December 2009
12 posts
2 tags
More. More Blogging Needed in 2010
More about customers, less about you – In general, I blog about companies and people with whom I’ve had contact.  I hope that helps others.  Most of them are local and I call the owners or try to engage them in Twitter or on their Facebook Fan Pages. More company representatives blogging about their needs - Retail consumers typically blog about their needs.  It would be great if companies did. ...
Dec 29th
-1 notes
1 tag
Bits Have Spirit
Bits have spirit. While this might not be an original idea, I’ve been thinking about it a great deal lately.  Many of us convey our thoughts and emotions through a computer to share with others.  Somewhere in the ‘net, they’re stored in little bits and bytes until they’re retrieved for later use.  Much like packing away old photos or letters, we can take them out at any time and with a little bit...
Dec 24th
-1 notes
2 tags
Five will Survive. Two Will Dominate.
Today, I was thinking about my clients and came up with this axiom: Five will survive.  Two will dominate (in the US.) Search Engines: Google, Yahoo, Bing/MSN/WindowsLive, AOL, Ask Cellular Networks: Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular Cell Phones: Apple, Blackberry, Nokia, Motorola, HTC None of my clients are in these markets but I’m optimistic they will be heard in their...
Dec 23rd
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2 tags
A Failure to Plan is Still Failure
Startup consultants everywhere (well, at least here in Newburyport) probably sighed a collective sigh of relief after reading Derek Pilling’s “What We Have Here is a Failure to Plan.”  His post outlines good reasons why you need a plan.  Read it.  Simple.  After you’ve read, here are some further qualifications: Does it have to be a big plan?  No.  It just states what you’re going to do and why. ...
Dec 22nd
1 tag
Startups: Ask, Ask Again, Ask for Help, Ask Until...
I am writing this short post while trying to find 50 gently used winter coats in 5 days.  This morning, it struck me that I wasn’t following my own typical sales process of involving anyone who would listen directly in success.  Not my success but the success of the project, the product, the idea.  Whether it is to buy and install software, help you find customers, or attract people to your...
Dec 19th
-1 notes
3 tags
Startup Tipping Points - Recognizing False...
While you’re writing your software, building your value propositions, or seeking new customers and followers, try finding and focusing on the right tipping points for your startup’s success.  For a want of better terms, let’s call them false positive and positive Tipping Points.  False positives are the things that create good feelings for you and your team, nourishing continued hard work. ...
Dec 18th
-1 notes
1 tag
Dec 16th
-1 notes
4 tags
5 Google Apps Ideas to Steal
I think Google Wave rocks.  During their beta, I’ve noticed they’ve peeled back some features and added a great many others*.   Thinking about iGoogle and Wave, I’m absolutely convinced that there are number of lightweight applications that can be developed to leverage the base values of these incredible platforms.  Steal Away! Stock Portfolio Sharing – Users create their own stock portfolios...
Dec 14th
-1 notes
“Good or bad: My HP 7780 died after about 18,000 sheets. What’s your...”
Dec 7th
-1 notes
4 tags
'Cuz Craigslist Sucks...Boston Startup Weekend...
Last night, the eight finalists gave their Startup Weekend – Boston presentations.  From the presentations and overall vibe, I could tell it had been a friendly, highly productive weekend.  The general principle behind Startup Weekend is that you pitch an idea and/or be a volunteer to be on a startup team.  The best ideas are selected via an audience vote and teams form up to start the company. ...
Dec 7th
-1 notes
4 tags
I Love My Free Dog Food. Sue Me.
New FTC Guidelines affecting bloggers (and endorsements) went into effect today: http://bit.ly/1TGHnK & http://bit.ly/m5jLP. As such, I have some BIG questions about brands, brand tools, bloggers, and micro-bloggers and how they’re going to work together and avoid any potential liability.  (I’m pretty sure the consumer will be protected in most cases.) From the FTC Guide, Example 8: A...
Dec 1st
-1 notes
2 tags
Entrepreneurs: Easily Defined
\in-TREP-id, adjective:Fearless; bold; brave; undaunted; courageous; as, an intrepid soldier; intrepid spirit Intrepid is Dictionary.com’s Word of the Day in Facebook.  I love the word since it completely defines the essence of any entrepreneur.  As an entrepreneur, you’re bold enough to share and execute your beliefs. You’re brave in the face of competition and naysayers. You’re...
Dec 1st
-1 notes