Please Come Back Soon accompanied by a promise of more information shortly. If you do, don’t put a date next to it because when that date is three months old prospects get a “lost dial tone” sensation, they are not sure your firm is still active. Variations that are equally annoying: Please check back soon […]
Three Phrases Prospects Should Not Find On Your Website Read More »
Three rules of thumb on deal making I took away from a conversation with an electrical engineer and serial entrepreneur.
Don’s Three Rules of Deal Making Read More »
Here are the social networks I participate in. I find them a good source for practical advice for running my business. LinkedIn www.linkedin.com Intuit’s Jumpup www.jumpup.com Bank of America Small Business http://smallbusinessonlinecommunity.bankofamerica.com Bootstrappers Breakfast www.bootstrappersbreakfast.com Check me out, my screen name is tshafer.
Social Networks for Running your Business Read More »
The key challenge in advising entrepreneurs is to help them walk around the options and explore the consequences of each decision.
The Challenge of Advising Entrepreneurs Read More »
Sean Murphy spoke on “You’ve Launched Now What? (What’s Your Post-Launch Growth Plan)” at the KASE / KIN Entrepreneur Academy Oct-16-2007.
You’ve Launched, Now What? at KASE/KIN Oct 16 Read More »
SaaS business models are proven and gaining wide adoption. However they come with new issues: shorter release cycles, blurring of development team roles, and the need for new internal reporting and management controls now that you are responsible for the customers application infrastructure. Your development, support, sales, and product marketing folks must change how they
SaaS Blurs Traditional Software Startup Roles Read More »
I collect quotes for entrepreneurs, here are a set quotes on operational excellence. You can follow @skmurphy to get quotes for entrepreneurs hot off the mojo wire or wait until they 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
Quotes on Operational Excellence Read More »
An interview with Rick Munden exploring what he has learned bootstrapping the Free Model Foundry and Epiphyte.
Founder’s Story: Rick Munden of FMF & Epiphyte Read More »
This is the first in a series of blog posts on where a start-up team might look for their first office. One of the first types of office space to consider would be space in a business incubator. A business incubator is comprised of multiple businesses operating independently within one location or under a membership
First Office: Silicon Valley Business Incubators Read More »
I had mentioned that I was going to be on a panel at a GABA event on “Communications Today: Blogs, Email Etiquette and More” that was held tonight at SAP on Hillview Avenue in Palo Alto. It addressed a broad theme with four speakers (Jennifer Lankheim was a no show) from fairly different backgrounds in
GABA Panel on Communication Wrap Up Read More »
I will be a panelist for a GABA event on “Communications Today: Blogs, Email Etiquette and More” that will be held tomorrow night at SAP, Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto CA 94304; the event starts at 6:30 with networking–complimentary appetizers, beer, wine and soft drinks will be served–and the formal program at 7:30. Moderator: E.J.Dieterle, CEO,
GABA Panel on Communication Read More »
Dorai Thodla wrote a post “Triples” on the congruence of triples as recurring patterns in life.
Triples, Inspired by Dorai Thodla Read More »
I had a chance to hear two VCs outline the benefits of a SaaS business model at the CINACon 2007 conference a on September 22.
Benefits of SaaS Business Model Read More »
I went to a good talk today at Software Business 2007 by Joe Gustafson from Brainshark on “Establishing and Growing a Successful SaaS Business.” Joe characterized Brainshark is “Tivo for Business Content” available when users want to consume it. He opened with the best part of a SaaS business: recurring predictable revenue makes it easier
Brainshark at Software Business 2007: SaaS = Service Read More »
This event is now SOLD OUT and no walk-ins will be accepted; we are offering it again on Saturday January 19 at the Moorpark Hotel in San Jose. Invest four hours now to save months later finding a path to revenue: most software startups fail after they have working functionality but before they find their
Idea to Revenue on December 6, 2007 Read More »
Hugh MacLeod, the matchbook cartoon artist, had a great post on “Random Thoughts on Being an Entrepreneur” that I cherry pick.
Hugh MacLeod’s Thoughts on Being an Entrepreneur 2 Read More »
Bob Parsons of GoDaddy blogged his “16 Rules for Success in Business (and Life in General)” in July of 2006. A question he received at a 2004 speaking event–“What advice do you have for someone who is just starting a business?”–kicked off an effort by the serial entrepreneur to codify the principles he was living
Bob “GoDaddy” Parson’s Rules for Business Success Read More »
We are hosting a Peter Cohan event: “Create and Deliver Surprisingly Compelling Software Demonstrations” . Peter Cohan, a nationally recognized expert on software demo development who normally only consults to Fortune 500 firms. He offers only two “open enrollment” seminars every year that smaller companies can attend at a very reduced price, this one on
Peter Cohan’s Great Demo on Oct 13, 2007 Read More »
My two key takeaways from “First Customers: Targeting The Right Customers To Build And Sustain Your Business” were that nothing happens automatically with a launch and your true first customer is a stranger.
First Customers: Targeting The Right Customers To Build And Sustain Your Business Read More »
We exhibited at CINACon 2007 over the weekend, and took turns rotating through the sessions. It was a great conference for entrepreneurs and it was a great conference for us: we had the opportunity to talk to a number of very early stage firms (including some of the other exhibitors in the Rising Stars Showcase)
CINACon 2007: A Great Conference For Entrepreneurs Read More »
