Software Platform Consulting

MAY 6, 2019

There are many great articles about SaaS metrics on the web (e.g., see here , here and here.) There are also great resources for metrics specific to marketplaces (see here ). But much of my work is with a special kind of network, where one side of the platform is an enterprise buyer (or supplier) and on the other side is their supply base (or customers). Typically one side’s enterprises tend to be much larger than the other side’s. That’s why I call them enterprise-driven.

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Metrics Compensation Enterprise B2B 53

Software Platform Consulting

JUNE 25, 2019

Change Healthcare is going public (again). The IPO provides another opportunity to examine a massive B2B inter-enterprise network, Change Healthcare’s Intelligent Healthcare Network. I previously wrote about this network when it was called Emdeon ( see here ). It’s a story of how a small EDI player became an impressive company through acquisition and organic growth. Every network entrepreneur should know this great story.

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Healthcare Government Scaling Consulting 50

Software Platform Consulting

MAY 28, 2019

Source: [link]. This is the third in my series on SaaS Metrics for Enterprise-Driven B2B Networks. I spend very little time on issues of compensation on this blog. But it turns out, this is a really important issue for Enterprise-Driven B2B Networks. As discussed in the prior post , many networks of this type, subsidize one side of the network, to make money from the other side.

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Enterprise Compensation B2B Metrics 50

Software Platform Consulting

MAY 8, 2019

Fleetcor (FLT) closed on its acquisition of privately-held nvoicepay on April 1, 2019. Fleetcor’s first quarterly earnings report since the acquisition provides insight into the economics of the B2B payments space. Nvoicepay. Nvoicepay is interesting, in part, because it is a pure-play payments provider. The company takes a payment file from a buyer. It then disburses the funds to the buyer’s suppliers in a manner nvoicepay has determined in negotiation with the supplier.

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B2B Acquisition Banking Consulting 50

Speaker: Judah Phillips, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Product & Growth at Squark

Automating the sophisticated, complex aspects of data science is now simple with the no-code platform Squark. Judah Phillips, the co-CEO & co-Founder of Squark answers the 5 Things You Always Wanted to Know About Automating Data Science, but Never Asked!

Data

Software Platform Consulting

OCTOBER 9, 2019

As taxpayers, we should want to know how well our dollars are spent. At the Federal level, most of these dollars are spent on social security, healthcare, and defense (see below). Articles about spending in these areas are easy to find, but the price of F-35s or my dad’s medicare is too complex for this blog. Instead, let’s focus on the prices paid for common commercial catalog items that we can all relate to. Government Catalog Spend.

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Government Healthcare AI Education 46

Software Platform Consulting

AUGUST 5, 2019

Gartner recently published its 2019 Magic Quadrant for Procure-to-Pay Suites. Once again , I have superimposed valuation information onto the Magic Quadrant. (I I still don’t understand why Gartner has not varied the size of the “dots” to add more information to the charts. For instance, each vendor’s dot could be sized in proportion to their NPS scores, revenue, or valuation. See Spend Matters’ Solution Maps.).

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Machine Learning AI Revenue Consulting 40

Software Platform Consulting

JULY 1, 2019

My last post was partly about healthcare payments in the form of Change Healthcare’s Intelligent Healthcare Network. I did not set out to write another post about healthcare payments, but reading Phreesia’s S-1 compels me to. Phreesia has three “businesses” in one: SaaS applications, payments, and life sciences advertising. Phreesia Threat #1: SaaS Applications. If you have been to a doctor you have some idea of what Phreesia’s SaaS applications do!

Advertising 40

Advertising Consulting Subscription SaaS 40

Software Platform Consulting

JUNE 3, 2019

Welcome to the last, and most important, in my series of posts on metrics unique to Enterprise-Driven B2B Networks. The last metric, buyers per supplier, is easy to calculate if your platform is architected as a network. (If If you did not architect your platform so suppliers have one account for all buyers, shame on you.). Suppliers Per Buyer. Every enterprise-driven B2B network proudly tells you they are great at enabling your enterprise’s suppliers.

Enterprise 40

Enterprise B2B Metrics Consulting 40

Software Platform Consulting

MAY 20, 2019

Fiverr, a marketplace for freelancers just joined the parade of software companies going public. The Fiverr filing sets up a comparison of Fiverr versus Upwork, the grand-daddy of freelancer marketplaces. Upwork went public last year.) (See See here and here ). Upwork Versus Fiverr: A Different Approach to Services. The most basic difference between Upwork versus Fiverr is fascinating. On the Upwork platform, buyers issue RFQs for projects and invite freelancers to bid on those projects.

