Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2014

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. Some entrepreneurs love to talk and produce videos, but hate to write anything down. Many key insights to success in any business can’t be learned from books or the Internet.

Angel Investor 268

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Early Stage 268

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 27, 2011

” I mention journalists here because they perpetuate the myth that focusing on profits is ALWAYS the right answer and then I hear many entrepreneurs (and certainly many “normals”) repeating the same mantra. Internet scale. I have had this discussion with many a first-time entrepreneur. ” The Details.

Startup 418

Startup Revenue Technical Review Flash 418

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2023

From my consulting with entrepreneurs in Europe and other countries, I’m convinced that we all could benefit from adapting to meet their environments. I found these challenges and opportunities outlined well in a classic book, “ Out-Innovate ,” by Alexandre Lazarow.

Global 345

Global Silicon Valley Marketing Indonesia 345

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023

The rate of new entrepreneurs increased between 2013 and 2021, from 280 to 360 out of 100,000 of the adult population. Of course, that’s both the good news and the bad news for aspiring entrepreneurs, since it means more competition, and the business landscape is changing faster than ever.

Intellectual Property 261

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Angel Groups Social Media 261

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 15, 2013

The one word the best entrepreneurs never accept. I used to ask Deborah to book my travel plans in France and Germany were I went 1-2 times / month. There were online tools to book this stuff but the Internet booking sites were early. It’s a skill you’re going to need as an entrepreneur.

Sacramento 416

Sacramento Baltimore Germany DC 416

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2020

From my consulting with entrepreneurs in Europe and other countries, I’m convinced that we all could benefit from adapting to meet their environments. I found these challenges and opportunities outlined well in a new book, “ Out-Innovate ,” by Alexandre Lazarow.

Silicon Valley 312

Silicon Valley Indonesia Venture Capital Global 312

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2022

Big company powerhouses, like IBM and Xerox, took fifty years to make the cycle, but new companies today, in the age of the Internet, often make the cycle in five to ten years, or even less. Thus it behooves every entrepreneur to start watching these things more carefully from the very start. Consider MySpace and Webvan.

Dilution 355

Dilution Startup Merger Flash 355

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2020

The rate of new entrepreneurs increased between 2013 and 2019, from 280 out of 100,000 to 310 out of 100,000 of the adult population. Of course, that’s both the good news and the bad news for aspiring entrepreneurs, since it means more competition, and the business landscape is changing faster than ever.

Intellectual Property 404

Intellectual Property Startup Angel Groups Social Media 404

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 25, 2021

Every entrepreneur with a new technology tells me that his innovation will be industry-disrupting, meaning that it will render the existing technology obsolete, and create a new market. Yet truly disruptive innovations, like the smartphone from Apple and the rise of the Internet, are very rare, and are generally unpredicted.

Non-Compete 394

Non-Compete Technical Review Forecast Social Media 394

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2019

On the other hand, everyone wants to be an entrepreneur. In his classic book “ The 3rd American Dream ,” thought leader Suresh Sharma summarizes the large corporate accomplishments of the 19 th and 20 th centuries, and then lays out the potential of a new entrepreneurial business ecosystem for the 21 st century.

Engineer 219

Engineer Entrepreneur Offshore Merger 219

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 7, 2021

Gerber wrote a best-selling business book called The E-Myth: Why Most Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Some pundits argue that the E-Myth principle is now outdated, due to the instant access to information via the Internet, pervasive networking via social media, and courses on entrepreneurship at all levels of education.

Technical Review 341

Technical Review Social Media Startup Internet 341

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 5, 2019

Many aspiring entrepreneurs are looking to the Internet as an opportunity to get rich quick, instead of a place where you can start a business you love, for very little capital and minimal technical expertise. The best place to learn is by scouting around the Internet today. Use the Internet to outsource staff.

Technical Review 243

Technical Review Software Review Internet Revenue 243

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 3, 2022

Of course, it’s no surprise that most entrepreneurs don’t have a background in hiring teams, and don’t have a budget for training or human resource consultants. Some entrepreneurs approach hiring as a test of their selling ability, while others wait for the candidate to sell them. Get interactive in candidate interviews.

Hiring 337

Hiring Technical Cofounder Cofounder Retention 337

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 12, 2014

The starting point of product IS marketing, which is what a lot of young entrepreneurs that never studied business don’t realize. Everything we were taught pre-Internet is still relevant. And you thought the Internet was a meritocracy where the best ideas win? Simply write a great book? Underbelly.

SEM 379

SEM Viral Marketing Widget 379

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020

A more effective approach in today’s Internet and interactive culture is to use “pull” technology to bring customers and clients to your story. Guy Kawasaki, in his classic book “ Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions ” provides some in-depth recommendations on the “how to” of pull technology.

Technical Review 401

Technical Review Customer Flash RSS 401

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2021

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Rose, according to his classic book, “ Angel Investing.” Neither does David S.

Angel Investor 361

Angel Investor Accredited Investor IRR Angel Groups 361

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 24, 2020

As a frequent advisor to new entrepreneurs and startups, I often hear your frustration with being treated differently from other startups by investors, on expectations for valuation , traction, and market size. I don’t recommend an expectation of funding on that one just yet. Market is recognized as real and growing by investors.

Artificial Inteligence 436

Artificial Inteligence Marketing Valuation Startup 436

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 13, 2020

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. Some entrepreneurs love to talk and produce videos, but hate to write anything down. Many key insights to success in any business can’t be learned from books or the Internet.

Intellectual Property 316

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Early Stage Venture Capital 316

Hearpreneur

JULY 17, 2020

Here’s the list of industries with the most optimist future as suggested by entrepreneurs. #1- The sustainability industry is one that is set to keep growing, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and workers alike. The future is the Internet of Things (IoT). 1- Sustainability. Photo Credit: Connie Heintz. 2-Technology.

Technical Review 133

Technical Review Entrepreneur Software Review Affiliate 133

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 12, 2022

On the other hand, everyone wants to be an entrepreneur. In his classic book “ The 3rd American Dream ,” thought leader Suresh Sharma summarizes the large corporate accomplishments of the 19 th and 20 th centuries, and then lays out the potential of a new entrepreneurial business ecosystem for the 21 st century.

Artificial Inteligence 315

Artificial Inteligence Offshore Merger Technical Review 315

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 20, 2021

With real-time online reviews and feedback via the Internet, and instant relationships via social media, a voice from the top that is inconsistent with what is heard from the firing line defines a dysfunctional and noncompetitive company for today’s customer. It takes an effective team to attract and serve a community in business these days.

Developer 387

Developer Startup Social Media Internet 387

The Startup Magazine

JULY 28, 2022

The story of Nomad Internet is one that startup owners of every variety should be paying attention to. Today, the company advertises up to unlimited wireless internet for rural areas, but back then, the founders were stuck on a single problem. RV parks counted on Nomad Internet to bring value to their business. LTE and GSA .

Internet 157

Internet Technical Review Bandwidth Reputation 157

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2020

Too many entrepreneurs I know still believe that that their great idea will carry the startup, and they may even minimize their own value, especially if they have introvert tendencies. Yet most investors agree that the “idea” is worth nothing alone, and it’s the entrepreneur execution that counts. Your personal life is now public.

Startup 331

Startup Technical Review Social Network Reputation 331

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 14, 2020

I heard it again recently from a technical entrepreneur who should know better than to believe the old “ Field of Dreams ” sports fantasy movie theme in today’s Internet information overload environment. “If we build it, they will come.” Mobilize the total power of your team to not only build the product, but also build the market.

Developer 326

Developer Marketing Architecture Startup 326

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 21, 2019

Image via Wikipedia From the advice I hear these days, if you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you need to be in Silicon Valley, Boston, New York, or one of the few other financial hubs around the world. Being an entrepreneur anywhere without fear likely means your business is at risk. You are selling an experience.

