Alexander Becker Shares

Success & Motivation – If(Cash In < Cash Out)= You are a Consultant

2009-07-09T09:33:13Z

Shared by Alexander
"If(totalcashin<totalbizcashout)=You are now officially a consultant. No exceptions."

Business is a very simple concept. You have to pay your bills. If you have anything left over, you get to smile and spend it as the principals of your business see fit. If you don’t have enough to pay your bills, you either have to raise money to cover the deficit, file bankruptcy and try it again, or go out of business.Simple.

There are no other options. Sure, you can sell, give or throw the business on someone else and make it their problem, but that doesn’t change the math. If(totalcashin<totalbizcashout)=You are now officially a consultant. No exceptions.

No matter what kind of business you have, you absolutely, positively must have a revenue strategy. No revvie, no survivee.

In the digital world not everyone, particularly those in Silicon Valley, seem to understand that. There seem to be two kinds of startup companies. The first understands this concept and knows going in exactly what they are going to sell, to who, what they hope to sell it for, their hoped for margins and just as importantly, who will sell it and how. When they model their business, they model the least expensive way to get into and stay in business with the focus on reaching profitability within months rather than years. They aren’t modeling in an exit strategy. They recognize that any company that is profitable gives them choices. They can meximize their ownership percentages. They can pay themselves an amount commensurate with their profitability. They can go public. Or they can sell. Profits provide choice.

The 2nd kind of startup relies purely on financial models to justify their future revenue streams. They create a company hoping to generate enough volume in whatever it is they hope to sell around, traffic, users, whatever. The goal is to then find a way to monetize all the volume or to execute on an exit strategy. They spend a ton of time playing with spreadsheet models. They are experts at plugging in CPMs, pageviews, unique users, sell through rates. They also know how to list “comps”. Companies that they hope to emulate and if they have only some subset of their success will more than generate enough revenue to fulfill their exit strategy. They are projection warriors. Perfectly reasonable, right ? Right, if you understand the reasoning of the people who fund these types of startups.

Venture Capitalists (VCs) tend to fall in love with concepts. They have the same problem that NBA GMs and Owners often do in evaluating players. We both see our last success in the promise of our next opportunity.

Entrepreneurs who start companies with the required, expected and motivating stars in their eyes usually forget the VC model for funding these types of companies. What’s the Venture Capital funding model ? Fund 10, hope the 1 or 2 winners more than makes up for the 8 or 9 losers. That’s right. Most VCs expect to have at least an 80pct failure rate. Which in turn means that 9 out of 10 of the entrepreneurs behind these types of “make it up on volume’ companies will end up as “consultants” .

On the flipside, if you talk to any company I have ever invested in, the only thing I care about are profitable sales. What are you selling? How hard are you working at selling? What are your revenues ? Why are you paying yourselves a salary rather than a commission ? What unique initiatives are you working on to generate sales TODAY.

When I invest in companies, I expect 100pct of them to be successful and grow and QUICKLY be profitable. I may not hit many homeruns, but I sure hit a lot of singles and doubles and rarely strike out.

Whats the point of all this and how does it apply to success and motivation ?

If you are an entrepreneur and looking at starting a company, its VERY easy to put off the hard part. Which is generating sales for your company and making a profit. Believe it or not, its far easier to go out and raise enough money so you are “in the game”. You can raise the money, start the company and take your chances. If you run out of money, you can raise more. Until you can’t. At which point you enter the world of consulting, having learned from your experience.

On the flip side, if you want to start and grow a business that you retain control of, put money in the bank from and can make a long term commitment to, then always remember that sales should be the first thing you focus on when you wake up in the morning. Profitable Sales to happy customers is the best path to making money. If you go to bed at night thinking about how to sell more and how to make your customers happy. You probably are in a good place. If you go to bed and wake up thinking about how to raise money to stay in business, you might as well get the new business cards and think about what your new consulting blog is going to look like

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Using Photoshop and Your Brain to Produce Diorama Illusions - Psdtuts+

2009-07-09T09:31:26Z

Have you ever built a diorama? It's a depiction of a scene in miniature. Or perhaps you remember owning a dollhouse or train set as a kid. You lay on the floor, inches away from tiny versions of full-size objects. In the background, your brain was busy writing the software that makes this illusion effective.

What's a Petabyte? (.gif)

2009-07-09T09:27:13Z

New Biking Line from St. Louis Creates Bombproof Bag

2009-07-09T07:00:39Z

If the past year in trends has taught us nothing, it’s that bikes and the bike lifestyle is currently more than in vogue- it’s become a cultural phenomenon, with everyone from retailers and supermarkets to entire cities cashing in on the movement. Though biking has always been part of the European lifestyle, in America, cyclers have taken a different approach to incorporating the style into their daily lives, often going for utilitarian over fashionable.

