Startup Lessons Learned

OCTOBER 4, 2008

Maybe youd like to start with The lean startup , How to listen to customers , or What does a startup CTO actually do? ) Eventually, I came to summarize these themes with the phrase " the lean startup." Lean is one of the major trends shaping our world, and its impact goes beyond just optimizing our supply chains.

San Francisco 155

San Francisco Technical Cofounder Fractional CTO CTO 155

crowdSPRING Blog

APRIL 30, 2019

But, there’s plenty that you can do… if you embrace lean marketing principles. Lean marketing is a philosophy that emphasizes executing campaigns quickly, getting feedback from your audience, analyzing the results, and optimizing the campaign – all in rapid succession. National television campaigns are definitely out.

Lean 91

Lean Small Business Software Review Marketing 91

Startup Lessons Learned

NOVEMBER 7, 2008

They would make commercials about a new book series, and then run the commercials at times when the TV rates were low (late night, UHF channels, etc) If they got enough orders, they then decided to print the series. The Lean Startup Intensive is tomorrow at Web 2.0. Otherwise they just canceled the orders with some excuse.

Demand 167

Demand San Francisco Lean Continuous Deployment 167

Steve Blank

APRIL 9, 2009

Five Easy Pieces – The Marketing Mission After a few months of talking to customers , talking to our channel and working with sales we defined the marketing Mission (our job) was to: Help Sales deliver $25 million in sales with a 45% gross margin. Two paragraphs, Five bullets. It didn’t take more. I couldn’t care less about those.

Silicon Valley 271

Silicon Valley Technical Review RSS PR 271

Startup Lessons Learned

SEPTEMBER 7, 2008

One major theory that has influenced the way I think about processes comes from Lean Manufacturing , where they use these same techniques to build cars. The Lean Startup Intensive is tomorrow at Web 2.0. Amazing lean startup resources Is Entrepreneurship a Management Science? Expo SF (May. for Harvard Business Revie.

Customer Development 131

Customer Development Engineer San Francisco Developer 131

Startup Lessons Learned

MARCH 24, 2009

Lessons Learned by Eric Ries Tuesday, March 24, 2009 The metrics and levers of engagement, presentation on Engagement Loops for Facebook Developer Garage SF Ill be presenting a talk at the Facebook Developer Garage SF Wednesday evening. Unfortunately, its easy to lose track of positioning effects when optimizing for a single metric.

Metrics 88

Metrics San Francisco Lean Viral 88

Startup Lessons Learned

AUGUST 24, 2009

Mass blasts of information are ineffective, because the broadcast channels are suffering from information overload (even in social media). Test-marketing is now easier than ever before, thanks to leveraged distribution channels like AdWords and Facebook. There are too many products clamoring for attention. Is that a lot?

San Francisco 113

San Francisco Lean Technical Review Distribution 113

ConversionXL

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

You’ll also learn how to apply growth marketing to five key channels and how to plan and execute experimentation. Growth marketing borrows a concept from the lean startup methodology. If your campaign works and your brand awareness metrics improve, you win. What are “pirate metrics?”. What is growth marketing?

Framework 102

Framework Marketing Acquisition Retention 102

Startup Lessons Learned

APRIL 14, 2009

Every board meeting, the metrics of success change. Because they have no presence in the market, they have to find distribution channels to bring in customers. Time-to-complete-a-sale is not a bad metric for validated learning at this stage. The Lean Startup Intensive is tomorrow at Web 2.0. Expo SF (May.

Customer 167

Customer San Francisco Lean Hockey Stick 167

ConversionXL

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

This philosophy comes from The Lean Startup methodology , which relies on testing hypotheses to better understand your customers’ pain points and goals. New markets include geographic regions, new customer segments, or new channels to reach your customers (digital or physical). New channels. New customer segments. Partnerships.

Marketing 115

Marketing Framework Metrics Channel 115

Up and Running

MAY 12, 2020

Your plan doesn’t need to be a lengthy document either, especially if you follow a Lean Planning methodology. Now if you’re looking for an active plan that you can edit and adjust over time, you may want to consider creating a lean plan. Establish milestones and metrics for your business plan. Keep your business plan updated.

Software Review 153

Software Review Exit Strategy Technical Review Business Plan 153

Startup Lessons Learned

DECEMBER 14, 2009

A business that strives for something like this should absolutely be charging money from day one, in order to establish baselines for their two key metrics: CPA (the cost to acquire a new customer) and LTV (the lifetime value of each acquired customer). These concepts have important implications for any lean startup.

