The tech giant says it plans to keep setting new iPhone sales records MORE
Management budget forecast metricsAs we head into 2017, I have a steady stream of operating plans hitting my inbox. Since many of our investments are companies that are scaling, vs. companies that are just getting started, there are a lot of derivative metrics in these plans. Q1 is the easiest quarter to make your plan, so most of these companies are getting a free pass for the next three months after fighting the good fight of making or beating plan in Q3 and Q4. MORE
Forecasts and budgets are simply objectives.Their achievement are your planned results. To meet a forecast or a budget, you can't manage every number. Building a business is not just about numbers.It's MORE
I don’t believe the forecast you show me. Ok, so far I’ve told you the forecast I’m looking at during fundraising is a lie and the one you’re using during initial iteration is a trap. So when is the right time for a startup to build a forecast that actually starts measuring the health of the company? The earliest a company should “manage by forecast” is post product/market fit and the absolute latest is at Series A fundraise. MORE
The RED line is the Fed's 5 year Forward Rate, the BLUE line shows a forcast of.5% inflationary growth per year over the next few years, begining next year. This is NOT a stretch (2011-2012 inflation rate increased from 1.94 to 2.45% alone). Here are a few factors to think about: 1. MORE
11 Most aspiring entrepreneurs understand that you can’t build a business if you won’t commit to delivering a product or service, but many are hesitant or refuse to commit to any financial forecasts. Forecast sales-volume expectations. entrepreneur financial forecast investor startup MORE
Remember, there is no single way to forecast any business. Magda was looking at forecasting sales for a small restaurant. The point of this example is simply that Magda has to find a way to make sense of her forecast. And now her sales forecast is up and running. MORE
"Forecasting is difficult, especially if it's about the future." Forecasting start-up revenue is not easy. I write with a few thoughts on how best to handle the need to present financial forecasts vs. the uncertainty inherent in any model. In general, two forecasting methods exist. Forecast errors compound across time. The first, tops down, seeks to identify an addressable market and revenue becomes a function of market share. MORE
So for me, what makes a sales forecast credible? I want to see a sales forecast with drivers. Well then, that helps makes a sales forecast credible. More often than not, the problem with unrealistic profitability is, it cuts into the credibility of your sales forecast. MORE
The topic is crafting your financial forecast to include in your pitch. This is the third post in my Microsoft partnership, and it’s all about numbers. Bill Reichert, my partner at Garage Technology Ventures, created an Excel model and wrote this blog post. MORE
Remember, there is no single way to forecast any business. Magda was looking at forecasting sales for a small restaurant. The point of this example is simply that Magda has to find a way to make sense of her forecast. And now her sales forecast is up and running. MORE
” I hung in there in this case and continued to make my point about playing offense on sales forecasting. Why is accurate sales forecasting such a challenge? Sales forecast pipelineI got an email today from an exec at a company who I was with at a recent board meeting. I thought it was a powerful summary of part of our discussion, specifically around the sales pipeline for Q4 and overall sales execution. MORE
Sales forecasting is much easier than you think, and much more useful than you imagine. You review and revise your forecast regularly. Since sales are intimate with costs and expenses, the forecast helps you budget and manage. And that’s a sales forecast you can use. MORE
It's not a coincidence that most deals are forecast to close at the end of a month MORE
He said, “I insist on getting weekly status reports with forecasted deal size and probability of close. If the answer is no, you have absolutely no customers on your forecast who will be prepared to buy from you in the next six months.”. The Phantom Sales Forecast. MORE
The art of preparing forecasts in a business plan - and it is an art, not a science. On the one hand, a forecast is a representation of a fact the founder's state of mind and an intellectually honest founder will represent his state of mind accurately. On the other hand, the forecast is an element in the negotiation process about price This preparation involves a delicate balancing process by the founder. MORE
Using your data, here are the basic elements of the projection process, which are measurable by milestones, and can be tracked to show when a re-forecast is required: Start with sizing per-unit profitability. This forecast is really their commitment. Plan to re-forecast every quarter. MORE
Good VCs need to be good forecasters. Deloitte have just published an interesting synopsis of Tetlock’s Superforecasting which gives us some insights into the types of people we need to recruit and the habits we need to cultivate to be good at the forecasting game. cautious in their forecasts. I’m not saying I’m a super forecaster, but I did learn from that and backed off from mobile until after the iPhone. MORE
