Does Your Startup Idea Need To Be Unique?
Have you ever had an idea and then said, “Oh, someone else is already doing that”?? Here’s the dirty secret: in big markets, there will (almost always) be multiple (billion dollar) winners.
Read MoreHave you ever had an idea and then said, “Oh, someone else is already doing that”?? Here’s the dirty secret: in big markets, there will (almost always) be multiple (billion dollar) winners.
Read MoreHave you ever had an idea and then said, “Oh, someone else is already doing that”??
Have you been trying to find a BRAND NEW idea to start a company???
Here’s the dirty secret:
In big markets, there will (almost always) be multiple (billion dollar) winners.
and also…
Competition isn’t scary. It validates the market and demand.
Does this mean that you should create an online bookstore today? Nah, Amazon probably has that covered.
But if you love the carbon tracking or solar space, don’t be scared off by other companies who have gotten funding or have an early product!
Not convinced? These are “mature” markets now that had many players early on. The companies listed are doing $100M+ revenue per year or (much, much) more.
Want to hear a slightly different take from a super smart, successful founder?
Check out Dave Payne’s post on What’s Your Earned Secret? and some of Neighborhood Studio’s industry deep dives.
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tl;dr - Does your startup idea need to be wildly unique? NO!
Find a big market. Solve customer problems. Take over the world! 🚀🦄 🌎
Whether you’re a CEO or early employee in the trenches, startups are hectic with unpredictable schedules. How can you eat healthy (for mood, energy, happiness, brain power) in the midst of chaos?!?
Read MoreNew year, new healthy eating goals!
Whether you’re a CEO or early employee in the trenches, startups are hectic with unpredictable schedules.
How can you eat healthy (for mood, energy, happiness, brain power) in the midst of chaos?!?
Never fear, O’Daily friends.
As any co-worker can tell you, I am the queen of healthy snacks and wholesome lunches. (Sorry for all the crunching in meetings!)
I don’t spend all weekend cooking. I don’t have a personal chef (…yet. Cookonnect is VERY tempting.)
I am very lazy efficient so I’ve spent 15 years making it simple and fast to eat healthy no matter how busy it gets.
Before we get to the 5 strategies…
Everyone has different goals, eating preferences, and frameworks.
Here’s what “healthy” means to me:
Add as many vegetables as possible to everything!!
Vegetables have tons of vitamins and minerals, lots of fiber and water, and are low in calories.
If you do one thing, add more vegetables.
#PROTIP
Prepackaged, frozen, canned, fresh — use whatever is manageable. Prewashed lettuce, kale and baby spinach, and frozen stir fry mixes are staples at our house.
We call it the “Sunday Chop.” We prepare a few key items that make meals 10x easier during the week.
#PROTIP
I steam everything in the microwave! Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, zucchini, carrots, cabbage. EVERYTHING. Microwave safe bowl + plate as a lid. 3-5 minutes.
A strong snack game means you fend off your late afternoon Dorito craving and front-load healthy food before an evening event.
#PROTIP
I use these snack containers (here and here) and love them. They are fun, eco-friendly, and don’t get smashed in your bag.
Since you now have quick-prep tips…I’m going to say the annoying, cliche thing:
Packing your lunch is a great way to eat healthier and save money.
Not possible? Load your restaurant plate up with veggies — a salad, side dishes, or both.
Working from home? Run Tips #1-3 on repeat.
#PROTIP
Whether brown-bagging or going out, keep a stash of healthy snacks in your bag, desk, or car.
Everywhere I’ve worked, folks have been really supportive and helpful about providing healthy options when possible.
(Especially once they know it’s my jam.)
If you’re the boss, it’s fairly easy to set the tone and make requests.
If you’re not the boss, it’s a fine line between Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Get and Total-Pain-In-The-Ass. Be discerning.
Ways To Ask For Healthy Food:
#PROTIP
Go with the flow occasionally so people don’t hate you. 😂
Taking care of yourself is key to bringing your startup “A” game.
Eating healthy is great way to fuel your brain and feel strong mentally and physically no matter what business surprises lie ahead!
What are your best tips for healthy eating during startup chaos?? For those working on healthy eating, what’s the biggest challenge for you?
