Call for Topics

Please send ideas for topics and questions that you'd like me to cover here. I need to know what you want to know.

I can't say I'm qualified to do them all, but like my mother used to say, “You don't get if you don't ask.”

I could also use about 5,000 links in my quest to be in the top ten of Technorati!

Thanks!

Guy

Comments

[michael meyers]

Guy

Thanks for the great blog! You're the man.

How about a topic on how to sell yourself. Most people get stuck at saying what they do because it's easier to talk about others than yourself.

[Mario]

I'd like to know what's your take on splitting the pie (how to distribute equity amongst founders). Telling how to do that without bringing some strain is plus. :-)

[Zack Urlocker]

Guy,
I think your blog is great, I love your books and you are a true mensch!

I also think it's great to have goals, even if they are slightly arbitrary. (And if you get down to it, aren't all goals somewhat arbitrary?)

My suggestion for a topic is what you think of startups built on open source technology. I write a blog called www.theopenforce.com and I have added a link to your blog.

[Vladimir Orlt]

Guy

I did link to your site, not because you need thousands of links to win some award, but because I think your site is interesting... that is the only worthwhile reason (most SEO experts would give the same advice about how to increase your page ranking: content, content, content!).

Have you thought of adding more links to others' sites (the entrepreneur who I linked to you from has quite a few)? You must know lots of worthwhile links (the entrepreneur that I linked to you from has a significant number).

I'm sure that this can be generalized into topic material (e.g. marketing, networking)... this is my topic suggestion (perhaps already covered).

[inscrutable_chicken]

You are a shallow man.

Your sense of self-worth stems from looking good (in pictures on your website and your bloomberg profile), and providing advice for people that will not be able to put it into practice.

This is all encapsulated in your goal to be in the top 10 technorati - why do you care?

[Dave Keller]

What about a blog about how small businesses can access small amoounts of capitol? I've been trying to raise $10,000 or six months now, and nothing I'm doing seems to work.

[Bob]

How about the Art of Firing Your Partner or the Art of Hiring a Sales Manager?

[Randall]

Some topics I would love to see are:

- The Art of Effective marketing in the Internet Age
- The Art of Partnerships
- The Art of the Exit (getting equity out of your business)
- The Art of Building Revenues

Thanks for asking :)

[MattV]

I would like to read something about whether some of the acquisitions of some Web2.0 companies are actually paying off. Particularly, if they have a broad enough appeal to add to the bottom line. The one company that comes to mind for me is Yahoo, they seem to be acquiring plenty of web2.0 companies that seem to have limited appeal to the general public.

[Max]

Guys top 10 or 20 about “must reads” for entrepreneurs. Thanks!

[JEB]

Guy, how can you ask! You cover already just about everything under the sun - but relevant, don't get me wrong. As for the ranking, I linked to you after about your first post. Where's my back link from you? Still waiting....

[Girish Warrier]

Hi! Guy -
Thanks for a great blog!. Just wanted to know what yu think about the topic of selling a 'consumer experience' as opposed to selling a 'product'. I think Starbucks and Apple are two companies I can draw a parallel who sell a great 'consumer experience' along with the product. Any thoughts?

[Zane]

You mention your appreciation of all things and in particular all people "high and to the right".

Have recent events made you rethink this stand?

[Steven Koszis]

Guy,
Thanks for Art of the Start and this blog...

My request for a topic is... "The Art of Decision Making." I'd enjoy reading your take on the subject.

Thanks and take care!

[Sheri Morita]

Guy,

Here's a topic that I think is a real challenge - when is it appropriate to modify your messaging? How do you know if you should change your pitch because VC 'A' did not like something you said or if you should stick to your guns? How do you walk the fine line between flip-flopping and acting on feedback?

[Brian Ganninger]

Guy,

I've quite enjoyed reading each of your entries, they provide fascinating insights and my family has enjoyed your Hindsights speech in many a conversation.

Although not directly a marketing/business question I think it would be great if you could post an article about how to get the most out of attending a conference such as the WWDC. How to meet and greet, effectively make connections, spread the word about yourself/business, et. all.

[Gregg Favalora]

Guy -

Thank you for creating a wonderful blog.

In response to your request for topics: I am curious what strategies you use to manage your time.

That is; you're an author, an entrepreneur, and a "creator," in the sense that you take time out to thoughtfully invent and present new ideas. How do you balance this? How do you split time between being strategic and tactical, or creating and executing?

Best,
Gregg Favalora
Actuality Systems: 3-D Visualization

[Rick]

I will be proposing an idea to my Senior Director in the near future and I'd like to hear some tips regarding the proposal and/or presentation of the idea. It's something that will cost hard money, but only save soft money (man-hours). The problem I foresee is that he won't see it as justifable due to our extremely tight budget this year.

[Eze Vidra]

Guy,

Great blog. A couple of topic ideas:

1) Partnerships - how do you find a good partner and what should you be careful of.

2) Angel funding.

3) How do VCs look at small investments (under 1M)

In my blog, Venture Capital Cafe,I will try to focus more on these issues and I'd like to hear your take on them.

Please keep doing a terrific work.

Warm Regards,

/Eze

[Alexander Peschkoff]

How about "The Garage lessons" - there should be smth new you learnt with each of the companies you were involved with that didn't make it to your books.

[Andrew McFarlane]

I like Isaac's suggestion about sharing how you manage collaboration.

I'd also be interested in hearing what companies you think are doing a good job of evangelizing/getting their message to the people.

I'm assuming you were joking about the technorati thing and added a link to you anyway.

[Vladimir]

Guy, I'd really love to read your opinion about Top10 (or at least a couple of them, there should definitely be something) things which were made right during The Bubble.

[Michael Pinkowski]

I am interested in Patents and other Intellectual Property. How much value do VCs put in them. How does a under-funded company decide on the value of filing a patent? Is it better to code first and file patents later?

[Justin Foster]

Guy -
I think a great topic would be your observations on social capitalism. Jones Soda, Progressive Insurance, and Bill's Khakis are a view national brands. How about the local guys who use their revenue to support a specific cause?

[keith ray]

Call for topics: I noticed that you were using up your backlog of previously-written material pretty quickly. :-) Dec-30-2005 through today.

5,000 links: Time for you to start linking to and commenting on what everybody else in the blogosphere is writing... blogs are conversations after all.

How about those employees at Microsoft reacting to the Vista delay? What problems do you see there?

(see http://minimsft.blogspot.com/2006/03/vista-2007-fire-leadership-now.html)

My friends who write management books could do a whole new book based on the symptoms that can be gleaned from the comments in that blog.