Sell something. Then do it again. That’s how you know that people want what you have to offer. You can look around and see competitors selling what you have to offer before you launch your venture. That’s not a bad position, Other people selling what you offer tells you that you have a valid productContinue reading “Market Validation”
Category Archives: Strategy
Integrations
We are so far down the road of technology we often forget how expensive, hard and bug-laden custom software projects used to be. We could hire a developer, and without truly being accurate on our requirements, they would code and miss the mark repeatedly. Regardless, their billable time reflected our errors in thinking and clarity.Continue reading “Integrations”
Productize Your Services so You Can Scale
When you are starting a venture, and you don’t know what people will buy, it is a great strategy to say, “Yes,” to everything. I consider this part of research and development. The cost is that you get spread out and may have to work on projects that extend your energy or cost you inContinue reading “Productize Your Services so You Can Scale”
Optionality
When you have so much uncertainty in your projects, relationships and dealmaking, the fear of loss or desire for perfection can be inhibiting. I find it best to create optionality. Pick the path with the most options and keeping your choices open. This is especially true when it comes to creating opportunities. Choose projects thatContinue reading “Optionality”
You Only Have to be Right Once
Most things don’t work out. And that is the raw reality of business and entrepreneurship. All those people who were excited and did not call you back are just part of the flow of dealmaking. All those promising projects that did not materialize or play out could have been affected by factors outside your control.Continue reading “You Only Have to be Right Once”
Getting the Right Things Done
“I have come to learn that part of the business strategy is to solve the simplest, easiest, and most valuable problem. And actually, in fact, part of doing strategy is to solve the easiest problem, so part of the reason why you work on software and bits is that atoms [physical products] are actually veryContinue reading “Getting the Right Things Done”
Get Your Business Out of Your Head and Into a System
When your business is you, operating it is a cinch. How you do things is simply in your head. You can develop and rely on your habits to get customers and deliver your service. Make calls with your friendly approach, send a proposal the way you are used to, and work the projects with yourContinue reading “Get Your Business Out of Your Head and Into a System”
Actions that Work
Every week you have the opportunity to move the needle and get your business notching up a level. Not only do you have to get the necessary work you committed to others done in your projects and tasks, but you have to make space and time to work on your business in addition to in yourContinue reading “Actions that Work”
Find Businesses That Already Have Demand
It’s far easier to meet demand than create demand. I have been in businesses that are innovative and the proof of concept, go-to-market strategy and target customer all have to be identified. This approach takes a lot of commitment to discovery and gathering feedback. You have to see what sticks and makes sense to aContinue reading “Find Businesses That Already Have Demand”
Take Risk and Give
I like businesses where the need is obvious. People line up because they need a solution. Dentists, divorce attorneys, grocery stores and gas stations will always have demand. We have a problem and they are a known solution. The challenge for them is to meet the known demand with delightful service and care. That’s aContinue reading “Take Risk and Give”
