Steve Blank

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Finding a customer for your product in the Department of Defense is hard: Who should you talk to? Looking for DoD customers How do you know if they have money to spend on your product? How do you get their attention? It almost always starts with a Program Executive Office. government intends to communicate this information.

Programming 247

Programming Customer Portfolio Government 247

ConversionXL

JULY 21, 2022

By focusing intently on a single measurement, known as a north star metric. They even employ a dedicated “System Implementation Manager” whose sole responsibility is to drive adoption and get 70% of customers using the product daily. The north star metric defines success for the whole company and aligns teams on a growth trajectory.

Metrics 120

Metrics Acquisition Revenue .Net 120

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 15, 2019

Employees are still too often thought of as a commodity, to be acquired “just in time” for the lowest cost, and managed as a disposable asset. With the latest advances in software technology, it’s no longer cost-prohibitive for business entrepreneurs, who can’t yet afford a human resources department, to take advantage of analytics tools.

Analytics 245

Analytics Metrics Employee Open Source 245

Up and Running

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

But being able to monetize customers and acquire those customers at a low enough cost is quite another. Especially in the early stages of growth, standing up to competition means that your business also needs to minimize the cost of acquiring new customers. This kind of retargeting is highly cost-effective.

Acquisition 127

Acquisition Cost Affiliate Customer 127

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 17, 2013

Entrepreneurs have no trouble focusing on how to build a product, and the good ones know how to find and nurture those first critical customers. What I’m talking about here is a level of discipline and skill necessary to collect and analyze the relevant business data, known as metrics. Customer loyalty and retention.

Metrics 252

Metrics Technical Review Retention Acquisition 252

The Startup Magazine

AUGUST 7, 2024

Running an ecommerce business requires efficient order fulfillment processes to get products to customers quickly and cost-effectively. Streamlining your fulfillment workflows can help you ship orders faster, reduce costs, and provide better customer service. Avoid using overly large boxes that raise charges.

eCommerce 149

eCommerce Software Review Metrics Analytics 149

YoungUpstarts

SEPTEMBER 7, 2014

For most startups, one of the most exciting and frustrating phases is deciding how to price their offering for their first paying customer. Because of these nuances, startups selling to enterprise customers must be even more diligent in tracking the right growth metrics. Here are a few metrics your startup should be watching: 1.

Metrics 219

Metrics Churn Rate Startup Acquisition 219

Duct Tape Marketing

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Unlocking the Power of Data: Transforming Metrics into Actionable Insights written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with John Janstch In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast , I interviewed Peter Caputa, CEO of Databox, an innovative player in the realm of marketing analytics.

Metrics 88

Metrics Analytics Forecast Software Review 88

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

OCTOBER 7, 2013

This is the fifth article in a series on novel ideas for SaaS metrics, which started with The unprofitable SaaS business model trap , COC: a new metric for cancellations , The mistake of 1/c in LTV , and SSEBITDA: Steady-state profit metric. Metrics summarize tons of processes, causes, and effects into a single number.

Metrics 244

Metrics Technical Review Revenue Cost 244

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 4, 2011

Having a set of metrics that you watch & that you feel are the key drivers of your success helps keep clarity. And the more public you can make your goals for these key metrics the better. 4 times / 100 means if a customer uses your app frequently (say 10-20 times / day) then they are crashing nearly every day.

Metrics 346

Metrics Startup Acquisition SEM 346

ConversionXL

AUGUST 13, 2019

SaaS sales and marketing teams can get overwhelmed by metrics. But without any metrics, it’s impossible to track growth. If growth is the best way to get out alive, marketing metrics do little unless they correlate with sales. According to Gartner , three metrics form the foundation for those growth levers: (Image source).

Metrics 117

Metrics SQL Retention Churn Rate 117

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2019

It’s always tempting to think that more product variations will satisfy more customers and lead to new sales. The problem is that more SKUs dramatically increases complexity and cost, when you can least afford it. Buy too much inventory too soon to get unit costs down. Use multiple small orders at first.

