Revised 10 Lessons Startups Can Learn From Superheroes

I just read Jason Nazr’s Blog Post “10 Lessons Startups Can Learn From Superheroes” and loved it! (http://www.jasonnazar.com/2008/09/23/10-lessons-startups-can-learn-from-superheros/).

Jason suggests replacing Superheroes with your organization name, and you have the foundation for a great set of core values for your organization. Here’s my firt pass at this, but I will continue to  build on it. I think this is a great framework for building a successful startup.

 

Never Give Up

Like Batman, you have to keep pressing on to the very last breath. Challenges are overcome by wholeheartedly committing to unrelenting persistence.

Always Get the Job Done

There are no excuses if you don’t save the girl from the burning house. There are just results, not reasons, you either save the day or you don’t. Gray area is for Kafka not comic heros.

We Are the Best at What We Do

Flash is the fastest and we all know it. . If you’re the back end developer, you are the best developer in the world, and everyone on your team knows it. Let great talent excel in areas where their superpowers are most needed.

We Are Crystal Clear of our Purpose

Captain Marvel may be a cheeseball, but he knows what he stands for. Startups die when they are not clear on their mission.

We Are NOT Flawless

Superheros have flaws, every member of your team will also. The goal is not perfection, it’s the pursuit of perfection.

We Do Not Seek Glory…But We Get it Anyway

Don’t do it because you want the attention.
If you do it right, you’ll get it anyway.

We Help Others

Superheroes help people by solving problems. Startups should be obsessed NOT with themselves, but with how they are going to help other people and solve their issues.

We Can Do it By Ourselves But Are More Powerful in Teams

You always have to have each other’s back. Its you vs. the world and brining together your own team of superheroes, and the mutual respect, loyalty, and camaraderie of that team is vital.

Our True Strength Comes From Our Character

No matter how super you think you are, you’re strength comes from your character not your talent. Be courageous, be respectful, be honorable, be selfless.

We Accomplish Huge Feats

The same effort it takes to start a lemonade stand or college club, is the same raw effort it takes to change the world. Your goal is not to build a product or get traffic… Your goal is to accomplish the most amazing feat imaginable. Make the Product, Save the World.

Thoughts on Funding

I read Guy Kawasaki’s blog post today regarding having a Plan B for funding your startup.

http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2008/09/how-about-a-pla.html

I completely agree, and think it is great advice. However, as I commented on his blog, why is there no in between? Our only choices now are bootstrapping or VC money. I know I am at a disadvantage living in Phoenix, because there is not a strong angel network, the only viable alternative. But do angels really fill the gap in areas where the investment community is larger and stronger? I can continue to bootstrap, and live off my little nest egg unti it runs out, or I can give up way too much of my company to get VC money, IF I can interest them in investing.

I guess my biggest complaint is the lack of “friendly” angel money, non-existent Small Business loans, and any other sources to bridge the gap. I know there are resources out there for everything I mentioned above, but again, perhaps Phoenix is even worse for Startups than I originally thought.

The Art of Business Development

Although I knew this business venture I was starting would be heavily weighted on business development, I still didn’t think it would be consuming my time as much as it has. That’s not necessarily a good or bad thing. It just is.

Anyway, I’ve learned a lot, and done a better job early on than I thought I would. I am no expert on bus dev, so don’t let the title fool you. I am not trying to explain the art of Business Development, but rather open it up for discussion. Here’s what I’ve learned over the last few months:

- Cold calling sucks! You have to do it if you can’t network your way in, but it’s just a pain in the ass.

- Use Linked in and Jigsaw. I’m sure there are other tools out there that are as good or better, but I’ve used these successfully to find contacts. www.linkedin.com www.jigsaw.com

- Start at the top if you can. I’ve been trying to make contact with every internet CEO out there. Some even take my calls.

What do I still need to work on? Don’t try to close too soon, don’t discuss terms on the first call, and don’t take no for an answer. I’m not a sales guy by nature or profession, so I struggle with these! In my career, I’ve generally not been involved in bus dev until afer the deal is closed, or at the very least progressed past the early sales cycle. But, I’m learning quick.

I’m Back

It’s been a while, but this time I mean it. I will start writing regularly! The business has been consuming me lately, but mostly in a good way. My focus is now getting funding and bus dev to bring on site partners. The bus dev is going well. Funding is another issue. I have a lot of good prospects, but things are moving very slow. This is not a suprise, but that still doesn’t make it any easier.

More to come later…