Top 6 New Years Resolutions for Entrepreneurs

WRITTEN BY LAURA GOEDE, ACCOUNT MANAGER

About this time, everyone starts making idealistic resolutions for the year to come. Many people will promise themselves that this will be the year they give up all junk food, hit the gym 5 days a week and drop 10 pounds. But lets face it, these resolutions hardly ever make it to the end of January. This year, instead of obsessing over your waistline, why not focus our attention on your business' bottom line?

Here are 6 New Years resolutions to help you make the most out of your business in 2012:

1. Promote your business regularly and consistently

Who has time to blog and tweet while running a business? How do the pro's do it? They make marketing a habit. Incorporate inbound marketing into your daily schedule. Social media is a highly effective for of promotion that is economically feasible for even the most bootstrapped business budget. Rule of thumb: Blog weekly, Facebook daily and Tweet hourly.

2. Make business planning a top priority

If you are an entrepreneur, chances are, you are too busy. It is important to focus on your businesses' future success throughout 2012. To actively make business planning a priority, try to plan every morning for thirty minutes or so.

3. Expand your business network

Making business connections is one of the most important parts of entrepreneurship. A strong rolodex of connections is as important to your business as generating new revenue. After all, valuable connections will help a business become even more profitable in the future. This year make it a priority to join your city's chamber of commerce, attend industry-related events and build your LinkedIn network.

4. Set goals (and stick to 'em!)

If you haven't written your business plan, starting one for 2012 would be a great resolution. If you do have a business plan, be sure to stick to your goals displayed in it for 2012. Share you goals with others and set deadlines to hold yourself accountable.

5. Learn to delegate

If you are an entrepreneur, chances are, you're too busy. Learning how to effectively delegate and outsource tasks allows you to spend more time working on your business rather than in your business. Start delegating administrative tasks and daily activities like social media and blog updates to contractors, virtual assistants or full-time employees.

6. Make time for yourself

A healthy work-life balance is critical to a happy life and a successful career. Entrepreneurs who chain themselves to their work risk entrepreneurial burnout. It is crucial that you take breaks from your business to recharge and get a fresh perspective on your challenges an opportunities.

What are you going to do to make 2012 your best business year yet?

Happy New Years from Think Big Partners! As you ring in the new year make a toast to all your hard work and accomplishments of 2011.

Follow Me! @LauraGThinkBig!

bizperc Proves Entrepreneurs Cannot Live Without Coffee

Stop 5 of the bizperc walking tour: all-you-can-drink coffee from bizperc

Stop 1: Richard Branson Autograph

Stop 2: "Do You Believe in Miracles" Poster and Autograph

Stop 3: The bizperc Business Card Scanner

Stop 4: Green Screen Studio and Audio Booth

If there is one thing that entrepreneurs can't live without, bizperc believes it's coffee.  Take away an entrepreneur's computer and he can use his smartphone to answer emails.  Take away an entrepreneur's desk and he can sit on the floor or head to the local coffee shop to work.  Take away an entrepreneur's daily calendar and he'll just be late to meetings anyway. But take away an entrepreneur's coffee...and prepare for fury.  


Coffee and energy drinks are essential for most workers' day-to-day lives, but especially for that of an entrepreneur.  Entrepreneurs often work crazy hours, sometimes working until 3:00 in the morning  just to finish an important project.  Coffee helps the entrepreneur stay awake and feel invigorated during those late-night projects.  Coffee runs through the veins of entrepreneurs...and we believe that every entrepreneur should have access to all-you-can-drink coffee.


That's why bizperc's atmosphere revolves around coffee.  Why do you think it's called "bizperc" in the first place?  The name "bizperc" came for a combination of "business" and a coffee "percolator".  


In order to provide our entrepreneurs with all-you-can-drink coffee, bizperc provides an instant Bosch/Tassimo coffee machine with a wide variety of pods (coffee at the touch of a button!).  Hundreds of coffee mugs are available as well as a large coffee percolator, an old school coffee machine and a coffee bar where entrepreneurs can socialize over a good old cup o' joe. 