Technical Review 306

Technical Review Metrics Social Media Channel 306

Duct Tape Marketing

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023

Small Business Metrics to Track: Measuring Success The Right Way written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing Are you tracking the right metrics that truly measure your definition of success? 5 Metrics-Focused Tips for Small Business: How to Achieve Meaningful Marketing Goals 1.

Metrics 68

Metrics Small Business Software Review Green 68

Duct Tape Marketing

MAY 11, 2022

Why Call Tracking Metrics Matter To Your Marketing Efforts written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing. Key Takeaway: Today, it seems as though there’s a never-ending list of channels and ways in which your customers can communicate with you and your business. Marketing Podcast with Todd and Laure Fisher.

Metrics 94

Metrics Marketing Software Review Cofounder 94

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 11, 2022

And then in the late 90’s money crept in, swept in to town by public markets, instant wealth and an absurd sky-rocketing of valuations based on no reasonable metrics. We had nascent revenues, ridiculous cost structures and unrealistic valuations. Until we weren’t. 2001–2007: THE BUILDING YEARS The dot com bubble had burst.

Valuation 466

Valuation San Francisco Ratchet Liquidation Preference 466

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2017

Not so long ago, every business assumed that the keys to success were the highest quality product, the best value for the buck, and the best customer service. Now all we hear about is providing the best “customer experience.” You have to hear your customer’s dreams, goals, passions, and aspirations.

Customer 213

Customer Product Technical Review Marketing 213

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. It’s hard to recover from a tarnished image.

Forecast 304

Forecast Stock Options Technical Review Metrics 304

YoungUpstarts

JUNE 19, 2015

Below are some key metrics to track when managing accounts receivable and planning to receive payments on invoices: Days Sales Outstanding (DSO). One simple method to reducing DSO is converting paper to email with electronic invoicing, which also reduce labor and material costs. Your customers make up your portfolio of business.

Metrics 100

Metrics Software Review Portfolio Software Development 100

ConversionXL

OCTOBER 16, 2022

There’s more to ecommerce customer acquisition than increasing checkout conversion rates. For long-term, sustainable success, you must attract the right customers. In this article, you’ll learn how to gauge the effectiveness of any customer acquisition strategy. What makes customer acquisition different from marketing?

Acquisition 129

Acquisition eCommerce Customer Churn Rate 129

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 31, 2023

Hidalgo recommends a focus on engagement stage indicators including customers by channel, conversion ratio, and cost per revenue. You need to track what content is resonating with your prospective customers, through metrics including submit rate by content offer, elasticity, velocity, cost, and ultimately revenue by content program.

Demand 256

Demand Metrics NPV Net Present Value 256

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

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023

But for founders who do their homework, the cost of entry is lower and the opportunity is higher than ever. Building a minimum viable product, with customer validation. Years ago, it cost a million dollars for a new e-commerce site, one that you can now create for almost nothing with current tools and technology.

Intellectual Property 261

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Angel Groups Social Media 261

Occam's Razor

MAY 2, 2017

There is no golden metric for everyone, we are all unique snowflakes! :). and tell you what are the best key performance indicators (metrics) for them. In the past I’ve shared a cluster of metrics that small, medium and large businesses can use as a springboard…. If you want to play along. Don’t read what I’ve chosen.

Metrics 143

Metrics Acquisition eCommerce Analytics 143

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2022

As a potential investor, I always think of the high rate of failure of disruptive technologies, due to the longer learning curve of customers, infrastructure change consistently required, and higher marketing costs. Before you act, shut up and listen to employees, customers, and futurists.

Technical Review 252

Technical Review Silicon Valley Software Review Metrics 252

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 31, 2017

by Robbie Kellman Baxter, author of “ The Membership Economy: Find Your Super Users, Master the Forever Transaction, and Build Recurring Revenue “ In today’s competitive market, customer engagement (or lack thereof) could determine whether your company sinks or swims. Don’t confuse this with Customer Service.

