Tags |
|
|
Links |
|
|
Suggest You - Show Me the Money!
One of the most important marketing tools is an effective logo. It provides an easily recognizable identity for your business or organization. It not only communicates who you are but what you are. Therefore, every business or organization contemplating adopting a logo should know the criteria that make for an effective logo.The first characteristic of an effective logo is that it has immediate impact. Your logo should catch the viewer's eye and hold the viewer's attention. Consider the logo of Apple Computers; the graphic apple with a stylized bite taken out of it has immediate product and corporate identification with consumers. An effective logo "grabs" attention.In addition to impact, a good logo must be good to look at. An effective logo should have the look and feel of "art", if a logo is not appealing to the eye it will defeat its purpose - attracting attention and providing effective identification.Closely related
B1. Someone on my team has significant experience in the domain space in which we are starting the company ( 1 point)
B2. Our team understands and acts as if they understand the difference between tasks that are urgent, urgent and important, important, and none of the above ( 1 point)
B3. This team has terrific chemistry ( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Team Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Team Hurdle.
TRACTION
Score one point for each item you can answer positively.
1. We have made a
When dealing with decisions using Cost Benefit techniques it is very important to follow the proven principles. The health of your company and your reputation depend on it. If these rules are not followed then your decisions could be flawed.Let's start, shall we?Profitable Way #1. Making Better Asset Purchase Decisions for Your CompanyCost Benefit Analysis is very useful when deciding between competing financial outcomes. Do we purchase this new asset or that one? Do we proceed with this investment in new technology or continue as normal? Is it time to replace an aging asset yet, or should it be kept longer?Profitable Way #2. Making Better Asset Purchase Recommendations for Your Clients.All the comments above relate just as much to you as to your clients- even more so, since there may be repercussions if your recommendations are flawed.Think of the benefits to the business if you can show your client
Leslie Mitts, Managing Practice Leader at the Wharton SBDC and Lead Advisor for the Wharton Venture Initiation Program, tells us that most entrepreneurs coming through her programs are focused on raising capital, even though there are higher priorities in many of their businesses. Since fresh dollars help drive the business engine, this is a natural entrepreneurial concern.
But are you ready to raise money?
Going to investors before you are really ready can damage your reputation and may actually hinder future funding efforts.
Team and a Dream uses a unique Fundability Diagnostic to help companies assess their strengths in four key areas:
Team - This is the most frequently cited attribute examined by investors. Many investors will invest in an A-level team and a B-level product, but not the opposite. Having your Seed Team nailed is crucial.
Traction - Showing momentum is a critical element to demonstrating progress and your ability to execute.
Perceived Pain - Do people really need your product? Why? Will they need it in the future?
Product Eco-system - How does your product fit into existing and emerging landscapes? Who else is out there and how big will this market grow?
Find out what you need to succeed and discover your roadmap to getting there. Take the quiz below to see how well you might expect to score with investors. For each of the four sections outlined above, see which hurdles you can clear given the current state of your business.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Only self-aware entrepreneurs should take these results seriously.
ASSESSING YOUR TEAM
Part A:
If you or any member of your current team are not planning on being the CEO, give yourself two points and proceed to Part B.
If someone on your team IS planning to continue on as CEO, then you’ll need to answer yes to both of the next two questions in order to score two points; otherwise, take a zero.
A1. Our CEO has significant, previous management experience in a startup or comparable operating environment (i.e. middle management in a large company doesn’t count!) ( 1 point)
A2. Our CEO is able to rapidly assess and prioritize our work with the respect of the team ( 1 point)
Part B:
Score one point for each answer.
B1. Someone on my team has significant experience in the domain space in which we are starting the company ( 1 point)
B2. Our team understands and acts as if they understand the difference between tasks that are urgent, urgent and important, important, and none of the above ( 1 point)
B3. This team has terrific chemistry ( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Team Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Team Hurdle.
TRACTION
Score one point for each item you can answer positively.
1. We have made a
"Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can't, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep saying it." — Robert Frost, early 20th century American poetWe can't inspire and energize people with memos, mission statements, data and analysis, charts, goals and objectives, measurements, systems, or processes. These are important factors in improving performance. But that's management, not leadership. People are inspired and aroused by exciting mental pictures of a preferred future, principles or values that ring true, and being part of a higher cause or purpose that helps them feel they're making a difference.Highly interconnected with and dependent upon a leader's ability to provide Focus and Context is his or her communication skills — especially verbal skills. When I was eighteen and starting my Culligan career I took a Dale Carnegie sales course. I followed that with their public speaking course
Team and a Dream uses a unique Fundability Diagnostic to help companies assess their strengths in four key areas:
Team - This is the most frequently cited attribute examined by investors. Many investors will invest in an A-level team and a B-level product, but not the opposite. Having your Seed Team nailed is crucial.
Traction - Showing momentum is a critical element to demonstrating progress and your ability to execute.
Perceived Pain - Do people really need your product? Why? Will they need it in the future?
Product Eco-system - How does your product fit into existing and emerging landscapes? Who else is out there and how big will this market grow?
Find out what you need to succeed and discover your roadmap to getting there. Take the quiz below to see how well you might expect to score with investors. For each of the four sections outlined above, see which hurdles you can clear given the current state of your business.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Only self-aware entrepreneurs should take these results seriously.
ASSESSING YOUR TEAM
Part A:
If you or any member of your current team are not planning on being the CEO, give yourself two points and proceed to Part B.
If someone on your team IS planning to continue on as CEO, then you’ll need to answer yes to both of the next two questions in order to score two points; otherwise, take a zero.
A1. Our CEO has significant, previous management experience in a startup or comparable operating environment (i.e. middle management in a large company doesn’t count!) ( 1 point)
A2. Our CEO is able to rapidly assess and prioritize our work with the respect of the team ( 1 point)
Part B:
Score one point for each answer.
B1. Someone on my team has significant experience in the domain space in which we are starting the company ( 1 point)
B2. Our team understands and acts as if they understand the difference between tasks that are urgent, urgent and important, important, and none of the above ( 1 point)
B3. This team has terrific chemistry ( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Team Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Team Hurdle.
TRACTION
Score one point for each item you can answer positively.
1. We have made a
You have complete control. Unlike public relations efforts, you have final word in determining where, when and how often your message will appear, how it will look and what it will say. You can target your audience more readily (working mothers, new home purchasers, small truck owners) and aim at very specific geographic areas. You can be consistent through advertising that presents your company's image and sales message over time to build awareness and trust. Similar to McDonald's golden arches, a distinctive identity can eventually become clearly associated with your company. People will recognize you quickly and easily - whether in ads, mailers, packaging or signage - if you present yourself consistently through all the promotional vehicles at your disposal.What Are Advertising's Drawbacks?It takes planning. You'll pay less per ad in newspapers and magazines by agreeing to
Find out what you need to succeed and discover your roadmap to getting there. Take the quiz below to see how well you might expect to score with investors. For each of the four sections outlined above, see which hurdles you can clear given the current state of your business.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Only self-aware entrepreneurs should take these results seriously.
ASSESSING YOUR TEAM
Part A:
If you or any member of your current team are not planning on being the CEO, give yourself two points and proceed to Part B.
If someone on your team IS planning to continue on as CEO, then you’ll need to answer yes to both of the next two questions in order to score two points; otherwise, take a zero.
A1. Our CEO has significant, previous management experience in a startup or comparable operating environment (i.e. middle management in a large company doesn’t count!) ( 1 point)
A2. Our CEO is able to rapidly assess and prioritize our work with the respect of the team ( 1 point)
Part B:
Score one point for each answer.
B1. Someone on my team has significant experience in the domain space in which we are starting the company ( 1 point)
B2. Our team understands and acts as if they understand the difference between tasks that are urgent, urgent and important, important, and none of the above ( 1 point)
B3. This team has terrific chemistry ( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Team Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Team Hurdle.
TRACTION
Score one point for each item you can answer positively.
