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Ideas2Revenue Video Interview Series
03/12/09 22:53
We are creating a new resource for our clients and visitors to learn about different ways that customers can be integrated into all aspects of your business. In the Ideas2Revenue Interview Series, we will be talking with successful executives from different companies to discuss the key to their success and how they have built lasting and productive relationships with their clients.
Be sure to check our inaugural interview with Scott Annan who is the CEO and Co-Founder of Mercury Grove here. Also, be sure to check back often as we add more interviews to this series.
Be sure to check our inaugural interview with Scott Annan who is the CEO and Co-Founder of Mercury Grove here. Also, be sure to check back often as we add more interviews to this series.
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The definition of insanity....
27/08/09 16:20
The definition of insanity, is doing the same things over and over again but expecting different results!
According to Rick Spence who is the author of Canadian Entrepreneur, in a recent article that appeared in the Vancouver Sun entitled Deep Cuts Not the Best Cure reiterates this statement. According to his article and research provided by a Canadian marketing firm, it appears that of the of the small to medium sized companies, many of which have been affected by the current economy, have done nothing to change their approach. It goes on to highlight that these companies have not changed their sales strategies, have not tried anything to adapt to their customers needs, and have not done anything in order to try to get closer to their customers.
That is insanity. It is one thing to not know what to do or how to do it...but, it is another to do nothing at all. It is unfortunate because the success or failure of these companies affects us all. Not only does it create jobs and opportunities for Canadians, it affects the communities we live in, it affects the opportunities available to the next generation (our children), and it affects the ability for Canadian companies to be able to truly compete on a global level.
According to Rick Spence who is the author of Canadian Entrepreneur, in a recent article that appeared in the Vancouver Sun entitled Deep Cuts Not the Best Cure reiterates this statement. According to his article and research provided by a Canadian marketing firm, it appears that of the of the small to medium sized companies, many of which have been affected by the current economy, have done nothing to change their approach. It goes on to highlight that these companies have not changed their sales strategies, have not tried anything to adapt to their customers needs, and have not done anything in order to try to get closer to their customers.
That is insanity. It is one thing to not know what to do or how to do it...but, it is another to do nothing at all. It is unfortunate because the success or failure of these companies affects us all. Not only does it create jobs and opportunities for Canadians, it affects the communities we live in, it affects the opportunities available to the next generation (our children), and it affects the ability for Canadian companies to be able to truly compete on a global level.
We have been "practicing what we preach"...
11/08/09 13:17
Over the last number of months we have been out talking with our network, meeting with potential clients, and completing a number of customer engagements. All through this process we have been asking questions and trying to understand ways that we may improve, and make what we offer even better. We received some amazing feedback from a number of these clients on a number of different aspects of our business. First, they told us that our website led them to believe that our process and methodology was only for start-ups and early stage companies, however they clearly saw that companies of different sizes and stages of growth could benefit from what we had to offer. So, just like what we help our customers to do....we listened to our clients and made some changes. Take a look around the site, and you can see the changes that we have made to clearly articulate our offerings and the value to companies in all of the various stages of their growth. We are always looking for more ways to improve, so please contact us if you have any feedback or if we can be of assistance in any way.
Second, with many of the very early stage companies (Concept and Seed Stages), we know the challenges that you face as it relates to managing your resources and trying to build some momentum for your new company. Having said this, we have created a new way for you to get some very basic initial market feedback regarding your product or service with minimal investment. We have recently launched www.techhotornot.com where each week we post a new technology for people to review, and provide some basic market validation for your solution. We have had some amazing response to the site so far and have already provided some real-world market feedback to a number of initial companies. Through the site, we are also continuing to build a database of “Panel Experts” who have joined the panel to review and potentially provide some real-world testing for new technologies that are of interest to them. This database is continuing to grow.
So, have you gotten out and talked with some of your customers lately? If not, then there is no better time than the present in order to do so. We will continue to find opportunities to listen to our customers, and implement this feedback in order to make our company and our offerings even stronger. And since this is what we “preach”, we will continue to find new and creative ways to help our customers to do so as well.
Knowing your market is not just for business
24/06/09 06:54
Why is this the case? Did America and its academic standards and practices just become “stupid” or obsolete overnight?
No...the reality is that this was not something that has taken place overnight but rather has taken place over the last number of years. In my opinion, the issue is that the academic system has grown more and more out of touch with their target market and the “customers” of their solution. Think about this....the purpose of the academic system is to train and educated people so that they may be marketable, and can go off into the world in order to make a positive impact on society and the world as a whole. However, the world has been changing over the last number of years, and it seems that many of these academic institutions have not been paying attention this change and have not adapted in order to meet their “customers” needs. The academic institutions have not taken the time to work with the “customers” who will be buying (hiring) the students who are leaving the school. They have not taken the time to spend time with the companies in the industry to better understand their changing requirements, their needs, and where they feel their needs are going to be in the future. As a result of all of this, they have produced graduates which companies feel are “unemployable” for various reasons.
