The document discusses an insider's guide to unfair competitive advantage in startups called "Startup Secrets". It addresses frequently asked questions about what is involved in starting a company and questions around ideas, fundraising and pitching. It outlines a roadmap for startup success moving from ideation to profitability, reducing risk and increasing value. It encourages attendees to assess what is missing from their plans and provides a list of workshop topics to help startups.
What is needed to build a startup? What are the milestones along the way? And how to do you pull that pitch together to get the venture attention and funding your idea deserves. This Slideshare was given at the Harvard iLab and offered:
-- The holistic checklist to think through your venture in a business like plan
-- What matters to a VC/Investor
-- How to think about your roadmap from startup to public company
Game Changing Business Models - V2! - with case examples - Competitive Advant...Michael Skok
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 3 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://www.mjskok.com/
Company Formation - Foundations for an Enduring Company - Competitive Advanta...Michael Skok
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 2 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
It features the case study of Acquia who participated in the workshop.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://www.mjskok.com/
Building a Compelling Value Proposition - Competitive Advantage for StartupsMichael Skok
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 1 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://www.mjskok.com/
Startup Secrets - Game Changing Business ModelsMichael Skok
In our industry, it’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to become so mono-focused on the novelty of their product that they forget to innovate sufficiently around their business model. A disruptive business model can be at least as important as a discontinuous innovation.
What is needed to build a startup? What are the milestones along the way? And how to do you pull that pitch together to get the venture attention and funding your idea deserves. This Slideshare was given at the Harvard iLab and offered:
-- The holistic checklist to think through your venture in a business like plan
-- What matters to a VC/Investor
-- How to think about your roadmap from startup to public company
Game Changing Business Models - V2! - with case examples - Competitive Advant...Michael Skok
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 3 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://www.mjskok.com/
Company Formation - Foundations for an Enduring Company - Competitive Advanta...Michael Skok
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 2 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
It features the case study of Acquia who participated in the workshop.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://www.mjskok.com/
Building a Compelling Value Proposition - Competitive Advantage for StartupsMichael Skok
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 1 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://www.mjskok.com/
Startup Secrets - Game Changing Business ModelsMichael Skok
In our industry, it’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to become so mono-focused on the novelty of their product that they forget to innovate sufficiently around their business model. A disruptive business model can be at least as important as a discontinuous innovation.
Game Changing Business Models - Case - Dries Drupal, Open Source, Co-CreationMichael Skok
This is a case to exemplify how disruptive open source and co-creation can be as part of your business model. Presented by Dries Buytaert, founder of Drupal, the largest open source project on the planet.
This is part of the workshop on Game Changing Business Models - itself part of the series on Startup Secrets, by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the framework for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://mjskok.com/
This presentation provides an overview of approaches to developing you vision and mission, as well as the critical nuances tied to company culture. It also features an insightful case example from Salsify.
Startup Secrets - Getting Behind the Perfect Investor PitchMichael Skok
These days the pitch to a VC displaces the old business plan because most investors simply don’t have time to read a full business plan, and most entrepreneurs don’t have time to write one. That said, the business strategy still serves as the foundation for any presentation you create.
Harvard Innovation Lab Workshop on developing the Perfect Pitch, by Michael Skok.
Michael is an entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, who has seen both sides of this. He spent 21 years as a CEO, building companies and raising over 100 million to build a number of software businesses. And then has spent the last decade as a VC seeing thousands of pitches from entrepreneurs raising money, and invested in companies that have generated over a billion dollars in value.
So with that in mind, the idea here is to give you an insider's checklist for your own pitch,
You’ve figured out your value prop and you’ve got a great product under development. Now what? How can you develop a roadmap to build a company? Venture Capitalists often qualify deals as being a “feature”, a “product” or a “company”. Which do you have and how will you get where you want to go? This presentation addresses how to think about designing your product as a foundational element of your business. This includes thinking beyond UX and Architecture to Whole Product, Ecosystems, and Strategic partners. It also focuses on formulating how to design your go-to-market strategy and business model into your product (with a modular architecture, distinctive packaging and a frictionless approach).
