My favorite stage of a startup is the early, early days. This is when things are the most chaotic, resources are limited and the team is small enough to fit a single car.
I've been thinking about the early days of the startups I've been involved in and put together some quick (and practical) tips on these early days.
| Three Steps to Yes: The Gentle Art of Getting Your Way |
According
to Gene Bedell, there are three “laws of persuasion.”
He’s not talking physics, but there is a certain Newtonian aspect
to them:
A startup business plan is always a good piece of fiction filled with great ideas. No one really believes what he reads in them. What venture capitalists look for before they make an investment is a proven product with strong market demand and an experienced management team. And angel investors usually invest in vision and enthusiasm.
Countdown to Product Launch (Part II)
A business model is the nuts and bolts of how a business generates revenue and profits. When preparing a business model, there are seven basics you should consider: 1. Reaching customers. How are you going to find customers or have them find you? 2. Differentiating your product. What makes you better than everyone else? 3. Pricing. What can you charge that will bring profit to you and value to the customer? 4. Selling. Learn to sell for survival and develop a sales process. 5. Distribution strategy. How will you deliver the goods? 6. Support. What does the customer do if your product breaks? 7. Customer satisfaction. How are you going to turn customers into loyal fans?