Now, not all academic institutions fall into this category. Take Carleton University and the Talent First Network here in Ottawa Canada. Under the leadership of Dr. Tony Bailetti, they have released a program called the Lead To Win. Although this does not fit with the typical scenario of recruiting students from secondary schools, this program is an example of knowing your market and what it truly needs. The Lead To Win program knows that entrepreneurs and new companies are vital to the community around them. They understand that by creating new companies in a region, not only does it attract more money which helps the overall economy, it also creates new jobs, new investment money, etc. The Lead To Win program is open to anyone in the community who would like to start a new business. The people and companies selected for this program are put through some intense training by not only the academic institution, but also by leaders within the industry who have “done it in the past”. As part of the program, they also put in place a system to help the graduating companies to get their first set of paying customers and also assist with introductions and preparations for gaining investment money, etc. The result of this program on the last go around in 2002 was the creation of over 300 new jobs and over $90 Million in investment money.
The Lead To Win program is a perfect example of the benefits of being in touch with your target audience and customers. It demonstrates that knowing your target markets needs, their issues, their future requirements is what separates a successful academic or training program from an unsuccessful one. This is a fundamental truth for everyone and every organization and is just as important to the educational market as it is to the business market.
It is not too late for change. So, if you are someone that is involved in the world of education, then the best thing you can do today is to take the time to better understand your target market, and get out and talk with them. If you are a charity, then get out there and talk to your target market to understand their needs....If you are an individual who is looking for a job.....again get out and talk to some people within the market where your skills are required. And finally, if you are a company or business get out and to speak with your customers and potential customers today to ensure you and your solutions do not become obsolete and “unemployable” tomorrow.
The 24 Hours of Innovation...
28/04/09 08:45
For a while now I have been watching the Board of Innovation site. Although there is a much larger goal and purpose behind this site, I particularly like the area that talks about Business Models and how you can build any business model with only 10 blocks.
They are hosting the 24 Hours of Innovation Event starting on May 15th at 10am CET and it will go through to May 16th at 10am CET. During this time they will have different time slots, each featuring an exciting innovation ranging from an innovation award to creativity sessions. There will be auctions and interviews with a number of global though leaders regarding innovation.
I have been asked to participate in the “My half time pep talk for 2009”. During a particular timeslot, the Ideas2Revenue blog will be showcased. The overall view is to share views on the first half of the 2009 year as it relates to innovation, and to give ideas, suggestions, and a pep talk for the next half of 2009. So....any specific topics you would like us to promote or discuss? Any ideas for the remainder of 2009 on what you feel we should be doing to increase innovation and entrepreneurial spirit? Let us know....
They are hosting the 24 Hours of Innovation Event starting on May 15th at 10am CET and it will go through to May 16th at 10am CET. During this time they will have different time slots, each featuring an exciting innovation ranging from an innovation award to creativity sessions. There will be auctions and interviews with a number of global though leaders regarding innovation.
I have been asked to participate in the “My half time pep talk for 2009”. During a particular timeslot, the Ideas2Revenue blog will be showcased. The overall view is to share views on the first half of the 2009 year as it relates to innovation, and to give ideas, suggestions, and a pep talk for the next half of 2009. So....any specific topics you would like us to promote or discuss? Any ideas for the remainder of 2009 on what you feel we should be doing to increase innovation and entrepreneurial spirit? Let us know....
Welcome to Ideas To Revenue
14/03/09 14:43
This is the first post to the Ideas to Revenue Blog.
I am not sure if you are a current customer or if you are new to the site. Either way, take a look around and be sure to let me know what you think. If you have any suggestions or questions then be sure to let me know.
The goal of Ideas to Revenue is to help companies to generate profitable and repeatable revenue from their ideas. The first step in this process is to build solutions that people and organizations truly “need”. The release of my book “Ideas To Revenue - Building Sales Momentum Through Client Focused Development” shows you how you can do this. It does not matter if you are an Entrepreneur (New or Veteran), a CEO of a small to mid-sized company, or a product manager in any size of company, in this program you will find a process that helps you to engage with potential clients and work with them throughout your development process.
What does this all mean? Well there is no more guessing on what clients need. By following the process you will be completely in tune to the business requirements of each one of your customers. For new companies this means that you will not have to build your solution and then build your sales funnel. By engaging with clients early, it allows you to be able to complete your development and actually get your first set of sales at the same time.
Again, welcome to the site. Take a look around. Come back and visit often....and again, be sure to let me know if you have any questions or if I may be of assistance in any way.
I am not sure if you are a current customer or if you are new to the site. Either way, take a look around and be sure to let me know what you think. If you have any suggestions or questions then be sure to let me know.
The goal of Ideas to Revenue is to help companies to generate profitable and repeatable revenue from their ideas. The first step in this process is to build solutions that people and organizations truly “need”. The release of my book “Ideas To Revenue - Building Sales Momentum Through Client Focused Development” shows you how you can do this. It does not matter if you are an Entrepreneur (New or Veteran), a CEO of a small to mid-sized company, or a product manager in any size of company, in this program you will find a process that helps you to engage with potential clients and work with them throughout your development process.
What does this all mean? Well there is no more guessing on what clients need. By following the process you will be completely in tune to the business requirements of each one of your customers. For new companies this means that you will not have to build your solution and then build your sales funnel. By engaging with clients early, it allows you to be able to complete your development and actually get your first set of sales at the same time.
Again, welcome to the site. Take a look around. Come back and visit often....and again, be sure to let me know if you have any questions or if I may be of assistance in any way.