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Atricle Dump - Bootstrapping Your Business - Get Real - Get Started
A logo is part of a corporate identity. The objective is to provide a perfect logo design that will uniquely represent the company all over the world. The logo, or brand, is not just an image, but is the embodiment of an organization. Creating a logo is one of the most important stages in building brand awareness. A good logo expresses the company's vision, values, and directions.Logos originated in the 19th century when the industrial manufacture of products became important. The new industrial procedures allowed a higher output than that of the former handmade products. The new products were distributed in large geographical areas, and new competitors appeared from time to time offering similar products.A significant part of the population was still illiterate at this time. The industrial leaders soon realized that people would not be able easily differentiate their product from their competitors’ products. Therefore, more and more manufacturers began to include a symbol, sign, or emblem on their products, labels and packages, so that all the buyers could easily recognize the product they wanted. Later, the manufacturers started adding their company’s name also.There are certain important points to consider while designing a logo. First, a
Additionally, most entrepreneurs don’t take the time to understand what venture capitalists are looking for. Entrepreneurs don’t know that most venture capitalists seek companies that can demonstrate a large market opportunity in a fast-growing sector. Plus, they want a company scale to a $100 million to $300 million revenue stream within five years. This means the market potential has to be at least $500 million or more, eventually-and the company needs to
I will give email communication the respect and value it deserves as a quick, acceptable and reliable form of internet communication.I will reply to an email within 24 hours or sooner, even if the reply consists of a few words (i.e. Great, Thanks, Sorry, Yes, No, Call me, etc.).I will use spell check and I will reread my emails prior to hitting the send button; because I understand that my email communications are a reflection on me.I will refrain from using abbreviations and email slang in my work related emails.I will address the person by name whenever possible and when appropriate in my email communications.I will work on developing an email voice that is even tone, respectable, positive and personable.I will use the blind copy email feature when sending out mass emails so not to disclose the email addresses of others without their consent.I will not forward emails containing the email addresses of others, unless the addresses belong to other members of the restricted email account.I will use the attachment feature when including communication of a more private nature (i.e. Letters, evaluations, information containing personal information, etc.).I will attempt to state the purpose or topic content
I've mentored and helped fund dozens of entrepreneurs over the past few years. There always seems to be a “catch-22” — you need seed financing but no one will give you a cent until you have a marketable product with paying customers. Ironically, raising millions of dollars is always easier than raising thousands. Why? Because venture capitalists are drawn to those who have done it in the past. If you don’t have a documented track record, it is hard to convince someone you have what it takes to be successful.
BEYOND IDEAS. A myth taught and propagated by many top business schools is that the way to build a venture is to create a comprehensive in-depth business plan, perfect your elevator pitch and then present your PowerPoint slides to venture capitalists. If that doesn't work, you knock on the door(s) of angel investors – both organized groups and high-wealth individuals - and pitch them.
Ask any entrepreneur who has called on venture capitalists, and they will likely tell you it is almost impossible to even get calls returned. If you get lucky and are invited to present your idea, the due-diligence process will drag on for many months while you mortgage your assets, ruin your marriage and survive on hope. If you do hit the jackpot, the venture capitalists will require you to trade away your first born in exchange for an investment. And, guess what, you now have a “partner” looking over your shoulder on a regular basis – more often if you do not hit your milestones.
In reality, most business plans don't deserve funding. Most business plans are poorly written, contain spelling and grammatical errors and read more like science fiction novels. Venture capitalists receive hundreds of plans every week, and few are worth the paper they are printed on. Everyone jumps on the same new trend, or the ideas are so far out that they have no chance for success.