While brands like Manhattan Portage and Chrome have been heavily favored by the bi-wheeling set, new brand Seven Zero Eight is actually designed by a former bike messenger in St. Louis who spent 20 years riding the pavement, and knows what will stand up to the harsh demands of the job. This new line sacrifices neither looks nor durability, and it’s bags are boasted to be “hemp infused recycled rubber fabric that’s bombproof, waterproof, and yet aesthetically pleasing to the eye”. Our personal favorite is the Goliath Messenger Bag above, but the site also boasts hats, jerseys, pants, and warm-up gear.

You can check out more of their collection at : Cycle708

By Laura Feinstein | © PSFK, 2009. | Article Link | Comments | More stories in: Fashion and bike, biking, Seven Zero Eight, St. Louis

New York City

2009-07-08T21:57:10Z

This is bound to confuze somebody but first they would have to know North from South.

Via Phillip Leeds’ Bold

Official Google Blog: Introducing the Google Chrome OS

2009-07-08T09:13:16Z

Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks. Later this year we will open-source its code, and netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010. Because we're already talking to partners about the project, and we'll soon be working with the open source community, we wanted to share our vision now so everyone understands what we are trying to achieve.

Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work.

ADIDAS SLVR COLLECTION (MENS) - Sneaker Releases - Sneaker Freaker Magazine

2009-07-08T09:10:02Z

Launched early this year with a tagline boast of being ‘Simply Perfect’, this new range from adidas is a cocky start to a whole new ballgame. Whilst SLVR appears to be a high fashion concept, adidas PR describes it as ‘affordable, attainable and ultimately wearable’ which, given prices for the footwear are all under €130, seems fair enough. Perhaps the most interesting SLVR footwear innovation is what the shoes don’t have. Like the deadpan Stan Smiths of yesteryear, the range has no adidas branding, no trefoil and zero stripes. The only indication of a maker’s mark are three horizontal bars. There’s also tote bags, socks and a line of classically basic clothing that has a slight sport tinge to it, and even SLVR flip flops.

With design on the minimalist side of things, there are a few unconventional elements. The standout on the men’s footwear side is the 7 Piece Shoe, which as the name suggests, is made from a six piece upper glued to a single outsole. Most sneakers are made from at least 25 pieces so I guess the shoes have had quite a bit of thought put into them. All the cotton in the garments is organic, which is also a nice touch.

Distribution suggests SLVR might be more of a marketing driven project – pop up stores in Paris, Miami and LA along with the adidas Brand Centre in Beijing and Sport Performance Centres in Moscow and Berlin will stock the label. Other than that, it’ll be available online sometime this year. Along with Y-3, the new SLVR reinforces adidas’ enthusiastic embrace of all things fashion. Check out some of the men's collection below and for more information on the brand, hit up our feature here.

Pic: Wataru Itou’s Incredibly Detailed Papercraft Castle

2009-07-06T19:50:39Z

This papercraft castle complete with functioning lights and a train system, was created over 4 years by Wataru Itou, an art student in Tokyo. It is now on exhibition at Umi no Ue no Oshiro (A Castle On the Ocean).

[ Tokyobling via Limité ]

By Francisco Hui | © PSFK, 2009. | Article Link | Comments | More stories in: Architecture, Arts & Culture, Design, Media & Publishing, Retail and castle, japan, miniature, Paper, Wataru Itou

Augmented Reality App Points to London Tube Stops

2009-07-07T17:09:33Z

Though much of the work being done in augmented reality has thus far been of the gimmicky, flashing, ad-centric sort—more proof of concept than truly functional—the clever iPhone developers at acrossair are putting it to fantastic use with their new app, Nearest Tube. Taking advantage of the iPhone 3GS’ integrated compass, Nearest Tube merges GPS, compass, and video camera data to create a real-time overlay of the position and proximity of, as the name implies, the nearest tube stations. The application is still pending Apple’s approval for the App Store, but the video below speaks for itself.

[via Tuaw]

By Sam Biddle | © PSFK, 2009. | Article Link | Comments | More stories in: Electronics & Gadgets, Transport & Travel and app, augmented reality, compass, GPS, iphone, london, tube

Is Michael Jackson's Funeral Dangerous For the Web?

2009-07-07T17:15:12Z

In case you're living in a lead-lined, radio wave-proof, soundproofed bunker, it's Michael Jackson's funeral today. But given that the event of his death nearly crashed the Web, will his funeral create even more problems online?

