DISQUS

Start-ups and blogging in stea · 3 years ago

John Wilson · 3 years ago

I'm a Partner in a private equity firm in London, and we regular encounter the "secret squirrels", terrified of revealing details of their project in case its' copied. I always point out to these people a few realities

- ideas are easy and free to generate, its the execution of them that is hard. So even if people learn of the idea, few will be able to actually do anything with it either through a) lack of ability b) lack of time c) inertia

- if people are able to easily copy your idea, it may not be such a great business and the only thing you are gaining is a brief time advantage until you launch, after which point your idea is "out there" anyway. More importantly, that time advantage is often an illusion, because if your idea is new (very rare) it will take time to be widely understood and so you've got to educate the market. Moreover the copy can avoid your implementation flaws and if that "copy" is better, people will normally migrate to it.

- discussing your idea with people outside your inner circle usually results in great input, as they often approach your idea from a different angle. This input may suggest new features or uses, or reveal benefits you'd not considered. Such free "soundings/consultancy" can be invaluable in refining your killer app.

eMomentum | Blog | Stealth Blo · 3 years ago

jon leach · 3 years ago

It is a tricky one this.

In general I try to use some of the best ideas people in my company come up with - they are good stuff.

But sometimes they want to keep their ideas tucked away until they are polished and shiney.

I agree in general - get it out early and often. People don't aways agree...

Ewan · 3 years ago

Stealth mode is no excuse whatsoever -- they could at least be documenting some of the things that they're getting up to that don't give away anything commercially sensitive. If anything, they could be building up a bit of excitement about what they're doing and commenting on the industry.

This is happening right now with a company I came across last week. A few readers of my blog asked me if I knew anything about Mobile Text Solutions (site). They're in stealth and are launching at the end of the month. Check out the way they've been blogging -- for example, they've dropped a hint about being in to see Walmart. Smart.

oneafrikan · 3 years ago

Completely agree with you there Roger - if you can't defend what you're doing, then you have no business doing it.

If you can't think of stuff to write about that doesn't give the applecart away immediately, then find someone in your team that has the social skills to write a few paragraphs a week.

Ultimately you have more to gain from blogging about what you're doing and establishing early relationships, then you do for not blogging at all and keeping things Mum - that's so last century.

Stealth blogging in 2006? &#xB · 3 years ago

Philip Wilkinson · 3 years ago

Agree completely Roger. Think about it this way: for every idea you come up with, 4 other people across the world have already thought about it at the same time!

John Wilson is completely right about it being down to the team members and the execution of the idea.

Reminds me of my favourite saying It's not how many ideas you have but rather how many you make happen!

» Blog Archive » Ste · 3 years ago