Steve Blank
JUNE 27, 2017
This article originally appeared in the Harvard Business Review. As more and more companies face disruption from globalization, new technology, and startups that have more capital than the incumbents, the continuing cry from Wall Street investors is, “Why can’t companies be as innovative as startups?”. Here’s one reason why: Startups can do anything.
YoungUpstarts
JUNE 5, 2017
by Brian Zeng, owner of Ponbee.com. “We spend as much as half our days in meetings.” – ‘ State of Modern Meeting ’ by Blue Jeans Network. It is therefore essential for business owners to think of ways to make meetings more productive and reduce the time spent in the conference rooms. This will not only ensure higher productivity and better efficiency within the organization, but the employees will be better engaged.
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Hearpreneur
JUNE 14, 2017
Each business has a story. No matter if the business is a Goliath like Wal-Mart, or a local business owned by a couple or family, the business has roots in an idea. For each business owner, the story of their journey can range from monetary needs or the passion for a unique project. Each story is different though the reasons may be the same. No matter the tale, the background behind each and every business is what fuels each and brand.
ConversionXL
JUNE 13, 2017
Agile marketing may not be a phrase you hear often, but it’s becoming increasingly popular and important. Traditionally associated with development and product management, agile is a lightweight and, well, agile framework for software development and bringing features and products to market. It stands in opposition to “waterfall” production methods that treat analysis, design, coding, and testing as discrete phases – where in agile they are treated as continuous.
Speaker: Nick Noreña, Innovation Coach and Advisor, Kromatic
Every startup and innovation project exists within an ecosystem that either helps or hurts that project. As innovation managers, we need to keep a pulse of that ecosystem and make sure we're helping those innovation projects we're managing every step of the way. In this webinar, Nick Noreña will walk through an Innovation Ecosystem Model that he and his team at Kromatic have developed to help investors, heads of product, teachers, and executives understand how they can best support innovation in
Up and Running
JUNE 14, 2017
Almost on a weekly basis, I meet new aspiring entrepreneurs looking to execute on their ideas. Some believe in the all-in approach to product development: build an advanced app. If it works, they’ll hit it big, and if it doesn’t, they’ll make some changes and do it again. Others believe in the start small, grow strong approach: build a small version of the app, test user demand, and then take it from there.
Austin Startup
JUNE 8, 2017
by Andy Tryba & Marisa Goldenberg Ridesharing in Austin got even more interesting on Memorial Day as Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a statewide regulation framework overruling local Austin rules. After investing in 36 lobbyists to win this bill — Uber and Lyft got basically everything they wanted and both Silicon Valley giants turned their apps back on in Austin a few hours later.
Start Up Roar brings together the best content for start up professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
YoungUpstarts
JUNE 6, 2017
Cloud computing has many advantages, so it’s no wonder that uptake and growth continue to increase at a formidable pace. Many companies, not just the major players, are moving their data and applications over to the cloud. As with all technologies, new and old, there are strengths and weaknesses. One of the major concerns about cloud computing is security.
Hearpreneur
JUNE 10, 2017
Music can change your spirit. If you’re having a bad day and listen to your favorite song, it can change your entire mood. Music can also help you to get through difficult moments in life. One of the hardest things anyone can ever do is start and run a business. We knew that entrepreneurs have the best playlists and we decided to ask them their favorite tracks. #1 – All I do is Win by DJ Khaled.
ConversionXL
JUNE 8, 2017
Did you know that Netflix has only 90 seconds to find a show that suits a user before she gets frustrated and quits? According to a recent academic study, “a typical Netflix member loses interest after perhaps 60 to 90 seconds of choosing, having reviewed 10 to 20 titles (perhaps 3 in detail) on one or two screens.” How does Netflix manage to find the right show for the right user so quickly?
Up and Running
JUNE 28, 2017
Over the past decade, ecommerce has enjoyed explosive growth. Retailers everywhere, large and small, have their pick from a range of tools to create an online shopping presence that attracts customers and increases revenue. But for today’s hair salons, spas, car repair shops, and other service- or appointment-based businesses, the technology needed to enhance the customer experience requires a slightly different set of features.
