I believe this principle more than many other great principles out there in terms of building products and businesses: Just start.
One of the reasons I have never required anyone to sign any NDA in capital funding or concept-sharing in some of the things that I have done in the past is because great ideas are a dime-a-dozen. What makes a great idea truly great is the execution of that idea.
That’s it.
But that separation is so vast, in my opinion, that it makes NDAs irrelevant and useful for those that are insecure with their ability to follow through. This might be harsh, but it’s what I believe to be true.
This video is embedded is great. Although it covers another great principle, “Iteration,” which is another thing I believe to be true (the number of redesigns, design-element changes, and code-base turn-over here on ChurchCrunch is proof of that), his key point is to just start:
There are too many people who ideate and theorize; we need more practitioners.
I remember being a member of an entrepreneurial forum a couple of years back and we would constantly have new members say that they had an idea that they wanted some feedback on – but would not discuss it without NDA’s.
I would always laugh at this because I agree with your opinion. Most people are much to lazy to steal your idea, and if they do – chances are they do not have the same passion that you have for the business.
yup. definitely. very few people share the same passion as me.
I know this is going to sound weird but, I came to this same realization through doing laundry the other week. Sometimes my best ‘IS’ just accomplishing a certain task or following through on something I said I would do. If I wait for a perfect time or a special “sign” then I usually don’t get it done.
dude. i hear you on that.
Agree: http://scottmagdalein.com/the-biggest-triumph-is-getting-out-of-bed
This reminded me of the “worse is better” principle from software development (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worse_is_better). Just get it out the door, as soon as possible! This will keep the early adopters happy, creating a buzz about your product. It will also give you a little taste of success that will keep you motivated to stay moving.
yes!
If you wait until everything is perfect, you’ll always be waiting.
Granted, I think some people get turned off by “just starting” and not having a perfect product in place from day 1…but I think that’s ok.
*I* get turned off by not having a perfect product on day one.
Working on that…
yup!
This is so true.
I’ve been listening to Gary V’s Crush It, and this is what he says over and over again. Start. And work hard.
A lot like Ben I just have to do it. For example- if I’ve got a sink full of dishes, but I really want to just sit down, I better just do the dishes right then.
Passion is HUGE!
-Gil Baili
gary is aweesom.e
I have to completely agree. However there is a caveat to this idea: if you can’t iterate fast you may want to get to the point that you can before you launch fast. Otherwise you just have a great way to have people lose interest in your idea.
On the idea of NDA’s though, the reason why they are so unnecessary stems from the truth that most people don’t actually want to do something significant in life. That may sound harsh (and it is, really) but it is also true. Most people want to think about doing something significant, but to actually spend the late nights, early mornings, endure the roller coaster of stress, constant change and addiction to coffee/Aleve (kidding…sort of) that it takes to really push the envelope is more than they are willing to take on. And additionally, I think that ideas are kind of like fire. You don’t lose anything by sharing it, you just grow it bigger than it was before because there is more fuel for it when you share.
(And some one has likely already thought your idea before anyway…so execution is all you have from the start.)
I’ve had to fight my natural tendency to wait until something is just right before getting it out there…my site was no exception. Thankfully, I just started. It was a mess….still is, sort of. But, it has kept me motivated to keep going. I think if everything would’ve been just right in my mind when starting, and then had no one looking at the site, I would have been devastated and quit.
this is just the kick along i need in a couple of projects i’ve been getting ready to launch
cheers
do it. do it. do it.
Carrying out an idea can be so difficult! That’s why I also love things like the99percent.com – focused on getting ideas birthed. We are all good thinkers, but there isn’t much risk, vulnerability or effort associated with thinking.
definitely.
Don’t remember where I first saw this link, but it is about this exactly. Good stuff from the Lean Startup guys…
http://www.slideshare.net/sblank/customer-development-past-present-future-steve-blank-111909
sweet!
http://www.bothsidesofthetable.com/2009/11/04/is-it-time-for-you-to-earn-or-to-learn/
Another great article about whether you are ready to start your company or need to keep learning first.
As Elvis says, we need “a little less conversation, a little more action.”