harassment and predatory behavior. The stories outlined by a number of brave women in the NY Times last week recount investors using their power and position to proposition female founders.

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Why You Must Optimize for Conversions Before Awareness

Duct Tape Marketing

Why You Must Optimize for Conversions Before Awareness written by Guest Post read more at Duct Tape Marketing. When marketers plan their campaigns, the objective is usually to achieve one of two goals: increase brand awareness or maximize conversions. These two styles of marketing work together but they’re distinct from one another. Awareness marketing involves establishing a reputation within your niche, differentiating yourself from competitors and bringing people into the top of your funnel.

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ATA Action Alert: Texas’ bathroom bill

Austin Startup

Sign on to a tech community letter On July 18, the Texas Legislature will begin a special session, and one of the topics they’ll consider is the “ bathroom bill ” — proposed legislation to restrict where transgender Texans can use the bathroom and weaken existing non-discrimination protections in Austin and other cities across Texas. The concept isn’t new: the country watched last year as North Carolina passed its bathroom bill, resulting in lost business that grew into the billions.

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SAP Leonardo: The dawn of intelligent applications

deal architect

At SapphrieNow a few weeks ago, SAP’s Hasso Plattner painted the vision of “Intelligent Applications” to include Intelligent Transactions – automate high-frequency repetitive tasks Analytics – make data-driven insights available to everybody Collaboration – tap into the collective intelligence of.

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10 Controversial Lessons From Serious Entrepreneurs

Startup Professionals Musings

Most people agree that entrepreneurs have to think differently and take risks to have much chance of building a successful business. Yet I have found that serious entrepreneurs usually go way beyond these platitudes in their actions and thinking, and often won’t volunteer their real views, for fear of alienating “regular” people, and being branded a fanatic.

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Is Your Virtual Team a Mess? These Apps Can Help

Duct Tape Marketing

Is Your Virtual Team a Mess? These Apps Can Help written by Guest Post read more at Duct Tape Marketing. What does it take to run a successful business? Every entrepreneur has their own viewpoint. Their personal idea of what it takes to achieve success. Steve Jobs, had this to say: “It’s not the tools you have faith in–tools are just tools–they work, or they don’t work.

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Money Saving Tips When Starting A Business

YoungUpstarts

by Joanna Lau, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of JEMMA. The old adage “Time is money” may well be the most used and most misconceived concept of the business world. Sure, it means that wasted time means wasted money, but the meaning also extends to the expense of convenience. If you can reconcile the ideas of saving and spending as they pertain to your particular business, then you can successfully adjust your lifestyle to a more productive future.

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8 reasons why Berlin will outpace London as Europe’s Silicon Valley

The Next Web

London has always been the undisputed technology center of Europe — until now. My view is that Berlin will rapidly begin to take over, and in 10-15 years we will see the Berlin cluster as Europe’s technology hot-bed. Already the stage is set. German tech companies receive only 400-500 VC investments per year, versus 1,000-1,500 for the UK as whole. However, Berlin has consistently been in Europe’s “top 4” (along with London, Paris and Stockholm), and received more tech capital in 2015 than any o

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12 Types Of Conversations Needed To Grow A Business

Startup Professionals Musings

Whether you are trying to motivate your team, close a deal with a customer, or get funding from an investor, a casual conversation is usually a waste of your valuable time. These result is a founder who is always “too busy,” but never seems to get the business done and the team moving. All real business is conversations focused on creating results. Shawn Kent Hayashi, in her classic book “ Conversations That Get Results and Inspire Collaboration ” makes my point very well as she outlines the top

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Why Your Sales Funnels Aren’t Converting, And What To Do About It

Duct Tape Marketing

Why Your Sales Funnels Aren’t Converting, And What To Do About It written by Guest Post read more at Duct Tape Marketing. Over the years, I’ve seen a number of perfectly good sales funnels fail… in fact, people often come to me and say that their marketing must be the problem – because they’re just not making sales. The truth, however, is that in order to make money in your business, you just need two things: An audience / steady traffic.

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Why Appreciation Improves Business Productivity

YoungUpstarts

Your business will flourish if you learn a simple secret to success — be good to your staff. It’s especially crucial to do this from the beginning, during the bumpy startup phase. Recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of your employees will keep them motivated to keep on improving and delivering their best work. Imagine what would happen if you did this on a regular basis, even after your business had matured into an established enterprise.

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Networking App Shapr Is a Game-Changer for Entrepreneurs

YFS Magazine

Like many things in life, you cannot rush quality connections. But with Shapr, a professional networking app, you can prioritize them.

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8 Keys To Effective Team Leadership In Startups Today

Startup Professionals Musings

Starting and running a company is a team effort. Yes, it takes a leader (entrepreneur), but you can’t do it alone, without a team. Maybe only you and a co-founder comprise the team at first, to provide key skills, back you up, and test your ideas. As the startup grows, the team has to be able to really push you in making growth decisions, rather than you pulling them along.

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Bridge Group 2017 SaaS AE Metrics Report

For Entrepreneurs

Since 2007, The Bridge Group has tracked the Account Executive (AE) role and gathered data on how metrics and compensation change over time. We’ve partnered together to publish the 2017 SaaS AE Metrics Report and offer sales organizations a set of benchmarks to compare themselves against industry standards. This report offers specific analysis and recommendations based.

Metrics 124
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What Skills Should You Look For In Potential Employees?

