Posts

Email Marketing

webmaster@appalachiangrp.com — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

This past week I spent considerable time browsing websites targeting entrepreneurs and startup businesses doing research for my Startup ConneXions venture. To be honest, I am underwhelmed at the competition and wonder just how any of them make any money. Only one, Partnerup.com, had a clear strategy. I assume that the others make money through advertising, but to make any significant money ($100,000 gross revenue) with an advertising only strategy you have to have someth [...]

Caution: Beware of dips, cul-de-sacs and purple cows

webmaster@appalachiangrp.com — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

I've been meaning to do it for some time now, a couple of years really. But as Barliman said to Frodo, "One thing pushes out another..." and I just never have got around to it. I must say what a fortuitous piece of luck that I haven't done it before now. In fact I still would not have done it if I not for the fact that I found myself standing there and there they were. Just sitting there together waiting for me. I am not a big believer in fate but there are times that it s [...]

Biz ConneXions, LLC.

webmaster@appalachiangrp.com — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

We are very pleased to announce our latest venture concept: Biz ConneXions, LLC. Biz ConneXions is a business designed to connect people, ideas, resources, talent, and financing to each other. Sort of a Match.com for business. The business will focus initially on 2 segments of the market - startups and consultants (is there any surprise here?). These two market segments compliment our exisiting businesses and will help drive new clients to each, however, they should both be profitable as stan [...]

Ready to Look for Venture Capital?

webmaster@appalachiangrp.com — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Daryl Mather of the Consulting Post and I recently collaborated on a blog post about Venture Capital for consulting firms.

Here is an excerpt:

"First off, let me say that if you have heard how tough it is to get VC money for a normal start-up, you haven’t seen anything yet. Consultants have special challenges to overcome when pitching to VC and Angle Investors. However, do not despair because it is not impossible when you find the right one"

Cli [...]

Innovations in Snorkeling Equipment - Need Partner

webmaster@appalachiangrp.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0100

This idea was inspired by recent diving and snorkeling trips members of our team have taken in the Florida Keys and Belize. My youngest son, Zachary, is too young to dive so I took him snorkeling while the others dove. While on the boat riding out to the reef, I observed a number of the folks getting ready for their first snorkeling experience. There was, surprisingly, a lot of anxiety in the group. Several, obviously poor swimmers, were worrying about staying afloat in the 10-20 foot deep wa [...]

Welcome to our Blog

webmaster@appalachiangrp.com — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0100

This blog is about innovation, idea generation and the trials and tribulations of starting a new business. We have lots more ideas than we could ever do anything about so why not share them? Someone else might be able to add something else to the idea or might be perfectly situated to immediately act upon it. We are big believers in open sourcing here at the Appalachian Group and are proud to apply the principles to ideas other than just software products. We hope that you will share back with u [...]