Lenny Greenberg, Founder and CTO of Assistyx, e-mailed me a long and thoughtful response to my “Learning from Netflix” post. In fact it was is good that I am publishing it with his permission. There are a lot of lessons we can learn from this: It was smart for Netflix to look at their streaming […]
Learning From Netflix: Lenny Greenberg’s Response Read More »
A common complaint an entrepreneur voices when they first try to explain why a prospect should pay for their product: “It’s difficult expressing the value proposition in just a few words because there are so many different ways to use it.” Many an entrepreneur with a new product Here are some things to try to
It’s the Picture on the Box that Sells the LEGO Set Read More »
I am always interested in having a conversation with a prospect. If you are hoping to infer needs from seeing them press a menu button with an icon or one or two words on it I think that’s a poor substitute for a conversation. I know that people cannot always predict what they need or
Selling to a Business Requires Conversations that Build Trust Read More »
“Never mistake a clear view for a short distance.” Paul Saffo “We tend to overestimate the effect of a technology in the short run and underestimate the effect in the long run.” Roy Amara Netflix increased prices by 60% for streaming media and DVD combinations and threatened to split their website into two halves–DVD and
Learning From Netflix’s 2011 Pricing Strategy Mistakes Read More »
If you are an entrepreneur then sales is always a part of your responsibility. Here are some tips for cutting your teeth in sales.
Cutting Your Teeth in Sales Read More »
Gauging Customer Commitment Some customers will tattoo your brand onto their body. Harley Davidson and a few rock bands have able to achieve this. But in general it’s difficult to create that level of life long commitment in a paying customer. You have to be content with accepting their money and working hard to evolve
Gauging Customer Commitment Read More »
Here are the slides from today’s “Working for Equity” panel at Silicon Valley Code Camp. It was a standing room only crowd of over 70 that made for a very interactive session with the panel.
Slides from “Working For Equity” Panel at SVCC 2011 Read More »
Marshal Field’s “Twelve Things to Remember” is a good list of qualities bootstrappers should cultivate within themselves.
Twelve Things to Remember by Marshall Field Read More »
If you are considering joining a startup or are in the process of building out your initial team I am moderating a panel at Silicon Valley Code Camp with three startup CEO’s offering lessons learned on their entrepreneurial experiences. The Working For Equity panel is Sunday October 9 at 10:45 am in Room 4306 and
Working For Equity Panel at SVCC 10:45am Sun-Oct-9 Read More »
Networking is good questions, listening, and helping others. Some rules of thumb for networking from Ford Harding’s Rainmaking (pages 44-59).
Ford Harding on Rules of Thumb for Networking Read More »
Hard to believe that 2011 is already three-quarters over. Slightly more actually. I need to take the time in the next week to recap our goals for 2011 and recalibrate what is still “in the feasible region.” If I am feeling more ambitious I will also sketch out a preliminary list of goals for 2012.
The Fourth Quarter of 2011 Read More »
Rave Reviews for Theresa Shafer 2011 “Theresa does an excellent job with the marketing for my company. Because of her technical background, she is able to write an article from a brief interview, and I usually only need to do minor editing. She is creative in the collateral material she has developed. She does what
Rave Reviews for Theresa Shafer 2011 Read More »
Entrepreneurs feel a calling to improve the world by creating an exchange of value. They are motivated by a dissatisfaction with the status quo and blessed with the energy and gumption to change it. People who are content or phlegmatic rarely try to change things.
Restlessness & Discontent, Gumption & Sisu Read More »
Kevin Kelly has a great blog post up on “working smart” called “What You Don’t Have To Do.” He defines a capability maturity model for working smart:
I like Hacker News for early information and insights on technology. But I find the newly launched Real Clear Technology site useful to understand mainstream perception of the impact of technology innovation. It’s a branch off the Real Clear Politics site, my hope is that they build it out to match the same feature set.
Real Clear Technology Aggregates Mainstream Media on Technology Read More »
Three variations on the idea that “successful entrepreneurship is an ongoing self-improvement” project, program, or process.
Successful Entrepreneurship Is Ongoing Self-Improvement Read More »
You can follow @skmurphy to get them hot off the mojo wire or wait until the end of the month when these quotes for entrepreneurs are collected on the blog. Enter your E-mail if you would like new blog posts to your inbox.
Quotes For Entrepreneurs–September 2011 Read More »
“In high school, popularity is more important than anywhere else, but popularity is not a measure of likability. Popularity is composed of three elements: visibility, recognizability and influence. The people in school who have those three qualities are often that way because they conform to a standard. Meanwhile, the kids who won’t or can’t conform
Entrepreneurs Are Nonconformists Read More »
We are trying an experiment tomorrow, instead of a book we will be talking about a short (200 words) but insightful blog post by Seth Godin “Texting While Working” that addresses several challenges many bootstrappers wrestle judging by the breakfast conversations I take part in. Our panel: Organizer: Francis Adanza, Dir. Professional Services, LeadFormix Carl
Book Club: Seth Godin’s “Texting While Working” Wed-Sep-27 Read More »
On October 12, we are hosting Peter Cohan’s Great Demo! Workshop. It is open to the public and often participates travel from afar. The all day workshop held at the Moorpark Hotel, which several past attendees have stayed at and enjoyed. Here are some additional hotels that are nearby listed in increasing distance from the
Hotels Near Great Demo! Workshop Read More »
