By jdecker on March 18, 2012
In the startup world, where most ventures dissolve prior to reaching sustainability, you’ll find a ton of clever hype written on foggy windows. Everyone is working on the next big thing. The next big thing is presented as shiny and alluring because it needs investment, support and assurance. The road map is optimistic and the charts all curve upward by default. However, those who have had the privilege of experiencing real trials and tribulations within a startup initially may be surprised to discover such a high level of uncertainty and lack of operational structure. This forces us to reflect deeply upon our personal investment and the various potential outcomes. By contrast, everything on the outside begins to look more appealing. And given any member’s level of commitment at such an early phase, the risk of jumping ship is high.
For those in the trenches with so much at stake, remember, the grass is not always greener. It’s usually just a different shade, and sometimes there is nothing but dirt.
By admin on March 8, 2012
The traditional model of build, learn, build or rebuild is wrong. Luckily, organizations like Lean Startup Machine and Startup Weekend are forcing this heretical approach to the limelight for public execution.
The buzz surrounding lean methods and early validation thrives with good reason. In the startup arena, time and money are scarce. Getting it wrong the first time can make for a very painful second go, burning invaluable effort and momentum. So what’s it all about? It’s about learning, validating and planning before, yes before you begin building your product and company.
New entrepreneurs often exhibit what I call “product tunnel vision”. The notion that product is world, and that the business itself is built around the product. This instills the mentality that without a product, you do not or cannot have a business. Wrong.
The business starts with the realization of a problem, and the intent to solve it. It continues with a method, or series of methods to validate the need for such a solution in the market. This means gathering feedback and adjusting your product scope prior to investing in the physical. Validating your concept by simply identifying and speaking with your intended customers, you can learn more than you thought possible. Most importantly, you’ll learn just who it is you’re building for. You’ll know them by name and face.
Share, question, analyze and respect when change is necessary. Do this from start to finish, however you define it. When the time comes to build, you will build on a solid foundation with an established method for continu.
By admin on February 9, 2012
I’ve been fortunate enough to mentor at the past few Startup Weekend events in NYC. The most recent - NYCEDU hosted by the one and only Heather Gilchrist – was a huge success producing some of the best presentations / prototypes I’ve ever seen. While I look to lend insight to teams on the early stages of product development, I always find myself taking away equally as much and meeting some amazing people. Special thanks to the Mandell School for providing a venue that harbors an entrepreneurial spirit and a staff that truly redefines the early stage learning experience (their technology center is insane!).
By jdecker on January 25, 2012
Perfectionism can be a silent killer for entrepreneurs who set the bar too high on day one. Rapid adaptation, foresight and innovation at times may be hindered by one’s inability to act. So what do you do? Learn when less than perfect is enough to have an impact. Ask yourself, “Do I really need to keep tweaking, or can I release, gauge response, and improve?”. This is the biggest challenge we have when working with clients who fear public criticism and can often lead to reduced momentum and missed opportunity.
Accept when it’s time to pull the trigger for the sake of progress.
1. Prioritize – Test the waters with the bare minimum, excluding bells and whistles.
2. Compare – Scope your competition, find and target their weakness to help prove a concept.
3. Execute – Your i is not dotted, but people still know it’s an i. Perfect once you’ve won.
Those expecting to enter the market with a perfect product, all things included, may be a bit too late.
By jdecker on January 6, 2012
We’ve given Mission50, Hoboken’s first co-working space, a new look and feel! Hop over to mission50.com and register for some space. We work there, and we love it 
By jdecker on January 5, 2012
- Establish Distronicity – What does that mean? Assemble likeminded, passionate people. Allow them to shape your culture. Pull out the weeds early and throw them away quickly. Do. Not. Fucking. Hesitate.
- Praise Autonomy – The kneejerk managerial reaction to control that which is out of sight and reach is to micromanage. Your team must be entrusted to deliver. Through autonomy and empowerment your team will perform better. If they don’t, see #1.
- Get Visual – A picture is worth 1000 words. Where textual description or other forms of communication fail, a diagram can easily transcend boundaries and lead to a unified understanding of the task at hand.
- Meet in Person – I don’t care if your team is scattered across the globe. Make it happen. Face time will increase cohesion. Last year we held a hack-a-thon. This year we’ll do so 3 or 4 times.
- Facilitate Communication – Provide a common platform where your team can meet on a daily basis. We use Campfire. It helps keep everyone on the same page. If someone isn’t in the room, we assume they’re not available. Easy and efficient.
By jdecker on December 31, 2011
To many, the new year is one year closer to retirement. For many, their accomplishments will not significantly impact the future of others. The lost will observe one more ambiguous rotation around the Sun and the well-rounded will dabble. For these people you need not be concerned. They are not you.
As a smaller class of innovators you hover above the system, just high enough to look down and conclude upon what must change. You then set out to accomplish goals in a single year that most would not fathom in a lifetime. You survive the bomb, then the fallout and quickly see the opportunity. You grimace at the notion of a single underachieving resolution to lose 10 pounds and say, “why not 10 resolutions to shape an industry?” You will conquer 10 fears in the interim out of necessity and lose 10 pounds in sweat equity. In your world celestial tradition should never dictate the start of what can be started today, because what is there to start when you never stopped?
She who sets her sights beyond what is visible may exhibit innovation in the midst of sleepless nights, despair, aha moments and elation. To the entrepreneurs gearing up to bring shit down in 2012, we salute you.
By jdecker on November 14, 2011
We are excited to announce the launch of Simply Gourmet 3.0. Simply Gourmet is platform designed to streamline and simplify the lunch ordering and distribution process for over 60 schools in New Jersey. In this release we’ve completely revamped the user experience with new designs and a simplified menu layout.
While our previous major release involved architectural changes for improved stability and performance, we decided the time had come for a visual overhaul. To the thousands of users who order on SimplyGourmetLunches.com each month, we salute you!
By jdecker on November 8, 2011
Recently we’ve implemented some revisions to our iteration process. After a few iterations we’ll be able to gauge their effectiveness. Between now and then, we’ll probably make several more tweaks in various areas. Get into the habit of examining your business process on a regular basis. When improvements are realized; document, vocalize and roll them out. Be sure your team is on the same page to avoid confusion but don’t be afraid to employ frequent, incremental changes. Encourage your team to seek and refine as well.
By jdecker on October 31, 2011
One question to ask yourself when starting a new venture; what will you give up? If you’re accustomed to a lavish lifestyle and cannot let go, you put yourself at a disadvantage. If you cannot dramatically shift your lifestyle to anticipate financial constraints then rethink your level of commitment. Minimalism is your friend in the face of overwhelming odds and extreme effort. Stop consuming, get focused, start selling.
