Copyright © 2009-2010 by PackLate.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.PackLate.com
Things to Think about this Summer
Steve BarshCEO, PackLate.com
[email protected] * 215.888.2101
@packlate @sbarsh
1
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Copyright © 2009-2010 by PackLate.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.PackLate.com
Premises & Observations
• Money too early
• Validation from investors
• Key risks• Out-of-box techniques
• De-risk before
• Pitching• Building the product
2
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Copyright © 2009-2010 by PackLate.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.PackLate.com
3 – 7 Key Assumptions
3
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Copyright © 2009-2010 by PackLate.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.PackLate.com
Stop Waving, Start Pointing!
4
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Copyright © 2009-2010 by PackLate.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.PackLate.com
Common Assumptions
Positioning / differentiationDemandMarket sizeFeature set (Benefits?)CompetitionPricing / business modelSales / adoption cycleTeamProduct developmentExecutionMarketingFinancials & forecastsFinancial needs
Enterprise value
5
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Copyright © 2009-2010 by PackLate.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.PackLate.com
Experiment
• Hypotheses
• Prove or Disprove
• Build -- Release, measure, learn, iterate
• Research
• Valid proxies
6
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Copyright © 2009-2010 by PackLate.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.PackLate.com
What to learn on your “summer vacation” - 1
1. Don't debate. A/B test everything. (applies to software, messaging / positioning (e.g., Adwords))
2. Innovate in real time.3. Get an unfair advantage (mentors, advisors, Board, LinkedIn, University, wherever you can)
4. Ask for advice, not money. (1 mouth, 2 ears)5. What are you learning?6. What are your key assumptions?7. What can you prove with $0?
7
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Copyright © 2009-2010 by PackLate.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.PackLate.com
What to learn on your “summer vacation” - 2
8. Know what you are talking about9. Minimum viable product (MVP), Lean, Embarrassment10.Biz development -- stand in their shoes11.Positioning12.Always marketing, testing, & selling (refining)13.Estimating14.PR - what's the STORY, why will anyone really care (and who will), why are you doing PR? (SEO? Customers? Brand equity? Credibility?)
15.Not being afraid to pivot (be stubborn, but not too stubborn)
8
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Copyright © 2009-2010 by PackLate.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.PackLate.com
Things to Think about this Summer
Steve BarshCEO, PackLate.com
[email protected] * 215.888.2101
@packlate @sbarsh
9
Sunday, May 9, 2010