MyPunchblog

The post was written by Matt Douglas, Founder & CEO, @mattdouglas

Today on my start-up CEO blog, I refute the notion that the number of employees in your start-up is somehow related to your success as a company. If you’ve ever wondered about how a start-up measures success, or are curious about start-ups in general, here’s one perspective that will hopefully give you something to think about. Read more >>

This post was written by Matt Douglas, Founder & CEO, @mattdouglas

I’ve written a new blog post on my start-up CEO blog. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read my latest start-up musings.

Here’s an excerpt: “Every time I come across a new startup, I ask myself a fundamental question: are there lots of people in the world that are looking for this solution or is the startup trying to create demand?” Read more of my blog post “Sell Umbrellas, Not Rain” >>

This post was written by Matt Douglas, Founder & CEO @mattdouglas

This morning I was inspired to write a post on my start-up CEO blog about a question that I wish I never had to answer over email. I’m curious to hear your comments on this post. Do you think I’m being too particular or do I have a point? Find out the question and read more in my most recent Startup Swami blog post.

This post was written by Matt Douglas, Founder & CEO. Follow him on Twitter @mattdouglas

If you have an interview some time in the future, you might want to read this blog post from my new start-up CEO blog. This tip could save you a little embarrassment and help your interviewers too. What’s the simple interview mistake you might make? Allow me to tell you what happened to me last week. Read the post on the Startup Swami.

This post was written by Matt Douglas, Founder & CEO. Follow him on Twitter @mattdouglas

When I started MyPunchbowl, I spent a lot of time talking to colleagues and networking with people in startups. Part of my goal was to learn more about how to start a company, but the more I reflect on that period of my life, the more I realize that I spent a lot of energy and time seeking validation of my startup from those around me. With that in mind, the Startup Swami (aka me) has written a post dedicated to those who are trying to start a company or grow a startup. The post was fun to write — it rolled right off of my fingers. So without further ado, here’s today’s Startup Swami post: Your Startup Sucks. Enjoy.

This post was written by Matt Douglas, Founder & CEO. Follow him on Twitter @mattdouglas

I believe there is one word that is the most important word for start-ups. I wrote about it today on my new start-up CEO blog, Startup Swami. Go ahead, try to guess. What is the one word that matters the most when you are starting a company? Want to know my answer? Then head over to the Startup Swami to find out what word I think matters the most.

This post was written by Matt Douglas, Founder & CEO

As some of the long-time readers of this blog know, this blog started off with only one author — me. As a result, the blog took on many forms: sometimes related to MyPunchbowl, and other times related to my observations about start-ups and business. It was a hodgepodge of Matt, in blog form.

A few months ago, I decided to make a change to this blog. I invited other people in the company to contribute to the blog, and focused the subject material on MyPunchbowl-related topics. We’ve heard from our co-founder Sean has offered a glimpse into new features and functionality on the site, from our Marketing Manager Stephanie about interesting ways to connect with the MyPunchbowl community, our Analytics wizard has shared with us ways we think about numbers, our interns have shared their stories and observations. I’ve heard lots of great comments about these changes, and I think our company blog has become stronger.

However, one thing that’s been left out since these changes is a place for me to share some of what I learn and observe about start-ups and business in general. So that’s why today, I’m launching a new startup CEO blog called the “Startup Swami.” For those of you who don’t know, Chris Berman (of ESPN) made the term “swami” a pop-culture phenomenon a few years ago. As the “ESPN swami” Berman waxed on about all things sports, and threw in a few predictions to boot. As the Startup Swami, I hope to share what I’ve learned over the last several years about how to start a company. The blogs will take many forms: short-form, long-form, and maybe even some video. My hope is that you will hear my raw thoughts and experiences as I continue to navigate the startup world.

I’ll post short summaries on the MyPunchbowl company blog when I write on the Startup Swami. Today’s post, offers a brief background story of why I decided to create the Startup Swami.

I hope you will check out my new CEO blog and subscribe to the feed.

This post was written by Matt Douglas, Founder & CEO. Follow Matt Douglas on Twitter.

I had a lunch meeting today that was supposed to be like any other meeting that I might have on a regular Monday. Today’s meeting was with the CEO of a marketing/media company in Boston. On my drive into Boston (about 30 minutes) I reflected on how much I value these kinds of meetings. In this case, it had taken a few months for us to find a date that would work for both of our schedules. I looked forward to meeting this fellow CEO.

When I walked into the company’s offices, I was immediately impressed. It was the kind of office that I’d love to have someday: modern conference rooms, open-style workstations, colorful walls, and a whole lot of smart-looking people that looked genuinely happy to be at work. The CEO took me for a tour of the facilities — which included a design firm that worked within the company (not affiliated, they just shared space), and an artist-in-residence (you know, the kind that actually paints art). Very cool.