Welcome to the bizperc coffee bar! Come network and collaborate over a good cup of coffee.

bizperc provides freshly ground coffee and an old-school coffee maker next to a percolator.

Percolate with us!

A Bosch instant coffee maker with pods are always available. 

Check out rule #3: caffeine deprivation is a cruel and unusual punishment!

There is always a wide variety of pods available at bizperc.

We even have Think Big mugs!

Tired of paying $5 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks?  Then come check out bizperc and drop-in for just $15!  You'll get the chance to network, collaborate and down all of the coffee you possibly can!  Call Sarah today for a tour at 816-842-5244.

Follow bizperc! @bizperc
Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Congratulations to our 12 Days of Coworking Winners!

Congratulations to all of the winners who took away awesome holiday prizes during bizperc's 12 Days of Coworking Holiday Giveaway!

Vince Vaughan

Aaron Thacker

Leslie Scott

James Edward West III

Tom Jenkins

Heather Kalar Rubesch

Chris Morris

Patrick Lamb

Bill Swearingen

Nathan Wojtkiewicz

Nick Bushman

Shane Westrup

Troy Norris

Andrew Rangel

Adam Arredondo

Corbin Umstattd

Devin Mikfaishi

Jennifer Hoyt

Riddhiman Das

Andy Kallenbach

Duncan McQueen

Monica Grossman Arredondo

Alex Rodriguez

Hannah Arredondo

Melissa Mann Saubers

William Robison

Gina Fisher

Caroline Fong

Stan Haynes

John Atwell

Congratulations and Happy Holidays from Think Big Partners and bizperc! We look forward to collaborating with you all soon.

And for those of you who missed the 1 minute and 25 second video of holiday cheer and professional singing, be sure to click here and watch the 12 Days of Coworking video from your staff at bizperc: http://www.thinkbigkansascity.blogspot.com/2011/12/on-12th-day-of-coworking-bizperc-gave.html.  

Follow bizperc! @bizperc

Dwolla: The Midwest Startup with 700 Interested Investors and a Billion Dollar Idea

How the startup that attracted 700 investors out of Des Moines, Iowa is impacting the world with a unique approach and creative culture.  

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR

It’s a pretty big deal to be named a Top 10 Startup of 2011.  But it’s an even bigger deal to be named a Top 10 Startup of 2011 and be from Des Moines, Iowa. 

A few days ago, ReadWriteWeb counted down the Top 10 Startups of 2011, which included a list of some of the most popular new businesses of the year like Zaarly, Fab.com, Pinterest, Dropbox and Evernote.  And among these well-known names was one company that was launched out of Des Moines, Iowa:  Dwolla.  

Dwolla is a mobile payment platform that sends and receives payments to bypass credit card fees.  With Dwolla, a user can sign up, load their accounts and head over to a retailer that uses Dwolla for mobile payments.  Dwolla offers a cheaper, safer and overall better payment experience.  

But in founder Ben Milne’s mind, Dwolla is much, much more than “a different and better way to access money.” 

Instead, Dwolla has become Milne’s haven for creation, innovation and collaboration.  The company has allowed Milne to build a culture unlike any that PayPal or Visa contribute to the user experience.  

“My favorite part of this venture has been the ability to create,” says Milne of launching the Dwolla startup.  “It’s empowering to come into the office with an idea and at the end of the day, it’s built.  At Dwolla, creation is just a part of everyday life.  Solving problems is part of our culture.”

And these problems are not ones that can be shooed away.  Dwolla has been known to be a product that solves “million dollar issues”.  According to Milne, the creation of Dwolla has positively affected people, small business and even large corporations. 

Although Dwolla is extremely successful (with over 700 interested investors and with moves between $30 and $50 million per month), Ben still believes that the company is just at the beginning on the startup journey.

“We have a long way to go,” he says.  “But these successes have truly validated our efforts.” 

