At the very beginning of starting your company, there is a high level of uncertainty in many dimensions. We ask questions that clarify and help people to move in the direction of their fears and uncertainties.
Newsletter V2021 Issue 2: Making Business Decisions in Uncertain Times Read More »
Cindi Thompson, CEO and founder of Climate Companion, shares her entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned.
Founder’s Journey: Lessons Learned with Cindi Thompson on Jun-9-21 Read More »
Startup uncertainty at the very beginning is high in many dimensions. Good questions help to clarify your uncertainties.
Startup Uncertainty At The Very Beginning Read More »
“Skunk Works” by Ben R. Rich is a worthy sequel to Kelly Johnson’s “Kelly: More Than My Share of It All.” It brings the story of the Lockheed Skunkworks, founded by Johnson, up to 1995. There are a number of lessons for technology entrepreneurs.
“The Ship that Never Was” from “Skunk Works” by Ben R. Rich Read More »
Paul Scott shares lesson learned writing SBIR grants. His presentation covers the Grant Writing Application Process.
Lean Culture: Seed Funding Without Loans – An Introduction to SBIR Grants Read More »
Etienne Garbugli looks at finding product opportunities, and how entrepreneurs deliver value and gain a foothold inside businesses.
Etienne Garbugli on Opportunities: Finding New Products Read More »
Sean Murphy explains to a client why startups should just sell the results to reduce a prospect’s perception of risk in a new tool.
Just Sell the Results to Reduce Perception of Risk Read More »
Sean Murphy was interviewed by Etienne Garbugli on “Working Capital: It Takes More Than Money” for the March 9, 2021 LeanB2B Podcast.
Sean Murphy Interview with Etienne Garbugli for the LeanB2B Podcast Read More »
Entrepreneurs often ask themselves “Is my product meh?” out of a fear of making a fool of themselves. Here are some objectives questions to ask yourself to get a more balanced perspective on your situation.
What to Do When You Are Asking Yourself, “Is My Product Meh?” Read More »
Here is video and slides from Feb-11-2021 talk “Landing Your First Ten Customers” at the Lean Culture Meetup. I have included some supplemental resources for further reading.
Landing Your First Ten Customers: Videos, Slides, and Other Resources Read More »
The key challenges to getting your first ten customers relate to understanding the customer buying process and managing the startup learning process for need, impact, customer definition and message.
Why is it so hard to get your first ten customers? Read More »
Entrepreneurs starting their first business often hunt for a cookbook of recipes to make sense of a journey that is alternating between bewilderment and frustration. But startups fight for existence in a competitive and evolving environment, where changes in the technical or social substrates can invalidate their strategy or enable competitors without warning.
Entrepreneurs Cannot Rely on a Cookbook or a Manual Read More »
Rob Fitzpatrick, author of the Mom Test, offers some evergreen advice on mistakes bootstrappers should avoid in 2021 (especially if they have not made already and won’t see them coming.)
Rob Fitzpatrick: Five Mistakes Bootstrappers Should Avoid in 2021 Read More »
Work with trusted partners open kimono: disclose relevant financials, plans, and internal processes to increase synergy. Play a long game.
Be Open Kimono With Partners Read More »
The best way to get leads is through referrals from satisfied customers or others who are in position to vouch for your product or service.
Best Way to Get Leads is Referrals Read More »
We outline the process of launching a bootstrapped startup, from creating an idea, to forming a team, to proving viability.
A Holistic Approach to Launching a Bootstrapped Startup Read More »
This is a practical overview of social capital, an essential concept for entrepreneurs despite being hard to measure. I offer suggestions for growing your business network, and enhancing your reputation, explaining why increasing social capital creates value for your startup.
A Practical Introduction to Social Capital for Entrepreneurs Read More »
This post explains the basics of intellectual property in practical terms for bootstrappers: trademarks, patents, copyright and trade secrets. An hour or two with an attorney can save you much trouble later on.
Basics of Intellectual Property for Bootstrappers Read More »
An exploration of the practical meaning of intellectual capital for entrepreneurs, including how to curate your experience and know-how.
A Practical Introduction to Intellectual Capital For Bootstrappers Read More »
This is a ten minute interview (audio and edited transcript) I did with Patricia Watkins on July 24-2020. Patrica is an experienced salesperson and sales executive who’s been helping companies drive sales for more than two decades. We discuss some of the challenges you need to manage during a major economic disruption. We look back
Interview with Patricia Watkins on Managing Sales In a Downturn Read More »
