Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Training Camp Tip #3: Narrow Your Focus


Want to Broaden Your Sales
? Narrow Your Focus.

In today's competitive marketplace, the demand for specialized products or services is increasing. If your website sells everything or to everyone, chances are that your audience will not perceive any greater value in shopping from you than anyone else. The more generic you become, the greater your competition will be, since you've placed your offering in the same arena as the WalMarts and eBays of the world. In other words, cast a wider net, and the likelihood that more competitors who are trying to go after the same "fish" will occupy the same marketspace.

However, the more unique you are, the less competition you will have. And the less competition you will have, the less substitutable you are (or your product is). And the less substitutable you are, the less elastic the demand for your product will be (i.e., the less important price becomes, in this case). So, if you try to copy your competition, or trying to promote your offering as one that's better than your competition, like it or not you're only reminding people of that which you are better: your competition! It's better to be different than it is trying to be better.

Join us at the next Xelerator TRAINING CAMP to learn more about this.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Training Camp Tip #2: Focus your Product Message

One of the common mistakes that many startup entrepreneurs make is to dilute the effect of their products by trying to add too much functionality. Xelerator Training Camp teaches extreme niche focus, meaning that you must aim your marketing and positioning at an extremely narrow niche. This also means that your product should provide very specific solutions to very specific problems. Having a product that does many things, yet fails to solve a specific, identifiable problem will hinder your sales efforts.

Watch the video below and see how the iPhone is positioned...

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Training Camp Tip #1: Understand your Market

To succeed with your small business you must understand your market. Too often, entrepreneurs fail to really understand their market and their customer's behaviour. This is critical to your success. You must learn to think like your customers and know where to go to find them.

When I was in college, all my buddies wanted to meet girls. They thought about it all the time, hung out in bars, yet never really made any progress...

Watch this video to see one guy who really understands his target market and has the perfect sales strategy!


Monday, August 27, 2007

The value of Focus and Commitment

In an extract from their fantastic interview, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs get a question from the crowd... "What is the single piece of advice you would give small business owners?". Enjoy their answers.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

International Training Camp

Join us for the most unique, effective and dynamic workshop available for Norwegian entrepreneurs!

RICK SALMON explains Xelerator
International Training Camp

”Within 3 weeks after starting Training Camp, my sales revenues rose by 40%. This is a great experience and very valuable for any tech startup. – Thomas Moen, iPublish AS

What is the Xelerator International Training Camp?

Training Camp is a unique 12 week intensive workshop for Norwegian entrepreneurs and SMB leaders. It gives them direct access to some of the leading
experts in international sales & marketing and is both instructional, practical and highly interactive.

Training Camp uses a unique combination of live seminars, teleconferences, webcasts, homework assignments and individual executive coaching to achieve significant results in record time.
Want to learn how to rapidly expand your sales to international markets and position your startup company for immediate funding?

What stage is your business at?
  • Stage 4: I already have products and am selling internationally
  • Stage 3: I have customers (but none in international markets)
  • Stage 2: I have a product (but no customers yet)
  • Stage 1: I have an idea (but not a product yet)
Next Training Camp Starts:
January 2009


For mer informasjon, KLIKK HER


Secrets to rapid international market success for startups



Attention to all Norwegian entrepreneurs with startup companies that have products & services suitable for international markets…
  • Do you need funding for your early-stage startup company?
  • Would you like to get advice and assistance from experienced experts without paying a fortune in consulting fees?
  • What would be the effect if your small company was positioned and recognized as a global leader in your chosen market niche?
  • What would be the effect if you were able to communicate a powerful and compelling message directly to your prospects and customers?
  • In Norway it’s easy to get government funds for R&D, but how do you get funds for sales and market expansion?
  • What would be the effect if you mastered Guerilla marketing skills?

Most startups fail miserably. What if we could show you how to easily avoid this trap?

Xelerator is looking for Scandinavian SMB companies that want to accelerate their international sales and market success. Since many Norwegian startup companies fail because they do not get the help and assistance they need at early stages, Xelerator is offering a unique, intensive training program for entrepreneurs.

ATTEND A FREE ONLINE WEBINAR TO LEARN MORE
REGISTER HERE:
Go To http://www.xelerator.com for latest webinar info

Xelerator AS would like to invite you to a fun, unique and free online webinar where you can experience the following presentations:

  1. A SENSE OF URGENCY – the key to creating a multi-national startup
  2. FIVE SECRETS TO RAPID INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS – Guerilla tactics for Scandinavian SMB companies

Presenter: Rick Salmon – Serial Entrepreneur and Senior Partner, Xelerator

Webinar blir holdt på norsk. Registrer deg nå! De eneste kravene er tilgang til internet og telefon. Det tar kun én time. Ingen forpliktelser eller kostnader. Se www.xelerator.com for registreringsinformasjon.

Welcome to Xelerator's Blog for small business startups


Welcome.
  • This is a blog for Norwegian startups.
  • This is a blog for creative people who have ideas.
  • This is a blog for energetic people who want to convert their ideas into business.
  • This is a blog for small businesses who have vision.
  • This is a blog for small businesses who want to grow and create.
So why not write this in Norwegian?

Official Answer: The ideas and concepts that Norwegian entrepreneurs have are relevant and interesting to a global market. Why limit the discussion and ideas to a language that only 4.5 million people speak?

Unofficial Answer: Jeg er en amerikaner som har bodd i Norge lenge. Faktum er at jeg skrive ellendig Nårsk. Det tar meg lang tid og blir ikke bra. OK, mens jeg jobber på dette, skal jeg la være å dele ideer og vente? Jeg tar imot gjerne kommentarer.

Who is this blog designed for?
This blog is for you if you are a Norwegian startup and want to accelerate your business. We work with companies in all four startup stages:
  • Phase 4: You already have products and have started selling internationally.
  • Phase 3: You have customers in Norway, but have not started selling internationally.
  • Phase 2: You have a product, but do not yet have your first customers.
  • Phase 1: You have an idea, you are actively developing it, but do not yet have a product.
At all of these phases, Xelerator can help by providing information, user forums, recommendations, courses, operational assistance and even financing.

This blog is for you if you want help from people who have been in your shoes before.

Welcome.

- Rick Salmon, Xelerator

www.xelerator.com