But what’s it like building a successful startup out of the Midwest?  Obviously, Ben has not received the same resources or support that he would if he moved the company to Silicon Valley.  So how has the Des Moines startup gotten by? 

“The truth of the matter is, startups are hard everywhere,” says Milne.  “We actually had an advantage because we have a strong team and great community members.  If we had the opportunity to move, I would say no.  It’s good that it’s here.  We want it to be here.” 

How does Ben Milne of Dwolla Think Big?  “I don’t just want to pay the bills.  I want to do something that makes an impact.  I want to solve a problem that impacts the world.” 

We believe that Dwolla does just that. 

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

On the 12th Day of Coworking bizperc Gave To Me...

This holiday, bizperc is hosting the 12 Days of Coworking.  For the past 12 business days, bizperc has been giving away awesome prizes in order to encourage entrepreneurs to celebrate the holiday season.  Watch the video above to learn about the 12th (and FINAL) day of coworking...and win 12 hours of fun!


What in the world does 12 hours of fun mean?  It means that you will get 12 hours of fun on our 6th floor loft space!  The 6th floor of bizperc can host any business event including networking events, educational seminars, breakfasts, luncheons, banquets, launch parties, large meetings and more!  This prize is a $1200 value, so enter the contest today!  
"Like" bizperc on Facebook and share this video with your friends.  One lucky person will be randomly selected to each win 12 hours of fun on our 6th floor.  Check out the inspirational space for yourself: http://www.bizperc.com/6th-floor.  


Good luck and Think Big!


*Excludes social events.  Single use only.  Furniture rentals, linens, set-up and tear-down included.  Weekdays only.  

Follow bizperc! @bizperc

On the 11th Day of Coworking bizperc Gave To Me...

This holiday, bizperc is hosting the 12 Days of Coworking.  For the next 12 business days, bizperc will be giving away awesome prizes in order to encourage entrepreneurs to celebrate the holiday season.  Watch the video above to learn about the 11th day of coworking...and win 11 days of free inbound marketing! 

"Like" bizperc on Facebook and share this video with your friends.  One lucky person will be randomly selected to win 11 days of inbound marketing.  Does your Facebook page need to be beefed up?  Are you lagging behind on Twitter?  Could the SEO on your blogs be improved?  If so, this is the Facebook contest for you!  Inboun will provide you with 11 days of marketing to amp up your business's online presence! 


Requirements: your company MUST already have a website in order to win this prize. Inbound marketing will include Twitter, Facebook, blogs and articles (setup and maintenance) for 11 business days.

Good luck and Think Big!

Follow bizperc! @bizperc

KCNext Champions Gigabit Challenge Finale on Jan. 18

KCNext (The Technology Council of Greater Kansas City) has always been a champion for Kansas City entrepreneurs, startups and growth.  As a leader in Greater Kansas City's technology spectrum, KCNext has been leading the way on a number of exciting tech developments in and around the Kansas City area.  In fact, the Technology Council of Greater Kansas City serves as the regional advocate for the tech industry and supports more than 65 tech/IT company members in and around KC.


So partnering up for The Gigabit Challenge seemed to be a no-brainer.


With their involvement in The Gigabit Challenge, KCNext will help to grow the existing base of technology firms in KC, recruit and attract technology companies, aggregate and promote our regional tech assets and provide peer interaction and industry news.  


A huge thanks to KCNext for supporting Think Big's Gigabit Challenge Finale event!  Without the collaboration and partnership of a strong KC organization like KCNext, The Gigabit Challenge Finale may not be possible!  Now that's how you Think Big.


Follow KCNext! @KCnext
Follow The Gigabit Challenge! @GBChallengeKC
Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Finalists Announced for The Gigabit Challenge Business Plan Competition on the Google Fiber Network

Last week, the 39 Gigabit Challenge Semi-Finalists submitted condensed business plans in order to compete in the second round of judging for the worldwide business plan competition. Now that the panel of judges has analyzed each business plan, The Gigabit Challenge has announced the Finalists who will continue in the pursuit of the $100,000 Grand Prize, the $250,000 “Born Global” Prize and the opportunity to create disruptive innovations on the Google Fiber Network.

