Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 2, 2022

As a long-time mentor to entrepreneurs, here is my collection of smart risks that investors and I look for in new startups: Focus on a tough customer problem rather than a fun technology. Investors hate technology solutions looking for a problem, due to the high risk of no customers. Don’t rely on conservative forecasts to reduce risk.

Forecast 304

Forecast Stock Options Technical Review Metrics 304

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Many small businesses are turning to customer relationship management systems(CRM) to better understand customer wants and needs. CRM applications, often used in combination with data warehousing, eCommerce applications , and call centers, allow companies to gather and access customer information. What is CRM? Who is using CRM?

Management 116

Management Customer Software Review Technical Review 116

Up and Running

JULY 2, 2014

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. Since sales are intimate with costs and expenses, the forecast helps you budget and manage.

Forecast 119

Forecast Sales Aggregator Software Review 119

Up and Running

JANUARY 24, 2023

Payroll often makes up a large portion of a business’s expenses, so it’s important to spend some time working on this portion of your forecast. That’s OK and the exact reason why you should work on a personnel forecast. Will you need marketing, customer service, or service staff?

Forecast 84

Forecast Cost Salary Employee 84

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2020

As a long-time mentor to entrepreneurs, here is my collection of smart risks that investors and I look for in new startups: Focus on a tough customer problem rather than a fun technology. Investors hate technology solutions looking for a problem, due to the high risk of no customers. Don’t rely on conservative forecasts to reduce risk.

Management 322

Management Entrepreneur Forecast Stock Options 322

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 25, 2021

It takes a long time and lots of effort to overcome existing momentum, and both investors and customers want to see results on a small scale in their lifetime, before they line up to join the movement. Look for sizable customer populations unattractive to incumbents. Compete against non-consumption and non-existing markets.

Non-Compete 394

Non-Compete Technical Review Forecast Social Media 394

NZ Entrepreneur

NOVEMBER 19, 2019

In Part 1 of this two-part series on forecasting, we discussed why it’s important for any size or type of business to get into the habit. Then we looked at four ways to help improve your forecasting accuracy. Does the forecast stack up when you express it in non-financial terms? Step away from the forecast.

Forecast 40

Forecast Balance Sheet Software Review Cloud 40

The Startup Magazine

JUNE 5, 2024

Optimize Facility Operations Efficient facility operations are crucial for a successful self-storage business, directly influencing customer satisfaction and profitability. Streamlining processes and incorporating cost-saving measures are essential components of this strategy. This percentage jumps dramatically with repeated issues.

Security 117

Security Technical Review Operations Revenue 117

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 12, 2021

You need to examine your business’s financial plan and develop customized budgeting techniques that help you make healthy financial decisions. A functional budget includes the segmentation of costs and expenses to create reports that help your teams identify problem areas. Not planning for emergency costs.

Technical Review 132

Technical Review Software Review Forecast Cloud 132

YoungUpstarts

APRIL 16, 2020

The fast options to get business cash are: Collecting from customers. Each of these options has negative ramifications – bad customer experience, personal financial strain, and high-interest rates, respectively speaking. Customers not paying invoices. What are my top 3 costs? Owner cash infusion or loan.

Recapitalization 200

Recapitalization Forecast Software Review Finance 200

YoungUpstarts

JUNE 12, 2017

Despite the massive scope of the fraud, customers ultimately didn’t lose a lot of money. That lack of control mixed with an environment focused on meeting goals at all costs leads to an incredibly volatile cocktail of paralysis and fear. The lender has since refunded $3.2 Get a second opinion. Test for problem-solving.

Finance 159

Finance Cost Hiring Reputation 159

Hunter Walker

JULY 22, 2014

I don’t believe the forecast you show me. Well, if you’re pre-product/market fit, over-optimizing for “hitting your numbers” can be a false positive if it creates an “up and to the right” graph that actually builds upon the wrong learnings, or masks leaky bucket of customer attrition. But how to set a forecast?

Forecast 97

Forecast Early Stage Seed Stage Startup 97

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

Whether you are starting a consulting business, a car repair shop, or a construction firm, a business plan will help you figure out your strategy, develop your marketing plan and figure out the all-important financial forecasts so that you can be successful. For some service businesses, startup costs can be high. Know your numbers.

