Comments on: Business Engineering Tips for Startups

By: gl hoffman

gl hoffman — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:13:48 +0000

Good Points…Over the years, I have come up with several gotcha's and must-haves, even before programmers ruled the start up world. I like yours, much more concise than mine.

By: Chad Sakonchick

Chad Sakonchick — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:49:17 +0000

Great insightful post as usual Fraser. As I talked to you a few weeks ago, I'm about to launch a Facebook app. I agree whole heartedly about keeping your core team small and have been mulling over an idea in my head for a while that you may find interesting. I'm going to experiment with Macrodeck as an "open source business." I'm going to be as transparent as possible on the Macrodeck site about all decisions made, how much money is spent and brought in and what we are spending our time on. I want anyone and everyone to be able to use my successes and failures as a case study as well as contribute if and when they want to. I'll keep you updated as everything progresses…

By: Ian Mariano

Ian Mariano — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:15:54 +0000

Hey I completely agree with this one:

“Do not reinvent the wheel”. Creativity, I learned i awesome, but a shaky foundation if it was primary boulder you’re standing on.

David Ogilvy (’father of modern advertising’) once stated that when he was starting to advertise in London, he copied every successful ad campaign here in the U.S. then after years and years started doing his own.

Great informative piece.

-Ian
http://renohomeblog.com

By: Ian Mariano

Ian Mariano — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:15:54 +0000

Hey I completely agree with this one: “Do not reinvent the wheel”. Creativity, I learned i awesome, but a shaky foundation if it was primary boulder you’re standing on. David Ogilvy (’father of modern advertising’) once stated that when he was starting to advertise in London, he copied every successful ad campaign here in the U.S. then after years and years started doing his own. Great informative piece. -Ian http://renohomeblog.com

By: Vada

Vada — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 19:23:47 +0000

More kudos for the “three horizons”. My days teaching navigation at USAFA provide a similar framework:

Destination - Vision
Waypoints - Milestones
Dead Reckoning / Alter Heading - Objectives

DR/AH can be very difficult in the formless void of a startup. But knowing where we’re going helps inform the many “alter headings” until we reach the next waypoint.

I really like the way Dick Costolo and Fred Wilson sythesize this exploration with business realities:
http://www.unionsquareventures.com/2007/11/why_early_stage.html

By: Vada

Vada — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:23:47 +0000

More kudos for the “three horizons”. My days teaching navigation at USAFA provide a similar framework: Destination - Vision Waypoints - Milestones Dead Reckoning / Alter Heading - Objectives DR/AH can be very difficult in the formless void of a startup. But knowing where we’re going helps inform the many “alter headings” until we reach the next waypoint. I really like the way Dick Costolo and Fred Wilson sythesize this exploration with business realities: http://www.unionsquareventures.com/2007/11/why_ea…

By: Patrick Woodward

Patrick Woodward — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:30:15 +0000

I like the three horizon detail.

Also, one of the most important things you said is this: “Don’t hold onto a vision for the future that’s not realistic given today’s reality.”

In thinking about that statement the first thing that comes to mind is this: preparation is key.

By: Patrick Woodward

Patrick Woodward — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:30:15 +0000

I like the three horizon detail. Also, one of the most important things you said is this: “Don’t hold onto a vision for the future that’s not realistic given today’s reality.” In thinking about that statement the first thing that comes to mind is this: preparation is key.

By: Jay Hamilton-Roth

Jay Hamilton-Roth — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:28:48 +0000

Also - evolution is easier than revolution. Be careful if you’re trying to create a new paradigm - it’s too expensive to both educate people about a new way AND to tell them about your company.

By: Jay Hamilton-Roth

Jay Hamilton-Roth — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:28:48 +0000

Also - evolution is easier than revolution. Be careful if you’re trying to create a new paradigm - it’s too expensive to both educate people about a new way AND to tell them about your company.

By: Alex Iskold

Alex Iskold — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:04:12 +0000

Nice companion post, Fraser! There is a lot of fresh business perspective here.

You are right, you can’t build a company based only on tech, it needs to be about business.

By: Alex Iskold

Alex Iskold — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:04:12 +0000

Nice companion post, Fraser! There is a lot of fresh business perspective here. You are right, you can’t build a company based only on tech, it needs to be about business.