Okay, so "crashed the Web" is an exaggeration, but remember that the mighty Google and even the feisty news-breaking lifecasting Twitter took a direct hit as people raced online in those early moments when the news of his death broke, and then they kept searching for information and chattering about it all the next day. All of those queries were merely simple text searches, 140-character Tweets or standard Web pages--typical low-bandwidth stuff.

But given that just 11,000 people are allowed to attend MJ's funeral in person, millions of fans will be trying to catch it on TV. Or on the web. And that might just cause a problem: Streaming video is decidedly not low-bandwidth stuff. And there's a lot of places you can catch the thing online. Hulu's got a feed, CNN and Facebook have teamed up, then there's ABC News, MySpace, TV.com, MSN inMusic, Livestream, Justin.TV and many others. You can bet these feeds will attract a global audience of millions of MJ fans, and the merely curious--after all, it's practically guaranteed to be a spectacle. Each viewer will be pulling data from the source through their ISP from the source sites, with the data pouring through the various servers and gateways that make up the net.

It's a pretty safe bet that some of the source Web sites will go down, unless they've covered their expected traffic surge with extra hardware. It's also possible that extremely technical bits of the internet's computing infrastructure may go "ping" under the peak loads too.

And that'll affect lots of people who are trying to use the web for--horror of horrors--non Michael Jackson-related stuff. Add in the fact that people will again be hitting the news sites for info. Then mix in the news that there are a bunch of malicious Web sites claiming to have the funeral feed, possibly in the hope that they can do bad things to your computer or merely to attract incautious web surfers to their adverts. And remember the fact that there seems to be not much else in the way of news on the Internets today...and you've gotta wonder: Is the King of Pop's funeral bad for the Internet?

[via ArsTechnica, Examiner, Inpui ]

Sliced Preview

2009-07-06T09:31:00Z

An appetizer for stuff to come --

Introducing Lyrois' architectural essays, conversations between architecture and art.

The Insanely Byzantine Radio Spectrum Map [Graphic] | TechWatch | Fast Company

2009-07-06T13:41:05Z

And here's the thing in its entirety. Click through for the full size and enjoy; it's about the size of your bedroom wall.

20 Questions To Ask Clients Prior To Designing A Logo | The Design Cubicle

2009-07-06T12:24:21Z

Since my primary focus in is logo design, below are 20 questions to ask your clients prior to beginning their new logo design.

(Pic) Nonsesnse Infographics

2009-07-02T16:55:07Z

Artist 1chord & a fib has created a wonderful series of “infographics” that don’t contain any information. Playing off of information design’s current wave of popularity, the fake infographics maintain all the beauty of the medium but lack actual meaning or content.

[via GOOD]

By Dan Gould | © PSFK, 2009. | Article Link | Comments | More stories in: Arts & Culture, Design and art, Design, infographics

blocked

2009-07-05T20:57:56Z

People get "blocked".

With their jobs, with their relationships, with their marketing, with their own passions and creativity...

And yes, with themselves. I'm as guilty as anyone. So are you.

So then the next question becomes, well, how do you become "unblocked"? How do you get your mojo back?

Wouldn't it be great if somebody could invent a product- a book, for example, or maybe some audiotapes, or a three-day seminar, whatever- and all people would have to do is pull out their credit card, pay the fee, use the product once et Volia! Problem solved! Blockage removed!

Yes, that would be great, in theory. But knowing what I know from past experience, I'd recommend that if you ever meet somebody trying to sell you something like this, run away in the opposite direction. That fellow is selling you a bunch of psychobabble snake oil. Nobody can unblock you, but you.

Instead, read the following one-word quote. Unlike the snake oil, you can have it free of charge and yes, this actually works, every time:

Love.

So now you know...

[Update: Just added this blog post to "EVIL PLANS".

[Backstory: About Hugh. Twitter. Newsletter. Book. Interview One. Interview Two. Limited Edition Prints. Private Commissions. Cube Grenades."EVIL PLANS".]

INDEPENDENCE

2009-07-04T07:01:00Z

Enjoy your Fourth of July... SS

Know The Ledge

2009-07-03T20:42:09Z

The new Skydeck at the Sears Tower in Chicago has a new attraction. “The Edge” is a glass encased balcony attached to the 103rd floor of the building. Hit the jump for a few more pictures as well as some other crazy places you can walk on glass!

The Grand Canyon Skywalk was built in Arizona:

The Aurland Lookout was built in Norway. It overlooks the fjord. You’re not walking on glass here, but if you are up for it try leaning:

The Top of Tyrol in Austria is well camouflaged:

But you might want to go during the summer! It doesn’t look much fun in the picture below and I doubt you can see much.

and based on this picture, you will still need a jacket when the snow melts:

The Dachstein Skywalk in Austria. Again, we recommend going during the summer.