Business Plan 161

Business Plan Forecast Balance Sheet Sales 161

The Startup Magazine

JUNE 16, 2024

Businesses of all sizes and sectors are constantly seeking innovative strategies to capture the attention of potential customers. Focusing on Your Sales Funnel Understanding Your Ideal Customer The foundation of effective lead generation lies in a deep understanding of your ideal customer. But the key is to offer value.

Lead Generation 133

Lead Generation Artificial Inteligence Technical Review Audience 133

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 16, 2023

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. External investors will demand a financial forecast, but it’s equally valuable to you, even if bootstrapping. Quantify overhead costs.

Forecast 290

Forecast Burn Rate Widget Business Plan 290

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

By chasing after relentless growth – at all costs – they have gone beyond their abilities to pay spiraling bills to suppliers, employees, and financiers. How can one manage one’s business costs better? This model assigns more indirect costs (overhead) into direct costs compared to conventional costing models.

Cost 154

Cost Management Balance Sheet Software Review 154

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 30, 2024

Market Research and Analysis Before entering a foreign market, thorough market research and analysis are crucial to understanding local market dynamics, customer preferences, and competition. Consider customizing your products or services to meet local needs without compromising quality.

Technical Review 117

Technical Review Intellectual Property Due Diligence Global 117

The Startup Magazine

JUNE 4, 2024

Customer Satisfaction: Improve customer satisfaction scores by 15% in the next year through enhanced support and product improvements. It involves budgeting, forecasting, and efficient use of resources. Cost Control: Implement cost-saving measures without compromising on quality or customer experience.

Technical Review 113

Technical Review Agile Audience Employee 113

The Startup Magazine

OCTOBER 19, 2020

Similarly, customers are more knowledgeable, aware, and conscious to choose from the variety out there, which slows down the company’s revenue and growth. Capturing and analyzing data enables companies to get insights that benefit their companies in cost-saving, relevant marketing, product development, etc.

Technical Review 152

Technical Review Forecast Analytics Social Media 152

The Startup Magazine

JUNE 20, 2024

As the production halts due to faulty equipment, you have to bear the costs of labor, lost revenue, reduced capacity, etc. Leverage Predictive Analytics By analyzing historical data and identifying patterns, predictive analytics can forecast potential equipment failures before they occur. What are the two types of downtime?

Analytics 116

Analytics Artificial Inteligence Colorado Michigan 116

Up and Running

OCTOBER 29, 2019

Black Friday is just around the corner, and this is a great time to review your sales forecast goals and develop a strategy to meet them through your holiday campaigns. Offer special discounts to loyal customers. Offer special discounts to your best or most loyal customers on the things they buy the most. Cross-sell!

Sales 92

Sales Customer Campaign Stock 92

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

But when the chewing gum proved more popular, he pivoted his entire business to accommodate his customers. You’re losing customers. If you find customers are not returning, a pivot strategy could bring them back. Cash flow can weaken for many reasons, including poor sales and high costs. Your product is outdated.

Forecast 84

Forecast Europe Small Business Demand 84

ReadWriteStart

JULY 7, 2023

Small and medium-sized businesses frequently face difficulties in meeting the high costs associated with hiring agencies or creating content on their own. In light of the state of the economy as it is currently functioning, he places an emphasis on developing marketing strategies that are efficient with regard to cost.

Generative AI 127

Generative AI SEO Artificial Inteligence Forecast 127

Up and Running

OCTOBER 26, 2020

But if you start with realistic expectations for how much it may cost to launch a successful eCommerce store, you’ll be far more likely to succeed. So, before starting an eCommerce business , follow these tips to better plan out your site and accurately budget your startup costs. Template vs. custom design.

eCommerce 149

eCommerce Development Team Review Hosting Security 149

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

On an elementary level, this translates into efficient manufacturing at a lower cost. Suppliers also have machinery and technology issues to contend with as they create customized products. Learn how these disjointed sources of materials affect your supply chain costs and cause potential delays.