Additionally, most entrepreneurs don’t take the time to understand what venture capitalists are looking for. Entrepreneurs don’t know that most venture capitalists seek companies that can demonstrate a large market opportunity in a fast-growing sector. Plus, they want a company scale to a $100 million to $300 million revenue stream within five years. This means the market potential has to be at least $500 million or more, eventually-and the company needs to
Auto recurring billing enables businesses to automatically bill customers for balance due without sending invoices or obtaining payment information each any every time money is collected. With recurring billing programs businesses can utilize any electronic payment process including direct-debit ACH transactions and credit/debit card transactions. In addition, when businesses convert legacy payment systems to auto-recurring systems utilizing exclusively ACH direct-debit transactions, they typically reduce processing costs by over 50%.Direct Benefits of Auto Recurring Billing for Businesses include:Faster payment processing (you get your money faster)Elimination of printing, mailing and postage costsElimination of defaults and associated collections activitiesStreamlined data entry and bookkeepingElimination of time consuming trips to the bankNormalized cash flow24-48 hour NSF notificationImproved customer serviceAbility to accept payments funded from credit/debit cards, checking account and savings accounts. Auto recurring billing systems can be used for both static recurring charges (the same amount each time) or for variable bills. I
BEYOND IDEAS. A myth taught and propagated by many top business schools is that the way to build a venture is to create a comprehensive in-depth business plan, perfect your elevator pitch and then present your PowerPoint slides to venture capitalists. If that doesn't work, you knock on the door(s) of angel investors – both organized groups and high-wealth individuals - and pitch them.
Ask any entrepreneur who has called on venture capitalists, and they will likely tell you it is almost impossible to even get calls returned. If you get lucky and are invited to present your idea, the due-diligence process will drag on for many months while you mortgage your assets, ruin your marriage and survive on hope. If you do hit the jackpot, the venture capitalists will require you to trade away your first born in exchange for an investment. And, guess what, you now have a “partner” looking over your shoulder on a regular basis – more often if you do not hit your milestones.
In reality, most business plans don't deserve funding. Most business plans are poorly written, contain spelling and grammatical errors and read more like science fiction novels. Venture capitalists receive hundreds of plans every week, and few are worth the paper they are printed on. Everyone jumps on the same new trend, or the ideas are so far out that they have no chance for success.
Additionally, most entrepreneurs don’t take the time to understand what venture capitalists are looking for. Entrepreneurs don’t know that most venture capitalists seek companies that can demonstrate a large market opportunity in a fast-growing sector. Plus, they want a company scale to a $100 million to $300 million revenue stream within five years. This means the market potential has to be at least $500 million or more, eventually-and the company needs to
For the manager of the Building Records unit at a major west coast public University, the document storage problems were critical. The problem wasn’t justifying budget for more space. There was no more space to be had.The Facilities Management Department must preserve and keep accessible more than 40,000 original plans and drawings. Many of the documents date from the University’s founding and were hand drawn by Architects and Engineers long gone. These include architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, plumbing, electrical and other drawings for site development, infrastructure, landscape, utilities, buildings, additions and renovations.The 3,300-cubic-foot room holding the essentially irreplaceable documents was crammed seven feet high with flat files whose more than 150 drawers were filled to the top with originals. Clamped “sacrificials”—copies used to protect originals—are in a second room. Large E-size drawings were the most difficult to store and retrieve. Since the drawers had run out of space and the University was still adding buildings and completing renovation projects, rolls of drawings were stacked everywhere.The lowest files directly on the floor; bending and lifting risked minor injuries. Leaving bottom drawers open present
Ask any entrepreneur who has called on venture capitalists, and they will likely tell you it is almost impossible to even get calls returned. If you get lucky and are invited to present your idea, the due-diligence process will drag on for many months while you mortgage your assets, ruin your marriage and survive on hope. If you do hit the jackpot, the venture capitalists will require you to trade away your first born in exchange for an investment. And, guess what, you now have a “partner” looking over your shoulder on a regular basis – more often if you do not hit your milestones.
In reality, most business plans don't deserve funding. Most business plans are poorly written, contain spelling and grammatical errors and read more like science fiction novels. Venture capitalists receive hundreds of plans every week, and few are worth the paper they are printed on. Everyone jumps on the same new trend, or the ideas are so far out that they have no chance for success.
