Steve Blank

MAY 6, 2015

I am always surprised when critics complain that the Lean Startup’s Build, Measure, Learn approach is nothing more than “throwing incomplete products out of the building to see if they work.”. Unfortunately the Build, Measure, Learn diagram is the cause of that confusion. At first glance it seems like a fire-ready-aim process. It’s time to update Build, Measure, Learn to what we now know is the best way to build Lean startups.

Lean 262

Lean Agile Business Model Customer Development 262

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 2, 2015

What I love about my job is getting to see teams of super-early-stage companies develop ideas that while raw have potential to make an impact on the market. I love the enthusiasm, the boundless energy and the sense of possibility that comes from having an idea that hasn’t yet been beat up in the marketplace of competing ideas, customer contracts, VC skepticism, jaded journalists or fickle consumers who are on the The New, New Thing.

Operations 275

Operations Metrics Early Stage Non-Compete 275

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 6, 2015

Perhaps sparked by the recession recovery, I’m seeing a new era of the entrepreneur, with startups springing up all around. Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. They have an uncanny ability to find elegant, easy, and fast solutions to pain points in the marketplace, as well as their own challenges.

Technical Review 215

Technical Review Entrepreneur Partner Restful 215

Up and Running

MAY 4, 2015

When you’re pitching your business, the time allotted will impact a great deal of what you should do and say. If you’re going to have a five minute time block followed by a Q&A, you will need to approach that differently than if you’re giving a one-minute presentation. So how do you know what to include in pitching opportunities for varying lengths of time?

Technical Review 109

Technical Review Entrepreneur Software Review Houston 109

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

YoungUpstarts

MAY 7, 2015

by Alex Sebuliba, digital marketing strategist for STA International. Starting a business is an undoubted risk at any time – you’re pouring your time and finances into a venture that might easily fail. In fact, it’s much more likely to fail than it is to succeed, so you need to do everything you can to maximise its chances of becoming a viable proposition in your chosen industry.

Forecast 149

Forecast Employee Leadership Finance 149

Growthink Blog

MAY 6, 2015

Over the past few weeks, I have written about the amazing growth and financial progress of Business Intelligence (BI) companies like Domo , Birst , and Looker and how their rise to prominence and value signifies a shift in how we think about the best way to manage and value an enterprise. I described this shift as " changing the world of business from one done by gut and hand to one done by statistics and evidence ," and how this next generation of software companies can "finish the job" of the

Software Review 67

Software Review Technical Review Finance Software 67

Up and Running

MAY 6, 2015

Welcome to the Bcast, the official podcast of Bplans.com. Each week we discuss the latest news, resources and advice for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Hosted by Jonathan Michael and Peter Thorsson. In this week’s episode we discuss: 10 Things the Bank Will Ask When You Need a Business Loan. 5 Things Your Website Must Do (featuring John Procopio).

SBA 82

SBA Technical Review Software Review Small Business 82

YoungUpstarts

MAY 6, 2015

by Lewis Robinson. When developing effective customer and client relationships, it’s important to recognize that these relationships are complex and require far more intuitiveness than a simple “business savvy” or “likable personality.” In order to develop and maintain effective relationships you must recognize the importance of clear communication, trust, and a balanced equilibrium of closeness and professionalism.

Developer 146

Developer Technical Review Retention Social Media 146

deal architect

MAY 2, 2015

In the 90s, SAP used to fly a handful of Gartner analysts to Walldorf, Germany for several days of briefings. It allowed analysts “full immersion time” with executives and product development/strategy folks. It required significant investment on both sides, and.

Germany 283

Germany Product Development Developer Product 283

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 6, 2015

As an active investor in the Los Angeles technology market we’re always seeking to better understand the data and trends of why our market has grown so rapidly since 2009. We look for pockets of excellence where we may have skills that aren’t native in other markets or where our home town may have some unique skills or talents. Everybody now knows that LA produced SnapChat, Tinder and Maker Studios.

LP 254

LP Los Angeles Marketing Partner 254

View from Seed

MAY 5, 2015

There’s a saying among VCs that the first board meeting after a new round of funding is when the skeletons come out of the closet. During the preceding pitch process, even founders who are highly transparent, honest folks try to put their startup in the best possible light for a new investor, so it’s only natural that a more complete picture of a company’s situation (warts and all) sometimes comes into focus after the round is closed and board meeting scheduled.

Seed Capital 230

Seed Capital Seed Stage Cofounder Founder 230

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2015

The pervasive ability and need to communicate constantly and globally through the Internet and smartphones is incenting everyone to get more out of their own assets and time, and capitalize on the idle resources of others. This new sharing economy is rapidly becoming the new business of sharing, with major winners already including Airbnb (rooms), Uber (rides), and Chegg (books).

