 | | This edition of our newsletter brings you the latest news, helpful hints and useful information on topics related to cost-effective, results-oriented marketing and sales.
| |  | | The Startup Primer
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Uncertainty in the labor market is spurring many people to start their own business. Faced with instability, they hope to create a more predictable world. Starting a business can be both exhilarating and liberating, but it is important to prepare for the many potential pitfalls on the way to startup success.
We recently took a look at what it takes to reach measurable success as a new company. We identified the top seven questions any startup should ask, and came up with answers based on our experience with more than 42 startup companies over the past few years.
The top questions:
1 - Who is your company? (how to define your company goals; business plan)
2 - What is the precise market you are entering? (market definition and sizing)
3 - How will you help solve a burning problem in that market? (value proposition and messaging)
4 - How will you let the market know you are solving a problem? (go-to-market strategy and tactics)
5 - How much will it cost? (budgeting and resources)
6 - Who else can help? (partnering, alliances, OPM)
7 - How will you measure success in the first 3 months, at 6 months, and after a year?
Based on our own experience and input from many successful entrepreneurs, we offer you the encapsulated wisdom as you set off on this exciting journey.
Email us for a copy, and learn how you can chart a course to success. | | | | Mixer Labs Acquired by Twitter-the Scoop
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It's a dream that few can ever hope to attain: being acquired by one of the hottest companies around. We recently spoke with Othman Laraki, founder of Mixer Labs, which announced on December 23, 2009 that his company was being acquired by Twitter ( see story). He has a wealth of experience in technology startups, and agreed to share some of the lessons he has learned along the way.
We asked Laraki to focus on some of the more surprising things he has learned in his career - specifically, things he didn't learn while earning MS degrees in Computer Science and MS&E from Stanford and an MBA from MIT. He mentioned three key things that, more than anything else, have driven his success.
- Taking control - are there really any limitations? Other than making sure you have cash in the bank and staying within the limits of the law, what's to chart your path?
- Focusing on the "higher order bits" - remembering that time is the currency by which your competitors get ahead of you
- The key to building a truly excellent team, and how to make sure you aren't fooling yourself when you talk about "A" players
Click here for a copy of the interview and learn what drives success in the startup world.
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| | | New Partnerships | |
| | | About Candia Communications | | |
Candia Communications LLC brings results-oriented marketing and sales assistance to companies around the world. We have helped companies fine-tune their business plans, determine market sizing, obtain funding, launch products and build momentum. Our assistance with PR, media and analyst relations and writing (web, collateral material, contributed articles, case studies and white papers) materially contributed to their success.
2009 had its challenges but we were happy to be able to help our clients move forward, and were delighted to achieve some really outstanding successes. Chief among them: launching a technology company that has very targeted, sophisticated software for the "Smart Grid" and logistics/manufacturing markets, helping build buzz around a security software company, and building a strong base in the federal market through proposal writing and government marketing services.
For more information about our services, please visit our website at www.candiacomm.com |
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Need a VP of Marketing but can't hire a full-time person right now? We can help!
Cut costs and retain profits. Our cost-effective approach delivers results on a shoestring. Find out more.
Need help writing proposals for government contracts? Our innovative approach takes just days -- and gets results. Contact us for more information.
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Events | | | | |
Association of Moroccan Professionals in America
Tanya Candia was a featured speaker at the Association of Moroccan Professionals in America conference entitled "Successful Startup Creation" held at Stanford University on December 12, 2009.
Silicon Valley Women of Influence
Tanya Candia has been nominated as a Silicon Valley Woman of Influence, sponsored by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. The awards, presented in March, will honor 100 women who are making a difference in
business, government or nonprofits in Silicon Valley.
Seminars in China
Candia Communications presented a series of seminars to startup and incubator companies in China on the topics of marketing to the United States and Western Europe in November.
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Hot Tech Topics 2010
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We have been busy developing ideas for contributed articles to match these hot topics for editors and analysts in 2010.
1. Cloud computing: like most buzzwords, it is surrounded by misunderstanding and imprecision. We are helping clients articulate a defensible cloud strategy that is in line with their company objectives. Even if - especially if - they don't plan to jump on the bandwagon!
2. Virtualization: editors are writing about virtual machines, platforms, appliances and applications to increase IT efficiency and innovation. What's your stance? Be prepared with a well-crafted position statement that positions you as a thought leader .
3. Green IT: it's no longer limited to the narrow definition of years past. We work with clients to explore the many different slants this topic can take. See our recent article in Lab Manager for a different spin on "going green".
Contact us if you want to brainstorm some ideas on how to address these and other hot topics.
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