A post by Fred Wilson pointed me to Dave McClure's Startup Metrics presentation. This kind of a simple model also helps: Define the early proof points for the company. In fact, this often becomes the mantra that we live by. Define what you need from a metrics and reporting standpoint. This is a great presentation and one that I'm going to point out to startup / early stage company CEOs. Normally, when I am talking to the founder of any startup trying to figure out what they need to do, one of the things I always try to do is understand their business at its core.

One of the things I am passionate about is analytics and metrics. It was this experience that gave me the appreciation for the importance of metrics and the greater importance of making meaning of the data for decision making. While at one of my recent startups I developed a framework for startup growth metrics (focused primarily on user metrics). UPDATE:  I’m setting up a new project on analytics.  If you are interested in collaborating ping me on twitter @gammill. 

I also found this interesting graphic of the changing needs around the CTO role in different size/type companies that somewhat echoes my experience. ( Roger Smith ) This helps explain where I normally play. My role is to work as part of the team to (1) understand related technologies and technical opportunities, (2) understand and help drive alignment around a vision of where the business should go, and (3) mesh those together to help make disciplined, proactive technical decisions. I generally am working as an acting CTO for about 3-4 start-ups or other companies at any one time.

Santa Monica-based Image Metrics , a developer of facial animation technology, said Monday that the firm is behind the facial animation for the Ubisoft title Assassin's Creed II. Image Metrics said it helps deliver 28 minutes of facial animation for 23 different characters in the game, using its facial animation and rigging technology. Tags: assassin ubisoft animation facial metrics im The firm did not disclose the financial impact of the win. READ MORE>> ...Tags:

Rather they should get a part-time Acting CTO who can help close the gap. Of course, I have an advantage because I organize the LA CTO Forum . Bottom line – if as you recognize this gap, then reach out to get a slice of a CTO who can help bridge the gap. Founder Developer Gap I’m assuming that the founders understand what they generally want to do with the business and where the product should be going. Who’s responsible for what portions? How will we find and interview I’ve been having discussions with several people recently about the role of the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) in very early stage companies.

One of the things I am passionate about is analytics and metrics. It was this experience that gave me the appreciation for the importance of metrics and the greater importance of making meaning of the data for decision making. While at one of my recent startups I developed a framework for startup growth metrics (focused primarily on user metrics). I’m most interested in gathering a breadth and leveraging them to drive solid decision making. While at IBM I worked closely with a group of exceptionally talented researchers (marketing and technology) to develop

Los Angeles-based Image Metrics (www.image-metrics.com) recently landed a $6.5M, Series B funding round for the firm's facial animation products. We're now waiting to help people learn that they can now do this, and use it to tell a better story. How After I left Sprout, I worked with a dozen venture capital firms to help them grow their startups and figure out what to do with technology. We spoke with CEO Mike Starkenburg -- a former venture capitalist at the Sprout Group and longtime reader of our newsletter -- about the firm and its technology and how it's revolutionizing facial animation in both computer games and the movies. Tell

The goal of marketers is usually to increase revenue, so we create metrics that help us do that. Metrics are those numbers that "per" -- like "cost per lead" and "page views per day." Marketing Metrics Are Everywhere There There are We strive for increasing our clickthrough rate on e-mails, newsletters, banner ads, paid search ads, and wherever we can measure clicks. We look for ways to increase the "open rate" for everything from e-mails and envelopes to prospects' minds. Why?

My initial conversations normally focus on the core of the business, important Startup Metrics , probably marketing strategy (ex. What sites, devices, applications are our users going to be already using? How will the other user interface possibly help us with acquisition, retention and referral? By asking these questions, almost invariably we begin to see the product design in a bit different way…. Many applications can push quite a bit of their functionality into these messaging layers. I talk to a lot of founders of startups. SEO for Startups and Negative

With our portfolio companies, and startups in general, metrics are key to measuring your business performance and help to guide the company. Andrew Chen over at Futuristic play , wrote a great post on the importance of analytics, but also the balancing act of deciding what to track and how much time to spend on it. Andrew reminded me of the following key points: