Avoid the engagement trap. While building ClearGears, we’ve learned that the definition of user engagement has to be flexible. If we measure engagement by how often people log into ClearGears and click around, then we have a tough road ahead.
Failure: 3 Early Signs
If you’re thinking of joining a pre-funded startup as an employee, or you’re considering investing in a startup (and you’re not a professional investor), look out for these early-warning signs that forebode failure. 1. The founder is unemployable. If your
Pay Like A Banker
It’s easy to disparage bankers and big banks. They have corrupt relationships with their rating agencies, they routinely take positions against their own clients, and at commercial banks, their business model has transformed from giving loans to charging fees. Banks
Privacy Will Be Illegal
Since I’m involved in building technology, I often worry about the unintended consequences of my work. Technology will tear apart centuries-old institutions and laws, and the process of change will not be pretty. Very soon privacy will be effectively illegal.
It’s All About People
Networking can be tiring and tedious for entrepreneurs, but it’s an important component of success. Today we reviewed the list of ClearGears beta users to understand the impact our networking efforts have had on customer acquisition. The ClearGears team had
Virtual Tech Teams Gain Respect
Until very recently Angel investors and VCs were extremely bearish on companies with international tech teams, and teams that didn’t work in the same room. That view is changing. The view is changing because it has to. Hiring a local
What Investors Want
Here’s a great question I received from a reader of this blog yesterday. I’ve taken out the name of his company, but his problem is one commonly experienced among entrepreneurs looking for angel and VC investment. His product helps businesses
Read This Book
Here at Dogpatch Labs in New York, my coworker Steven Tynan, the very talented Dan Shipper, and I are reading The Four Steps To The Epiphany by Steven Gary Blank in our humble Dogpatch NY Book Club. If you are
This Is Going To Hurt
This week’s global stock market gyrations foretell tough times ahead for startup entrepreneurs. When investor confidence dips, VC investment dives. We need only look to changes in investment in 2008 and 2009 to predict how 2011 and 2012 will shake
How To Be A Great Boss
I cannot say that I’m a great boss yet, but I’m committed to becoming one, and here are the principles I’m following. Honesty is the best policy. Company culture trickles down from the top, so the best company cultures reflect