The Judging Panel consists of 30 diverse experts from a variety of fields. The panel includes entrepreneurs, investors, service providers, professional association executives, public and private sector officials and community leaders. A full list of judges can be found at http://www.gigabitchallenge.com/about/judges.

All 39 submitted business plans were of extremely high quality. Through a rigorous analysis of business plans, the judges made the difficult decision of narrowing down the top 19. The Gigabit Challenge Finalists are:

Andrew Ying, Hong
Bob Wray, CourthouseUSA LLC
Brett Simpson, record life
David Windhausen, TiBi.tv
Don Peterson, BigIris.com
Eddie Tapper, GET-GIV-GOT System Technologies
Fortunato Cardenas, Green Earth Aerogel Technologies
Jason Arnold, Paruzia Technologies
Jeff Stull, Risk Analytics LLC
Jim West, Somametric
Kristin Kenney, RE:Cite
Marc Canter, Digital City Mechanics
Michael McKinzy Sr., Voter Integrity Party (V.I.P.)
Michael Shear, Strategic Office Networks LLC
S. Vaideeswaran, Damascus Fortune
Samuel Belu-John, SEIN Analytics & Asset Management
Scott Hardiek, Virtual/Real World Wallet System
Seak Meng Lay, Photaic
Sonia Lin, Kauzu

These Finalists are invited to present pitches for their businesses at The Gigabit Challenge Finale on January 18, 2012 at the Kansas City Public Library located on the Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. Finalists will submit a presentation of no more than 15 slides and deliver a ten-minute pitch before a panel of international judges. This will be followed by five minutes of questions from the judges. The Finalists must be present at The Gigabit Challenge Finale to be eligible for a prize.

The Gigabit Challenge Finale is a free event open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. At the event, attendees will have the chance to watch the final pitch presentations, network and learn more about Google Fiber, ultra-high-speed Internet and entrepreneurship in Kansas City.

“We are very enthusiastic about the response we have received to The Gigabit Challenge from contestants, partners, investors, government officials and many others,” said Scott Mize, who originally proposed The Gigabit Challenge and is a member of the organizing team. “We have also been impressed by the quality of the entries. The judges have chosen these 19 Finalists from a field of 113, which hailed from 22 states and five continents. The Finalists come from around the world including Kansas, Missouri, California, New York, Illinois, Spain and the United Arab Emirates. We are looking forward to a great live pitchfest and awards ceremony at the Finale which can be viewed online from anywhere on the globe.”

For more information about The Gigabit Challenge or to express interest in becoming a partner, please visit http://www.gigabitchallenge.com or contact Ann DeAngelo at 816-842.5244.  

For more information or to register to attend The Gigabit Challenge Finale, please visit http://gigabitchallenge.eventbrite.com/.

On the 10th Day of Coworking bizperc Gave To Me...

This holiday, bizperc is hosting the 12 Days of Coworking.  For the next 12 business days, bizperc will be giving away awesome prizes in order to encourage entrepreneurs to celebrate the holiday season.  Watch the video above to learn about the 10th day of coworking...and win $10 to Einstein Bros. Bagels! 

"Like" bizperc on Facebook and share this video with your friends.  One lucky sharer will be randomly selected to win a $10 gift certificate to Einstein's!  


Good luck and Think Big!

Follow bizperc! @bizperc

Break the Latest News About The Gigabit Challenge - Live Bloggers Wanted!

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR

There's a lot of buzz about Google Fiber out there.  From the latest tech blogs to Huffington Post articles, it seems as if everybody has Fiber fever and is breaking news about Google's latest high-speed initiative. 

Are you going to stay on top of your blog during this exciting time?  You should!  There is more news out there about Kansas City, broadband, Google Fiber and high-speed Internet than ever before--and it's time to publish it on your blog or website! 