Silicon Valley 269

Silicon Valley Missouri Technical Review Boston 269

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2021

In my current role as a consultant to entrepreneurs and small business owners, I’ve accumulated my own list of insights on how some people get more done. All the best business leaders I know are not afraid to use advisors, peers, books, and the Internet to understand what’s possible, and how to do it.

Technical Review 309

Technical Review Restful Internet Small Business 309

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2022

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. Some entrepreneurs love to talk and produce videos, but hate to write anything down. Many key insights to success in any business can’t be learned from books or the Internet.

Intellectual Property 278

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Early Stage Venture Capital 278

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2022

In my work with entrepreneurs, I have concluded that finding and communicating that purpose is often more important than the solution offered. I found real insights into this strategy, along with specific sources of purpose inspiration in a new book, “ Leading With Heart ,” by John Baird and Edward Sullivan.

Technical Review 357

Technical Review Green Social Media Lean 357

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2018

There are many books written on this subject, but this classic by Chris Ducker, “ Virtual Freedom ,” manages to pack a lot more practical guidance into a small space that many others I have seen. With the high-speed Internet, our workers can be anywhere in the world.” As with real estate, it’s still about location, location, location.

Philippines 181

Philippines Bandwidth Cofounder Affiliate 181

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 9, 2014

Entrepreneurs who require funding for their startup have long counted on self-accredited high net worth individuals (“angels”) to fill their needs, after friends and family, and before they qualify for institutional investments (“VCs”). Here again, the entrepreneur will be the one hurt most, by having fewer funding sources to access.

Angel Investor 278

Angel Investor Angel Groups Accredited Investor IRR 278

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 21, 2020

Many new entrepreneurs are so excited by their latest idea that they can’t resist contacting every investor they know, assuming the investor will be equally excited and want to contribute immediately. Others will work hard on a business plan, and then mail it indiscriminately to every potential investor they can find on the Internet.

Technical Review 310

Technical Review Angel Investor Business Plan Social Media 310

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2020

Many entrepreneurs I have mentored make big mistakes in this area, by hiring low-cost friends and family, with minimal skills or training, and expecting them to have the same work ethic , passion, and business knowledge as the founder. As your business matures and stabilizes, regular employees make more sense.

Technical Review 308

Technical Review Due Diligence Startup Employee 308

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2022

Many entrepreneurs think that adapting to the new technologies, like smart phones and Internet commerce, are the key to attracting new customers. Today’s customer buying dynamics are all about “user experience,” according to Brian Solis, in his classic book “ What’s the Future of Business?

Customer 306

Customer Technical Review Social Media Social Network 306

Steve Blank

APRIL 14, 2013

I just spent a few weeks in Japan and China on a book tour for the Japanese and Chinese versions of the Startup Owners Manual. 70% of Chinese Internet users are under 30. Internet penetration in Beijing is greater than 70% while it’s less than 25% in Yunnan, Jiangxi, Guizhou and other provinces. All the usual caveats apply.

China 328

China Silicon Valley Non-Compete Intellectual Property 328

Hearpreneur

MARCH 21, 2021

We asked some entrepreneurs and business owners, why they started their businesses: #1- To do it for myself. 2- To help entrepreneurs become financially independent. From that acquisition, I knew I needed to let out the entrepreneur spirit that was trapped in me. Each story is different though the reasons may be the same.

Entrepreneur 148

Entrepreneur Technical Review Acquisition Software Review 148

Hearpreneur

APRIL 28, 2024

Entrepreneurs embrace these innovations to unlock possibilities, making them a cornerstone of modern entrepreneurship. It allows instant access to messages, calls, social media, the internet, and emails. Travelers can explore new cities from the comfort of their own homes before they book the trip.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Technology Entrepreneur Artificial Inteligence 124

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2019

Big company powerhouses, like IBM and Xerox, took fifty years to make the cycle, but new companies today, in the age of the Internet, often make the cycle in five to ten years, or even less. Thus it behooves every entrepreneur to start watching these things more carefully from the very start. Consider MySpace and Webvan.

Dilution 224

Dilution Merger Flash Global 224