Inspired by Dorai Thodla’s “Triples and Congruence.” Budget, Quality, Time (project parameters aka “Iron triangle” pick any two, solve for third) Expert/Technician, Manager, Entrepreneur (E-Myth roles in a business) Beginning, Middle, End (elements of a story) Early Adopters, Mainstream, Laggards (measures of risk aversion in a population) Team, Technology, Traction (VC tests for quality of […]
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 »
EDAC has announced a program for Wed-Sep-26 on “The Future of Media and What it Means to EDA Companies.” So far so good, but they’ve invited the crew that laid off Richard Goering. I am much more interested in getting advice from the team that hired him. The EDAC announcement reads (links added) Paul Miller,
Paul Miller to Speak Future of CMP Support for EDA Companies at EDAC Wed-Sep-26 Read More »
Do you need venture capital to build a successful company? Mike Lanza does not think so and he has several experiences to prove it. Last night I attended the SDForum Startup SIG to learn how Mike started four companies without venture capital. It was a interactive presentation where Mike addressed his observations and experiences of
Mike Lanza: Starting Companies Without Venture capital Read More »
Anonymous Coward landing pages don’t inspire trust or confidence in prospects, as a result few contact you. Startups should sign their work. Requiring a signed NDA before providing basic information also deters inquiries.
Startups Should Sign Their Work Read More »
We will be exhibiting at the “Rising Stars Showcase” at CINACon 2007. Register here for a great program that includes a keynote by Steve Westly on “The Past, Present and Future of Green” and these distinguished speakers: Raymond Hsu, Founding Chairman of CINA Ricky Ma, General Manager, ICT, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Scott
Look For Us At CINACon Sat Sep 22 Read More »
“Please take me off of your email distribution list.” This is, alas, a one line email that I now find myself sending several times a week. It’s part of my effort shrink my E-mail backlog, although I have no more hope than Canute of stemming the incoming tide, but it gives me the illusion of
Please Take Me Off Of Your Email Distribution List Read More »
I was saddened to read that Alfred H. Peet, the founder of Peet’s Coffee and Tea had passed away on August 29.
Alfred H. Peet 1920-2007 Read More »
Cheryl Downing suggests you explore three market niches to find your target market niche.
Prioritizing Your Target Market Niches Read More »
Three additions to Saffo’s six forecasting rules: can’t predict the future, ask what it means, and it takes 20 years for overnight success.
Another Perspective on Paul Saffo’s Talk Aug 28 Read More »
Here are ten oblique strategies to help get you and your team unstuck. The first line is the oblique strategy with added for a startup.
Oblique Strategies for Startups 1 Read More »
A summary of Paul Saffo’s talk on “Forecasting Innovation in Silicon Valley” at the Churchill Club on Tue-Aug-28-2007. Saffo drew on his recent HBR Article “Six Rules for Effective Forecasting.”
Paul Saffo on Forecasting Innovation in Silicon Valley Read More »
September 2007 Bootstrapper Breakfasts This month we continue our regular schedule of “first Friday” in Palo Alto and “third Tuesday” in Sunnyvale. We will start at 7:30am and end at 9am. Your cost is your meal + 20% tip; in each location we have a small back room to ourselves. Attendees are typically in early
September Bootstrapper Breakfasts Read More »