Customer 156

Customer San Francisco Viral Lean 156

Startup Lessons Learned

JANUARY 18, 2010

Recently, he was bitten by the lean startup bug and has started writing about his experiences attempting to apply lean startup and customer development principles. Ive previously named his post Achieving Flow in a Lean Startup as one of my favorite blog posts of 2009. I am not advocating adding no features at all.

Continuous Deployment 151

Continuous Deployment San Francisco Lean Wiki 151

Up and Running

MAY 8, 2015

A lean business plan does what every business owner and aspiring startup needs to manage strategy, tactics, execution, and essential business numbers. It stays lean and simple with just bullet points for essentials and a collection of lists and tables. Why lean ? Because lean means strong with muscle but no fat.

Lean 60

Lean Business Plan Forecast Technical Review 60

Up and Running

JULY 31, 2015

This week Peter and Jonathan talk to Tim Berry, founder of Palo Alto Software, about lean business planning, strategy, tactics, specifics (milestones), and the forecast. Listen to Episode 9: Show notes: What is Lean Planning? Lean Business Planning by Tim Berry – (31:21). What’s the lean mean? – (:25).

Lean 60

Lean Business Plan Forecast Software Review 60

SoCal CTO

OCTOBER 8, 2009

A post by Fred Wilson pointed me to Dave McClure's Startup Metrics presentation. Define what you need from a metrics and reporting standpoint. Startup Metrics for Pirates (SeedCamp, Sept 2009) View more documents from Dave McClure. In fact, this often becomes the mantra that we live by. Great stuff.

Metrics 225

Metrics Startup Retention Acquisition 225

The Next Web

DECEMBER 4, 2013

Metrics on keywords, follower profiles and competitors all help define your target listener. As a startup, you’re working with limited resources and a lean business model. Ignore these pioneering risk-takers, and say goodbye to social channels of conversion. Startup Example: Zappos. Prioritize social networks.

Social Media 158

Social Media Media Viral Startup 158

ReadWriteStart

APRIL 8, 2023

Omnichannel: Diversity and Inclusion Every successful organization uses multiple channels to communicate with potential customers and advertise its products. Search engine optimization, paid search, social media channels, online stores, and even pop-up spots are examples of practical omnichannel usage.

eCommerce 185

eCommerce Technical Review Software Review Analytics 185

Startup Lessons Learned

JUNE 5, 2009

She has a separate team, with its own culture and office, and a mandate straight from top management to innovate without regard to the company’s historic products, channels, or supply chain. In a startup context, numbers like gross revenue are actually vanity metrics, not actionable metrics. So far, so good.

San Francisco 102

San Francisco Lean Continuous Deployment Startup 102

Startup Lessons Learned

SEPTEMBER 18, 2008

There are other models, in other distribution channels. As the AppStore becomes increasingly saturated one of the goals of the socialDeck platform is to create an alternative distribution channel -- a way to drive installs of casual games outside of the AppStore oligopoly. The Lean Startup Intensive is tomorrow at Web 2.0.

Distribution 74

Distribution San Francisco Lean Continuous Deployment 74

Up and Running

MAY 23, 2016

Step 1: Start with a lean plan. It’s the fastest way to get your idea onto paper, and it’s the very first step in the lean planning process, which is much easier and more iterative than traditional business planning methods. In the tactics section, list your sales channels and describe how you will be selling your products.

Software Review 74

Software Review Software Delaware Forecast 74

Steve Blank

DECEMBER 7, 2010

If you’ve read any of my previous posts, you know I believe that: 1) a product is just a part of a startup, but understanding customers, channel, pricing, etc. How does it differ on the web versus other channels? Dave McClure, “Startup Metrics for Pirates”, [link]. Class Lecture/Out of the Building Assignment: What’s a channel?

Wiki 318

Wiki Lean Management Business Model 318

Startup Lessons Learned

APRIL 26, 2009

Its a key lean startup concept. We combined three tactics: extensive use of free software, an open platform for user-generated content, and leveraged distribution channels. Leveraged distribution channels. For example, I recently created a customer validation exercise around the Lean Startup Workshop. Expo SF (May.

Product Development 88

Product Development Developer San Francisco Product 88

Steve Blank

DECEMBER 17, 2009

Gathering real-world feedback from customers is a core concept of Customer Development as well as the Lean Startup. Customer Development suggests that founders have continual and timely customer, channel and market information. Metrics tell you that something is happening. But what information to collect? Only 57 Questions.

Metrics 243

Metrics Customer Customer Development Lean 243

crowdSPRING Blog

OCTOBER 28, 2012

Third, have we improved our performance across the key metrics of speed, quality, and efficiency? We offer customer service through a number of channels: email, chat, social media, and phone and we collect and analyze the data from each of these channels. The metrics I mention above are just that – metrics.