In order to do so, we are inviting bloggers from across the nation to join us at The Gigabit Challenge Finale.  At the event, bloggers and writers with expertise in technology, Internet, Kansas City, entrepreneurship and business are invited to blog about their Finale experience and get up-close-and-personal with Gigabit Challenge judges, advisory board members and of course, contestants.  

Amp up your blog this year.  Join us for The Gigabit Challenge Finale on January 18, 2012 and write about your Google Fiber experience.  To become a live blogger at The Gigabit Challenge Finale event, please contact Allison Way at away@thinkbigpartners.com or 816.842.5244.  To learn more about The Gigabit Challenge, please click here.  

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

On the 9th Day of Coworking bizperc Gave To Me...

This holiday, bizperc is hosting the 12 Days of Coworking.  For the next 12 business days, bizperc will be giving away awesome prizes in order to encourage entrepreneurs to celebrate the holiday season.  Watch the video above to learn about the 9th day of coworking...and win a free three-day pass to the coworking space! 

"Like" bizperc on Facebook and share this video with your friends.  Nine lucky people will be randomly selected to each win three free drop-in days from bizperc (a $45 value!).  The nine lucky people who win the 3-day passes will have access to bizperc's drop-in area absolutely free! The 3-day pass will include all of the membership perks that bizperc has to offer -- from free coffee to free WiFi, from all-day networking to discounts at surrounding retail stores.  To learn more about bizperc drop-in days, click here.  

Want to amp up your new business this year?  Enter into the bizperc Facebook contest and win three free drop-in days at the bizperc coworking space !
 
Good luck and Think Big!

Follow bizperc! @bizperc

The South Thinks Big: Introducing Think Big Memphis!

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR 


Kansas City thinks big.  Baltimore thinks big.  And now, it's Memphis's turn. 


The Think Big conference is heading to the South!  After seeing the success of the first annual Think Big Kansas City, the second annual Think Big Kansas City and the first annual Think Big Baltimore, Memphis decided to jump on the entrepreneurial bandwagon, too.  Introducing, Think Big Memphis: The Premier Conference for Entrepreneurs, Investors and Startups! 


This Fall, join Memphis entrepreneurs, startups and big thinkers as the southwestern city we all know for its BBQ, Elvis Presley and the Mississippi River amps up its entrepreneurship and technological growth.  Think Big Memphis will be a jam-packed day in which aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs can come together under one roof to celebrate entrepreneurship, build the Memphis startup scene and find motivation and inspiration to turn an idea into something big.  


Want to become a part of the Think Big Nation?  Contact us at 816-842-5244 to hold the Think Big conference in your city!  Visit http://www.thinkbigkansascity.com for more information.

Hovey Williams LLP Alleviates IP Worry in The Gigabit Challenge

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR 


There's something to be said about entrepreneurs who keep their business ideas under wraps during the first phases of development and launch.  Entrepreneurs who explore the world of intellectual property before they broadcast their business will have a leg up on any percolating competitors.  


But business plan competitions have to take intellectual property to a whole new level.  Because contestants are sharing their business ideas with advisory board members, organizers, judges, and the public (in a live pitch competition), many worry that their ideas could be swept under their feet.  But the entrepreneurs participating in The Gigabit Challenge do not have to worry about this--they've got Hovey Williams.


Hovey Williams LLP is a Kansas City-based law firm that specializes in patents, trademarks and all things IP.  Hovey Williams LLP has been preserving the unique ideas of inventors and creative minds alike for over 80 years.  As a specialized intellectual property law firm, Hovey Williams offers a full range of IP services including assistance with patents, trademarks, copyrights and IP litigation.


Which is exactly what many Gigabit Challenge contestants need!  As the Finalists take the stage on January 18th during The Gigabit Challenge Finale, they are going to want to have their intellectual property in line.  And this is exactly where Hovey Williams LLP can come into play.  A huge thanks to Hovey Williams for partnering for The Gigabit Challenge and donating their time and expertise to entrepreneurs in Kansas City and beyond!


