ActVen

13 ms·

91.
by ActVen 14y ago
I think you missed two key words in my comment:"sometimes" and "reacting". I didn't say it worked for every situation (see word #1). Your counter example isn't relevant to what I was stating either since it wasn't a response to an empty thr
92.
by ActVen 14y ago
This is a great example of standing up for yourself while emphasizing the mutual interest of both parties. As this letter helps demonstrate, sometimes reacting with humor and kindness is the best way to deal posturing.
93.
by ActVen 14y ago
Thanks for the clarification.
94.
by ActVen 14y ago
"But what if we added a third choice? What if we formally, publicly and noisily withdrew from the account? The worst case was that we could tell our engineering team that we should have won but the game was rigged." No, the worst case woul
95.
by ActVen 14y ago
Here are a few useful resources: Standard Forms of Value from The Personal MBA: http://book.personalmba.com/12-standard-forms-of-value/ Outline of 25 forms of profitability from The Art of Profitability by Adrian Slywotzky(as outlined by
96.
by ActVen 14y ago
If you can find a test customer to work with you during your development, that will put you in a much better place. B2B customers are sometimes open to this type of arrangement if it is a non-critical function of their business. If you stri
97.
by ActVen 14y ago
It has been very effective for a number of projects in which I have been involved. I have seen many circumstances where a company "had tried AdWords and it didn't work", but were very successful when it was implemented in the right way. One
98.
by ActVen 14y ago
This is very reflective of the acquisition process my company went through when it was acquired(Priced at $13 million). However, one area that can't be emphasized enough is the distraction, time, and mental capital that this process entails
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Ask HN: What format of startup founder interview is most valuable to you?
3 points by ActVen 14y ago|0 comments
100.
by ActVen 14y ago
These are a tactical tips, but I have found them useful in acquiring a broad range of knowledge. 1. Stop watching broadcast/cable TV. Only watch a few really good shows via iTunes so you don't waste time on commercials. 2. Listen to non-fic
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by ActVen 14y ago
ColorLink ConnectColor ColorGrid
102.
by ActVen 14y ago
This is fantastic advice. I have had lunches like this numerous times. They have been overall a very successful strategy. Sure, you will have a very small percentage that don't really provide insight...but that is well worth the cost. It is
103.
by ActVen 14y ago
I'm someone with a track record of driving traffic and my company was acquired about a year ago. Totally different industry...but here are a few thoughts that might help you. Interactivity - Right now the site is fairly passive. I think you
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by ActVen 14y ago
At the end of the video it says animation by Grumo Media. http://grumomedia.com/
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by ActVen 14y ago
Think about what your potential customers will be searching for when they are trying to address the need that your product fulfills. Then, provide real value to your potential customers on your website in the form of articles and other help
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by ActVen 14y ago
http://klouchebag.com/#nickiminaj
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by ActVen 14y ago
Momentum. If an issue is identified and numerous people seem to care about it and pass it along, few channels can match a social network's ability to get it attention.
108.
by ActVen 14y ago
I have worked with a number of social media consultants and have a couple things to mention that are worth keeping in mind. 1:Pay attention to how the "expert" talks about social media. They should be talking about how it is just a channel.
109.
by ActVen 15y ago
Background: I was part-owner of a company that sold last year for 8 figures. It was primarily a professional services firm with software that drove our competitive advantage. Most of our projects ranged in price from 20k to over 200k. For u
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by ActVen 15y ago
Stock prices for companies like Apple have little to do with fundamental value. Prices are based largely on the trajectory of the company's success in the recent past. Apple has done some outstanding things in the last five years. There is
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by ActVen 15y ago
I bought the Kindle DX specifically for this purpose. The size and general text comes out well for Kindle format books. However, the PDF experience is really lacking. You can zoom in on the pages and exhibits, but it is not intuitive. If yo
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by ActVen 15y ago
I can't agree with you more. I think this is one area where there would be some demand...but nothing is available at the right price point. It could be that the technology isn't there yet. This generation is the first to grow up staring at
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by ActVen 15y ago
Yes. I don't have many specific complaints with Google Search. However, as companies get larger they often look "upward" at upper management and investors instead of looking "downward" at their customers. What I mean by this is they are oft
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by ActVen 15y ago
I haven't worked with them, but take a look at www.SproutBox.com They are a VC firm with a pretty cool model. It appears as though they have worked with non-developer founders in the past (i.e. Proposable).
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by ActVen 15y ago
I think it is great that you provided a follow up to the post. Thanks for adding value to the community.
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by ActVen 15y ago
Yes you should get a lawyer to help you understand it. However, try to get a recommendation from someone you trust and then give specific instructions to the lawyer. Tell the lawyer you want to have them review the contract with you in the
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by ActVen 15y ago
I'm not sure about YC's case. But, at the base of it: Convertible Notes = Debt. Even though they provide a chance at equity in the future, that is not guaranteed. I have heard more than a few Angel Investors indicate they are in the busines
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by ActVen 15y ago
In addition to discussing this with customers and a/b testing, I think you should consider the capital your firm has available. If you have sufficient capital to use a commission model, that lines up all of the incentives correctly. However
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by ActVen 15y ago
Try contacting your local American Marketing Association(or Advertising Federation) group. They are always looking for speakers and sponsors. You could speak about the issue at hand if you are able to do it without making it into a sales pi
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by ActVen 15y ago
Congratulations on the call. We just sold our business last year for 8 figures to a company that contacted us out of the blue. We weren't on the market or really thinking about selling at the time. Here are a few thoughts that might be usef

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