Lessons from the trenches

My hastily jotted notes to self on lessons learnt in the first few months of starting a venture. Hoping this would be useful for others.

• Prioritize… Prioritize... Prioritize…
• Just like 'location, location, location' is mantra for real estate business.
• Always have a rank orders list of items you need to get done.
• Revisit the list every few days.
• If you don't ask you don't get.
• Don't be shy.
  
• Hand out IOU's – you will have the opportunity to repay folks.
• Ask for favors.
• Tell people what you need even if you suspect they might not be able to help – you never know.
• Don't tell; show.
• A paper napkin model is better than a paragraph of text.
• A demo is worth a thousand words.
• A working product in beta is better than a complex architecture diagram that promises to scale big time.
• Share ideas, demos, and product details.
• Involve people. Don't worry about competition, others stealing ideas.
• Worry about what your can control.
• Get folks to sign an NDA if you can.
• There is no such thing as 'typical'.
• Nothing is standard.
• Everything is negotiable.
• It is all about positioning, perceived importance, leverage, and options.
• Set a high bar.
• Set clear goals. Delegate decisions/tasks. Empower people. Let go.
• Take pride in progress and celebrate hitting milestones.
• Seek mentoring and advice.
• Seek introductions. Meet people. Show product.
• Never say no.
• Keep an open mind, ask often why the smart people who work with you think what they do?
• Ask tough questions and listen.
• Say no. If you think that is required for clear direction / achievement of goal.
• Take quick decisions
• Jump first, ask questions later.
• Take decisions rapidly then figure out quickly how to undo them if they turn out real bad.