Disruptive Thoughts - Latest Comments in Business Engineering Tips for Startups

Re: Business Engineering Tips for Startups

gl hoffman — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:13:48 -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.

Re: Business Engineering Tips for Startups

Chad Sakonchick — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:49:17 -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...

Re: Business Engineering Tips for Startups

Vada — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 14:23:47 -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.unionsquareventu...

Re: Business Engineering Tips for Startups

Vada — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 13:23:47 -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...

Re: Business Engineering Tips for Startups

patwoodward — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:30:15 -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.

Re: Business Engineering Tips for Startups

Patrick Woodward — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:30:15 -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.

Re: Business Engineering Tips for Startups

Jay Hamilton-Roth — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:28:48 -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.

Re: Business Engineering Tips for Startups

Jay Hamilton-Roth — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:28:48 -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.

Re: Business Engineering Tips for Startups

Alex Iskold — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:04:12 -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.

Re: Business Engineering Tips for Startups

Alex Iskold — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:04:12 -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.