Here are 7 ways forecasting software can improve your business. Finance Grow forecasting money. cash flow MORE
When it comes to starting and managing a business, forecasting your sales is essential. Having a sales forecast can help you budget and manage your business’s funds, create a plan for expansion, and avoid unpleasant surprises. The basics of sales forecasting. MORE
The key to creating your revenue model is through forecasting—that is, projecting revenue estimates, even if you’re currently pre-revenue. Forecasting is an ongoing process that will help you to manage your cash and continue to grow. There are two general approaches to financial forecasting: top-down and bottom-up forecasting. Originally published in AffinityLive. MORE
So, was the forecast accurate? Does that mean the forecast was inaccurate? How do you hold forecasters accountable, when the forecast is only a probability? The forecast is what chance this lead has of converting, or what dollar value it has. MORE
Predicting your company's financial future is hard but these tips will help you do it better MORE
The San Francisco-based company posted a total net income of $13.1 million MORE
If your business is building a subscription service, creating a reliable sales forecast is a critical step to understanding how your business will grow and what the key drivers of revenue growth will be. Now it’s time to build a forecast. We’re living in a subscription world. MORE
Here's why most sales forecasts fail, and how to craft one that will be more accurate. I have never seen (nor heard of) a sales forecast that was accurate, except by accident. The reason is simple: the politics of self-interest makes accurate forecasts virtually impossible. Here’s how it works inside most firms: Step #1: Top management needs a story to tell investors, and thus asks the sales manager for a forecast. Yeah, you read right. MORE
New forecasts out from Forrester predict that online retail sales in the US will be $294bn this year, rising to $414bn by 2018. The growth rate from 2013-2018 is forecast to be 9.5%. MORE
When I asked the standard “How are you,” he answered: “If I see another hockey stick forecast this week, I’m going to throw something at somebody.”. ” See Also: How to Forecast Sales. Sales forecasts should rest on assumptions. MORE
Parker shifted to a 12-month forecast in June and now sees the S&P 500 reaching 2,125 by next November. S&P 500 Justifies Oppenheimer’s 2,014 in 2014: Chart of the Day By David Wilson Nov. 4 (Bloomberg) -- When John Stoltzfus predicted almost a year ago that the S&P 500 would end 2014 at 2,014, the chief investment strategist at Oppenheimer & Co. was more optimistic than any of his Wall Street peers. MORE
For the record, we could call it an expense forecast, or projected expenses. Those go in your sales forecast. The illustration here shows a sample expense budget from the same bicycle business plan I used in the previous article how to forecast sales. MORE
First, allow me to deal with a very common problem: Business owners are often afraid to forecast sales. And that also means you should not back off from forecasting because you have a new product, or new business, without past data. That makes forecasting easier. MORE
Keep an eye on advertising consolidation and e-sports, says Mary Meeker. Technology MORE
revenues because growth is much lower – forecast at 5-7% next year, and their EBITDA margin is 8%. Mahesh Vellanki from Redpoint put up an interesting post yesterday about ecommerce valuations. MORE
Just do a sales forecast, which means you aren’t doing text, editing, or a document, just good management. Step one: The first forecast. A useful sales forecast is a lot easier than most people think. MORE
The illustration here shows a sample cash flow based on the same numbers in two previous posts, how to forecast sales and how to create an expense budget. Vital as this is to business survival, it is not nearly as intuitive as the sales forecast, personnel plan, or income statement. MORE
In fact, the business plans of the next 10,000 startups are easy to forecast: Take X and add AI. Kevin Kelly thinks artificial intelligence is finally ready deliver on its promise: The AI on the horizon looks more like Amazon Web Services—cheap, reliable, industrial-grade digital smartness running behind everything, and almost invisible except when it blinks off. This common utility will serve you as much IQ as you want but no more than you need. MORE
Product Forecasting from roadmaps to methodologies. Filed under: events Tagged: cleanly , event , forecasting , jobs , meetup , mentor , product management , product strategy , The Product Group , TPGroup. events cleanly event forecasting jobs meetup mentor product management product strategy The Product Group TPGroup MORE
Forecast Related Topics Up and Running
FEBRUARY 13, 2017
When I asked the standard “How are you,” he answered: “If I see another hockey stick forecast this week, I’m going to throw something at somebody.”. ” See Also: How to Forecast Sales. Sales forecasts should rest on assumptions.
Up and Running
MAY 29, 2015
First, allow me to deal with a very common problem: Business owners are often afraid to forecast sales. And that also means you should not back off from forecasting because you have a new product, or new business, without past data. That makes forecasting easier.