Ideas are worth very little without a culture to guide the selection of talent and a big, bold vision to attract and unify the team. Human capital is what separates great from good companies – which is why establishing a strong culture to attract and retain the right people, while unifying them behind an inspiring vision and mission is essential to any significant venture.
Startup Secrets - Have you got what it takes?Michael Skok
There is a belief in the business world that founders can’t scale. Put another way, a company’s growth curve will eventually outstrip the capabilities of its founder’s ability to remain CEO.
Go To Market – Case – Demandware RebrandingMichael Skok
While we looked at initial branding for startups here, in this case study we discuss a more mature example with Demandware, a company that is now past its IPO and was looking to rebrand to extend its leadership and position the company for continued growth.
Driving to Market - V2! - How to "Drive" Competitive Advantage in your Go To ...Michael Skok
New version 2 - including case examples from Spotfire, Demandware, Hubspot and David Skok.
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 4 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://mjskok.com/
Startup Secrets - Funding Strategies to Go the DistanceMichael Skok
Having been a venture capitalist for the last decade, I have found that the topic of funding is one that everyone wants to know about but is openly discussed by few. Ironically, the more it is talked about, the more educated entrepreneurs will be, enabling them to make the right decisions as they seek funding for their startup.
Value Proposition – Case – Diagnostics for AllMichael Skok
This case example provides an overview of DFA’s approach to defining its value proposition, as well as its ability to address qualitative evaluation and gain/pain ratio requirements.
This is part of the Startup Secrets focus on Value Proposition development. For more information on this and other Startup Secrets focus areas, visit http://www.startupsecrets.com
Startup Secrets presents a lecture on how to find your roadmap to success! With our introductory lecture, discover your beginning steps to creating your startup.
Startup Secrets presents a lecture on whether or not you've got what it takes to found a startup! Learn strategies for growing with and navigating your company through the beginning stages.
Game Changing Business Models - Case - Dries Drupal, Open Source, Co-CreationMichael Skok
This is a case to exemplify how disruptive open source and co-creation can be as part of your business model. Presented by Dries Buytaert, founder of Drupal, the largest open source project on the planet.
This is part of the workshop on Game Changing Business Models - itself part of the series on Startup Secrets, by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the framework for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://mjskok.com/
This presentation provides an overview of approaches to developing you vision and mission, as well as the critical nuances tied to company culture. It also features an insightful case example from Salsify.
Startup Secrets - Getting Behind the Perfect Investor PitchMichael Skok
These days the pitch to a VC displaces the old business plan because most investors simply don’t have time to read a full business plan, and most entrepreneurs don’t have time to write one. That said, the business strategy still serves as the foundation for any presentation you create.
Harvard Innovation Lab Workshop on developing the Perfect Pitch, by Michael Skok.
Michael is an entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, who has seen both sides of this. He spent 21 years as a CEO, building companies and raising over 100 million to build a number of software businesses. And then has spent the last decade as a VC seeing thousands of pitches from entrepreneurs raising money, and invested in companies that have generated over a billion dollars in value.
So with that in mind, the idea here is to give you an insider's checklist for your own pitch,
You’ve figured out your value prop and you’ve got a great product under development. Now what? How can you develop a roadmap to build a company? Venture Capitalists often qualify deals as being a “feature”, a “product” or a “company”. Which do you have and how will you get where you want to go? This presentation addresses how to think about designing your product as a foundational element of your business. This includes thinking beyond UX and Architecture to Whole Product, Ecosystems, and Strategic partners. It also focuses on formulating how to design your go-to-market strategy and business model into your product (with a modular architecture, distinctive packaging and a frictionless approach).
Ideas are worth very little without a culture to guide the selection of talent and a big, bold vision to attract and unify the team. Human capital is what separates great from good companies – which is why establishing a strong culture to attract and retain the right people, while unifying them behind an inspiring vision and mission is essential to any significant venture.