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SMB Business Model Consulting Pricing 40

Advertiser: ZoomInfo

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Development

Software Platform Consulting

MAY 14, 2019

Last week I wrote a post about Fleetcor’s acquisition of Nvoicepay. The acquisition represented an opportunity to learn more about the economics of B2B payments. The acquisition also prompted me to review Bottomline’s financial reports. Bottomline owns Paymode-X, the largest B2B payment network in the US. Paymode-X boasts payments of more than $200 billion annually and over 400,000 payees. Nvoicepay, by contrast, processed payments of approximately $20 billion annually.).

Technology 40

Technology B2B Acquisition Banking 40

Software Platform Consulting

JUNE 26, 2018

Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of American Express (Amex) in an antitrust case 11 states had brought against Amex (see here ). If you are interested in two-sided markets, platforms, and pricing you will want to read the Supreme Court’s decision written by Justice Thomas and the dissent written by Justice Breyer (see here ). Full disclosure: There’s a fair bit of legalese, so I skimmed it. But, it sounds cool to say I read a Supreme Court opinion.)

Business Model 43

Business Model Consulting Branding Business 43

Software Platform Consulting

MAY 9, 2017

Established in 1995, Angie’s List was the pioneer in the home services marketplace. Home Advisor (IAC) announced last week it is acquiring Angie’s List (ANGI) for more than $500 million. This price represents a 44% premium over Angie’s List’s depleted closing stock price (see below)). I am sad to see Angie’s List go. Triumph of the One-Sided Pricing Plan. Angie’s business model was a prominent differentiator from its competition in the home services market.

Business Model 48

Business Model Advertising Consulting Business 48

Software Platform Consulting

MAY 16, 2017

I love the word “oligoply” It’s a fancy word for a market structure in which a few companies have the large majority of market share. The recent news reminds me just how many markets are becoming oligopolistic–especially those dominated by platform software. Before We Get to Software… Warren Buffett recently announced that he was buying airline stocks. This is a man whose greatest quotes include many disparaging remarks about the airline industry (see here ).

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Wireless Software Airlines Healthcare 40

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Every year Dresner reviews the state of the BI market as it stands today. This 12th annual report breaks down customer perceptions of BI and how well each vendor performs. See for yourself how all the major BI vendors stack up.

Business

Software Platform Consulting

SEPTEMBER 27, 2016

Early (and Fuzzy) Saas Metrics From B2B Networks. Until a B2B Network catches on, the metrics can be gloomy. (The The first few years of the Ariba Network were pretty dismal, for instance.) The result is that for the first few years of a B2B network’s life you tend to see silly press releases from these networks touting their growth in all manner of odd metrics: percentage growth versus growth in absolute numbers (always huge when you start from zero). new partnerships. awards.

Metrics 40

Metrics Consulting Enterprise Finance 40

Software Platform Consulting

SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

Sunday’s Business Insider had a great article on, Cargomatic, a company promising (as do many others) to be the “Uber for Truckers” By that, Cargomatic means it will match shippers with goods to ship with truckers with excess capacity. On paper it is a great idea in a huge market: less than truckload (LTL) shipping.

B2B 40

B2B Consulting Marketing Technology 40

Software Platform Consulting

MARCH 23, 2016

Three separate events last week reminded me that every spend category has its “dirty little secrets” Suppliers can exploit these “dirty little secrets” to squeeze a little more from buyers than buyers bargained for. Not all of these secrets are nefarious, but all reflect the inherently deeper category knowledge suppliers have and the limited resources buyers have to “sweat the details” in every category.

Airlines 40

Airlines Transportation Travel Machine Learning 40

Software Platform Consulting

MARCH 7, 2016

For those of us who follow pricing strategy in two-sided markets, last week was a milestone. Angie’s List, which invented the home services marketplace (in 1995) announced it would drop its “paywall” The paywall charged buyers to search its directory and reviews before communicating with contractors. Angie’s List will now offer a freemium model for homeowners (buyers) and will continue to offer a freemium model to contractors/service providers.

Pricing 40

Pricing Business Model Advertising Consulting 40

Speaker: Patrick Dempsey and Andrew Erpelding of ZoomInfo

What is ZoomInfo for Recruiters? Find and connect with the right talent to fill roles fast with more data, basic search, advanced search, candidate and company profiles, and export results. Watch this On-Demand Webinar today to see how ZoomInfo for Recruiters can work to get your talented candidates results.

Data

Software Platform Consulting

AUGUST 6, 2015

The two questions I’m most often asked are: 1. How do you keep your hair looking so lush and luxurious? How much can a B2B Marketplace or Multi-Sided Platform charge for its services? Some folks call this the platform’s “take rate” ). The answer to the former question will need to remain a mystery, but the answer to the latter follows. B2B Marketplace Services.

B2B 40

B2B Consulting Communication Finance 40

Software Platform Consulting

NOVEMBER 25, 2014

The vast majority of tech press is about B2C software companies or software for IT department (e.g., databases, security, performance monitoring and other stuff) that does not excite me. But, there are a few good b2b blogs and newsletters those of you interested in enterprise cloud business applications should follow for inspiration. My nominations, in no particular order, are as follows: Price intelligently.