Startup Professionals Musings
JANUARY 4, 2015
Most aspiring entrepreneurs understand that you can’t build a business if you won’t commit to delivering a product or service, but many are hesitant or refuse to commit to any financial forecasts. Forecast sales-volume expectations. entrepreneur financial forecast investor startup
Up and Running
MAY 21, 2015
The illustration here shows a sample cash flow based on the same numbers in two previous posts, how to forecast sales and how to create an expense budget. Vital as this is to business survival, it is not nearly as intuitive as the sales forecast, personnel plan, or income statement.
A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks
JUNE 28, 2016
So, was the forecast accurate? Does that mean the forecast was inaccurate? How do you hold forecasters accountable, when the forecast is only a probability? The forecast is what chance this lead has of converting, or what dollar value it has.
Up and Running
APRIL 19, 2017
When it comes to starting and managing a business, forecasting your sales is essential. Having a sales forecast can help you budget and manage your business’s funds, create a plan for expansion, and avoid unpleasant surprises. The basics of sales forecasting.
The Equity Kicker
DECEMBER 2, 2015
revenues because growth is much lower – forecast at 5-7% next year, and their EBITDA margin is 8%. Mahesh Vellanki from Redpoint put up an interesting post yesterday about ecommerce valuations.
Up and Running
JANUARY 20, 2017
Just do a sales forecast, which means you aren’t doing text, editing, or a document, just good management. Step one: The first forecast. A useful sales forecast is a lot easier than most people think.
Up and Running
MAY 18, 2011
Remember, there is no single way to forecast any business. Magda was looking at forecasting sales for a small restaurant. The point of this example is simply that Magda has to find a way to make sense of her forecast. And now her sales forecast is up and running.
Chaganomics
NOVEMBER 29, 2016
The RED line is the Fed's 5 year Forward Rate, the BLUE line shows a forcast of.5% inflationary growth per year over the next few years, begining next year. This is NOT a stretch (2011-2012 inflation rate increased from 1.94 to 2.45% alone). Here are a few factors to think about: 1.
YFS Magazine
SEPTEMBER 1, 2015
Here are 7 ways forecasting software can improve your business. Finance Grow forecasting money. cash flow
Inc Startups
DECEMBER 7, 2016
Here are some workplace learning trends I expect to gain steam over the next year and maintain momentum even longer than that
Up and Running
APRIL 24, 2014
So for me, what makes a sales forecast credible? I want to see a sales forecast with drivers. Well then, that helps makes a sales forecast credible. More often than not, the problem with unrealistic profitability is, it cuts into the credibility of your sales forecast.
How to Change the World
JANUARY 17, 2012
The topic is crafting your financial forecast to include in your pitch. This is the third post in my Microsoft partnership, and it’s all about numbers. Bill Reichert, my partner at Garage Technology Ventures, created an Excel model and wrote this blog post.
Chaganomics
OCTOBER 22, 2014
currency ECONOMIC FORECAST Economic Statistics Financial LONG TERM LONG TERM PLAYS TRADING
The Equity Kicker
MAY 13, 2014
New forecasts out from Forrester predict that online retail sales in the US will be $294bn this year, rising to $414bn by 2018. The growth rate from 2013-2018 is forecast to be 9.5%.
Up and Running
JUNE 19, 2014
If your business is building a subscription service, creating a reliable sales forecast is a critical step to understanding how your business will grow and what the key drivers of revenue growth will be. Now it’s time to build a forecast. We’re living in a subscription world.
Inc Startups
FEBRUARY 8, 2017
It's not a coincidence that most deals are forecast to close at the end of a month
Steve Blank
JULY 22, 2010
He said, “I insist on getting weekly status reports with forecasted deal size and probability of close. If the answer is no, you have absolutely no customers on your forecast who will be prepared to buy from you in the next six months.”. The Phantom Sales Forecast.
Inc Startups
SEPTEMBER 23, 2015
Rising home values and lower gas prices will contribute to improved consumer spending this holiday season
Small Business Force
NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Forecasts and budgets are simply objectives.Their achievement are your planned results. To meet a forecast or a budget, you can't manage every number. Building a business is not just about numbers.It's
Inc Startups
MAY 12, 2016
The San Francisco-based company posted a total net income of $13.1 million
Inc Startups
FEBRUARY 29, 2016
Despite the prospect of weak economic growth for years to come, the billionaire investor sees outsize opportunities for business owners
Up and Running
MAY 19, 2015
For the record, we could call it an expense forecast, or projected expenses. Those go in your sales forecast. The illustration here shows a sample expense budget from the same bicycle business plan I used in the previous article how to forecast sales.