Startup Secrets - Have you got what it takes?Michael Skok
There is a belief in the business world that founders can’t scale. Put another way, a company’s growth curve will eventually outstrip the capabilities of its founder’s ability to remain CEO.
Go To Market – Case – Demandware RebrandingMichael Skok
While we looked at initial branding for startups here, in this case study we discuss a more mature example with Demandware, a company that is now past its IPO and was looking to rebrand to extend its leadership and position the company for continued growth.
Driving to Market - V2! - How to "Drive" Competitive Advantage in your Go To ...Michael Skok
New version 2 - including case examples from Spotfire, Demandware, Hubspot and David Skok.
Developed for the Harvard Innovation Lab workshop series on Startup Secrets.
This is part 4 of the 5 part series by Michael J Skok on how to get competitive advantage as a startup.
Michael's slides are the agenda for the workshop, and are NOT self contained. For fuller coverage of the slides, visit Michael's website http://mjskok.com/
Startup Secrets - Funding Strategies to Go the DistanceMichael Skok
Having been a venture capitalist for the last decade, I have found that the topic of funding is one that everyone wants to know about but is openly discussed by few. Ironically, the more it is talked about, the more educated entrepreneurs will be, enabling them to make the right decisions as they seek funding for their startup.
Value Proposition – Case – Diagnostics for AllMichael Skok
This case example provides an overview of DFA’s approach to defining its value proposition, as well as its ability to address qualitative evaluation and gain/pain ratio requirements.
This is part of the Startup Secrets focus on Value Proposition development. For more information on this and other Startup Secrets focus areas, visit http://www.startupsecrets.com
Startup Secrets presents a lecture on how to find your roadmap to success! With our introductory lecture, discover your beginning steps to creating your startup.
Startup Secrets presents a lecture on whether or not you've got what it takes to found a startup! Learn strategies for growing with and navigating your company through the beginning stages.
Startup Secrets presents a lecture on how to build a compelling value proposition. Learn about stories, the information necessary, and the questions to ask yourself about how to show people you're worth the money!
Starting a new business is not the same as running an operating business. Over the last decade, several management practices have emerged that recognize the particular challenges new ventures face. Steve Blank’s Customer Development Model and the related “Lean” movement are increasingly popular. This session introduces and defines the key concepts of these entrepreneurial management practices and explores how startups can use them at any step of their development.
Original investors idea ; startup level survival education funding strategy, ...www.securitysystems.best
www.CrowdFunding mentors.com
Get funding at an idea or startup level. We have helped hundreds of startups & entrepreneurs with their successful funding.
Do you:
➤ Have a great idea?
➤ Need funding for your idea?
➤ Seek to find investors?
➤Want to know where to start & how succeed?
Original investors & CrowdFunding mentors on demand talented staff can help you:
➤ To create a great business plan.
➤ With successful development & execute of your funding strategy, technical & tactical steps.
➤ To inspire people & build your crowd to become your original investors.
➤ With mobile Apps to share your idea with investors and receive funds effortlessly.
➤ Raise money without restrictions or fees.
➤ With fast, Easy, no minimum or limit on what you raise.
➤ With one stop access to meet your funding budget & timing.
➤ ➤➤ If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.
We help & prepare Startups and Entrepreneurs to start, launch, promote, raise pre-seed fund, patent their ideas and submit them to VCs and Angels for the next round.
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9 Steps to Repeatable, Scalable, & Profitable GrowthDavid Skok
In this slide deck, David Skok talks through his 9 step process for B2B startups to get through product/market fit, and to then find a repeatable, scalable, and profitable growth process.
In David's experience some of the most fatal and expensive mistakes founders make is trying to skip steps. Understanding this roadmap will save you countless hours and potentially millions of wasted dollars.
Startup Secrets presents a lecture on how to get behind the perfect investor pitch! Learn about what investors are looking for, and how to successfully represent your business.