Small Business 89

Small Business Customer Startup Software Review 89

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 25, 2013

Investors sitting through Incubator or Accelerator demo days have three metrics to judge fledgling startups – 1) great looking product demos, 2) compelling PowerPoint slides, and 3) a world-class team. And we can offer investors metrics to play Moneyball – with the Investment Readiness Level. We think we can do better. Here’s how.

Oakland 330

Oakland Incubator Lean Metrics 330

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 25, 2014

The startups in our Lean LaunchPad classes and the NSF I-Corps incubator use LaunchPad Central to collect a continuous stream of data across all the teams. The Power of the Investment Readiness Level: Different Metrics for Different Industry Segments. Investment Readiness Level (IRL) for Corporations and Investors. Medical Devices.

Incubator 318

Incubator Intellectual Property Startup Lean 318

ConversionXL

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

We can’t rely on install metrics alone to substantiate success. Otherwise, you’ll live in an inflated metrics loop that doesn’t reflect true, long-term value. You’ll end up chasing false-positive click-to-install metrics that don’t improve conversion rate optimization. And, 65% of downloads happen post-search.

Metadata 121

Metadata Technical Review Retention Metrics 121

VC Cafe

SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

Did one channel work more than others so far? We wish to add our product to existing orders and utilize these already existing marketing channels. VC Cafe: What goals/metrics are you tracking and what would you consider ‘success’ at the end of year one? VC Cafe: How are you planning to market the app?

Mobile 99

Mobile Israel Software Review Bootstrapping 99

ConversionXL

AUGUST 8, 2018

Sales and marketing tend to have the same metrics,” explained Phillips. A scan of marketing-specific KPIs highlighted by training firms also reveals a list of familiar metrics: number of qualified leads generated, cost per qualified lead, marketing staff turnover rate, and marketing staff productivity.). Trend analysis. Qualitative.

Marketing 106

Marketing Metrics Programming Leadership 106

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

To create this first year in business checklist, I turned to our in-house experts here at Palo Alto Software: Sabrina Parsons, CEO; Noah Parsons, COO; Josh Cochrane, Vice President of Product Development; and Josh Fegles, Academic and Government Channel Sales Director, and founder of gluten-free cookie company Jude’s Foods.

Forecast 60

Forecast Software Review Lean Finance 60

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 9, 2012

Offers a ton of detail and great tips on how to get, keep, and grow customers, recognizing that this happens very differently between web and physical channels. and finally it teaches a “new math” for startups: “metrics that matter.”. The Lean LaunchPad Online Class. The Lean LaunchPad Online Class.

Entrepreneur 298

Entrepreneur Lean Business Model Customer Development 298

Occam's Razor

SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

So if Direct traffic is so important and often the metrics show very positive results then why don't we all obsess about it a lot more? We use redirects / vanity urls in our multi-channel campaigns , in our display or search campaigns or even just for the heck of it. The Problem: Unfortunately. That is not an issue.

Analytics 123

Analytics Software Review Campaign Flash 123

Steve Blank

JANUARY 25, 2010

Or depending on your metrics for success, get users, grow traffic, etc.). What’s the distribution channel. How Does Customer Development, Agile Development and Lean Startups Fit? This methodology does for startups what the Toyota Lean Production System did for cars.). How do we price and position the product?

Agile 335

Agile Startup Silicon Valley Business Model 335

ConversionXL

JUNE 2, 2022

It’s not a channel, campaign, or tactic. ABM is a full-court press to build powerful engagement with contacts on the channels that they’re most active. The median figures for each strategy should give you an idea of which program to lean towards. ABM isn’t a quick and easy win. But there are other factors to consider.

Customer 98

Customer Marketing Channel Acquisition 98

Startup Lessons Learned

OCTOBER 23, 2013

Guest post by Lisa Regan, writer for The Lean Startup Conference. Analytics spark more questions and discussion than almost any other aspect of the Lean Startup method. Alistair and Ben, co-authors of the book Lean Analytics, will help you sort it out in our next webcast, Lean Analytics for Non-tech Companies.

Analytics 167

Analytics Lean Widget Metrics 167

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

APRIL 9, 2013

Guest post by Ben Yoskovitz, the co-author of Lean Analytics , a new book on how to use analytics successfully in your business. Unfortunately, due in part to the popularity of Lean Startup and the concepts it promotes, the pivot has been bastardized to the point where it doesn’t mean much to people anymore. Was it a lazy pivot?

Lean 284

Lean Analytics Metrics Viral 284