The document outlines essential strategies for startup success, emphasizing introspection, market understanding, and differentiation. It highlights the importance of integrity, effective team building, and smart use of technology to improve productivity. The insights also cover financial management, work-life balance, and the value of social advocacy and word-of-mouth marketing.

1. Un-Sucking The Start-Up
...and other thoughts for business pioneers

2. 00 Know Thyself
‣ introspect
‣ success
‣ fear / failure
‣ be a finisher

3. 01 True Value
‣ ideas vs. value
‣ know thy market
‣ differentiation
‣ wait for it...

4. 02 Sales as Advocacy
‣ people first
‣ money is (not) the object
‣ a following
‣ emotional brand

5. 03 Growth Through
Integrity
‣ referral business
‣ the speed of web
‣ lying is exhausting

6. 04 Hoard Good Advice
‣ pursue the wise
‣ perspective(s)
‣ naysayers
‣ left turns

7. 04 Building the Team
‣ timing, timing,
timing
‣ cover your
weaknesses first
‣ equity vs. salary

8. 04 Systems and Software
‣ 90% of less
‣ minimize
workarounds
‣ agility and overhead:
use the cloud

9. ‣ CRM ‣ Messaging & ‣ Accounting & ‣ Project
Collaboration Billing Management

10. ‣ Full ERP ‣ Email ‣ File Storage & ‣ Online
Marketing Backup Meetings

11. ‣ Presentations ‣ Forms and ‣ Blogging & Social
Feedback Media

12. 05 Capital is King
‣ bootstraps
‣ cash ramp
‣ understand sales
cycle
‣ operational cycles
‣ last resort: vc’s

13. 06 Work/Life
‣ always more to do
‣ entrepreneur !=
workaholic
‣ productivity of rest

14. 07 Cover Your Butt
‣ there will be jerks
‣ contract versions
‣ moving fast?
consistent process

15. 08 Level Up
‣ gateway deal
‣ tap into network
‣ big picture break
‣ there is no spoon

16. 09 Spread the Word
‣ alternatives to ads
‣ mavens
‣ search
‣ be social
‣ pr

17. Thank You
...questions?