Cuba 226

Cuba Entrepreneur Venture Capital Community 226

deal architect

MAY 3, 2015

A competing sales executive recently paid the SAP CEO the ultimate compliment: “I pray he is too busy to get personally involved in deals I am chasing. We seem to lose those often” Bill is one smooth salesperson, but he.

Sales 276

Sales Software 276

YoungUpstarts

MAY 3, 2015

Singapore’s startup scene looks set to become even more vibrant with the entrance of Sydney-based startup accelerator muru-D. Backed by Australia’s largest telecommunications and media company Telstra , muru-D’s entry into Singapore’s startup space – its second market after its launch in Sydney in late 2013 – will see the country continue to challenge for the region’s best digital talent, foster technological innovation and grow the local entrepreneuria

Singapore 182

Singapore Asia Charlotte Silicon Valley 182

Gust

MAY 4, 2015

Crowdfunding is the practice of raising money for a project or venture from a large number of people utilizing an Internet website or platform. Funding from each individual can be quite small, $10 or less, although some projects have much higher minimums. Projects include films, musical recordings, new companies, products, inventions, personal causes and many others.

Internet 146

Internet Product 146

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 3, 2015

Every entrepreneur can learn from a mentor, no matter how confident or successful they have been to date. Most people don’t know that billionaire Mark Zuckerberg , for example, gives real credit to the inspiring mentorship of Steve Jobs for Mark’s Facebook success. Yet most entrepreneurs simply don’t know how to work with a mentor. It is not as simple as one person giving the other all the right answers.

Startup 215

Startup Demand Conversion Developer 215

deal architect

MAY 3, 2015

Mark Hurd, CEO of Oracle pointed out during this week’s Cloud Summit that consumer tech spending has caught up to enterprise tech spending, and is accelerating. Enterprise tech spending, in contrast, is under all kinds of pressure. He did not.

Cloud 267

Cloud Operations Software 267

YoungUpstarts

MAY 8, 2015

There’s a lot to do and plan when you’re starting a new business. But don’t neglect the marketing and branding side of things. Here are 5 clever tips to make sure your marketing and branding are as good as they can be. 1. Make Sure Your Logo is Clear and Eye Catching. Every startup needs a great logo , and it’s not an easy thing to achieve. There are lots of mundane and boring logos out there, but the best businesses have something that’s both clear and instantly recognizable.

Marketing 181

Marketing Startup Social Media Customer 181

Rembrandt Communications

MAY 6, 2015

The key to successful, BtoB content is credibility. Yes, you want to share a great tips and insights in your BtoB content including your blogs, Website copy, e-mail campaigns, articles, newsletters, and more. But are you forgetting a key aspect that will make potential customers actually listen to what you have to say and buy […]. The post How Credible is your BtoB Content?

PR 143

PR SEO Campaign Sales 143

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2015

Despite the rush in every academic institution to offer more courses on entrepreneurship, I still haven’t found it to be something you can learn in school. Of course, you can pick up the basic principles this way, but the problem is that the practical rules for success are changing so fast that no academic can keep up. The best thing you can learn in school is how to learn.

Startup 211

Startup Social Network Matching Entrepreneur 211

deal architect

MAY 5, 2015

I watched the stream of the CEO keynote this morning, and can summarize it in two words – Missed Opportunity Bill McDermott is an excellent presenter and the props, as usual, were superb. The content was underwhelming, though. After announcing.

Software 263

Software 263

YoungUpstarts

MAY 5, 2015

By Matt McCue. “Moments of crisis are opportunities”. “From call center to successful CEO”. Based in Dallas, Staci Tubbs serves as a chair for the CEO Organization, Vistage and is the CEO of her own business. At school she was a young scientist – studying biology and chemistry at Cornell. Tubbs then began her career in a call center! The attention to detai l and curiosity learnt from science were applied to human and analytical challenges found in most call centers.

North America 172

North America Dallas America Analytics 172

Version One Ventures

MAY 4, 2015

The success of Uber has inspired hundreds of startups to call themselves the “Uber of X, Y, or Z.” There are now apps to order groceries, have you car washed, get legal counsel, and much more. Uber is part of a broad category of on-demand mobile services. Thanks to smartphones and cloud computing, it’s easier than ever to connect people who need a job done with people looking to take on some extra work and monetize their spare time.

Vertical 131

Vertical Demand Mobile Valuation 131

Agile VC

MAY 6, 2015

Some VCs describe themselves as “thematic” or “thesis-driven” investors. These folks typically hone in on an industry sector or type of company, immerse themselves in the subject, meet as many similar companies as possible, and then invest in some. Other VCs can be described as “opportunistic” which sounds like they have no particular strategy or rely on random chance, which isn’t really the case.

Cofounder 130

Cofounder Incubator Founder Marketing 130

deal architect

MAY 7, 2015

At the recent White House Correspondent’s Dinner, President Obama joked “People ask me, do you have a bucket list?' I say, well I have something that rhymes with bucket. Immigration executive action? "Bucket!" Stricter climate rules. "Bucket!"” At Sapphire this.