Growthink Blog
JUNE 21, 2017
There are only 3 things to know to make dramatically better decisions: 1) How we’ve done in the past. 2) What our competition is doing now. 3) What our customers will want in the future. 1. How We’ve Done in the Past. At this point in the Big Data and SaaS revolutions at our fingertips should always be dead accurate data on mission critical processes like customer acquisition costs by marketing and sales channel, profitability by client type / employee role, and really anything else that moves a
Duct Tape Marketing
JUNE 6, 2017
Why the Majority of Websites Fail written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing. Gone are the days where businesses can rely solely on “pretty” websites. In today’s digital marketing landscape, a website must be an optimized, revenue-generating platform. I’ll just get right to it: The reason so many websites fail is because businesses take a design-driven approach from the beginning as opposed to developing a website from the ground up with SEO in mind.
YoungUpstarts
JUNE 27, 2017
by James Ontra, CEO of Shufflrr. Startups typically lack the resources of larger organizations – cash, staff, and huge marketing budgets. Yet the good ones can compensate with a great product combined with great service. Customer support is one venue where start-ups can differentiate themselves from their larger competitors. To run a successful startup in the tech industry, you need to understand how critical tech support really is to the livelihood of your business, especially in the competitiv
Hearpreneur
JUNE 26, 2017
Being an entrepreneur is a source of pride. It also evidences an individual with a huge amount of discipline and focus to be able to build a business a lot of times from just an idea. It is the ambition of an entrepreneur that built the most profitable and successful companies. The only issue is that the word entrepreneurship can often vary from person to person. #1 – A Few Things.
ConversionXL
JUNE 15, 2017
If you’re not following form design best practices, you might be leaving a significant amount of money on the table. While forms aren’t the sexiest part of conversion optimization , they tend to be the closest to the money, the macro-conversions. Spending a little time optimizing forms can be some of the most important optimization work you can do. Of course, best practices don’t work the same on all sites.
Up and Running
JUNE 13, 2017
One of the largest banks in the country, with branch locations in your town, advertises everywhere. You know their jingle. Those ads are tempting for small business owners—it’s hard to resist the ten largest banks because they control over $10.1 trillion in assets and have the marketing budget to prove it. After seeing the ads for weeks on TV, you apply for a small business loan.
Growthink Blog
JUNE 7, 2017
The world’s best run businesses efficiently and effectively decide upon, launch, manage and optimize new business projects and initiatives. In contrast, poorly run businesses struggle mightily to do so on all fronts. They struggle deciding where to invest scarce project time and resources. Once they do decide, they then struggle to get those new projects launched.
Duct Tape Marketing
JUNE 27, 2017
Transcript of The Key to Success? Taking Care of Your Community written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing. Back to Podcast. Transcript. John Jantsch: Who doesn’t love Copyblogger? Really been around since the dawn of the online era. Brian Clark and I have been friends for a really long time and they have certainly set the standard on how to build a business, how to build a brand, how to take care of a community.
YoungUpstarts
JUNE 27, 2017
by Ross Kimbarovsky, founder of crowdSPRING. Not every entrepreneur or business owner is comfortable negotiating. Many dread the adversarial nature of negotiation. Even so, it’s difficult (and perhaps impossible) to operate a small business or startup and not negotiate agreements with employees, vendors, customers, and others. I’ve negotiated with thousands of people (for 13 years as an attorney and for the past 10 as an entrepreneur and business owner).
Both Sides of the Table
JUNE 29, 2017
I am so proud and humbled to be able to formally announce that Upfront Ventures has raised its 6th venture capital fund in the past 21 years. Upfront VI is our latest core fund and is $400 million to invest in early stage entrepreneurs. This brings our combined funds under management to nearly $2 billion. A huge thank you to all of the Limited Partners who have entrusted us with your capital, time and reputations.
ConversionXL
JUNE 26, 2017
Elite Camp is a traffic and (mainly) conversion event held in Estonia every summer. It’s among the very best CRO events in the world, and of course in Europe. Elite Camp 2017 had an enviable line-up of heavy hitters and rock stars. Here are top insights from every speaker of this year’s event. Thanks to the inimitable Karl Gilis for all the photos below.
Up and Running
JUNE 5, 2017
Just three years after launching, FedEx was burning a million dollars per month just to stay afloat. Cash supplies were dwindling and the outlook was grim. With just five thousand dollars in the bank and a five-figure monthly fuel bill, the curtain was about to drop. With few other options, FedEx founder Fred Smith flew to Las Vegas and sat down at a blackjack table.
deal architect
JUNE 2, 2017
The French President tweeted yesterday "Tonight the United States has turned its back on the world, but France will not turn its back on Americans," He is talking about President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord. Turned.
