Turning Software as a Service (SaaS) into Revenue

SaaS (“Software as a Service”) is the new Field of Dreams. Too many great online applications falter, for want of an effective business model.

LA2M’s Jan 13th talk focuses on how backend systems, user experience engineering, and online traffic work together to generate revenue and profit. First, David Bloom will explore the four cost centers of a SaaS business, and how setting user expectations balances burn-rates. Next, he will delve into revenue models, metering, and promotions and introduce the sales pipeline – from awareness, interest and intent to conversion, virality and churn.

Come listen and learn about sustainability concepts – touchpoint branding, release trains, and channel partnerships and the three key business metrics that determine SaaS success: CoCA, CoSD, and TLCR. Before launching into Q & A, David will wrap up the session covering exit scenarios, in a “Web 2.5” world where Web 2.0 businesses are no longer fundable, and Web 3.0 businesses have little traction.

David C. Bloom is an amateur parent of two teenage grrlz, who moonlights as an entrepreneurial and executive coach with the Factotem Constellation. He has worked with scores of online ventures since conceiving and launching www.arborweb.com for the Ann Arbor Observer in 1996. David has a broad background in technology and marketing, networking and finance, innovation and entrepreneurship. David listens and connects clients to the specific information and resources they need to succeed.

David won the 2007 Innovation Michigan Award for Innovative Business Strategy; he is a 2008 GLITR/Lawrence Tech “Leader and Innovator”; and he is Ann Arbor SPARK’s 2009 Mentor of the Year. David teaches entrepreneurial commercialization at the U-M Ross School of Business. David lives in Chelsea, Michigan with the aforementioned teenage grrlz, their mother, cats, and 150,000 white tailed deer.

View today’s session below, and use the video timeline bar to move forward/backward in the session as needed.