Inc Startups
OCTOBER 27, 2015
The tech giant says it plans to keep setting new iPhone sales records
Inc Startups
JUNE 1, 2017
Keep an eye on advertising consolidation and e-sports, says Mary Meeker. Technology
Chris Dixon
NOVEMBER 23, 2014
In fact, the business plans of the next 10,000 startups are easy to forecast: Take X and add AI. Kevin Kelly thinks artificial intelligence is finally ready deliver on its promise: The AI on the horizon looks more like Amazon Web Services—cheap, reliable, industrial-grade digital smartness running behind everything, and almost invisible except when it blinks off. This common utility will serve you as much IQ as you want but no more than you need.
Feld Thoughts
DECEMBER 29, 2016
Management budget forecast metricsAs we head into 2017, I have a steady stream of operating plans hitting my inbox. Since many of our investments are companies that are scaling, vs. companies that are just getting started, there are a lot of derivative metrics in these plans. Q1 is the easiest quarter to make your plan, so most of these companies are getting a free pass for the next three months after fighting the good fight of making or beating plan in Q3 and Q4.
Inc Startups
APRIL 4, 2016
Here's why it happened, and how you can apply it to whatever forecasting your business requires Last year, baseball experts struck out with their predictions of team performance.
Early Growth Financial Services
SEPTEMBER 2, 2014
The key to creating your revenue model is through forecasting—that is, projecting revenue estimates, even if you’re currently pre-revenue. Forecasting is an ongoing process that will help you to manage your cash and continue to grow. There are two general approaches to financial forecasting: top-down and bottom-up forecasting. Originally published in AffinityLive.
Will Price
JANUARY 13, 2011
"Forecasting is difficult, especially if it's about the future." Forecasting start-up revenue is not easy. I write with a few thoughts on how best to handle the need to present financial forecasts vs. the uncertainty inherent in any model. In general, two forecasting methods exist. Forecast errors compound across time. The first, tops down, seeks to identify an addressable market and revenue becomes a function of market share.
Inc Startups
DECEMBER 2, 2011
Here's why most sales forecasts fail, and how to craft one that will be more accurate. I have never seen (nor heard of) a sales forecast that was accurate, except by accident. The reason is simple: the politics of self-interest makes accurate forecasts virtually impossible. Here’s how it works inside most firms: Step #1: Top management needs a story to tell investors, and thus asks the sales manager for a forecast. Yeah, you read right.
The Product Guy
MARCH 24, 2015
Product Forecasting from roadmaps to methodologies. Filed under: events Tagged: cleanly , event , forecasting , jobs , meetup , mentor , product management , product strategy , The Product Group , TPGroup. events cleanly event forecasting jobs meetup mentor product management product strategy The Product Group TPGroup
Up and Running
MAY 24, 2011
Remember, there is no single way to forecast any business. Magda was looking at forecasting sales for a small restaurant. The point of this example is simply that Magda has to find a way to make sense of her forecast. And now her sales forecast is up and running.
Hunter Walker
JULY 22, 2014
I don’t believe the forecast you show me. Ok, so far I’ve told you the forecast I’m looking at during fundraising is a lie and the one you’re using during initial iteration is a trap. So when is the right time for a startup to build a forecast that actually starts measuring the health of the company? The earliest a company should “manage by forecast” is post product/market fit and the absolute latest is at Series A fundraise.
Recent Buzzes - VC Experts, Inc.
OCTOBER 31, 2011
The art of preparing forecasts in a business plan - and it is an art, not a science. On the one hand, a forecast is a representation of a fact the founder's state of mind and an intellectually honest founder will represent his state of mind accurately. On the other hand, the forecast is an element in the negotiation process about price This preparation involves a delicate balancing process by the founder.
Chaganomics
NOVEMBER 4, 2014
Parker shifted to a 12-month forecast in June and now sees the S&P 500 reaching 2,125 by next November. S&P 500 Justifies Oppenheimer’s 2,014 in 2014: Chart of the Day By David Wilson Nov. 4 (Bloomberg) -- When John Stoltzfus predicted almost a year ago that the S&P 500 would end 2014 at 2,014, the chief investment strategist at Oppenheimer & Co. was more optimistic than any of his Wall Street peers.
Inc Startups
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Predicting your company's financial future is hard but these tips will help you do it better
Feld Thoughts
OCTOBER 27, 2012
” I hung in there in this case and continued to make my point about playing offense on sales forecasting. Why is accurate sales forecasting such a challenge? Sales forecast pipelineI got an email today from an exec at a company who I was with at a recent board meeting. I thought it was a powerful summary of part of our discussion, specifically around the sales pipeline for Q4 and overall sales execution.
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