Duct Tape Marketing
JUNE 23, 2017
Why Customer Experience Is the Key to an Amazing Business written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing. In this post – 5 Steps to Restart, Recharge and Revive Your Marketing Right Now! – I introduced an aggressive initiative to help any business owner struggling to stay on plan with their marketing for the year. The idea is to take the mid-point of the year and get a fresh restart.
YoungUpstarts
JUNE 11, 2017
Whether you’re a startup looking at taking those first steps into the business world or an established company wanting to expand your customer base, marketing your business is an important step in getting your brand in front of the right people. With the variety of marketing options available to all industries, choosing the right one for you can seem like a long and arduous task.
Steve Blank
JUNE 21, 2017
I was in Boston and was interviewed by The Growth Show about my current thinking about innovation in companies and government agencies.The interviewer was great and managed to get me to summarize several years of learning in one podcast. It’s worth a listen. At the end of the interview I got surprised by a great question – “What’s the Problem that Still Haunts You?
Both Sides of the Table
JUNE 25, 2017
Fresno State students receive supplies for school with help from Renaissance Scholars staff John Hunt, Jr. (left) and Kizzy Lopez (right). We’re all bombarded with social media campaigns asking for us to Tweet, share, like, change our badge, use a hashtag or generally show outrage at a topic du jour. We jump in when we feel compelled or want to support the person who enlisted us.
Up and Running
JUNE 21, 2017
If there is one thing that has allowed us at Slidebean to grow fast and efficiently, is our obsessive tracking of marketing budget returns. Back in 2015 when we only had about $2,000-$3,000 worth of marketing budget to spend each month, getting the most out of our buck was fundamental—not only for growth, but for survival. But keeping track of where a customer came from is very hard, especially when you start diversifying your marketing channels to campaigns that don’t have a direct conve
deal architect
JUNE 20, 2017
I honestly cannot remember the last time SAP showed in the lower left quadrant – for niche players – in a Gartner MQ. But in the latest MQ for “Cloud Core Financial Management Suites for Midsize, Large and Global Enterprises”.
Duct Tape Marketing
JUNE 29, 2017
How to Use Your Website to Convert Consulting Leads into Clients written by Guest Post read more at Duct Tape Marketing. Marketing and selling consulting services can take weeks, months, and in some cases — years. As a consultant who must balance delivery versus sales, not having enough leads can lead to the dreaded feast-or-famine cycle. Nurturing and educating your leads is time-consuming work.
YoungUpstarts
JUNE 6, 2017
Are you new to the wonderful world of entrepreneurship? Are you ready to take on everything that comes your way? Are you looking forward to your first business trip? As your business grows and you continue to travel, you’ll find that this can be an enjoyable experience. Planning your first business trip as an entrepreneur can be a challenge. There is something about being in charge of every aspect of your trip that can slow you down.
Small Business Force
JUNE 18, 2017
While all entrepreneurs want to grow their business, growth is not inevitable. And just as often, elusive. What got you here, won’t get you there. Because you were successful in getting to a particular level of revenue or profit for one year doesn’t mean that beating it (or even meeting it) the following year is a given. To do better, you need to perform better.
View from Seed
JUNE 7, 2017
Sean Ellis and Morgan Brown are entrepreneurs, growth experts, and co-authors of the book Hacking Growth. Today, we talk about this notion of growth hacking and debunk some myths, then walk through a smart process you can use to start running a growth engine strategically, instead of seeking false silver bullets. Find their book, Hacking Growth , on Amazon.
Startup Professionals Musings
JUNE 23, 2017
As an angel investor, I get approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who can talk endlessly about their latest great idea, and little else. While I recognize that every new venture starts with an idea, a successful business of lasting value is all about people and execution. Every investor is looking for someone who can turn an idea into a solution, and turn that solution into a business.
deal architect
JUNE 3, 2017
I love Mary Meeker’s annual Internet Trends report. This year though it struck me that over 95% of her 355 slides focused on consumer world – digital advertising, ecommerce, ride-sharing, gaming. wearables and digital healthcare etc. The “vertical” growth in.
Duct Tape Marketing
JUNE 21, 2017
Find Out Why Nobody is Finding Your Content written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing. Marketing Podcast with Brian Dean. I believe that elements of SEO are now elevated to the strategic level. In other words, as you plan your message, website structure, and content for your marketing, you better include some research commonly seen as a technical aspect of SEO.
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