WebSummit 2018 - 9 Secrets for Startup SuccessDavid Skok
Lean Startup taught the world how to find product/market fit, but in the B2B world that isn’t enough. B2B founders must then find a way to build repeatable, scalable and profitable growth before they are ready to step on the accelerator and grow at high speed. In this talk, five-time serial entrepreneur and author of the ForEntrepreneurs blog, David Skok, breaks this journey down into 9 distinct stages and explains the playbook at each stage. Warning: trying to force growth by skipping a step is the number one mistake entrepreneurs make, and it is often fatal.
Zero to 100 - Part 1: Intro + First SectionDavid Skok
Zero to 100 is a learning program from David Skok. It is a detailed instruction manual for how to take your startup from zero to $100m, with a particular focus on the area of building a go-to-market machine. So many of today’s founders come from a product or technical background, and have never been involved with sales and marketing. Right after starting their venture, they are hit with the huge problem of how to build their go-to-market organization and processes. It breaks the journey down into 9 steps, and explains why it is crucial not to skip steps in this journey in the rush to get ahead. The major emphasis of the course focuses on building a repeatable, scalable and profitable growth machine. Once you have that in place, you are ready to hit the gas and scale like crazy.
To see videos of the presentations, click here: https://www.forentrepreneurs.com/matrix-growth-academy-zero-to-100-videos/
In this slide deck, David Skok talks through his 9 step process for B2B startups to get through product/market fit, and to then find a repeatable, scalable, and profitable growth process.
In David's experience some of the most fatal and expensive mistakes founders make is trying to skip steps. Understanding this roadmap will save you countless hours and potentially millions of wasted dollars.
Are You Happy With 'Typical' Sales... or Do You Want More?Neil Fletcher
The key to successful selling has always been differentiation – primarily in product features, service capabilities and value.
The problem with focusing on these narrow issues is that we can easily lose sight of the bigger picture.
If we want to achieve different results, we need to think and act in ways that are different from the way we've always done it but also different from our competitors.
Applying industrial process thinking to your sales process will help to set you apart from everyone else.
Not your Grandfather's Business Plan Writing Workshop by Thadeus GieddThadeus Giedd
The questions you should be asked (or should have been) and the items that should be addressed prior to starting the business plan writing process.
A different style, but I think the correct starting approach to tackling writing a business plan.
Starting a business is hard, especially when you're a student or recent graduate. This webinar will guide you through those early stages of starting a startup, getting early traction and attracting investment. In 2014 there is a huge amount of optimism for startups and technology with a greater amount of investment and support available than in recent years but this does not mean it is easy! This webinar will equip you with the knowledge, skills and network to be able to startup and seek the first investment necessary for your business.
Matthew is a co-founder, with Christian Jakenfelds and Nick Wheeler, of @StudentUpstarts. Student Upstarts invests up to £15,000 in exchange for up to 8% into student and graduate teams to start and run their own business. Matthew and Christian also co-founded @UpstartsConnect - a co-working space in Kings Cross, London, and Matthew is a co-founder of @9others - a global network solving the problems of business that keep entrepreneurs up at night - all over a good meal with 9others.
How do you turn your innovative ideas into profitable business? This lecture describes a five phase approach for managing innovation.
Stage 1 - Collect
Stage 2 - Select
Stage 3 - Implement
Stage 4 - Sustain
Stage 5 - Market
Handouts for Rotterdam University - School of Commercial Management Studies
Similar to Startup Secrets - Roadmap to Success (20)
Mentorship is a seemingly simple concept. Get some help from someone more experienced than you. So why do we bother teaching a class on it? Because, like anything else, it’s a skill to mentor and be mentored. And if we can learn that skill it can be a real gift, both to give and receive.
Funding Strategies to go the Distance – Case – Endeca: By Steve Papa, founder...Michael Skok
Endeca was acquired by Oracle in 2011 for $1.1 billion. In the below presentation, Endeca Founder Steve Papa discusses his path to securing the funding that helped make the company a success. Steve also shares key lessons learned, such as the significance of macroeconomics and how fundraising efforts start long before you are actually pitching to investors.
2016 Innovation Roundtable Keynote by Michael SkokMichael Skok
Michael Skok, Co-Founder and Partner of Underscore.VC was invited to give the keynote presentation at the 2016 Innovation Roundtable Summit in Copenhagen.