Customer 171

Customer Retention Software Review Metrics 171

The Equity Kicker

MAY 3, 2018

Let me start by saying that I’m a massive believer in the power of metrics. However, it’s also true that metrics are not a panacea, with difficulties typically arising when a focus on metrics eclipses the big picture. Over focus on metrics at the expense of meaning, culture and innovation.

Metrics 87

Metrics CPA Early Stage Retention 87

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2023

With a singular focus on building unicorns, very rapid growth has been a key metric. The distributed model draws on a diverse pool, helps manage costs, and captures regional insights and focus necessary to win local customers. Build for sustainability and resilience, as well as growth.

Global 345

Global Silicon Valley Marketing Indonesia 345

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2020

But for founders who do their homework, the cost of entry is lower and the opportunity is higher than ever. Building a minimum viable product, with customer validation. Years ago, it cost a million dollars for a new e-commerce site, one that you can now create for almost nothing with current tools and technology.

Intellectual Property 404

Intellectual Property Startup Angel Groups Social Media 404

Occam's Razor

SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

Company UX leaders are happy to stink less by taking the sub-optimal path of responsive design, rather than create a mobile-unique experience (your customers tend to do different things on your desktop site than your mobile site!). Mobile content consumption, behavior along key metrics (time, bounces etc.)

Analytics 143

Analytics Metrics Mobile DC 143

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 6, 2021

I’m sure all you accountants will agree that fixing the mistakes listed here does not require rocket science, but I’ve seen them so often that to be forewarned is to be forearmed: Failing to factor in fixed costs when pricing. Always use a break-even analysis to measure what volume and price are required to offset total costs.

Technical Review 379

Technical Review Finance Startup Salary 379

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2021

Most of the entrepreneurs I meet as an investor and advisor have no shortage of right-brain thinking, showing vision and creativity, but often don’t realize that their potential is being limited by a balancing focus on results, metrics, and customer specifics. Listen to customer feedback and tune your vision.

Technical Review 332

Technical Review Metrics Leadership Technology 332

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2021

I recommend a trial run with an experiment or MVP (minimum viable product), at full price and cost, before the big bang launch, risking your investment money and a major time commitment. Look for validation from your mainstream customers. Growing too fast kills many new ventures, due to staffing costs, inventory, and funding delays.

Technical Review 329

Technical Review Merger Software Review Acquisition 329

ConversionXL

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

They both have a history of focusing on the lifetime value of a customer rather than chasing short-term profits. If you want to be a leader in customer loyalty and grow your business for the long term, Customer Value Optimization is key. How does “Customer Value Optimization” change your approach?

Customer 132

Customer SMS Retention Acquisition 132

SoCal CTO

MARCH 1, 2010

Startup Killer: the Cost of Customer Acquisition | For Entrepreneurs , February 2, 2010 Looks at the critical equation around customer acquisition cost vs. customer lifetime value similar to what I discussed in Startup Metrics but in more depth. Jason looks at the issues around "sunk cost."

Acquisition 150

Acquisition Cofounder Technical Cofounder Cost 150

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2022

Employees are still too often thought of as a commodity, to be acquired “just in time” for the lowest cost, and managed as a disposable asset. With the latest advances in software technology, it’s no longer cost-prohibitive for business entrepreneurs, who can’t yet afford a human resources department, to take advantage of analytics tools.

Analytics 303

Analytics Hiring Open Source Employee 303

ConversionXL

JULY 21, 2022

Optimize each channel, and you’ll win new customers, enjoy higher order rates , and retain customers. In this post, we’ll explore lessons from brands that use omnichannel marketing to deliver a seamless customer experience. Omnichannel aligns branding, messaging , and customer service across every channel.

Customer 118

Customer Marketing Channel Audience 118

Occam's Razor

SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

FBe's recommendation was (paraphrasing a 35 min talk): Don't invent new metrics, use online versions of Reach and GRPs to measure success. Compute ROI: (cost of Facebook campaigns + salary of people running campaigns + agency creative costs) vs. profit from incremental product sales. Metrics are a problem.

Metrics 165

Metrics Advertising Marketing Social Media 165