Follow The Gigabit Challenge! @GBChallengeKC

On the 8th Day of Coworking bizperc Gave To Me...

This holiday, bizperc is hosting the 12 Days of Coworking.  For the next 12 business days, bizperc will be giving away awesome prizes in order to encourage entrepreneurs to celebrate the holiday season.  Watch the video above to learn about the 8th day of coworking...and win an inspirational business book! 

"Like" bizperc on Facebook and share this video with your friends.  Eight lucky people will be randomly selected to each win a free business book.  We even have signed copies of Bill Rancic's book, You're Hired!  As the first winner of The Apprentice, Rancic has provided loads of great information about the world of entrepreneurship and working with Donald Trump in this best-selling book. 

Want to amp up your new business this year?  Enter into the bizperc Facebook contest and win a free business book from bizperc and Think Big Partners! 

Good luck and Think Big!

Follow bizperc! @bizperc

On the 7th Day of Coworking bizperc Gave To Me...

This holiday, bizperc is hosting the 12 Days of Coworking.  For the next 12 business days, bizperc will be giving away awesome prizes in order to encourage entrepreneurs to celebrate the holiday season.  Watch the video above to learn about the 7th day of coworking...and win a free blog post about you and your company!

"Like" bizperc on Facebook and share this video with your friends.  Seven lucky people will be randomly selected to each win a free blog post about their business (a $90 value!).  Think Big Partners has a strong following on its entrepreneurial blog.  If you're looking to get more exposure on the web, this is the Facebook contest for you! 

Want to amp up your new business this year?  Enter into the bizperc Facebook contest and win a free blog post from bizperc and Think Big Partners! 

Good luck and Think Big!

Follow bizperc! @bizperc

How Does a Coworking Space Impact an Entrepreneur?

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR 

These days, it seems like you can cowork anywhere.  Coworking spaces have been popping up across the globe and the movement is only growing stronger.  But when it really comes down to it, do they truly impact entrepreneurs and help startups succeed?  We decided to take a look at bizperc tenant Coty Beasely, who has worked in this Kansas City coworking space for about five months now.


Since joining the bizperc coworking space, Coty has undergone a lot of positive change within his business.  He attributes most of his growing success to the strong networking he has received while working in bizperc.


Since Coty joined bizperc, he has:

• Effectively continued to grow his design startup, Beasley Creative
• Increased his connections to other Kansas City businesses
• Landed a larger pool of clients including Flamin' Ass Salsa, the Nelson Atkins Museum, Taplicious, FindIt Media and Videolabs 
• Went from working on $300 projects at home to working on $5,000-$8,000 projects at bizperc
• Increased his revenue by 400%
• Met a business partner (another bizperc tenant) and launched a new startup called Flow which will focus on projects worth $10,000+ 
• Grew to the point of moving up to the 5th floor of bizperc where more established businesses cowork

This was all achieved in under 5 months! 

Coty is just a small testament to the power of an effective coworking space.  Coworking spaces connect like-minded individuals, they accelerate businesses and they increase the chances of startup success.  So what are you waiting for?  Join a coworking space today and Think Big!

To learn more about the bizperc coworking space, visit www.bizperc.com or contact Sarah Snyder at ssnyder@thinkbigpartners.com. 

Follow bizperc! @bizperc

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

The Fine Line Between a Great Product and a Total Failure

WRITTEN BY BLAKE MILLER, PARTNER

Comedian Louis C.K. (Saturday, December 10^th, to be exact) recently made an unorthodox move of bypassing traditional release methods and releasing his latest comedy special, Live at the Beacon Theater, for $5 online via Pay Pal (or credit card.)  Along with the offering, Louis C.K. very nicely asked that people don’t pirate this video or “torrent it”, stating that he paid for the whole production himself.  The results?  C.K. released some numbers which were quite impressive.  As of today, 110k copies have been sold for a total intake of over $500k, covering his cost and netting him $200k so far.

