A focus on inefficiencies is a good method to find a underserved market where you can bootstrap you way to viability. Here is a list of several others.
Q: Is a Focus on Inefficiencies a Good Way to Find an Underserved Market? Read More »
How do you answer someone who asks “Should I be an entrepreneur?” We ask, “Are you committed to self-improvement and to providing value?”
Q: Should I Be an Entrepreneur? Read More »
Customer development–discovery driven sales–requires that you first understand the customer’s problem then present a vision of a solution. If that is acceptable you can proceed to a demonstration that provides technical proof of value.
This post applies the moral of James Thurber‘s “The Fairly Intelligent Fly”–that there is “no safety in numbers, or in anything else”–to entrepreneurship.
No Safety in Numbers Read More »
When Cyberspace everts into the real world enabling communication and connection for non-computing related applications we call it IoT (the Internet of Things).
Cyberspace Everts Into The Real World as IoT Read More »
Fundamental questions allow you to explore new perspectives that can unlock new opportunities. Entrepreneurs can be unwilling to ask them–even of themselves–because a label that is commonly applied: stupid questions.
Entrepreneurs Need To See With Newcomer’s Eyes And Ask Stupid Questions Read More »
I re-read “Up the Organization” by Robert Townsend and was struck by how many of his insights were still applicable. The first chapter offers a recipe for breakthrough impact: combine clear goals with delegation based on expertise.
Combine Clear Goals with Delegation Based on Expertise for High Impact Read More »
Dorothea Brande wrote “Becoming a Writer” in 1934. The book remains in print today, offering valuable tips for both writers and entrepreneurs.
Dorothea Brande’s “Becoming a Writer:” 6 Tips for Entrepreneurs Read More »
Q: I am in the process of forming a scientific advisory board for my startup in the healthcare / facility management space and I would welcome any insights or suggestions.
Q: Forming a Scientific Advisory Board Read More »
There are a lot of misconceptions about finding early adopters of a new product or technology. It’s a question that comes up often in early market exploration: this post is a summary of my experience and current best thinking.
Q: Best Practices For Finding Early Adopters Read More »
Some quick answers to common questions about how to protect your intellectual property (IP) and when to incorporate.
Q: When to Incorporate and Options for IP protection Read More »
Here are some questions to ask yourself before you start negotiating a complex business relationship: for example a software license, SaaS subscription, or a reseller or OEM relationship. Entire books are written on negotiation, I am trying to highlight some questions that can get overlooked.
Questions to Answer Before You Start Negotiating Read More »
Elena Krasnoperova has been a regular attendee at the Silicon Valley Bootstrappers Breakfasts® for more than three years and I was delighted when she accepted my invitation to be a featured attendee and talk about her entrepreneurial journey. She plans to share some heuristics for learning faster than your competition and immediately applying your knowledge in
Elena Krasnoperova on “Learning Hacks for Bootstrappers” Fri-Dec-2 Read More »
Sean Murphy will moderate a panel of three experienced startup attorneys on November 29 for a Silicon Valley Cofounder Academy event at Hacker Dojo on “Cofounder Legal Challenges and Solutions.”
Cofounder Legal Challenges and Solutions at Hacker Dojo Tue-Nov-29 Read More »
I am at the Intrapreneurship Conference in Palo Alto today and “Monetizing Innovation” by Madhavan Ramanujam and George Tacke. The book is a fast read that incorporates a some pricing theory into new product introduction, here are nine rules they offer for a successful innovation.
Nine Rules from Monetizing Innovation Read More »
Entrepreneurs need to invent their future: this requires a cycle of discovery, invention, growth, and renewal.
Discovery, Invention, Growth, and Renewal Read More »
It’s important to understand who your customer is and what their critical business needs are. Helping customers is only possible once you have identified who you are truly serving (who will pay you) and which of their needs or problems you can help them address.
Q: Helping Customers On Hold Read More »
“So Good They Can’t Ignore You” by Cal Newport offers a very good model for creating a good career or prospering as an entrepreneur.
So Good They Can’t Ignore You Read More »
Offering expert consulting means developing a specialization and focus that enable you to execute with distinction. The phrases “finding the niche for your product” and “product market fit” are essentially equivalent. A key definition of a market is that members reference each other’s buy decisions and therefore building up a set of references lowers your
How Do I Move From Being Capable to Offering Expert Consulting? Read More »
The customer determines the details that matter in assessing the quality of your product. Here is a true story where this was brought home to me.
The Customer Determines The Details That Matter Read More »