Ask these basic questions: How much capital does your growth require? What will be your cost of capital over the growth of your venture? Can you afford to grow at all costs? When will growth not be the basis for valuation? What if factors beyond your control impact growth?
3 Skills to Master the gift of Mutual MentorshipMichael Skok
Mentorship is a seemingly simple concept. Get some help from someone more experienced than you. So why do we bother teaching a class on it? Because like anything else it's a skill to mentor and be mentored. And if we can learn that skill it can be a real gift, both to give and receive.
But first of all you've got to know what you're looking for in mentorship. Is it a handout or real help? Do you want answers or are you really looking to learn? For those looking to learn and build not just knowledge but skills for self sufficiency, mentoring can be a mutually rewarding gift.
Think of the process of being mentored as a game of chess. You can easily ask for the next move, but wouldn't you rather learn to master the game?
See the presentation to learn 3 skills to get you going on that path:-
The 2014 Future of Cloud Computing Survey was conducted in partnership with 72 Collaborators. The survey is the most widely endorsed survey of its kind in the industry. To tweet individual slides, please note the banner on the upper right hand corner of each page. Visit the Blog on http://mjskok.com/resource/2014-future-cloud-computing-4th-annual-survey-results and follow us @futureofcloud #futureofcloud to join the conversation.
2014 Future of Open Source - 8th Annual Survey resultsMichael Skok
The annual Future of Open Source Survey provides a report on the state of the open source industry and analysis of future trends. Now in its eighth year, this annual survey was supported by with over 45 collaborators, open source software industry leaders, and collaborating organizations, and compiles results from hundreds of respondents from the open source community.
Andy Jassy Illuminates Amazon Web ServicesMichael Skok
Andy Jassy, senior vice president of Amazon Web Services, provides an overview of AWS at the May 8, 2013 Startup Secrets session at Harvard innovation lab.
We all know a company is only as good as its team, which is why the hiring process is so critical as you build out your venture. This presentation focuses on the different considerations an entrepreneur should make with regard to hiring, featuring insights from Russ Campanello, iRobot’s senior VP of HR, and Eric Gaffen, Acquia’s global manager of talent acquisition. The presentation also provides recommendations on specific questions to ask when trying to find your ideal candidate.
Building a compelling value propositionMichael Skok
This presentation is an overview designed to help startups create their value proposition. It was developed in partnership to Actifio, arguably the fastest growing storage startup ever.
It is part of the Startup Secrets focus on Value Proposition development. For more information on this and other Startup Secrets focus areas, visit http://www.startupsecrets.com
This case example demonstrates how Disqus developed its value proposition, while offering insight into how the company addressed the qualitative evaluation process.
This is part of the Startup Secrets focus on Value Proposition development. For more information on this and other Startup Secrets focus areas, visit http://www.startupsecrets.com
A company is only as good as its team, which is why the hiring process is so critical as you build out your venture. And anyone who has made a bad hire along the way knows that hiring the wrong person can cost you far more than time and money. This presentation shares a framework comprised of three areas of focus critical to hiring success.
Startup Secrets: Raising Funding - Case – GivologyMichael Skok
This is a guest presentation from Alok Tayi, PhD. He is a postdoctoral fellow, in the Whitesides Lab at Harvard University. Alok has been working to provide sample case studies on for the Startup Secrets series. Special thanks to Coulter King and Joyce Meng of Givology for their contributions to this case study.
Givology is a student-run social enterprise that helps individuals find and fund education-related projects around the globe. Givology was launched in 2008 and founded by three University of Pennsylvania undergraduates: Joyce Meng, Jennifer Chan and Carl Mackey.
More: http://www.mjskok.com/resource/startup-secrets-raising-funding
How to Make a Field invisible in Odoo 17Celine George
It is possible to hide or invisible some fields in odoo. Commonly using “invisible” attribute in the field definition to invisible the fields. This slide will show how to make a field invisible in odoo 17.
This is a presentation by Dada Robert in a Your Skill Boost masterclass organised by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS) on Saturday, the 25th and Sunday, the 26th of May 2024.
