--- title: Bizplan Academy (2) description: Bizplan.com | Modern business planning software for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses (2) --- # BizPlan Academy ## In-depth lessons on business ideation, pitching, and planning [![](https://blog.bizplan.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Pierre_Lechelle-Cover_Photo.jpg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/why-companies-are-failing-to-implement-growth-processes) ## [Why Companies are Failing to Implement Growth Processes](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/why-companies-are-failing-to-implement-growth-processes) ![Pierre Lechelle](https://blog.bizplan.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Pierre_Lechelle.jpeg?width=80&name=Pierre_Lechelle.jpeg) By [Pierre Lechelle](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/pierre-lechelle)   May 05, 2017 When I met Ryan, his problems were radically different… They were growing quickly. His team was doing a fine job. They implemented Growth Processes, but after a few months, they realized that they weren’t moving the needle. [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/why-companies-are-failing-to-implement-growth-processes) [![](https://blog.bizplan.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Steve_Blank-Too_Young.jpg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/too-young-to-know-it-cant-be-done) ## [Too Young to Know It Can't be Done](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/too-young-to-know-it-cant-be-done) ![Steve Blank](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Steve_Blank.jpeg) By [Steve Blank](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/steve-blank)   May 04, 2017 Ask people what makes entrepreneurs successful and you’ll hear a familiar list of adjectives; agile, tenacious, resilient, opportunistic, etc. [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/too-young-to-know-it-cant-be-done) [![](https://blog.bizplan.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Steve_Blank-10m_Photo.jpg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/the-10-million-photo-and-other-vc-stories) ## [The $10 Million Photo and Other VC Stories](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/the-10-million-photo-and-other-vc-stories) ![Steve Blank](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Steve_Blank.jpeg) By [Steve Blank](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/steve-blank)   May 02, 2017 While on vacation I had a phone interview with Kevin Ohannessian of Fast Company who wanted a few “funding stories.”  Here are two of them. Apologies for the rambling stream of consciousness.  The original interview in Fast Company can be seen here. [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/the-10-million-photo-and-other-vc-stories) [![](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Elizabeth_Brigham-Product_Marketing.jpg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/what-is-product-marketing) ## [What is Product Marketing?](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/what-is-product-marketing) ![Elizabeth Brigham](https://blog.bizplan.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Elizabeth_Brigham.jpg?width=80&name=Elizabeth_Brigham.jpg) By [Elizabeth Brigham](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/elizabeth-brigham)   May 01, 2017 ## What do we do as product marketers? Product marketers function as CEO’s of their products, product lines, or entire product portfolios. We are responsible for (feel free to steal this for your job description writing): [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/what-is-product-marketing) [![](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Steve_Blank-Business_Model_Canvas_2.jpg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/who-do-you-need-on-your-startup-team) ## [Who Do You Need on Your Startup Team](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/who-do-you-need-on-your-startup-team) ![Steve Blank](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Steve_Blank.jpeg) By [Steve Blank](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/steve-blank)   April 28, 2017 I was having breakfast with Radhika, an ex-grad student of mine who wanted to share her Customer Discovery progress for her consumer hardware startup. She started by sketching her business model canvas on a napkin, but somehow the conversation quickly shifted to what was really on her mind. “After reading your post on [Why Founders Should Know How to Code](https://steveblank.com/2014/09/03/should-founders-know-how-to-code/) it looks like web/mobile startups have it easy. They seem to know the right mix of skills on their founding team is a hacker, hustler and designer. But what about for us, a consumer hardware hardware company? Trying to figure out what the right set of co-founders isn’t so clear. How do I decide who I need to have on board on day one?  Who can I hire later? And what can I outsource?” [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/who-do-you-need-on-your-startup-team) [![](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Matthieu_Varagnat-Drop_Your_Free_Tier.jpeg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/drop-your-free-tier) ## [Drop Your Free Tier](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/drop-your-free-tier) ![Matthieu Varagnat](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/matthieu_varagnat.jpeg) By [Matthieu Varagnat](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/matthieu-varagnat)   April 26, 2017 If you’re bootstrapping your SaaS, you should drop your free tier. [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/drop-your-free-tier) [![](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/steve_blank-jobs_noyce.jpg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/the-pay-it-forward-culture) ## [The Pay-It-Forward Culture](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/the-pay-it-forward-culture) ![Steve Blank](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Steve_Blank.jpeg) By [Steve Blank](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/steve-blank)   April 24, 2017 Foreign visitors to Silicon Valley continually mention how willing we are to help, network and connect strangers.  We take it so for granted we never even to bother to talk about it.  It’s the “Pay-It-Forward” culture. [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/the-pay-it-forward-culture) [![](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Wil_Schroter-Build_Your_Startup_Around_Your%20Passion.jpg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/build-your-startup-around-your-passion) ## [Build Your Startup Around Your Passion](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/build-your-startup-around-your-passion) ![Wil Schroter](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202017-01-10%20at%2010.41.42%20AM.png) By [Wil Schroter](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/wil-schroter)   April 21, 2017 As Founders we’ve all more or less come to the conclusion that if we work really hard and make lots of sacrifices, one day we’ll actually be able to pursue our real passions. We’re willing to trade a painful now for a pleasurable later. [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/build-your-startup-around-your-passion) [![](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Bizplan_Academy/Josh_Krajina_Customer_Development.jpg)](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/customer-development-101-finding-and-attracting-your-first-users) ## [Customer Development 101: Finding & Attracting Your First Customers](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/customer-development-101-finding-and-attracting-your-first-users) ![Joe Garza](http://info.zirtual.com/hubfs/Joe_Garza_Headshot.jpg) By [Joe Garza](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/author/joe-garza)   April 17, 2017 A company will only survive as long as it continues to have a strong customer base. Even the best products will fail without a steady stream of users. Luckily, once a company has attracted its first customers, maintaining demand becomes considerable easier. [Read More  ](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/customer-development-101-finding-and-attracting-your-first-users) [Previous](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/page/1) [All posts](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/all) [Next](https://blog.bizplan.com/academy/page/3)