Lisa Solomon says that an effective meeting can do one–and only one–of 3 things: build a common understanding, generate option, or make decisions. In this talk on “Designing Time: Make Meaning” she elaborates on this and challenges the person calling the meeting to work backward from the end of the meeting and define: what has […]
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Quotes For Entrepreneurs–August 2013 Read More »
Iterating an MVP until it’s good enough for government work only works if your customer is open to a co-development relationship.
Q: How Do You Iterate An MVP So That It’s “Good Enough For Government Work” Read More »
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SKMurphy Subscription Options Read More »
Welcome to our first major re-design in almost seven years. Things are a little wider now, posts should look better on tablets and smartphones, and the audio and video should all play on them as well. Please leave a comment or contact us if you have any problems or suggestions. We want to thank Dave
First Major Website Upgrade In 7 years Read More »
Some thoughts on college vs. startups, the panels are sliced up from “Students” by Randall Monroe. This is which is a dream that I still have. I find it a marker for being under pressure.
College vs. Startup Read More »
Firms make a mistake when they treat email like a bullhorn, a tools for broadcast, instead of a walkie-talkie that enables a conversation.
Use E-Mail Like a Walkie-Talkie, Not A Bullhorn Read More »
The Lego Box Presentation Method is to put meaning before detail. When Lego sells a Starfighter the picture on the box show it fully assembled, not the 560 multi-colored pieces and a collegiate dictionary-size book of assembly directions.
The Lego Box Presentation Method Read More »
A new startup is often driven by a desire for autonomy, self-expression, and lifelong learning. Or it’s a creative solution to a lack of alternatives. Albert Hirschman observed that “creativity always comes as a surprise to us” which led him to suggest “the only we can bring our creative resources fully into play is by misjudging
If You Knew How Hard a Startup Would Be Read More »
The best product demo is a conversation driven by mutual curiosity. Don’t set your PowerPoints on stun. Your goal is to learn more about a prospect’s current situation and needs while they want to learn more about your product and services and how you can help them.
Set Your PowerPoints on Stun Read More »
You can follow @skmurphy to get these hot off the mojo wire or wait until these quotes for entrepreneurs are collected in a blog post at the end of each month. Enter your E-mail address if you would like to have new blog posts sent to you.
Quotes For Entrepreneurs–July 2013 Read More »
Christopher Moore’s novel, Coyote Blue, is full of observations that I found very applicable to the entrepreneurial roller coaster.
Christopher Moore’s Coyote Blue Read More »
In the early market make it your mission to help your early customers. Providing value you can charge for will do more to gain traction than anything else.
Mission Often Matters More Than Monetization In An Early Market Read More »
It’s time for another summer reading list, this year I am focused on ecosystem models: systems thinking informed by biological metaphors.
Summer Reading for 2013: Applying Ecosystem Models To Business Read More »
Stripping the least useful third of the features requested allows you to deliver a 70 percent solution much more rapidly that’s often good enough.
Even For Demanding Markets, An MVP That’s a 70% Solution is Often Good Enough Read More »
This is a time capsule from nine years ago. We worked part time on a side project we called ValencePoint from late 2003 until mid 2005. We used the technology internally with clients and at one point acted on a suggestion to make a funding presentation which led to the creation of this executive summary.
Time Capsule: ValencePoint Executive Summary July 19, 2004 Read More »
Empires build Death Stars, rebels build X-Wing fighters. If your startup’s minimum viable product is a Death Star you are doing it wrong.
MVP: Are You Building a Death Star? Read More »
Pete Tormey and I did a short podcast on a delegation checklist. We wanted to help bootstrapping entrepreneurs decide what tasks it made the most sense to delegate in an early stage startup.
Podcast with Pete Tormey: Bootstrapper’s Delegation Checklist Read More »
Before you can score you must have a goal. If you haven’t set your goals for the next six months now is a good time to write them down.
Before You Can Score You Must Have A Goal Read More »
7 Tips for Entrepreneurs from “Lessons Learned in 80 Years” by Byron Wien. The best is “Don’t try to be better than your competitors, try to be different.”
Byron Wien’s Lessons Learned in 80 Years: Seven for Entrepreneurs Read More »
