I was an early fan of Steve Blank’s customer development model. This post was written when “Four Steps to the Epiphany” was only available on Cafe Press and documents the early set of principles he espoused.
Steve Blank on Customer Development Process for Startups Read More »
Some tips on forming an advisory board that assume you are currently bootstrapping and will be soliciting advice and feedback from a variety of sources: friends, former co-workers, other entrepreneurs, customers, and partners.
Forming an Advisory Board Read More »
For my third post in the “First office” series, I wanted to learn about alternative office options to incubators. Earlier this month I sat down with Ed Correia, founder of Sagacent Technologies, to learn about his experience in finding the right first office.
First Office: Ed Correia, Sagacent Technologies CEO Read More »
If your New Year’s Resolution is to speak more, here are suggestions for how to find speaking engagements.
Where Can I Find Speaking Engagements? Read More »
The Idea to Revenue Workshop scheduled for January 19 is now sold out and no walk-ins will be accepted. We had added this in December in response to the overflow demand for the December 6 one and are now considering adding a third. Please contact us and let us know if you are interested or
Idea to Revenue Workshop on Jan-19-08 is Sold Out Read More »
Last night I attended the monthly PATCA dinner. The featured speaker of the evening was Kevin Dean, a certified Internet marketing consultant, from WSI (We Simplify the Internet). It was an interactive question and answer session in which Kevin covered “Search Engine Optimization Best Practice Basics.” Kevin’s key point was that SEO is easily misunderstood:
Search Engine Optimization Best Practice Basics Read More »
We get asked “Will you sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement?” fairly often, to the point that we are proactive, suggesting that a prospect take a look at our Mutual NDA [PDF] and sign it if it would increase their comfort level. A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) allows us to have a deeper and more useful discussion. We
Following up on my “Silicon Valley Incubators” post in the “First Office” series I wanted to get a tenant’s perspective on the advantages and drawbacks of locating in a business incubator.
John Holton of Symphony Consulting on Business Incubators Read More »
In a SaaS world where tools are more integrated and customizable, are VARs going away? How do SaaS companies reach customers? How should we compensate sales people? As a sales person, how will I make money if I work for a SaaS company? At this roundtable discussion we will exchange tips and gotchas and provide
SaaS Roundtable: VARs in a SaaS World Read More »
Let’s hope the New Year finds us all healthy, surrounded by loved ones, and living up to our potential. A quartet of quotes from Mignon McLaughlin to help kick off 2008 The time to begin most things was ten years ago. Courage can’t see around corners, but goes around them anyway. Every day of our
Software companies typically have to convince prospects to adopt new technologies based on their shared history, their service track record, and their ability to accurately predict and deliver real results that overcome the cost and friction of adopting new tools and methodologies. There are a number of lessons we draw on to help startups fostering
Fostering Technology Adoption: Early Customers & Early Revenue Read More »
The CINA Holiday Mixer had a nice turnout: it was networking followed by a traditional twelve course Chinese lunch. All in all a relaxing couple of hours, and I enjoyed playing emcee. There were a number of folks who were new to Silicon Valley who got to make new friends and connections, as well as
CINA Holiday Mixer Read More »
To “see the elephant” entrepreneurs must work toward a holistic perspective by integrating advice and conflicting views from a variety of sources.
Seeing The Elephant: The Entrepreneur’s Challenge of Integrating Advice Read More »
2003 reflections on the dotcom crash–the year I started SKMurphy, Inc., and 4 rules of thumb from Richard Wiseman on making you own luck.
Entrepreneurs, Luck, and Silicon Valley Read More »
Entrepreneurs often have to ask an expert for help. Here is some common mistakes to avoid and suggestions for how to make a positive response more likely.
How To Ask An Expert For Help Read More »
While at the Sales 2.0 Conference on Oct 30, 2007, I attended a panel presentation titled Lead Qualification & Cultivation. The complete transcripts are available at the Sales 2.0 portal, I have extracted Stu’s opening story to pair it with one of my own about iPod fishbowl leads. Lead Qualification and Cultivation Panel Moderator: Stu
Are You Generating iPod Fishbowl Leads? Read More »
I am an small business owner. We are virtual team and use many on-line tools. These are ones that we actually pay for and use everyday: Calendar: WebEx, Central Desktop Contacts: WebEx, Central Desktop Design: Lucky Oliver for photos Logo Design: Logo Company, Logoworks Managing Money: Quickbooks Wiki, On-line Docs & Spreadsheets: Central Desktop Project
On-line Tools for Startups Read More »
I have been invited to emcee this year’s CINA Holiday mixer, it will be held at Fenwick on Saturday December 15, from 10am to 1pm (with lunch included). It should be a lot of fun. The CINACon 2007 Showcase participants in attendance will be asked to answer three questions: “What is it you do again?”
CINA Holiday Mixer Sat-Dec-15 Read More »
Athol Foden was a guest speaker at today’s Bootstrapper Breakfast and he brought his passion for naming and deep knowledge of the issues that around it. One question that came up this morning–and comes up with a lot of very early stage teams–is whether or not to name the company the same as the product
One Name or Two for Product and Company Read More »
Today I was able to sit down with Pete Tormey, founder of Action Patents. Pete is a registered patent agent who specializes in providing patents for Software, Electronics, Life Science Instrumentation and Business Methods. Legal Issues: Q&A with Pete Tormey of Action Patents From blogs to entrepreneurial events, patents are always a controversial topic. This
Legal Issues: Q&A with Pete Tormey of Action Patents Read More »