What do Calendly ($3B), Salesloft ($2.4B), Rigor (acquired by Splunk), OrderNerd (acquired by Popmenu), and Zinnia (future unicorn) all have in common? Their CEOs were successful sales reps at tech companies before making the leap to founder.
Read MoreWhat do Calendly ($3B), Salesloft ($2.4B), Rigor (acquired by Splunk), OrderNerd (acquired by Popmenu), and Zinnia (future unicorn) all have in common?
Yes, there are great engineering-focused founders (Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Charles Brian Quinn) but it’s no coincidence that great sales people build great companies.
Here’s 5 reasons software sales reps make amazing startup CEOs.
At the highest level, selling is getting someone to believe what you believe.
Which just happens to be the #1 job of a CEO.
CEOs sell to customers, investors, employees, and beyond.
Selling involves trust, relationship-building, vision-casting, positioning, and closing.
Can you build a tech company without being an engineer?
Yes!
Does it help to know your way around software, products, and tech lingo?
Yes!
The best software sales reps are tech-savvy.
They’re handling product questions from prospects, working with engineers on custom integrations or feature requests, and explaining the technical “why” to customers.
They know “enough to be dangerous” and are constantly pushing to learn more.
It’s a great foundation for building a tech startup.
Show me a sales person who doesn’t want to be 1st on the leaderboard…and I’ll show you a customer service rep. 😂😂😂
The best sales reps play to win. They work 100 hour weeks. They make miracles happen on the last day of the quarter. They are intolerable a tiny bit upset if they fall short.
This determination, focus, and competitive drive translates seamlessly to startups.
How can I get an edge on my competitors?
How can I find leads no one else is thinking about?
What is a new way to catch the attention of a prospect?
How can I work more efficiently?
How can I creatively solve this customer’s problem?
Welcome to the mind of a great sales rep.
Or is it the mind of a startup founder??
Sales reps will…
Being a startup founder requires that you…make the ask, push boundaries, talk to strangers, fight for what you believe, and challenge antiquated thinking.
Why go for a $1000 deal when you could go for a $100,000 deal? Why start a million dollar company when you could start a billion dollar one?
It’s a similar amount of work but the impact is bigger.
“Thinking bigger” is natural in sales. It’s a compilation of winning, innovation, and courage.
“Thinking bigger” is a tremendous skill and mindset for entrepreneurship as well.
BIG announcement coming next week plus alllll the healthy-eating-at-a-startup advice to ring in the new year!
Podcasts are an amazing resource for learning. When they’re done well, it’s education in an entertaining, thought-provoking way. Here are my top 4 favorite podcasts plus some great “honorable mentions.”
Read MoreIf I’m cleaning, cooking, commuting, or getting ready for work, I’m listening to a podcast. (And you probably are too!)
Podcasts are an amazing resource for learning. When they’re done well, it’s education in an entertaining, thought-provoking way.
Here are my top 4 favorite podcasts plus some great “honorable mentions.”
What are your favorites???? (Share in the comments!)
Jason Calacanis hosts David Sacks, David Friedberg, Chamath Palihapitiya each week in my favorite podcast in the VC and investing space!
Funny, irreverent, thought-provoking, with a fresh take on popular news stories and industry insider perspectives.
It’s my #1 pick for How To Think Like a VC. I listen (or watch) every week.
Five minutes of tech and innovation news out of the Southeast, hosted by my awesome colleague Jon Birdsong.
Highest value per minute of any pod out there. I never miss.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this science-based health and performance podcast. Dr. Andrew Huberman, Stanford professor and neuroscientist, shares the best science in an approachable way and interviews amazing guests — leading researchers, doctors, and scientists in their field.
It’s nerdy, it’s actionable, and I’ve implemented several new habits based on the science. (Hellooooo, morning sunlight.)
My husband introduced me to Derek Thompson’s writing during the pandemic.
His podcast, Plain English, deep dives into current stories and social trends, seeking truth and nuance over hyberbole or validating the common story line.
He’s highly intelligent, funny, self-aware, and deeply curious. Plain English + Morning Brew (daily newsletter) are my first stops for general news.
I love these too!