1. We have made a
The Three Pillars of Corporate Performance Management for the Insurance Sector "Change" is the watchword for the insurance sector. Increasing customer churn and pressure on premiums are eroding profitability, highlighting the need for significant cost reductions in the areas of customer acquisition and service. This threatens the traditional operating model as organizations re-evaluate current routes to market and redesign internal processes in the never-ending search for greater efficiency. Faced with the need for change, many insurers recognize that they are ill equipped to provide executives with the management information required to restore and maintain the desired level of profitability. For insurers there are three core financial management processes: Cost and Profitability Analytics Many insurers are not able to report on product, customer and channel profitability with the frequency t
If someone on your team IS planning to continue on as CEO, then you’ll need to answer yes to both of the next two questions in order to score two points; otherwise, take a zero.
A1. Our CEO has significant, previous management experience in a startup or comparable operating environment (i.e. middle management in a large company doesn’t count!) ( 1 point)
A2. Our CEO is able to rapidly assess and prioritize our work with the respect of the team ( 1 point)
Part B:
Score one point for each answer.
B1. Someone on my team has significant experience in the domain space in which we are starting the company ( 1 point)
B2. Our team understands and acts as if they understand the difference between tasks that are urgent, urgent and important, important, and none of the above ( 1 point)
B3. This team has terrific chemistry ( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Team Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Team Hurdle.
TRACTION
Score one point for each item you can answer positively.
1. We have made a
At some time in the life of almost every person there comes the urge to establish a business of their own. Not very many ever attempt to do so, but it's a fact that most of the large businesses of today were created from the individual enterprise of one person.There are at least three choices open to ambitious entrepreneurs through which they may enter into business. First, the founding of an entirely new business; Second, the combining of two or more established businesses through the introduction of some new plan of operation; Such as the production of a new product, a new advertising technique, or a better plan for marketing the product. And third, becoming a part of an already established businessThe idea to establish a business brings with it two questions. What line of business, and how to finance it. Generally success is more certain in the line of business in which you have the largest experience. It also helps immensely
B1. Someone on my team has significant experience in the domain space in which we are starting the company ( 1 point)
B2. Our team understands and acts as if they understand the difference between tasks that are urgent, urgent and important, important, and none of the above ( 1 point)
B3. This team has terrific chemistry ( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Team Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Team Hurdle.
TRACTION
Score one point for each item you can answer positively.
1. We have made a few initial sales and have positive indicators from the marketplace for additional sales growth ( 1 point)
2. So many good things are happening I am bouncing off the walls with excitement ( 1 point)
3. I have added a significant team member (besides myself!) in the past two months ( 1 point)
4. In the past two months, I received press coverage that would be acknowledged by my prospects as legitimate business coverage ( 1 point)
5. We recently have achieved a significant product or marketplace milestone (includes a single, initial sale) ( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Traction Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Traction Hurdle.
PERCEIVED PAIN
Award your Team the number of points indicated after each question that you answer positively.
1. My product or service solves an important problem for a well defined group of people ( 2 points)
2. My product or service will be in great demand in the future in order to solve problems emerging from a new trend that has a large population of prospects ( 2 points)
3. My product or service takes advantage of newly available market forces (technology, demographics, societal). The result is an offering that will clearly appeal to an existing, well-known market demographic ( 1 point)
Your score (0-5) is your Total Perceived Pain Score.
If you scored three or more, you pass the Perceived Pain Hurdle.
PRODUCT ECO-SYSTEM
Score the stated number of points for each item you can answer positively.
1. My product is unique in a clearly defined (i.e. I can describe the difference in one or two clear sentences) and useful way ( 1 point)
2. My product is patented or can easily be patented or I have another competitive barrier (e.g. trade secret, unique manufacturing process, etc.) that will make it difficult for others to compete directly ( 1 point)
3. My marketplace is well established but fragmented or my product has “category killer” potential because it is so unique to the market ( 1 point)
4. My marketplace is either very big (> $5 billion/year in sales) with clear room for a product like mine or is rapidly growing with well documented trend lines ( 1 point)
5. My marketplace is wide open and there are no competitors ( subtract
HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
<a href="http://www.suggestyou.com/article/24159/suggestyou-Show-Me-the-Money.html">Show Me the Money!</a>
BB link (for phorums):
[url=http://www.suggestyou.com/article/24159/suggestyou-Show-Me-the-Money.html]Show Me the Money![/url]
Related Articles:
Our Business Today?! On-Line-How To Make It Work
Bad News About Effective Meetings
Are YOU an Outstanding Manager / Leader?
Bookmark it:
|