The CEO and I spent about an hour talking about our respective businesses, and there were more than a few tidbits of information that I filed away for future use. The CEO was amiable, personable, and genuinely interested. He struck me as the kind of person who doesn’t just listen, but can also empathize with what you might be going through. It was great to have lunch with someone who really understood me.

On the way out, I told him how impressed I was with the company he had built, and I expressed my hopes and fears for my own company. And in a moment that may not have meant that much to him he said to me: “Matt, just remember that there thousands of people and companies that would give anything to be in the position that you and your company are in today.”

Hours later, as I sit here writing, his words are still ringing in my ears. Why? Because the greatest praise an entrepreneur can get is from another (successful) entrepreneur. So today’s meeting was not just another Monday lunch meeting. Yes, we ate. But I also got a full serving of food for my entrepreneurial soul. And it felt good.

I believe in good karma and paying it forward. I can only hope that I’ve helped feed another hungry entrepreneur along the way. Today’s meeting was a good reminder of just how important it can be to help feed an fellow entrepreneur’s soul.

This post was written by Matt Douglas, Founder & CEO

This past Saturday was the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby. In a shocking victory, the 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird won the Derby. In the history of the Derby, it was the second highest payout for a Derby winner (the only higher payout was in 1913). In the leadup to the Derby, there was hours of analysis by countless experts, and not one of them picked Mine That Bird to Win, Place, or Show in the Derby. So what went wrong? How did all of the experts, pundits, and the betting public get it so wrong? Here are a few lessons that I think we can all learn from this year’s Derby. And it’s probably no surprise that I believe these lessons are useful for a startup too.

5 lessons from Mine That Bird:

1. How you start the race is important: Mine That Bird started the race cleanly, and didn’t stumble. It wasn’t important for the horse to lead the race at this point — just have a clean start and set yourself up for a good race.
2. Have a strategy you believe in: The jockey of Mine That Bird (Calvin Borel) had a specific strategy right from the start of the race. It’s a strategy he used when he rode Street Sense to victory only a few years ago. Have a strategy you believe in right from the start.
3. Ignore the competition: Even with 17 other horses around you, focus on your strategy and do your best to ignore the competition. It’s your race to win, if you focus on your strategy and execute.
4. Know when to accelerate: The key to winning the Derby is to know when to accelerate. Mine That Bird had enough in the tank to turn for home and accelerate when it mattered the most.
5. Celebrate your success: Anyone who watched the Derby will never forget the image of that crazy jockey Calvin Borel screaming at the top of his lungs and waving to the crowd. The pure joy was infectious. Know when it’s time to let loose and celebrate.

There is so much we can learn from this year’s Derby winner, and I found it very inspiring. Are you the underdog in your market? Do the experts and pundits think you have no chance to “win it all?” What other lessons can you learn from Mine that Bird?

This post was written by Matt Douglas, Founder & CEO

These days, with information overload and endless lists of things to do, it’s really easy to lose track of the most important topics on your to-do list. Those who work at Punchbowl have heard me repeat this phrase a lot recently: “There are always lots of things to do, but what are the top 3 impactful topics you are working on today?”

I think this is an important concept for any job — whether you work at a small company or a large company. In fact, I wish someone had introduced this concept to me when I was a young Product Manager at Adobe (a large company). I remember drowning in to-do lists and email after only a few weeks on the job. Everything seemed important. So I did what any ambitious, 22 year old would do: I worked 18 hour days for weeks on end. And as you might have guessed, I still wasn’t able to keep up with the volume of things to do.

In my position as CEO of Punchbowl Software, it’s not any easier. My inbox fills up daily, and there are endless lists of things to do and areas that need to be addressed. The good news is that I can now delegate some of the things on my to-do list, but yet I still don’t catch up. There are still too many things to do, and not enough hours in the day.

I believe there is a better way: focus on the top 3 most impactful topics on your list. Make a list of *only* 3 topics. The 3 topics should be followed by a very specific list of tasks that can be accomplished within a few days. Avoid items that don’t have specific action items. Steer clear of items that don’t have clear deliverables. Write them on your whiteboard or on a sticky note attached to your computer monitor.  Start and end your day with a close examination of your topic list. Are you spending time working on the top 3 most impactful topics or are you filling your time with other tasks?

You may be asking yourself: how can I figure out the top 3 most impactful topics to work on? Perhaps a top 3 list would be useful. Here are the 3 most impactful people to ask:

1. Ask your customers: What most matters to them? Make a list based on the top 3 topics that your customers talk about frequently (I’ve literally asked customers on the phone: what are the top 3 things you would improve about MyPunchbowl?)
2. Ask your peer: pick a colleague that you work with closely. Ask him/her to have lunch with you and then help each other make a top 3 list. (Bonus: how can each of you help each other achieve your top 3 list more effectively?)
3. Ask your boss: Sit down with your boss and ask him/her to help you come up with a list of the top 3 impactful topics that you should be addressing (it’s very telling if your boss can’t help you narrow down your list to 3 topics)

Does this methodology work for you? Why or why not? I look forward to hearing from you.