And THAT’S five minutes…
(Name the pod!)
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What podcast should I check out or add to the list? What’s your favorite podcast?
You make annual plans. You set out metrics. Then…startup life happens. How do you follow through on your annual plans and goals despite (completely normal) startup chaos?
Read MoreEveryone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.
- Mike Tyson, startup guru
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Okay, so he’s not a startup guru (that I know of) but this quote always reminds me of startup life.
Just one big punch in the mouth!
JK. JK. JK.
You make annual plans.
You set out metrics.
Then…the app crashes, your top customer wants to quit, fundraising takes longer than expected, and you can’t find engineers.
How do you follow through on your annual plans and goals despite normal startup chaos?
Here are 5 steps to ensure you achieve your annual goals!
You’ll be as motivated and focused in December as you are in January.
There’s 100 different options for annual planning.
(We shared 5 of our favorites last week.)
Choose a goal setting framework or philosophy that feels easy and effective for YOU.
Which framework are you most drawn to?
The best framework is one that resonates with your style and values.
Where will you see and feel your annual goals every day?
Ideally, you’re “touching” them by writing them, discussing them, updating metrics, or something that keeps them alive.
Static goals quickly become part of the scenery.
Top-of-Mind Ideas:
At Rigor, we added a mid-quarter check-in for our strategic goals.
Why?
We would be preparing our end-of-quarter recaps and realize something totally fell off our radar. (It happened to everyone at one time or another!)
Having a preset meeting to discuss progress on long term goals is a great way to maintain focus.
Do you know accountability isn’t your strong suit? Do you get busy and have trouble following through?
Behold…
Potential Accountability Resources:
Twelve months can be a lifetime at a startup. What made sense in January may not be a priority in December.
Goals serve you.
Don’t mindlessly strive for goals that aren’t the best and highest use of your time because you “wrote it on the paper” in January.
(I am sooooo guilty of this. MUST…FOLLOW…THROUGH…)
If you haven’t made progress on your annual goals, why not?
Be honest with yourself and course correct accordingly.
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What strategies help you and your company stick with your annual goals? Any tips or stories to share?
As you head into company annual planning and 2023 goal setting, here are 5 awesome tools to help facilitate the process.
Read More2023 is just around the corner!
(Kathryn frantically orders gifts on Amazon…)
As you head into company annual planning and 2023 goal setting, here are 5 awesome tools to help facilitate the process.
Pick one to anchor around or incorporate aspects of all five. Being thoughtful now will pay dividends as you attack the new year!
A David Cummings classic. It works for large companies, individuals, teams, projects, personal, work, and everything in between.
Here’s the downloadable template.
Take a goal from vague pipe dream to Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Whatever planning or goal setting framework you use, SMART goals always apply!
When we implemented the “SMART” principles to our quarterly planning process at Rigor, it changed the conversation. We stopped debating whether a goal was achieved and started talking about improvements, next iterations, or digging in on “why” something worked or didn’t.
The Objectives and Key Results framework, initially created by Andrew Grove at Intel and popularized when John Doerr brought it to Google (and wrote a book about it).
It’s a great option for product or non-revenue projects and can be used at companies large and small.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Atomic Habits is amazing.
James Clear wrote one of the most popular (4.8 out of 5 stars) and transformational books on how to change your life through habits.
You are what you do. You do what’s easy. How do you make it easy to achieve your goals? Build it into your daily workflow so it becomes automatic. Systems over goals.
Well-known business operating methodology that incorporates vision, data, goal setting, meeting cadences, and more.
If the Simple Strategic Plan is the Cliff Notes, Traction (aka Entrepreneur Operating System — well branded, Mr. Wickman) is the end-to-end handbook.
Read the book (not to be confused with THIS Traction book - also highly recommended) and see which aspects work for your company.
…is the one that works for you!
Maybe you hate plans but love habits. Or you need something you can complete in less than an hour. Or you need something that can support a larger team.
Identify what what resonates with you at this stage.
Your process should feel meaningful and easy to maintain.
Speaking of maintaining…how do you stay on top of annual goals amidst startup and life chaos??!! We’ll talk next week about simple ways to build accountability and goal tracking into every day life.