Why am I talking about this? I want to speak about developing and offering not just a new product, but a great new product.  Louis, in my opinion, is a great comedian.  Simply put, I also think he has a great product.  He was able to make more on his own than by other paid resources by having a great product.  A great product creates brand loyalty.  It creates a viral presence. And most importantly, it creates REVENUE! 

In my opinion, developing a product that is truly great is the only thing that matters when creating your startup.  I want to make it clear; I do not think having the most features on a product declares it the winner.  I think it is the right features that make a great product truly revolutionary. And hey, that’s what we are all out here trying to do, right? Innovate and start a revolution.  Change how people do things.  Hell, even impact a city.

We recently started on a project that I (in all honesty) wasn’t sure of at first.  We went through a process we use at Think Big Partners called the Prism Process (that’s a whole other blog post in itself.)  After going through this process, I bought in.  I started seeing how the idea could truly change the way people plan their collective lives, thanks to the Prism Process. 

This project is based around a great product.  We found it “great” through the Prism Process.  But what differentiates a product from being proclaimed as great and being proclaimed as so-so?  Here are a few key points that I have found to be true when working as a product manager with startup companies:


1.  A great team is key. Find the people who know their limitations (that includes myself).


2.  Engineers usually think in terms of implementation.  While the designers think creatively, they figure out how to make the creations a reality.  This makes for an incredible User Experience (also known as “UX”).


3.  UX design isn’t just the visual look of the product, it’s also the interaction of the design.


4.  The functionality of the product (product features or must-haves) and the UX by nature, are interconnected.


5.  It’s important to test new products early and often.  This startup we are working on is somewhat radical and complex, so this step is absolutely crucial to its success.


6.  Do your best to find a minimal viable product (or “MVP”) that meets your objective as a startup and launch ASAP.  Keep in mind, this MVP must provide the most frictionless user experience possible.


7.  Keep in the lean startup frame of mind.  Once you find this sweet spot, launch right away.  That means getting users on the site and quickly figuring out which features make sense and which ones don’t.  In the instance with our new project, my bet is that we throw some features out the window and figure out something else.  

The success of a great product comes from the belief in an even greater idea.  Be strategic, form a dynamite team, test, test, test and then build a great product from the ground up.  You’ll be surprised to find that when you launch a truly great product, the rest (like success) will follow. 

Follow me! @blakemiller32

PART 2: The Evolution of a Mobile Gaming App

PART 2: Design.  Evaluate. Repeat.

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR

A few weeks ago, we introduced you to Chris Puglisi and Kyle McGetrick, founders of MellowMilitia (a successful mobile application company based out of Kansas City, Missouri).  As a part of our blog series about mobile applications, we have been following Chris and Kyle on their road to creating The Next Social Word Game. 

In Part 1, we covered the first 8 steps to creating a successful mobile gaming app.  These steps included finding the idea, deciding on game type, storyboarding, determining mobility, monetizing, coding and using social media to market.  Read Part 1 of the blog series here: Part 1:The Evolution of a Mobile Gaming App.

So what's next?  We caught up with Chris Puglisi to see how The Next Social Word Game is progressing and what stage of the process the new application is in.  Chris and Kyle filled us in:

Currently, Mellow Militia is finalizing design.  But as many developers know, this phase can involve several iterations, as new research is performed and feedback solicited.  In the last three weeks, Mellow Militia took a step back and took another look at the competition, researched mobile gaming usage, evaluated mobile gamer styles and reviewed feedback provided by potential investors.  After careful review and consideration, they decided to embark on another round of design to further optimize, enhance and ultimately appeal to a larger audience.

 The Mellow Militia team decided to add two new game modes, each targeting a specific “style” of mobile gamer.

“Initially, we had a single style of gameplay which was based on the original premise of this nostalgic game, though as we dug deeper, we realized that although this game style would appeal to a large percentage of mobile app users,  there were  other styles of users that we weren’t focused on,” says Chris Puglisi. 