Management 145

Management Forecast Los Angeles San Francisco 145

VC Cafe

OCTOBER 16, 2024

These advancements enable professionals in sales, recruiting, customer support, and administrative roles to concentrate on more strategic, high-value activities. Consumer Cloud Applications: Bessemer forecasts that AI-driven content, including voice, will dominate by 2030. Virtual employees for hire.

Vertical 169

Vertical Generative AI B2C CTO Hire 169

Steve Blank

APRIL 1, 2020

Any place with a fixed cost that relies on foot traffic will come under pressure. Your customers will no longer be your customers. Cut costs to stay alive for 24 months. Forecasted recovery date. Your customers start buying. Sales pipeline/forecast. Payroll costs/other variable costs.

South Korea 334

South Korea Salary Business Model China 334

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

It can be the idea, the customers, the mission, the grind—whatever it is; there’s something that keeps you going. Sure, your friends and family say they love it, but that doesn’t guarantee that actual customers will. Take the time to conduct market research and identify your target customers. That’s completely fine.

Forecast 154

Forecast Software Review Bootstrapping Finance 154

Up and Running

APRIL 9, 2020

This happens because businesses invoice customers and book the sale which shows profit, even though the cash hasn’t been collected from the customer yet. How to forecast and manage your cash flow. As a starting point, you can try and bring in payments from your customers faster and potentially pay your own bills a bit slower.

Balance Sheet 147

Balance Sheet Forecast CPA Software Review 147

Up and Running

OCTOBER 23, 2020

To put it simply, plan vs actual is just the active review and adjustment of financial forecasts based on your real-world financial results. The illustration below shows a view of the sales forecast for a bicycle store. She forecasts sales by forecasting units, the average price per unit, and sales as the product of unit times price.

Management 117

Management Forecast Software Review Balance Sheet 117

Steve Blank

AUGUST 23, 2010

At times I’ll do what I consider an extension of teaching; a two-day Customer Discovery/Validation intensive session with a large corporation serious about Customer Development at my ranch on the California Coast. We used what they learned to plan their next steps for additional Discovery, and ultimately Customer Validation.

Customer Development 239

Customer Development Developer Customer South America 239

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2021

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. External investors will demand a financial forecast, but it’s equally valuable to you, even if bootstrapping. Quantify overhead costs.

Forecast 369

Forecast Burn Rate Startup Widget 369

Up and Running

MAY 10, 2021

In this article, we will talk about the trends and the cost of mobile app development with a forecast for 2021. We will see an increase in cloud platforms and a reduction in the cost of sensors. The only thing that prevents smart clothes from becoming a popular trend at the moment is their high cost. Trillion by 2025.

Artificial Inteligence 150

Artificial Inteligence Developer Development Team Review United Kingdom 150

Growthink Blog

MAY 2, 2018

The usual mind-set is frugality , whereby any “money out” no matter its potential strategic value is reviewed through a strict “minimization” filter - i.e. the lowest cost option being highly preferred. Feel like you are just “treading water,” and focused too much on the costs and expenses of your business and not its opportunities?

Cost 48

Cost Software Review Portfolio Forecast 48

Up and Running

JUNE 9, 2020

Until your customers pay their invoices, you can’t pay your bills. So, if you’re doing a ton of business, but your customers are slow to pay on their invoices, you might still have cash flow problems. Forecast cash flow and manage that forecast carefully. But keep in mind that cash and profits aren’t the same things.

Forecast 114

Forecast Software Review Campaign Cash Position 114

Steve Blank

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

The moment I saw the product I knew every one of my professional graphics customers (ad agencies, freelancers, photo studios, etc.) But every graphics professional did own a CDROM drive but most didn’t own a high-resolution film scanner – and PhotoCD would have been perfect for them – and the perfect launch customer.

Search 299

Search Marketing Forecast Burn Rate 299

VC Cafe

JULY 21, 2022

The global games and services market is forecast to reach $188 billion in 2022, a 1.2% forecasted decline year on year according to research from Ampere Analysis after two years of massive growth. Others like Peloton, also experimenting with adding gaming as an engagement mechanism with their customers. Over 3 billion.

Forecast 190

Forecast IP Mobile Acquisition 190