Answers from Plan HQ

I thought I would post the Clarity questions answered in full so that those who have not signed up in Plan HQ can see what a full set of questions answered look like. Hopefully it will be easy to see the value they bring to a project. Also, still to come this week is the Elevator Pitch. How to build one quick, concise and effective.

Clarity Questions: Sustainable Startup blog.

Why does the organization exist, and what difference does it make in the world?

The Sustainable Startup Blog exists to be an interactive forum to explore, challenge and flush out ideas and concepts of building a "sustainable startup". My ideas and contributions to this blog come from my 26 years of experience of doing startups. This difference I hope that this blog makes is that we are able to zero in on what it takes to make a startup sustainable and then somehow in some form and manner take the information and interaction from this blog and expose it in a practical and elegant way to the startup world for the social and economic benefit of entrepreneurs and their glocal communities.

It is my view that entrepreneurship and startups in particular are vital to a sustainable economy and society. The better our entrepreneur and startup abilities in a society the better the society’s potential.


What behavioral values are irreplaceable and fundamental?

In my view there are three fundamental values required in order to fulfill this blogs stated purpose.
1. Adherence. Containing the scope of posts and discussion within the purpose of the blog.
2. Open Minded Risk. Allowing posts, comments and all interaction to not have to be the "right" answer but opinions, views and/or insights of how build a sustainable startup.
3. Consistency. The timing and nature of the posts, comments, discussion and interaction must be such that it not only engages people but keeps them engaged in an ever more passionate manner.


What business are we in and against whom do we compete?

This blog is in the best Practices arena of the Venture Capital Industry.This blog competes with any other blog looking to build credibility with and
garner the trusted attention of Venture Capital and Angle Investors.

How does our approach differ from that of our competition?

One, this blog is not so much for the venture capital player looking to raise capital but for the venture capital player looking to grow and maximize her venture capital investment.
Second, this blog is what I am calling a reality blog. This blog is building itself as a sustainable startup. I plan on doing this with the Sustainable Startup Blog live/in real time and transparently. Hopefully we will all be able to take our experience from this Reality Blog and apply it where useful in our own venture investments.


5a. What are our Goals this month? (April/May)

4 quality posts (as rated by the Blog followers) as it relates to PlanHQ and how to
use the tool.

Grow from 20 followers to 25 followers through social networking and
recommendations from existing followers.


5b. What are our Goals for this Quarter? (May - August 2009)

Average 1 quality post per week as rated by the followers.

Grow from 25 followers to 40 followers through social networking and recommendations from existing followers.

Use the blog writing and feedback from followers as the basis to have and outline for a book.


5c. What are our goals for the end of this year? (End of 09)

Average 1 quality post per week as rated by the followers.

Grow from 40 followers at end of August to 80 followers through social
networking and recommendations from existing followers.

Full clarity on a book based on the writing and feedback of the blog. The clarity
will come from the six clarity questions.

Business Plan written specifically for “the book” – using planHQ methods
outlined and developed in the process the blog group is currently undertaking with
PlanHQ.

Have an outline for a book complete based on the writing of the blog and the
feedback of followers.

Have approximately 33% of the book written in first draft.


5d. What are our goals for next year? (End of 10)

Average 1 quality post per week as rated by the followers.

Grow from 80 followers at end of 2009 to 200 followers through social
networking and recommendations from existing followers by end of 2010.

Book Written.

Business Plan being executed.

5e. What are our goals for five years from now?

For the followers of this blog to SIGNIFICANTLY capitalize on the experience and purpose of this first “Reality Blog”. (As per question 1. The Sustainable Startup Blog exists to be an interactive forum to explore, challenge and flush out ideas and concepts of building a "sustainable startup". This difference that this blog is trying to make is that it is able to zero in on what it takes to make a startup sustainable and then somehow in some form and manner take the information and interaction from this blog and expose it in a practical and elegant way to the startup world for the social and economic benefit of entrepreneurs and their glocal communities.)


6. Who has to do what for us to achieve our goals for this month, this quarter, this
year, five years from now?

This Month

Cameron: 1 Quality post per week

Invite 10 people to view the blog. from my database.

Use 12 second tweeting video to update and promote blog to my social
network.

Ask blog followers for recommendations and referrals to follow the blog.

Implement some sort of survey mechanism (maybe a widget) to the blog
to be able to get candid feedback on the posts from the blog followers.

This Quarter

Cameron: 1 Quality post per week

Invite 40 people to view/participate in the blog. from my personal
database.

Use 12 second tweeting video to update and promote blog to my social
network.

Ask blog followers for recommendations and referrals to follow the blog.

Erika: Start Sustainable Startup groups on Major social networks all linking back
to the blog.

Ask blog followers if they would like to chair any of the Social network
discussion groups.


This Year

Cameron: 1 Quality post per week

Invite a minimum 90 people to view/participate in the blog from my
Personal database.

Use 12 second tweeting video to update and promote blog to my social
network.

Ask blog followers for recommendations and referrals to follow the blog.

Ensure full clarity for a book.

Design/experiment with a system whereby they will receive credit and possible monetary participation in book profit.


Erika: Design program to exponentially grow social network groups.

Get publishers, VC Firms and writers actively participating in the blog and book loop process.


Blog
Followers: ?


5 years

Cameron: 1 Quality post per week as rated by feedback of followers.

Erika: Research and market one quality blog post per week.

Blog
Followers: Participate in one quality blog post per week.