The “classic” game mode (the original and only planned game style) required a player to spend 20-30 minutes playing the game.  But there’s an entire (and sizable) mobile audience out there that exists that doesn’t have that amount of time to commit to a game. Chris & Kyle realized that, like themselves, they were frequently fielding text messages and phone calls while playing a game.  

“We grouped mobile gamers into three categories,” explains the Mellow Militia team.  “The first being those that can commit the 20 or so minutes to playing a few ‘rounds’ of the game, the second being those that typically only have a few minutes here and there throughout the day to play, and the third are those gamers that like to play at their leisure, in small increments of time (akin to Words With Friends).” 

With the three types of mobile gamers identified, Chris & Kyle were able to rearchitect and redesign the game to include the two additional game modes.  Now there’s a game mode that suits every player’s lifestyle and gaming style.  In addition, social status, points and achievements can still be accumulated within any game mode. This change is adding several weeks to the design and development schedule (and additional costs), and a few long nights and weekends putting it all together.

"Going back and tweaking is worth the pain," says Chris Puglisi.  "Now we have the gameplay fine tuned.  The game now appeals to several ‘styles’ of players."

The game is now more focused on continued play and high DAU (or Daily Active Users).  When Mellow Militia first presented The Next Social Word Game to investors, it appealed to the player who could dedicate 15, 20 or even 30 minutes to the game.  Investors scratched their heads and one asked, "What about the people who don't have time to play for that long?"  After the question was asked, Chris and Kyle went back to the drawing board and determined two different styles of users (rapid play and less rapid play) for The Next Social Word Game.

“We’re even more excited about the Next Social Word Game now that we’ve added the additional game modes,” says Kyle of the change.  “We truly believe that we have a game mode that suits a variety of gaming styles and fits several lifestyles.”

But Mellow Militia has done more than just reevaluated its audience and gameplay.  The Next Social Word Game is also well into the design phase as.  The one piece of advice that Chris has for apps in the design phase?  "It’s easy to get caught up in design, and trying to create an app that appeals to absolutely everyone. Don't overdesign and overbuild, instead determine which feedback is most critical, scope the effort and determine the value added by that change. 

Mellow Militia has proven that it's worth it to reevaluate your game early on.  According to Chris, "It is less costly to go back to the drawing board early, before you start coding.  It's worth taking the extra time.  You may be excited to push an app out to market, but first impressions are critical!"

 In addition, Mellow Militia is lining up  marketers and  sponsors for The Next Social Word Game.  The company is also working with investors and looking for more investors to close the round of $250K in funding by mid-January.

“This is very exciting opportunity that has the key elements of success great product, great marketing and perfect timing,” says Kyle.  “We’re looking for key investors who want to be involved in the exciting app market and be part of a major title.”

Be sure to stay tuned for Part 3 of building a mobile gaming app! 

Want to go behind the scenes of  ‘Creating the Next Social Word Game’, including tips & strategies to creating great mobile apps and games?  Visit Chris’s Blog.

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

On the 6th Day of Coworking bizperc Gave To Me...

This holiday, bizperc is hosting the 12 Days of Coworking.  For the next 12 business days, bizperc will be giving away awesome prizes in order to encourage entrepreneurs to celebrate the holiday season.  Watch the video above to learn about the 6th day of coworking...and win a ticket to Think Big Kansas City! 

"Like" bizperc on Facebook and share this video with your friends.  Six lucky sharers will win a ticket to the Think Big Kansas City Conference (a $249 value!).


Think Big Kansas City is a jam-packed one-day conference full of entrepreneurial inspiration. Network with fellow entrepreneurs, investors and startups and learn what it takes to become a success in the startup world. Think Big Kansas City is an annual conference that you won't want to miss out on.

Learn more: http://www.thinkbigkansascity.com

Good luck and Think Big!

Follow bizperc! @bizperc