Worry about a good customer reference more than getting paid. A reference will lead to payment, but just because they pay does not mean they’re a reference. Plan for gaining customer references by starting with a request for feedback don the quality of your services and the business results you enabled.
Plan For Customer Reference as Much as Payment Read More »
Having a public reference, testimonial, or case study is a significant risk reducing asset for a startup. It’s prudent to negotiate the level of reference in parallel with price.
Negotiate the Level of Reference in Parallel with Price and Others Terms and Conditions Read More »
The challenge with overnight success in a startup–like many things–is the time needed to integrate many inputs, your own hopes and fears among them.
The closing slide in our Idea to Revenue Workshop says In The Beginning…The Founders Are The Business. To Keep The Business Viable, Learn Faster Than the Competition. Successful Entrepreneurship Is a Self-Improvement Project.
In the Beginning…the Founders are the Business Read More »
The last six weeks or so I have encountered a number of folks who have decided to use the downturn to launch their consulting career. Typically they have been encouraged in this by their former employer who has given them a large check a lot of free time. But some have chafed at cubicle life
Using the Downturn to Launch Your Consulting Career Read More »
Many start-up founders believe that the sales process should be this straightforward: Get the phone to ring (or e-mail inbox or skype or web contact form) Tell your prospect about your offering Take the order Alas it is normally not this simple, especially if you are selling to businesses. We do encounter some startups that
How To Measure Your Lead Generation Effectiveness Read More »
Getting Your Startup Through the Downturn is a Marathon Not a Sprint The third form of happiness, which is meaning, is again knowing what your highest strengths are and deploying those in the service of something you believe is larger than you are. There’s no shortcut to that. That’s what life is about. Martin Seligman
Getting Your Startup Through the Downturn is a Marathon Not a Sprint Read More »
Some startups ask for an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) before sharing any details about their product. This is a recipe for disaster.
Why NDA Is Not On the Startup Maturity Checklist Read More »
Entrepreneurial focus means answering three related questions: what are we good at, how can we tell and how do we measure it, who wants it and how do they value it?
Entrepreneurial Focus: Right Layer, Right Problem, Right Time Read More »
There is a risk of complacency for start-ups (and even larger firms) who have achieved a level of security in their first niche. Markets change, consumer needs change, and you need to continue to explore opportunities to sell your offering to new customers–non-customers–even though it’s a much harder sales process than a renewal, upgrade, or
Non-Customers Are Where Important Changes Often Start Read More »
I sent the following E-Mail after a series of conversations and E-Mail exchanges with a founder struggling with entrepreneurial burnout. I encourage him to “please be healthy.” I thought it was apropos the current angst in Silicon Valley.
User communities are not just a low cost way to market and support your product, they are essential to complex technology products.
User Communities Are Critical For Complex Products Read More »
Herb Reiter Interview on Fostering Static Timing Analysis Adoption I have followed Herb Reiter’s consulting career over the last five years or so: there aren’t very many business development consultants who work with EDA firms, fewer who have the mix of semiconductor and design background that Herb accumulated on the way to honing his business
Herb Reiter Interview on Fostering Static Timing Analysis Adoption Read More »
Update Tue-Sep-23: Sold Out, No Walk-ins. We will offer it again: you can sign-up to be notified of upcoming workshops We just finished our last rehearsal for next Wednesday’s (Sep-24) “Financial Modeling for Startups” workshop we are doing jointly with Nathan Beckord of Venture Archetypes. I think it will be a good lunch and learn
Financial Modeling for Startups Workshop–Early Bird Ends Tomorrow Read More »
Negotiating a software deal–from either side of the table–is different from many other negotiations: here are three tests to apply.
Three Tests For Negotiating A Software Deal Read More »
Entrepreneurial ideas make a difference only when they are complemented with diligent execution. They are necessary but not sufficient.
Entrepreneurial Ideas Read More »
This is a guest post on networking and referrals by Steve Moore of SPMSolutions. Networking and Referrals Networking and referrals remain the primary marketing strategy for many community-based small businesses (especially those with limited budgets). In contrast, many technology-oriented small businesses rely more upon online forums, social networking sites, user groups, etc., to reach potential
Networking and Referrals Read More »
Len Sklar offer insights at the next Bootstrappers Breakfast on why the “Check is NOT in the Mail” and answers questions on credit policies.
“The Check is NOT in the Mail” this Friday at Bootstrappers Breakfast Read More »
Crossing the Chasm Using Cartoon Physics My younger son and I were walking across the field to soccer practice over the weekend when he told me “Papa, I know why cartoon characters are able to walk across the chasm without falling.” Entire books have been devoted to Crossing the Chasm, but I wanted to make
Crossing the Chasm Using Cartoon Physics Read More »
Gumption is the ability to continue to try new things with confidence, in spite of past failures. Entrepreneurs need this to debug problems and build things that don’t exist–yet.
Entrepreneurs Need Gumption To Succeed Read More »