He discussed the concept of quality improvement, emphasizing its applicability to various aspects of life, including personal, project, and program improvements. He defined quality as doing the right thing at the right time in the right way to achieve the best possible results and discussed the concept of the "gap" between what we know and what we do, and how this gap represents the areas we need to improve. He explained the scientific approach to quality improvement, which involves systematic performance analysis, testing and learning, and implementing change ideas. He also highlighted the importance of client focus and a team approach to quality improvement.
The Art Pastor's Guide to Sabbath | Steve ThomasonSteve Thomason
What is the purpose of the Sabbath Law in the Torah. It is interesting to compare how the context of the law shifts from Exodus to Deuteronomy. Who gets to rest, and why?
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
Palestine last event orientationfvgnh .pptxRaedMohamed3
An EFL lesson about the current events in Palestine. It is intended to be for intermediate students who wish to increase their listening skills through a short lesson in power point.
How to Split Bills in the Odoo 17 POS ModuleCeline George
Bills have a main role in point of sale procedure. It will help to track sales, handling payments and giving receipts to customers. Bill splitting also has an important role in POS. For example, If some friends come together for dinner and if they want to divide the bill then it is possible by POS bill splitting. This slide will show how to split bills in odoo 17 POS.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology:
Ethnobotany in herbal drug evaluation,
Impact of Ethnobotany in traditional medicine,
New development in herbals,
Bio-prospecting tools for drug discovery,
Role of Ethnopharmacology in drug evaluation,
Reverse Pharmacology.
Welcome to TechSoup New Member Orientation and Q&A (May 2024).pdfTechSoup
In this webinar you will learn how your organization can access TechSoup's wide variety of product discount and donation programs. From hardware to software, we'll give you a tour of the tools available to help your nonprofit with productivity, collaboration, financial management, donor tracking, security, and more.
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
1. Proprietary and Confidential
START UP
SECRETS
An insider’s guide to unfair competitive advantage
Roadmap to Success
@underscorevc
startupsecrets.com
2. Proprietary and Confidential
Have a Question? Tweet it!
2startupsecrets.comRoadmap to Success @underscorevc
@underscorevc
#startupsecrets
3. Proprietary and Confidential
Frequently asked questions:
• What is involved in a startup?
• What are the things I need to think about / learn to be successful?
• Is my (idea/project/opportunity) fundable?
• How do I pitch it to raise money?
• And many more questions and frequently questioned answers!
What are YOUR questions ?
3
Why are we here?
startupsecrets.comRoadmap to Success @underscorevc
4. Proprietary and Confidential
Frequently asked questions:
• What is involved in a startup?
• What are the things I need to think about / learn to be successful?
• Is my (idea/project/opportunity) fundable?
• How do I pitch it to raise money?
• And many more questions and frequently questioned answers!
Startup Secrets as a series is designed to bring these questions to life in practical frameworks and
case studies…
• So we designed this workshop as a Roadmap to Success
and in turn therefore to the Startup Secrets series as a whole
4
Why are we here?
startupsecrets.comRoadmap to Success @underscorevc
5. Proprietary and Confidential
Macro: Building an enduring company…
5startupsecrets.comRoadmap to Success @underscorevc
Vision / Mission
Value Prop
R o a d m a p
Enduring
Company
Startup
…
…
…
…
7. Proprietary and Confidential
A good first step…
7startupsecrets.comRoadmap to Success @underscorevc
Some kind of ROADMAP to execute from
Might take many forms for different audiences
Product Roadmap?
Business Plan?
Investor Pitch Deck?
… or even a Napkin Sketch!
It will almost certainly be wrong!
But it can’t be mindless, it needs to be mindful!
So you have some straw man, or baseline to work from
9. Proprietary and Confidential
Each Step: Reduce Risk, Increase Value
9startupsecrets.comRoadmap to Success @underscorevc
Ideation Confirmation Creation Validation Repeatability Scalability Profitability Predictability
Increasing VALUE
DecreasingRISK
10. Proprietary and Confidential
Reality - Iteration
10startupsecrets.comRoadmap to Success @underscorevc
Ideation Confirmation Creation Validation Repeatability Scalability Profitability Predictability
Increasing VALUE
DecreasingRISK
11. Proprietary and Confidential
What will yours be?