B2B 40

B2B B2C Software Consulting 40

SaaStr

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

So how long does it take to really Go Big? We did our own SaaStr analysis a little while back and saw it took on average 10 years to get to a $1B+ acquisition in SaaS. And an IPO? Sapphire Ventures crunched the numbers. And the answer is 12 years to IPO.

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SaaS Acquisition 255

The Daily Egg

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

There are hundreds of blogs full of online business ideas, but it’s not enough to just pick an idea off a list. The post The Complete Guide to Online Business Ideas appeared first on The Daily Egg. Operations

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Business 242

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Engagement

SaaStr

AUGUST 30, 2021

Freshworks has filed to go public, one of a next wave of U.S.-Indian Indian SaaS hybrid super success stories. Headquartered in the U.S., but with 3,800 of 4,300 employees in India, and customers spread across the globe — Freshworks is a great example of the future of SaaS.

SMB 284

SMB Scaling Subscription SaaS 284

SaaStr

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

Recently, I spent several hours with a new but great friend who has been on a vaguely similar journey to me. This friend is one of the hardest working people in the industry. 20×7, near as I can tell. On jets. Investing at a breathtaking pace.

Leadership 234

Leadership Management Customer Success Investment 234

The Daily Egg

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

Technically, you can’t patent an idea alone. But if you follow the right process, you can take a great idea and eventually. The post 6 Easy Steps to Patent an Idea appeared first on The Daily Egg. Operations

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The Daily Egg

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

Getting a “Doing Business As” (DBA) certificate can add versatility to your business, letting you operate under a different business name. The post 7 Easy Steps to Get a DBA appeared first on The Daily Egg. Operations

Business 223

Business 223

Advertiser: ZoomInfo

In 2021, as companies continue to move more functions online, employees will take a more virtual -- and flexible -- mindset and lifestyle in parallel to the digitization of businesses. To succeed, you must change the way you conceive and build new products as a digital business. Download the report today to discover more!

Business

The Daily Egg

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

Content marketing is in a state of surplus: there is too much supply of branded content and diminishing returns of audience engagement. The post Want a Better Way to Engage Your Audience? Try Data-Driven Micro-Content appeared first on The Daily Egg. Content Marketing

Engagement 202

Engagement Data Content Marketing Branding 202

SaaStr

AUGUST 18, 2021

Dear SaaStr: Have All the Good SaaS Ideas Been Built? Sort of, but it’s OK. What software can do in each category keep evolving, and getting more sophisticated, and more specialized.

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SaaS Software Data 281

The Daily Egg

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

When it comes to on-site optimization, landing pages, product pages and checkout pages receive the most attention. However, there is one page. The post Hack Your Thank You Page: 5 Ideas for Driving Even More Conversions appeared first on The Daily Egg. Conversion

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SaaStr

AUGUST 24, 2021

Q: What are the best marketing techniques for an early stage SaaS startup? My list of things that almost always work: Try everything — and Double Down on anything that works. If your price point is very low, this sometimes doesn’t work.

Startup 264

Startup Marketing SaaS Content Marketing 264

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As the analytics landscape continues to evolve, application teams who need to embed dashboards, reports, and other analytics capabilities in their applications can choose from dozens of solutions. How do you differentiate one solution from the next?

Data

The Daily Egg

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

Your company values are the core of your business. They define your goals, your team, and how the world views you. The post The Complete Guide to Company Values appeared first on The Daily Egg. Operations

Business 182

Business 182

SaaStr

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021

Q: What do mediocre employees do that the best employees don’t do? My list of what mediocre employees do: Unable to hit deadlines. This is different than missing a few, with a proper heads-up. Get angry when they fall behind. Instead of quietly stepping up and just getting it done.

Leadership 242

Leadership Management Business 242

The Daily Egg

AUGUST 27, 2021

The Nike swoosh, Mercedes’ three-point star, and McDonald’s golden arches are a big part of the respective company’s identities and customer perceptions. The post 6 Easy Steps to Trademark a Logo appeared first on The Daily Egg. Operations

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SaaStr

AUGUST 22, 2021

Recently Bessemer Venture Partners did another great deep give on Cloud metrics at the Cloud 100. They’ll update their classic “State of the Cloud” on Sep 27-29 at SaaStr Annual 2021 in the SF Bay Area so come join us there for the latest!

Cloud 264

Cloud Acquisition SaaS Trends 264

Advertiser: ZoomInfo

In our 24-criterion evaluation of B2B marketing data providers, we identified the 11 most significant vendors — Data Axle, Dun & Bradstreet, Enlyft, Global Database, InsideView, Leadspace, Oracle, SMARTe, Spiceworks Ziff Davis, TechTarget, and ZoomInfo Technologies — and researched, analyzed, and scored them. This report shows how each provider measures up and helps B2B marketing professionals select the right one for their needs.

B2B