The first and last advice novice startups
His Work / / December 26, 2019
Let's say you are the most representative of the active people who are not tempted by the prospect of a lifetime to be called "office plankton", and the opportunity to become a werewolf in epaulets simply repelled. Well, it is commendable. Welcome to the world of start-up!
I'll start with the question: what exactly do you associate the word "start-up"? Recently, the word it was wildly popular, so much so that it is already possible to safely use as a curse. But let's call a spade a spade: a start - it's business. Just started with zero and, as a rule, living on the Internet. And because business laws are the same for all, and then by trial and error in every novice businessman... sorry, startups, will repeat and overlap. It's me, try out the techniques currently on-line business, I can say.
Business - a harsh and difficult way, but at the same time, it's the coolest drive in life after sex. 15 years of my life are exclusively in the field of building and running your own business. it was on my mind a lot of failures, which I perceive as valuable experience and a lot of success, which I do not let turn my head.
Perhaps I, too, can be attributed to startups, if we take into account recently established and is already gaining popularity YouTube-project RevolverLab. And in this regard, I am often asked how to start young, ambitious startups? How to build a successful business and what mistakes should be avoided? Over the past few years I have formulated 6 of the rules, which I hope will help you go the hard way in a simpler way.
Let's start, as the prelude to somehow dragged ...
1. Idea
On what ideas you can create a good start-up and at the same time to get rich? First, let's clarify what exactly are ideas: for creative improvement of an existing business, to make money, and brand new start-up ideas. I'm sure to earn big (really big) money to do what someone has done to you, but to do it at times better than the rest. All ideas should not answer the question "what to do?" And the question "how to do?". But a new idea - a gamble, it is necessary to be extremely careful. Yes, perhaps it would be more promising, but in the rare case of a large-scale. Remember that most of the money earned through the implementation of existing ideas.
What about Apple and Facebook, you ask. I answer. Facebook - a blueprint to MySpace and similar social networks. Zuckerberg's brainchild - not creative novelty, but only a new way of implementing a pre-existing design. Most often in startups it happens so that innovation - is well chosen with respect to the new model.
What really came up with a new Apple, the most expensive to date IT-company? When the first the Macintosh, computers already existed, just was not as comfortable. And before the iPad on the tablet known for 20 years as a.
Create a good product or service. 100% better than any other kind.
2. Analysis
So, tell me, who is your customer? Describe it if you want, paint his portrait. Your big mistake is to invent people who are simply not found in nature. Because you will be creating a startup for the ordinary citizens of the country, and you need to understand to whom specifically you should be guided.
Your service or product should be unique. "Brick and wholesale from a warehouse across the city" can and will feed you and your family, but rich you just will not do. Correctly highlight key points: or brick must be unique, or the cost low, or service is the best. Although, of course, will not prevent the totality of all these factors.
Originality and uniqueness, designed for specific customer - the most important component of your success. While competitors will copy your "flavor", you have either reinforce what you have, or come up with something new.
3. negative experience
It is not necessary to look at successful startups as if they always and all was well. A wise man once said that success - it is only the gap between the previous and future failure. And the most difficult thing here - to make the step up from the usual risk-free operation for his new project, which can both bring considerable satisfaction (material and moral) and burn. So, the future successful startups, be prepared to take risks and unconditionally believe in yourself.
To minimize errors at an early stage, put clear goals. Listen to user reviews, verifies each step, do several approaches, and continue to do so as long as you will not achieve the desired results.
And do not be afraid to admit, first of all, to yourself that your idea has failed. If you realize that it's been six months and you have not moved one iota, stop. Failure - this is the norm for a startup. No need to be afraid of him, or worse, be ashamed. I realized long ago that moving to great results, you need to be prepared for failure whenever risking. And failing, you must drop reflection, and start a new project. Self-pity will not bring you anything but unnecessary complexes and loss of faith in their own strength. Why is it you?
