The_DaveG

Interesting, did you find a service that offered it in a language that you needed?

If it was a new service, this should have ruled you out (for Harvest's case) before you became a qualified lead. I was trying to ask about something that you could use with a workaround (like a few more steps create a translation) or offer to write what was needed to translate for an additional commitment from you. Would you have taken one of those options, or was the client facing information needing to auto-translate a deal breaker for you?

I suppose it would be backwards from what you typically experience.

Let me try again: You're looking for a piece of software, you need it, and are ready to buy. Let's call it a CRM and the feature you're looking for the ability to add a new contact from the main screen. (It could be anything and any feature, but just as an example)

During the demo, you love the software, the people instill confidence, and you can see yourself using this everyday. If it takes three extra button clicks to add a new contact (giving you a workaround) would this make you happy?

Or you're really happy with everything, and the choice is to sign the contract and we would have the button before install date (written in the contract.) Would that be a better option?

I'm interested in how you as the person listening to the demo, would take those two options (giving only one option would be presented during the demo) Does this make more sense?

As a reference, The guys at Close.io use the first option ( http://blog.close.io/) patio11 (who is kicking around here) uses the second option (http://www.kalzumeus.com/)

This is the most interesting comment. I work professionally in sales and am getting ready to launch what could be classified as SaaS/PaaS product.

As to the need of a specific feature, that's an interesting position. I know people whom show you the work around, and ones that offer to build the feature after they have a signed contract. If you were given the two options and like the person/company which would you prefer?

I completely understand your frustration about sales people not being able to answer any question, but if they actually get back to you with a real answer does this not make the wait worth it?

The other three are completely valid and they should be ashamed of themselves...

Yeah, I only hang out with developers, engineers, and designers, most of whom game so it's all pretty much top of the line.

I think it would because everyone wants the options to run all day not plugged in, even if they don't.

As a business guy, I've got to think that the big companies wouldn't make these if they weren't big sellers? Also while and iPad or surface can do what we need, most other people wouldn't feel the difference. I think it might be more of a psychological reason that they think they need a laptop? Haven't really done any market research, so just a guess. Wonder if anyone else who reads this has a spouse/SO that does something non-technical...

So I'll kick this off by saying yes. I have a gaming desktop I built, a 2016 MBP spec'ed out I use for work (video editing), and down the line tablets/phone. My wife needs something for work processing, Skype, and the internet. I got her a $400-$500 Dell Inspiron laptop a few years ago (I think it's Pentium 4 lol) You can swap batteries, they're solid machines. Basically just a little more than a Chromebook and a little less than a 2in1, which will be her next one as she loves the touch screen.

Love to hear what everyone else is using/thinking as well.

Understandable about the IP, mostly my thought being if you don't have IP, I wouldn't publish the work and let someone come and steal your plan.

You can figure out who you would like to get investment from and just call a couple places tell them that you're in the beginning of the process and want to ask a couple of questions. I know it sounds strange, but you'll get someone to bite.

I would think that the inventor groups are small with all the regulations. I was talking with a group from NY about what they were doing to get one of the dispensary licenses, and the regulatory red tape was crazy. I think the industry has crazy growth potential, and hope you succeed!

Having gone through the process of raising money in the past, I'd say the 1 determining factor is if you have some sort of IP that belongs to you that will make the idea work. If you have a patent,then there is nothing stopping you from publishing, but just know that it's strange in the community that this would be published.

As a Reference, my last start-up owned a patent and I believe that my pitch deck is still currently floating around online.

I have never lived in the marijuana industry and never dealt with their VC's do you have friends in the industry that you can reach out to to ask their opinion.

As a general rule, I wouldn't publish anything if you don't have the IP.

This, if you are in the latter stages they will want to see everything you are saying is true. If you're projecting a hockey stick growth, but don't necessarily have the numbers to back it up that's ok, projecting is just guessing in any business. None of the good VC's I've done business with would be put off by this. If you've overinflated your numbers 20%,then it's time to have a heart to heart with your champion at the VC firm. If they are senior enough to get the deal done and they believe in you/your team, it may not matter. VC's invest in people as much if not more than a company.

No matter what happens be honest with these people, the VC community is small/close knit and if this goes bad because you weren't honest from the get-go EVERYONE will know.

I was speaking referring to what you were working on, if you had a page up. I think it's a really cool/novel idea, I'm just a bit weary on how well the laser would track (was having problems on customer sites this week).

As to my specifications, I'm not all that particular unfortunately, I've done square, circular, ergonomic, a little bit of everything, I travel so half the time I'm using my moleskine notebook to get some bit of laser tracking.

When you do have something up and printing, let me know, we're always looking for something high quality and out of the norm to give away at work!

I use my mouse every day. Even with my new MBP, which has a great track pad, the ability to scroll click forward and back, all of the things I'm use to doing is unparalleled. I've worked on 6 computers in the last handful of years (Mac, Dell, HP, IBM, and a couple of homemade gaming rigs) same mouse. I love my Logitech, plus I have big hands.

More info on the mousepads?

Completely agree with you. I have in writing that my key would be good, even though the MS site said that there was an error and I needed to check with Customer Service. I then explained this to three people, whom found the written statement and said they couldn't/refused to fix the problem. They just wanted to sell my an O365 subscription.

As to how legal their tactics are, I'm not sure. I do know before I would never have considered anything other than MS, I'm now left to moving onto Mac's because I cannot give them more money and the work I do tends to now work in the Linux or alternative OS environments. Lots of industrial software that is touchy enough as it is...

I had similar, terrible issues with my gaming rig when I let Windows auto-update from 7 to 10. I found that there is an option in system update to "restore" or "auto-fix" the OS. You might start by trying that.

I found that I needed to let the entire thing be wiped (including all software) and re-installed in order to get it working. A long time and complete pain in the ass, but it's much better now.

Just as a piece of warning if you go that route: MS decided that my legit MS office keys were "Pirated" because they were old and wanted me to upgrade (after telling me that it was a valid key 3 hours before) so I told them to pound sand and I was going to buy MAC's from now on, and I'm not a fan of Apple at all. They offered me nothing, but the chance to give them more money.

I've filed a couple of patents and can tell you need a good parent lawyer. I don't have anyone in CO that I can recommend, but there is a rather time consuming/expensive process where they go through a patent search (of other existing patents) and then you file a bunch of paperwork, and wait for the patent to come through (typically a multi year process).

If it's a good idea, most definitely file a patent, but I would personally make sure it's unique/novel and worth the time/effort before you do so.

Most of all, have fun and good luck!

Both of these and when I send from my ERP, if I don't CC myself, there will be no (easily) searchable/usable copy, or proof that it was sent. Plus it makes it easier for follow up emails.

What's your product? There are plenty of people whom do freelance marketing.