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What tools do you use for annual planning? What goal and planning frameworks work well at your company?
Creativity, thoughtfulness, and personal touches make the most memorable gifts. Here are 10 ideas for employee gifts and celebrations (including low cost and remote friendly options) this holiday season!
Read MoreHow are you thanking your employees this year??
You got the customer gifts handled (whew) and you realized…oh crap, what about my team!?!?
We got you.
Distributed team?
Got you.
Working on a tight budget?
Still got you.
As we learned from customer gifts, it’s not the money that matters. Creativity, thoughtfulness, and personal touches make the most memorable gifts.
For the busy startup leaders, here’s 10 ideas for employee gifts and celebrations (including low cost and remote friendly options) this holiday season!
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What has been your favorite gift given or received? Other fun or creative suggestions?
In case you missed the memo, it’s customer gift season! We shared customer gift timelines. We shared specific gift suggestions. Today we cover real life customer gifts and the surprising lessons learned!
Read MoreIn case you missed the memo (here and here), it’s customer gift season!
We shared customer gift timelines.
We shared specific gift suggestions.
Today we cover real life customer gifts and the surprising lessons learned!
In the early years of Pardot, we gave $100 Amazon gift cards (physical ones) with handwritten thank you notes to our top users. Pretty nice gift, right?
When Pardot was acquired by Exact Target, we suddenly had Big Company Marketing Energy.
Behold…the custom, branded cookie basket.
Cookies in the shape of an email icon, logos and company colors on everything, hot cocoa and a mug to complete the cozy vibe.
Cute but affordable. $40 per basket (with bulk discount).
Our customers freaking LOVED THEM.
I got more enthusiastic thank yous from a $40 cookie basket than from thousands of dollars of gift cards.
LESSON LEARNED:
Thoughtful, branded, and creative gifts beat out expensive and generic ones.
The highest value swag of all time, hands down, were ceramic Rigor coffee mugs for $10 each.
Why so popular?
(DISCLAIMER: Not all engineers love coffee and swear words, okay??)
The mugs were simple, fun, a little bit edgy, and a perfect fit for our techie customers.
The idea was inspired by a coffee mug from the internet with the same phrase.
We added a logo and…
Voila! Customer gift magic!
LESSON LEARNED:
Find a great item that fits the personality and interests of your typical user. Like Lesson #1, creativity outperforms dollars spent.
It’s the gift I still talk about.
Strangers say, “The most incredible swag I ever got was…”
I finish their sentence. We’re always talking about the same gift.
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In December 2020, Rippling sent a box of four caramels to its customers.
Handmade caramels.
From a goat farm.
Owned by the sister of the Rippling CEO.
In the most beautiful packaging.
With a note from Parker Conrad about working from his sister’s Vermont goat farm during the pandemic.
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Do you need to have a sister who owns a goat farm to give a great gift?
Yes.
But if you don’t have a sister or a goat farm, is there a person or business in your life with a unique product?
What about a customer who has a gift-worthy item? Or a local company with a quirky brand?
Tell the why behind the gift and explain the personal connection. The present goes from mundane to goat-farm-magical with a heartfelt story.
LESSON LEARNED:
A well-executed personal connection or story makes a deeply memorable gift.
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What has been the most popular customer gift you’ve given or received? Any fun or noteworthy lessons learned?
It’s customer holiday gift season! What gifts should you give your clients? Here’s a list of 7 ideas and vendors with various price points, lead time, customization, and fanciness.
Read MoreIt’s customer holiday gift season!
We urgently, I mean, helpfully reminded you last week with a timeline, how-to suggestions, and brainstorming questions!
This week, we cut right to the chase.
What gifts should you give your clients?
Here’s a list of 7 ideas and vendors with various price points, lead time, customization, and fanciness.
All of these I’ve used, received, or had highly recommended from other founders.
Let’s gift to it!
Why We Love It:
Swag Up handles manufacturing, packing, shipping, and storing inventory. One-stop shop.
But I love storing and sorting through old swag…said no one ever!
Why We Love It:
Atlanta-based, woman-owned, and THEY KNOW WINE. Every wine recommendation I’ve had from Starbright has been perfect.
