jamesleonard

The book Fish! Small, simple and effective.

Hi,

Sales Director, previously head BDM roles and direct sales.

You are correct in thinking that it is a pivotal skill, anyone can learn. To add some simplified advice you learn by doing (as you've guessed).

You can read books, take classes etc, but so much of the practise is about interrupting the scenario and adjusting.

To get some practise with a full-time job, living abroad etc, do what you can. Obviously you aren't meeting in person, but try your hand at email outreach, cold calling, linkedIn messaging.

Unsure if you have a product or service to sell as yet, if not, make one up, think about whom the customers are, research the companies, understand the structure, try and understand how a purchasing decision is made at ABC company, and work backwards.

Never assume anything, details details details.

Just start, cheques = good, talk = bad.

Could be, hardware is a capital intensive play and a min raise on KickStarter is very hard to work with. More product focus wouldn't exactly change this.

- Co-founders didn't have enough domain expertise - Poor execution on our mission which allowed peoples personal side interests to pull tech and development in every which way - Many other reasons

What did I learn: Strong leadership = Strong execution If you can't communicate you can't create.

That exists already. http://www.getgardenspace.com

Great report! slide 167

Update!

Fair point, I will fix this. Can I ask what is important for you to see ? e.g. - What it does - How is does it - Cost benefit etc ?

Being 25 I am automatically ruled out of giving life advice, but perhaps read something like Shoe Dog and then make a decision. Regardless of what you do, it isn't going to be easy. (team people)