11
The roadmap to success…
startupsecrets.comRoadmap to Success @underscorevc
Pivots?
Ideation
Repeatability?
Predictability?
Scalability?
Validation?
Profitability?
Funding?
Creation
12. Proprietary and Confidential
What will yours be?
• Expect the unexpected…
12
The roadmap to success…
startupsecrets.comRoadmap to Success @underscorevc
Pivots?
Ideation
Repeatability?
Predictability?
Scalability?
Validation?
Profitability?
Funding?
Creation
Outlier
customers
Business Model
Reworking
Funding
Mirage
Iterations
The unexpected:
“near death”
experience
Team
Upgrades
Growth vs
Leverage?
Re- Creation
(See LinkedIn article here)
Startup
Euphoria
13. Proprietary and Confidential
What will yours be?
• Expect the unexpected…
Longer, harder, maybe even bigger
13
The roadmap to success…
startupsecrets.comRoadmap to Success @underscorevc
Pivots?
Ideation
Repeatability?
Predictability?
Scalability?
Validation?
Profitability?
Funding?
Creation
Outlier
customers
Business Model
Reworking
Funding
Mirage
Iterations
The unexpected:
“near death”
experience
Team
Upgrades
Growth vs
Leverage?
Re- Creation
Startup
Euphoria
15. Proprietary and Confidential 15
Milestones
startupsecrets.comRoadmap to Success @underscorevc
Increasing VALUE
DecreasingRISK
Product
Market Fit
Prototype
Problem Fit
Value Prop
Idea Fit
MVP & MVS
Customer Fit
Company
Execution Fit
Company
Public Market Fit
Company
Business
Model Fit
Ideation Confirmation Creation Validation Repeatability Scalability Profitability Predictability
16. Proprietary and Confidential 16
Whiteboard:
startupsecrets.comRoadmap to Success @underscorevc
Project, Org, Company Name
Team
• Team Member Names & Backgrounds
Why uniquely qualified to address this problem / opportunity
Value Prop
• Problem you’re solving
Product / Service
Vision
• Market need
Evolution in several years
How will you lead it
Create Roadmap – TIMELINE
– Ideation
– Confirmation
– Creation
– Validation / Iteration
– Repeatability
– Scalability
– Profitability
– Predictability
Who? Why? How? What? When?
18. Proprietary and Confidential
What are you missing?
How much of this is incomplete or missing?
Team
Value Proposition
Product
Go-To-Market
Business Model
… and many others
38
19. Proprietary and Confidential
Planning for the perfect pitch…
How much of this is incomplete or missing?
Team
Value Proposition
Product
Go-To-Market
Business Model
… and many others
MONEY? See “Funding Strategies To Go The Distance”
39
20. Proprietary and Confidential
Incomplete stand outs are better than
complete stand ups!
We looking for outstanding:
• People
• Technology or other disruption
• Market opportunity
One outstanding of the above literally stands out vs. all good, but none great
We don’t expect complete
• Team
• Product
• Value prop
• GTM plan
• Business Model
Entrepreneurs don’t need all the answers!
• Self aware, listening, leaders…
40
22. Proprietary and Confidential
Startup
Secrets
Workshops
Full descriptions of each at
StartupSecrets.com
1. Startup Roadmap
2. Building a Compelling Value Proposition
3. Company Formation 1: Vision, Mission,
Culture
4. Company Formation 2: Hiring
5. Game Changing Business Models
6. Go to Market 1: Strategy
7. Go to Market 2: Tactics
8. Getting Behind the Perfect Investor Pitch
9. Funding Strategies to go the Distance
10. Turning Products into Companies
11. Have you Got What It Takes?
12. Mastering Mutual Mentorship
In the real world you’d iterate
Today we’re going to do a workshop to allow you to build a value proposition
For (target customers—beachhead segment only)
Who are dissatisfied with (the current market alternative)
Our product is a (new product category)
That provides (key problem-solving capability).