Why We Love It:
Woman-owned and “they are a DREAM to work with!” from a founder who used the service.
Great value alignment for companies with sustainability or do-good missions. (Um, which is hopefully all of us…)
Why We Love It:
Customer service and experience is incredible. On par with Zappos or Stitch Fix.
Robust product reviews help you decide on items. I’ve been happy with 4.5 stars or higher.
Why We Love It:
Great for teams. Send to the executive sponsor who will share with everyone in the office.
Can be sent quickly with minimal lead time. Good for birthdays, thank yous, and other celebratory items too.
Why We Love It:
Atlanta-based company that can do branded orders. Every day item that’s not your typical pen or tech t-shirt.
I have a 4 pack at home and would use at least 100 more.
Why We Love It:
High touch and custom. It’s a total flex if you know a customer well enough to send them something unique and personal.
Bonus: use in the sales process or for employee recognition too!
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Have you received or given a customer gift that was amazing? Other great customer gift brands or vendors to share?
We try not to be alarmist here on the O’Daily. Startup life has enough fire drills without adding to it. But here’s the reality. If you haven’t started planning holiday gifts for customers, you’re behind.
Read MoreWe try not to be alarmist here on the O’Daily. Startup life has enough fire drills without adding to it.
But here’s the reality.
If you haven’t started planning holiday gifts for customers, you’re behind.
But it’s the first week in November??? How could I be behind???
Yep, it snuck up on me too. It always does.
What I like to do is make an abbreviated plan for this year and then implement the “ideal” plan next year when I’ll have more time and be better prepared.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
I really always think that though.
Luckily, it’s not too late to get a great customer gift plan in place!
Today, we’ll cover timelines, questions to consider, and how-tos of customer gift giving.
Next week, we’ll share suggestions on the type of gifts to give with specific recommendations and unexpected lessons learned from real customer gifts.
Let’s get to it. These gifts aren’t going to plan themselves!
Let’s work backwards.
You want gifts to arrive before everyone is out for holiday break. Out of town, out of the office, out of touch. You don’t want your $50 cookie box getting moldy during the 2 week ghost town between Christmas and New Year’s.
Some items take 5-10 days to arrive. Especially for the standard (read: most affordable), non-rush shipping option.
If you’re delivering to an office, there can also be a lag between mailroom arrival and when it gets into the hands of your customer.
Getting branded swag made takes time. So does putting together gift boxes, signing cards, coordinating a team photo, or whatever other prep items you do.
If you’re mailing a physical item, you’ll also need to confirm addresses which is extra fun in this work-from-anywhere world. 😁
Note: Businesses (including yours!) may be closed for 2-3 days over Thanksgiving.
Things to do next week: gift ideation, research, rough draft customer list, budget, get quotes (total cost + timeline), get final approval, place order.
No big deal though. Just another Tuesday in the fast paced world of startups! 😉
Take a few moments to identify the purpose of your holiday gift. It will help clarify your target audience, budget, and gift item.
Which users or customers should receive a gift? This can get complicated…
#PROTIP
Once you have a “who” plan, circulate a tentative spreadsheet of gift recipients. Other teammates, especially in sales or leadership, may have specific customers to add. Do it upfront to prevent leaving off someone important or not having enough gift supplies!
What’s your budget for this project?
#PROTIP
Order a few extra of everything. Typos, water spills, last minute additions, package malfunctions, internal requests – wiggle room comes in handy.
What kind of gift should it be?
#PROTIP
DIY is less expensive but takes (significantly) more time. There’s no right or wrong but be aware and intentional about the tradeoffs.
Where should this project live? Who handles the execution?
It’s 100% dependent on your company size and structure.
Corporate gifting is a $258 billion market for a reason.
(^^I have done all of these before. 🤪)
#PROTIP
We’ll have specific gift suggestions next week including some surprising learnings on what customers love. Spoiler Alert: it’s NOT the most expensive gift we sent.
Holiday gifts are a great way to stay in touch with customers and spread goodwill.
Start planning now so you can be thoughtful, thorough, and creative!
Other advice for customer holiday gifts? Any gifts or strategies that worked well?
Want to stay up to date? New blogs come out weekly.