August 2012
1 post
"A first mover is not the first one to launch;...
I tweeted this from Pandomonthly two hours ago, and it quickly got legs in the Twitterverse. This quote was more or less the extent of Reid’s comments on this topic, but given the amount of attention it’s received online from entrepreneurs and investors alike, I think it’s worth spending more time discussing.
The “first mover advantage” is something we hear a lot...
May 2012
1 post
April 2012
3 posts
Always be Pitching
Being able to deliver an effective and engaging elevator pitch is an important skill even if you’re not an actively fundraising entrepreneur. I recently worked with StartingBloc Fellows of San Francisco to provide them with feedback on pitching for jobs, mentors, and funding. I compiled the list below of 5 things you need to consider when developing an elevator pitch:
Know your audience: Who...
5 tags
PR #Fail at Twitter?
Over the past few days, I’ve had numerous conversations regarding Twitter’s decision to hire a tweet-less Gabriel Stricker as their new VP of Communications. In a recent post Michael Arrington effectively summarizes what many of us are questioning: Why would Twitter choose to bring in a top executive who appears to have “never used” the product?
This reaction seems pretty reasonable…and I’d say,...
6 tags
LinkedIn tips you need to know
“LinkedIn is built like a skyscraper, but almost everyone is still in the lobby” -John Hill from HigherEd Evangelist at LinkedIn.
I attended a session with John this week on how departments and individuals at Stanford can best utilize this professional social network. Considering myself a proficient LinkedIn user, I was surprised to learn a lot of new features and strategies that I am confident...
March 2012
1 post
4 tags
Frighteningly UN-Ambitious Startup Ideas
When you read Paul Graham’s post on frighteningly ambitious startup ideas, it’s easy to become exhilarated by the idea of the next Steve Jobs replacing the search engine, email inboxes, or medical diagnostic tools with disruptive, visionary technology. This type of post generates enthusiasm for projects going through incubator programs and creates the kind of energy that led droves of people to Y...
January 2012
2 posts
What's in a name?
One of the first things a typical startup does after identifying an idea to pursue, is to select a company name. It is very easy to pick a weak name in a rush to snag a url and spend more time on other aspects of your business.
But a name is an important part of your company. It is often the first thing users see or hear, it is how they discuss your company with other potential users, it is...
Will 2012 be the end of complexity in tech?
I just got my first iphone, and I’m definitely experiencing a steep learning curve when it comes to the world of apps. What did I have before my iphone?
A Palm Pre.
Yes, really.
My Palm was an excellent set of smart phone-training wheels. It provided me with what I needed: email and information access and apps for tools and websites I was already using: Yelp, Facebook, Pandora, etc.
But I came to...
December 2011
7 posts
1 tag
Influence over Power
At 25 years old, I am having a hard time articulating my specific interests and career goals. I am hesitant to identify one area of expertise to focus my energy on since I don’t want to restrict myself from pursuing everything else. I seek to improve the collaboration of and communication between the worlds of business and technology, but that seems incredibly vague next to my engineering...
How Google helps and hurts our brain →
I’ve definitely thought long and hard about how using Google impacts our memory, and as I result I am hesitant to reach for my smartphone when I don’t know something. Here’s a quick interesting read on how Google is changing the way we think and remember.
What's on Your Learning List? →
Matt Swanson’s learning list is evidence of the tangible skillset that engineers have and continue to expand on. I am not an engineer. So if I was to sit down and create a list such as this one, it would look very different. Despite this, I do think Matt’s tips are valuable. In the broadest sense, I want to learn how the worlds of technology creation and scientific research can best...
I Don't Understand What Anyone Is Saying Anymore →
The trouble with the language of internet business models (and other jargon/acronym-happy industries), and why those speaking about their ideas and work need to focus more on ensuring their communication style is appropriate for their audience. “When I was younger, if I didn’t understand what people were saying, I thought I was stupid. Now I realize that if it’s to...
A List Of Startups Goldman Sachs Thinks Will Most... →
Obviously none of these are a for-sure thing to IPO in 2012, but what I found most interesting about the list is the timeline over which these companies have made it big. Some I’ve been familiar with for a couple years, some in the past few months, and still others that have yet to hit my radar. I guess this is good evidence that there is no real formula for when/how a startup should IPO.
...
Watch“Regret doesn’t remind us that we did badly; it reminds us that we know we can do better.”
DNA Sequencing Caught in Deluge of Data →
Exciting article on how bioinformatics for genetic analysis could be the next disruptive technology in life sciences.
November 2011
3 posts
3 tags
Google Maps 6.0 tackles indoors →
I’ve heard a lot rumblings of various startups trying to create maps of indoor spaces. Wondering if they have what it takes to compete with (or get bought out by) Google.
3 tags
A look at what resides in Silicon Alley →
Steel In Their Eyes – Why VC’s Should Be Startup... →