Unlike (the product alternative),
We have assembled (key whole product features for your specific application).
Moore, Geoffrey A. (2009-03-17). Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Technology Project (p. 154). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
For (target customers—beachhead segment only)
Who are dissatisfied with (the current market alternative)
Our product is a (new product category)
That provides (key problem-solving capability).
Unlike (the product alternative),
We have assembled (key whole product features for your specific application).
Moore, Geoffrey A. (2009-03-17). Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Technology Project (p. 154). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
EG
Silicon Graphics in Hollywood
For post-production film engineers
Who are dissatisfied with the limitations of traditional film editors
Our workstation is a digital film editor That lets you modify film images any way you choose.
Unlike workstations from Sun, HP, or IBM, We have assembled all the interfaces needed for post-production film editing.
Moore, Geoffrey A. (2009-03-17). Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Technology Project (p. 154). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
In the real world you’d iterate
Today we’re going to do a workshop to allow you to build a value proposition
Customer problem or need
Customer problem or need
To entertain you along the way, as this is pretty dry subject, I will tell a story, as that is often a key element of any presentation. Usually it’s a story about you and how you came to decide to devote your working life to this new idea.
In my case it is the story of a recent trip I made and you can try to guess where I was and then as you do I’ll tell you my story. It's in italics if you want to skip it during this read and just focus on the main slides
So here is my starting point on that journey. It was a hazy morning. I really couldn’t see much except a few glimpses of the fall foliage. But I’ll tell you it wasn’t New England as you can probably tell from the terrain.
But where should you start in your Pitch? Just like I did here, give an Agenda of what you’re going to cover, mainly to set expectations.
What expectations you ask? Well, given my comment earlier that presentations often replace business plans, it’s important to set out your pitch.
Is it a comprehensive coverage of your business that will go into detail covering your entire business plan, or is it brief introduction to your business to encourage your audience to learn more in person?
Or is it something in between like an update to your current stakeholders on progress in the business with an interim capital raise?
Whatever the case, present your agenda and set your audience’s expectations clearly so you can exceed them with that Steve Job’s like zeal for “one more thing” to put your audience over the top.
Ash’s initial idea
Ash’s initial idea
Amazon
For (target customers—beachhead segment only)
Who are dissatisfied with (the current market alternative)
Our product is a (new product category)
That provides (key problem-solving capability).
Unlike (the product alternative),
We have assembled (key whole product features for your specific application).
Moore, Geoffrey A. (2009-03-17). Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Technology Project (p. 154). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
For Great Wall of China, the value proposition was really quite simple, protect the Chinese from the northern nomadic invaders like the Mongols or risk losing their country. And as I walked along the Jinshangling section, I could not help but be struck by the domineering watchtowers, of which there were no less than 67 on this section alone.
In this picture I capture a section of the wall where the contrast between the new bricks on the left and the old bricks on the right is clear. Your value proposition should be equally clear.
However you describe your value proposition, ensure your audience really “gets it”, before proceeding.
And be careful not to make any assumptions here, that may come out of your familiarity with the opportunity. Instead be explicit about what could simply not be done without the solution you are proposing and why that is so compelling.
(One other word of caution here. Many entrepreneurs, particularly technically driven thinkers spend too long on this section of the pitch. Just present it and don't try to describe every detail of the solution, no matter how proud you are of it! Present just enough to be clear as to why it is a breakthrough. And then use outside examples as proof points. See later on for more of this. )
You can test you value proposition without buiding a product by trying out this story and validating what customers are experiencing now, and what they would pay to get to the “after” scenario…
This should lead you up to describing your vision, for how the market will evolve and how you plan to lead it.
Vision is very important to us, because you will usually be looking at markets that will emerge over many years. And because it will be important to be early into a market to lead the it, we look for entrepreneurs who have the vision to see how it will unfold into a big opportunity down the road.
What are the possibilities opened up by your vision?