The Limits of Legal Self-Help
If you have limited experience with business contracts or software licensing issues, legal self-help approaches can be very dangerous.
The Limits of Legal Self-Help Read More »
“Work For Equity” Panel at SVCC Set For Sun-Oct-10 2:45pm
If you are considering joining a startup or are in the process of building out your initial team I am moderating a panel at Silicon Valley Code Camp with three startup CEO’s that you should find helpful. It’s scheduled for Sunday October 10 at 2:45pm and you can sign up here. We will explore: Practical
“Work For Equity” Panel at SVCC Set For Sun-Oct-10 2:45pm Read More »
Pete Tormey on the Benefits of Attending a Bootstrappers Breakfast
Pete Tormey on the Benefits of Attending a Bootstrappers Breakfast Pete Tormey moderates the Dublin/Pleasanton Bootstrapper Breakfasts® (along with Richard Moerschell) and fills in from time to time in San Francisco as well. I asked him what he felt some key benefits attendees gained at a breakfast and he sent me a great three minute
Pete Tormey on the Benefits of Attending a Bootstrappers Breakfast Read More »
The Future, Arriving Yesterday, Remains In Constant Motion
A review of Michael Malone’s “The Future Arrived Yesterday: the Protean Corporation.” Malone believes that successful companies of the future must find a way to continuously and rapidly change almost every one of their attributes but retain a core of values.
The Future, Arriving Yesterday, Remains In Constant Motion Read More »
Reminder: “Tips for Keeping Informed” Webinar Thu-Sep-23
Just a quick reminder that I will be presenting on “Feed Readers De-Mystified: Tips for Keeping Informed” this Thursday, September 23, 12:00-12:45 PM PDT. If you are not using feeds and alerts to track your competition, stay on top of developments at major customers, and keep abreast of significant developments in your industry, then you
Reminder: “Tips for Keeping Informed” Webinar Thu-Sep-23 Read More »
We Cannot Sate Your Hunger For Certainty But We Can Increase Your Odds of Success
A hunger for certainty will not help an entrepreneur make timely decisions or manage the level of ambiguity and uncertainty they need to navigate through.
We Cannot Sate Your Hunger For Certainty But We Can Increase Your Odds of Success Read More »
3 Equations & 3 Unknowns: Target Customer is Key Initial Value
The first 3 unknowns for a startup are Customers, Features, and Message. Of these the target customer is the key variable to lock down first.
3 Equations & 3 Unknowns: Target Customer is Key Initial Value Read More »
Take a Minute to Recall 9 Years Ago
I apologize for this detour from our exploration of entrepreneurial issues, but this anniversary of my complete confusion is one that I continue to observe, still attempting almost a decade later to make sense of it. But please, take a minute to recall 9 years ago.
Take a Minute to Recall 9 Years Ago Read More »
How We Help You Explore Whether to Hire Us
My interview with Gabriel Weinberg has inspired a number of entrepreneurs to contact us about getting our help with their early customer acquisition issues. I thought I would outline briefly how we help them get to know us better. We work one or more of your issues with you in a phone call that lasts
How We Help You Explore Whether to Hire Us Read More »
Gabriel Weinberg Interviews Me For His Traction Book
Gabriel Weinberg is a serial entrepreneur (latest startup: DuckDuckGo), a Hacker Angel, insightful blogger, and frequent contributor to Hacker News. He is writing a book on how startups get traction and interviewing folks like Patrick McKenzie to collect lessons learned from a variety of perspectives. I was delighted when he approached me to take part
Gabriel Weinberg Interviews Me For His Traction Book Read More »
Startup Advice in Three Word Doses
I curate startup advice in three word doses from Dharmesh Shah, Ed Weissman, the Cluetrain Manifesto, and a number of other sources.
Startup Advice in Three Word Doses Read More »
Appreciate Why Prospects Say “Your Baby Is Ugly”
When a prospect criticizes your product, or your suggestion for a solution, don’t react as if they said, “Your baby is ugly.” Appreciate their candor, make sure you understand their need, and probe for what’s wrong or needs improvement in your offering.
Appreciate Why Prospects Say “Your Baby Is Ugly” Read More »
Chalk Talk on Technology Adoption
A Chalk Talk on “Managing Risk In Technology Adoption” that covers some of key challenges technology providers have with getting companies to use their products.
Chalk Talk on Technology Adoption Read More »
Quotes For Entrepreneurs–August 2010
You can follow @skmurphy to get these quotes for entrepreneurs hot off the mojo wire or wait until the end of the month when they are collected on the blog. Enter your E-mail if you would to deliver new blog posts to your inbox.
Quotes For Entrepreneurs–August 2010 Read More »
Bootstrapping Mightyverse Talk at Sep-1 Breakfast in SF
Sarah Allen will talk about bootstrapping a mobile startup at the Bootstrapper’s Breakfast Wednesday September 1 at 9am at Boudin Bakery, Embarcadero 4 in San Francisco. Sarah is a serial entrepreneur who is using her software development consulting business, Blazing Cloud, to bootstrap a mobile-focused startup, Mightyverse. The Mightyverse blog offers this overview of the
Bootstrapping Mightyverse Talk at Sep-1 Breakfast in SF Read More »
Feed Readers De-Mystified at Sep-23 Lunch & Learn Webinar
Feed Readers De-Mystified at Sep-23 Lunch & Learn Webinar I will be giving a short presentation on “Feed Readers De-Mystified–Tips For Keeping Informed” at the September 23 Lunch & Learn Webinar hosted by People on the Go. Cost: No Charge When: Thursday, September 23, 2010 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM PDT Register: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/151449787 I will
Feed Readers De-Mystified at Sep-23 Lunch & Learn Webinar Read More »
Debugging Teams/Meetings: Start With Goals & Roles
James Shonk advises that you should start your efforts toward debugging teams and meetings starts with and analysis of the goals and roles of each member or participant.
Debugging Teams/Meetings: Start With Goals & Roles Read More »
10 Tips For Choosing a Business Partner at WIC Sep-13
Theresa Shafer and I are giving a talk on “10 Tips on How to Choose a Business Partner” on Monday, September 13, 2010, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm at the Women In Consulting (WIC) South Bay meeting. We will outline some important tips and considerations when choosing a partner, sub-contractor, or alliances members that will
10 Tips For Choosing a Business Partner at WIC Sep-13 Read More »
3 Equations & 3 Unknowns: Customers, Features, Message
We posted the interview I did with Floyd Tucker of DreamSimplicity about a month ago but in the last two days I have had two people comment to me directly and one tweet about my “three equations and three unknowns” answer: customers, features, message.
3 Equations & 3 Unknowns: Customers, Features, Message Read More »
Ed Weissman on B2B Opportunities for Startups Part 2
Ed Weissman is a prolific contributor to Hacker News, this post collects some insights he has offered on B2B.
Ed Weissman on B2B Opportunities for Startups Part 2 Read More »