YoungUpstarts

You’ve put a lot into making your start-up what it is today. So, when the hunt for your first few employees starts, it’s only natural to be a bit nervous. You want people who’ll fit into the start-up way of life; people who’ll work hard for a start-up salary; people who are passionate; and people who can add something to your business. You’re likely to receive a huge number of resumes when you do advertise: everyone wants to work for a start-up these days.

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10 Simple Ways To Build A Strong Business Reputation

YFS Magazine

We asked 10 entrepreneurs to share how they get people to "know, like and trust" their businesses. Here's what they had to say.

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Fair and Reasonable

Feld Thoughts

I was on the phone with an old friend last week. We were talking about a few things around a negotiation, and he said something profound. “I just want things to be fair and reasonable.” I loved this phrase. I learned this value from Len Fassler and Jerry Poch in 1993 when they acquired my first company. I had never bought, sold, or invested in anything up to that point.

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12 Entrepreneurs Explain What They Do for Holidays

Hearpreneur

Entrepreneurs and business owners are always juggling a lot of things and when time comes for a holiday sometimes entrepreneurs like to take a break or sometimes they like to catch up on certain projects. Just like everyone has a unique business, their approach to holidays is also unique. With the 4th of July here, we decided to ask some entrepreneurs how they spend their holidays like the 4th of July. #1 – Get More Work Done.

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6 Ways To Improve Productivity With Your Online Business

YoungUpstarts

by Lewis Robinson. Since the establishment of social media, many entrepreneurs have embraced online businesses. These platforms offer a lot of conveniences when conducting business. This is because customers can order products online. They do not have to take a trip to the physical stores for viewing. In return, entrepreneurs save time as well as resources, since it only takes a phone call or a click on the button availed on the website to make an order.

Product 147
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20 Entrepreneurs Reveal Their Top Networking Challenges

YFS Magazine

We asked 20 entrepreneurs to reveal their biggest challenges when it comes to professional networking. Here's what they had to say.

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What eCommerce Startups Need to Know About Online Sales Tax

Up and Running

Having an online presence instead of a physical storefront can save you from additional expenses like rent and utilities. But, there are certain taxes that online businesses can’t escape. As the owner of a U.S.-based ecommerce store, you need to understand your tax liabilities. Follow internet business tax laws to stay compliant with applicable government agencies, like the IRS and your state.

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The Shock of Mortality

Feld Thoughts

In June, Amy and I had three friends die. One was a mentor of Amy’s from Wellesley, one was the father of a close friend, and one was the wife of a good friend of over 25 years. Yesterday, while sitting at my desk between calls, I noticed an email from another friend titled Thank You For The Throne. The email said: After spending many days visiting my mom in the hospital, I felt the need to thank you for your support of Boulder Community Hospital.

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How To See The Distinction Between Business Objectives And Business Priorities

YoungUpstarts

by Jason Green, CEO at The Cambridge Group , and Linda Deeken, CMO at The Cambridge Group. “How would you describe your primary business objective in 2017?”. “Profitable Growth.”. “And what are your key priorities in pursuit of that objective?”. “What do you mean? My priority is profitable growth.”. We’ve had this conversation, or one similar to it, many times of late… enough that it prompted a question in our minds.

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3 Small Business Growth Hacks For Entrepreneurs

YFS Magazine

Here's a look at three successful entrepreneurs and their small business growth hacks for small businesses who want to win online.

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Company as Iceberg: Why Casual Observers of theSkimm Don’t Realize What’s Below the Surface

Hunter Walker

Why are some companies judged primarily by the most visible portion and not what’s below the surface? Working with theSkimm for almost four years now, I’ve had the opportunity to see them consistently underestimated by many tech and media pundits. “But it’s just a newsletter,” is the summarily-passed judgment, and when the founders explain their broader footprint as an Audience Company, they frequently get a verbal (and condescending) “that’s nice”

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Fireside Chat On University Entrepreneurship at CU Boulder with Bill Aulet

Feld Thoughts

I’ll be doing a fireside chat on university entrepreneurship at CU Boulder on 7/26 from 10:30 to noon with Bill Aulet, Managing Director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship. Register and join us. The post Fireside Chat On University Entrepreneurship at CU Boulder with Bill Aulet appeared first on Feld Thoughts.

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Giving A Boost To Your Business: Things To Consider

YoungUpstarts

Picture the scene. It isn’t difficult, because you’ve probably been there. You are being driven to a meeting, working on the way. You are on the phone to a potential new client, getting on well and about to seal a great deal. You are heading for the railway bridge, ready to pass under. And there it goes, signal lost, call lost, contract gone. Stay in touch.

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How To Build An Entrepreneurial Company Culture

YFS Magazine

A key secret to small business success is to build an entrepreneurial company culture. Here's a look at 3 ways to get started.

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Investor and Entrepreneur Michael Girdley Featured on Ideas to Invoices Podcast

SiliconHills

Michael Girdley, an entrepreneur, and investor, is one of the people actively working to establish San Antonio as a technology hub. Girdley, who earned a computer science degree with honors from Lafayette College, worked as a programmer in Silicon Valley. He is also the author of several books on Java programming with a focus on […] The post Investor and Entrepreneur Michael Girdley Featured on Ideas to Invoices Podcast appeared first on SiliconHills.

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Uber’s Long Tail: More Focus on Misogyny

Austin Startup

The Forrest Four-Cast: July 3, 2017 Over the course of six short years since its 2011 launch, Uber has revolutionized the concept of on-demand delivery. First they moved people more efficiently and more economically from Point A to Point B via cars, then came the transport of food and other products. Soon this company will accomplish these services via next-generation systems, ranging from drones to self-driving automobiles to urban-oriented flying machines.