Strategy + Solutions

New Home for Strategy + Solutions

If you found this blog like thousands of others have on Google or Yahoo and want to go to the new and improved site for my strategy and technology insights and rants please visit www.strategy-solutions.com . 

Conde Naste Portfolio Interview with Union Square VC Fred Wilson

Conde Naste Portfolio is our favorite new magazine at Strategy+Solutions.  It always has interesting stories and interviews and quick hitters that leave you waiting for the next publication.  They produced a home run of an interview with VC Fred Wilson of Union Square.  Many of you know about him through his blog and some are aware of his $125 Million fund that has helped spawn many of the most successful Web 2.0 start-ups including del.icio.us, Twitter, and Tumblr.  Enjoy!

Conde Naste Portfolio Interview with Union Square VC Fred Wilson

Conde Naste Portfolio is our favorite new magazine at Strategy+Solutions.  It always has interesting stories and interviews and quick hitters that leave you waiting for the next publication.  They produced a home run of an interview with VC Fred Wilson of Union Square.  Many of you know about him through his blog and some are aware of his $125 Million fund that has helped spawn many of the most successful Web 2.0 start-ups including del.icio.us, Twitter, and Tumblr.  Enjoy!

Blogging: High ROI Marketing Tool

The New York Times ran an article today in the Small Business section that discusses blogging as a marketing tool. 

The Google Vs. Wikipedia Throwdown!

According to this article from the Times Online we are going to see an epic battle between google's (knol) and wikipedia.  It should be an interesting strategic battle.  Google is the business authority on go to market strategy and has been a tour de force and master at creating enduring technology tools for the masses.  It wouldn't be surprising to see them dominate yet another aspect of search given their brand power and domination of all things net.

David Novak: CEO and Chairman of YUM! Brands

During this holiday season buy "The Education of an Accidental CEO" by David Novak for yourself or someone you respect who shares the joy of being a small or medium business executive, manager or owner. Here is a nibble:

David's words sum up the essence of the successful practice of business: "I work hard to create a culture that will attract and retain the top people because everything else follows from there.  If we have great people working for us, then we can do a better job of making our customers happy.  If we have great people working for us, then we can handle any problems that come our way.  If we have great people, we can do just about anything."

and...  "Life's too short not to do what you love if you get the chance.  Besides, you never know what you are capable of until you give it a shot."

This book has numerous strategic gems for your business and personal life.  You'll feel good about spending your time absorbing the content and at the end of the day you'll be better off because you took the time to read the book.

Tech Spending

Article from CNNMoney.com discusses IDC and Gartner studies that indicate tech spending appears to be slowing down. 

Four New Exciting Ventures Receive Funding

Congratulations are in order for four exciting ventures that recently received funding and provide solutions for the small and medium business:

Speakanet, a provider of technology that enables businesses to replace existing conventional land-line phone systems(analog or VoIP) with a solution that is mobile, requires no hardware, self-provisioned, and web-based received $10,000,000 in a round of funding from Eqvitec Partners, Northzone Ventures, and Via Venture Partners.

Merchant Circle, an internet promotion and marketing services firm raises $10,000,000 in Series B Funding from IAC/InteractiveCorp, Rustic Canyon Partners, and Scale Venture Partners.  This idea and technology appears to be home run solution that should make waves and become especially useful to the small and medium business marketplace.

YouMail,  a technology solution that provides free cell phone voicemail services raises $4,500,000 in Series A Round from VantagePoint Venture Partners.

Peer39, an online markletplace that matches offers in a variety of business verticals raises $8,200,000 in  Series B Financing from Canaan Partners (lead), Dawntreader Ventures, and J.P. Morgan Partners.

Each company above has a value proposition that can help your small or medium business.  Please check them out share your feedback.

Web 2.0 Summit April 25-28th 2008 San Francisco

The O'Reilly Media/CMP Technology Web 2.0 Expo call for participation is nearing its end.  This is the last day to enter your name in the hat to share your Web 2.0 tales and experience.  If you think you might want to then go here now.  The 2008 event should be oustanding!

Applying Porter's Five Forces Model to Your SMB Strategy

Michael Porter, the famed Harvard professor and the premier thought leader on business strategy, created the Five Forces model.  This model is an effective business unit strategy tool for the small or medium business.  Basically, this model is an effective way to look at your business from the outside-in and analyze the value of an industry structure.  This Competitive Forces model is developed by the identifying the five fundamental competitive forces shaping your small or medium business (SMB):

1. The Entry of Competitors.  Your SMB should ask questions like: What is the level of difficulty for new entrants to start competing.  Is the barrier to entry high or low?  If so, what are the barriers?  Identify them and address them strategically.

2. Threat of Substitutes.  Your SMB should think about how easy its product or service be substituted and made less expensive.  What are the variables at play with regard to marketplace alternatives.

3. Bargaining Power of the Suppliers.  Your SMB should understand the strength of sellers in the market for your product or service and determine whether or not a multitude of suppliers exist for your product or service or if can your product develop a monopoly?

4. Bargaining Power of the Buyers.  Your SMB should determine the strength of the buyers and determine whether or not you can work together to create synergy and growth.

5. Rivalry Among the Existing Players.  Your SMB should determine the level of competition between the existing players or if there is one dominant business or many competing companies with equal strength and size.

In theory, a sixth force could be added that includes the impact of government.  If your SMB is affected by this "force" you will need to make sure you examine it and develop strategy and tactics to effectively compete.

What is your SMB doing today to assess the changing landscape of the U.S and global markets.  This blog attracts readers from more than 75 countries around the world.  If you are only thinking local and not global you will surely miss many market opportunities for growth and market share leadership.  How is your SMB competing today?