The Landscape Promontory in Switzerland:

Via Deputy-dog.com(except for Sears Tower Pics which are from Yahoo.com)

What to do with special requests

2009-07-03T09:20:00Z

The bike shop is busy in June. If you bring your bike in for a tune up, it will cost $39 and take a week.

A week!

What if someone says, "I have a bike trip coming up in three days, can you do it by then?"

At most bike shops, the answer is a shrug, followed by, "I'm sorry, we're swamped."

The problem with telling people to go away is that they go away. And the problem with treating all customers the same is that customers aren't the same. They're different and they demand to be treated (and are often willing to pay) differently.

So, why not smile and say, "Oh, wow, that's a rush. We can do it, but it's expensive. It'll cost you $90. I know that's a lot, but there you go."

Outcome: Maybe they'll still leave. But maybe they'll happily pay you for the privilege of doing business with you. Why should this be your choice, not theirs?

If you do tax accounting for mid-size businesses, why not offer a special last-minute service? A service in which you process shoeboxes filled with unsorted papers? A service that costs less but happens during your slow season?

There are two really good reasons to turn down special requests:

1. because you're marketing yourself as extremely busy and perfectly willing to turn down good work.

2. because you want to market yourself as someone who is a rigid artist, a stick in the mud or a crotchety perfectionist. This works great for pizza places.

Court to Defendant: Stop Blasting That Man’s Mind!

2009-07-02T12:53:59Z

Shared by Alexander
... what!?

Late last year, James Walbert went to court, to stop his former business associate from blasting him with mind-altering electromagnetic radiation. Walbert told the Sedgwick County, Kansas panel that Jeremiah Redford threatened him with “jolts of radiation” after a disagreement over a business deal. Later, Walbert, said, he began feeling electric shock sensations, hearing electronically generated tones, and getting popping and ringing sounds in his ears. On December 30th, the court decided in Walbert’s favor, and issued a first-of-its-kind order of protection, banning Redford from using “electronic means” to further harass Walbert. No, seriously.

I recently took part in a BBC Radio 4 program, which took a light-hearted look into the “the real Manchurian Candidate” — and examined whether there is any truth in stories of mind control. It gave me a chance to talk about exotic non-lethal weapon concepts like the so-called telepathic raygun, the system which beams sound directly into your skull, and the “voice of god” talking fireball. Most of these projects are just lab experiments, or examples of Powerpoint engineering. But in some legal, policy, and business circles, electromagnetic brain assaults are being taken seriously.

Walbert’s cause is supported by Jim Guest, a Republican member of the Missouri House of Representatives. He’s working on proposed legislation to addresses electronic harassment, including a bill against the forced implantation of RFID chips.
The U.N. is also now taking the possibility of electromagnetic terrorism against people seriously. And for the first time this year’s European Symposium on Non-lethal Weapons included a session on the social implications of non-lethal weapons, with specific reference to “privacy-invasive remote interrogation and behavioral influence applications.” Those who believe they are being targeted are getting a bit of official recognition.

For some, this opens up a new business opportunity. There are already quite a few companies out there offering “Technical Surveillance Counter Measures,” or sweeps to determine if you are the victim of electronic harassment. As well detecting the usual bugging devices, they can check if you are being covertly bombarded by microwaves which may be the cause of “headache, eye irritation, dizziness, nausea, skin rash, facial swelling, weakness, fatigue, pain in joints and/or muscles, buzzing/ringing in ears.”

Much of this trade may come from people with symptoms caused by something less exotic than high-tech military hardware. But companies will no doubt be willing to sell them expensive protection measures, anyway. And as awareness of these developing technology projects increases, we are likely to be hearing a lot more about “electronic harassment,” “gang stalking” and the like over the next few years.

And there is also likely to be what folklorists call “Ostension,” or acting out. Now that there are so many websites explaining how easy it is to harass people by zapping them with a modified microwave oven, sooner or later someone is bound to try it.

[Photo: U.S. Army]

ALSO:

Make Like a Dolphin: Learn Echolocation | Wired Science | Wired.com

2009-07-02T09:50:35Z

Make Like a Dolphin: Learn Echolocation

By Hadley Leggett
June 30, 2009
4:53 pm
Categories: Brains and Behavior

With just a few weeks of training, you can learn to “see” objects in the dark using echolocation the same way dolphins and bats do.

Ordinary people with no special skills can use tongue clicks to visualize objects by listening to the way sound echoes off their surroundings, according to acoustic experts at the University of Alcalá de Henares in Spain.