Software 223

Software 223

YoungUpstarts

MAY 4, 2015

Direct marketing is still a widely accepted and efficient way of engaging with sales prospects, but there are right ways and wrong ways to send a prospecting email to your audience. One of the challenges? To ensure that your mail avoids new spam filtering systems that will heartlessly send your beautifully crafted email creation into digital hell. For example, the CAN-SPAM ACT of 2003 dictates that that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) weed out promotional spam that violate its guidelines.

Email 172

Email Direct Marketing Audience Internet 172

Feld Thoughts

MAY 3, 2015

A year ago if you had suggested that I’d be using Microsoft Outlook on my iPhone instead of the Apple Mail app, I would have said, simply, “No F **g Way.” And I would have been wrong. It’s kind of like chocolate in my peanut butter. When I try something new, I use it for two weeks to see if it sticks. A month ago, my partner Jason told me he was loving Outlook on the iPhone.

Email 129

Email Search Partner Technology 129

The Next Web

MAY 6, 2015

Pep Rosenfeld is co-founder of comedy theater Boom Chicago and Boom Chicago Creative in Amsterdam. He loves both nerd chic and chic nerds, and can be seen hosting events where they meet — like #TNW2015. Like so many members of the world of theater and comedy, I started out as a waiter. I was a good waiter too, serving fancy veal scallopine to fancy people at a fancy Italian place just outside of slightly less fancy Chicago.

Chicago 128

Chicago Cofounder Hosting Web 128

deal architect

MAY 5, 2015

After watching the underwhelming keynote this morning at SapphireNow, I had modest expectations of NetSuite CEO Zach Nelson’s keynote at SuiteWorld But I was pleased on several fronts: a) Lots of customers Zach wove in “large customers who are thinking.

Customer 223

Customer Cloud 223

YoungUpstarts

MAY 4, 2015

SEO – or Search Engine Optimization – is often seen as complicated and difficult. Actually in some ways, SEO can actually be very easy and straightforward. If you are relatively new to SEO, here are a few important points that will get you started in no time at all. On-site SEO is just as important as off-site SEO. Many new site owners make the mistake of focusing more on building – or even buying – backlinks and seeking guest posting and promotional opportunities, they actually forg

SEO 170

SEO Campaign Algorithm Search 170

Up and Running

MAY 6, 2015

Because this isn’t going to cut it. You aren’t the IRS, but sometimes collecting money becomes an entrepreneur’s job. That’s why we asked 15 entrepreneurs from the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) what steps they take before going to a collections agency for customers who just won’t pay up. See Also 7 Steps to Client Relationship Harmony. 1.

.Net 120

.Net Email Cost Reputation 120

Feld Thoughts

MAY 6, 2015

David Cohen coined the phrase “ do more faster ” and then we made it popular when we published the book by the same name back in 2010. We wrote the book because it was becoming clear that doing more faster was exactly what businesses were striving to do and it subsequently became the Techstars mantra. As technological advancements gave both the entrepreneur and businessperson a new framework for productivity, goals across industries and departments started taking a new shape, but singing a simil

Framework 118

Framework Product Development Employee Naming 118

The Next Web

MAY 3, 2015

When you spend days and nights working on a startup, it can be hard to condense the core of your product down to a handful of words. For frustrated entrepreneurs and marketers alike, OneLiners.co wants to help you crowdsource catchy taglines. The free Web service lets you check out startups that want the Internet’s hand in coming up with a fresh slogan, or improve upon their current ones.

Web 118

Web Entrepreneur Startup Product 118

YoungUpstarts

MAY 8, 2015

by Fayez Mohamood, cofounder and CEO of Bluecore. Higher rates of unsubscription can prove disastrous for companies. Consider an email list of 500,000 individuals. With a moderate unsubscribe rate of 0.2%, the company is losing 1,000 people per email. At an email a week, the company is dropping more than 4,000 prospects or customers a month, a significant deficit that will require marketing to work hard to rectify with new email leads.

Email 160

Email Marketing Cofounder Mobile 160

Gust

MAY 4, 2015

Crowdfunding is the practice of raising money for a project or venture from a large number of people utilizing an Internet website or platform. Funding from each individual can be quite small, $10 or less, although some projects have much higher minimums. Projects include films, musical recordings, new companies, products, inventions, personal causes and many others.

Internet 113

Internet Product Startup 113

Feld Thoughts

MAY 7, 2015

For many years I was often the youngest person in the room. I started my first company at 19 and had already had several bizarre “too young” experiences by the time I was 21. I vividly remember almost losing our largest client at the time because they had taken my partner Dave out for drinks (he is three years older than me) and they somehow pried out of him that I was only 21.

Omaha 115

Omaha Lean Naming Conversion 115