Additionally, most entrepreneurs don’t take the time to understand what venture capitalists are looking for. Entrepreneurs don’t know that most venture capitalists seek companies that can demonstrate a large market opportunity in a fast-growing sector. Plus, they want a company scale to a $100 million to $300 million revenue stream within five years. This means the market potential has to be at least $500 million or more, eventually-and the company needs to
If you need a business card, what do you do?Well, you can go to the nearest computer shop or printing company that does business card printing. Of course, in choosing that option, you have to shell out some money. But you not need worry about anything else because these shops or companies design, format, and print your cards. However, you also have the option of going straight to your trusty computer to create your own business card. It may take you some time but at least you won’t have to think about any extra charges.Business card printing is fairly simple. You just need to get the steps right, and you are on your way to making the perfect business card.Make sure that before you design your business card, you have installed the appropriate software that will help simplify your task. There are many programs available that provide beautiful and professional-looking designs for business cards. In order for the program to work, you will need to encode your contact information first. Afterwards, the program will save a template of your business card. Now all you need to do is tweak the design and format options according to your specifications. You can view how your business card will look like before you print it out.When you are satisfi
In reality, most business plans don't deserve funding. Most business plans are poorly written, contain spelling and grammatical errors and read more like science fiction novels. Venture capitalists receive hundreds of plans every week, and few are worth the paper they are printed on. Everyone jumps on the same new trend, or the ideas are so far out that they have no chance for success.
Additionally, most entrepreneurs don’t take the time to understand what venture capitalists are looking for. Entrepreneurs don’t know that most venture capitalists seek companies that can demonstrate a large market opportunity in a fast-growing sector. Plus, they want a company scale to a $100 million to $300 million revenue stream within five years. This means the market potential has to be at least $500 million or more, eventually-and the company needs to
We have all had great service before at the grocery store, where a clerk helped us immensely and we unfortunately have all had poor service as well, where we could not even find anyone to help us and when we finally did, they were no help at all. Do I dare state the obvious about customer service at grocery stores? It starts in the parking lot!That’s right great service at grocery stores starts in the parking lot. The landscaping, trash control and those shopping carts must be put in the proper place and brought back in. If not we all know what happens to the sides of our cars and I will not bring up such a sore subject with you. Nevertheless the customer service becomes progressively more important as the customer enters the store, shops and then checks out.Let's face it how many times have you been at a grocery store only to find that there are only two lanes open with about 15 people in each. And I know the excuse because I have worked in retail and watched how things go in spurts. One minute there is no one at the cash registers and the next minute you have a line. It seems sometimes all the customers are connected and thinking the same thing.Nevertheless good customer service means you will see the changes as they occur and adapt to t
Additionally, most entrepreneurs don’t take the time to understand what venture capitalists are looking for. Entrepreneurs don’t know that most venture capitalists seek companies that can demonstrate a large market opportunity in a fast-growing sector. Plus, they want a company scale to a $100 million to $300 million revenue stream within five years. This means the market potential has to be at least $500 million or more, eventually-and the company needs to achieve at least a 25 percent market share. Therefore, great ideas won’t do it; it takes an experienced, proven entrepreneur and management team, outstanding execution and a receptive market that is both large and growing. It's hard for even the best venture capitalists to separate the wheat from the chaff.
So what should an entrepreneur do?
My advice to the very few with realistic, well thought-out business plans is to bootstrap. That is, go it alone without angel or venture capital funding. Just get going. Focus on validating your idea, building it and always selling for survival. You need to raise enough money to get started by begging and borrowing from family and friends. And be prepared to dip into your savings and credit cards, obtain second mortgages, and perhaps look for part-time work, consulting work or customer advances. Or better yet, you may want to keep your “day job” while you launch your idea.
There is no single formula for bootstrapping a company, but there are some essential ingredients.
• Don’t Fool Thy Self. Always be truthful to yourself. Understand the risk you can withstand. Listen to what your trusted advisers are saying to you. Do your homework. Continually research, learn, revise and ask questions. Be “coachable.” Believe it or not, you may not know everything. Never blame others. Do it yourself. If you have a spouse, keep them informed.
• Network. Network. Network. Did I mention you should network? You can learn a lot from the experiences of seasoned entrepreneurs, and they are much more approachable than you think. Find a mentor. Talk to 50 strangers. No, talk to 250 strangers. Ask the advice of angels and respected service providers. If you can't find anyone who is excited about your idea, chances are it isn't worth being excited about. This may be time to reflect deeply and come up with another idea. Even if your first idea does not pan out, you have learned much in the process and, maybe, have uncovered a new idea that will make you rich.
• Prepare to work long hours in the beginning, the middle and maybe later on. Remember, it’s your baby. This means working evenings, weekends and even holidays. Your custo
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