4. supporters
Your team should not be even a hint of idlers, idlers and thieves. Need only those who are not afraid of the word, rushing wildly and frantically rushing from your ideas, who are willing to work not 8 hours a day, and the head and the result. The man who believes in the outcome of your total business, should be ready to work in the most difficult conditions and even with a zero rate. And from those who hide in the shell for any hint of the problem, looking for stability and is looking forward to the end of the day, get rid without any regret. It rocks in your backpack, uphill with a load going to be problematic, and pointless.
5. Get ready to loneliness
This is, perhaps, the first problem that stands in the way of the future successful statapera. When conceived any idea, we seek to share it immediately with your inner circle: friends, friends, parents. This can not be done. In no case. Let me explain why. As a rule, these people are the closest and beloved people you absolutely know nothing about the business, and the word "startup" in general may be the first time to hear from you. Therefore, in addition to non-constructive criticism, skepticism and distrust your plans, has not been fully thought out, do not get anything. You begin to doubt her decision to seek it only deficiencies, and, eventually, give up the implementation of their plans.
So. Never allow yourself to take advice from amateurs how warm and friendly would not have been your relationship. It is much better for you to seek the advice of experienced business people who will give you the most valuable - constructive criticism. Perhaps you will hear from them good advice, and, most likely, you will use this advice for the future. Even the most seemingly crazy ideas into the right hands, can bring unprecedented profits. Check your surroundings people who live how you want to live. If not, look for them among their friends. If, however, and here you will fail, please contact me, I'll tell you. Address I added at the end.
6. Self-presentation
In general, I would give all budding startups only one piece of advice: whoever you may be, you have to sell yourself. On this occasion, I always remember a case in point. One lives in a world of Joe Girard, the man who got into the Guinness Book of Records as "the greatest salesman in the world." For clarity, give its sales figures:
- New cars sold per day (on average) - 6
- New retail sales in one day - 18
- New retail sales in one month - 174
- New retail sales in one year - 1425 cars.
- Total sales in the 15-year career - 13001.
And how do you such a result? Impressive, right? So, Joe Girard tirelessly repeated: "People buy people. And nothing else ".You have to constantly sell yourself, and do it brilliantly. You must be a member to his №1. This part of the game that we all go through. For you, especially at the initial stage, it is important to learn how to properly present themselves. Only in this case, you can count on success. I tend to believe the best seller in the world, which stated: "In life, did not sell a single machine. I sell Joe Girard. "
Most importantly, be sincere, the customer listen to talk to him as a friend. Each user / customer / buyer thinks you from it only takes money. So, never let this relationship.
Learn to communicate with the press. Use to promote all sources of information: Twitter, LiveJournal, Facebook, VKontakte. Write on forums, leave comments. Convince everyone that are not present such a unique product or service, what are you.
Ask yourself ...
Now, let's try a little test... Perhaps you, like anyone else, know what you want to do. In this case, I am sincerely happy for you and wish you great success in his new endeavors. If you are in search of its niche, take the time to honestly answer a few questions:
1. Will you be in a few years to enjoy what you are doing?
2. Who are your competitors? As far as they are strong? How evil? Do you have enough strength to survive in a fight with them?
3. How much money you will need to have your startup earned?
4. How much you will need time to reach the "zero", not to mention getting the first "pure" profit?
5. You can immediately identify the weak point of your future startup?
6. If everything goes smoothly, whether you will be able to buy a tropical island, well, or, at worst, a private jet?
7. You do not have to hide from friends and family that brings you profit?
If the answers to these questions and you will definitely love unconditionally, you are on the right track.
And the last thing I want to add. The lack of people, skills, money, experience, poor arrangement of the stars, a terrible karma - it is pretense. You must understand that your intuition - is a litmus test of the unconscious, which is necessary to uncompromising trust. And in general, finish already read such articles. Just pull on and do it!
P.S. As promised, my address and turnout:
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: VlaRevolver