Bryen:

I have worked at three proprietary startup companies as an IT specialist so I am not coming from the development side but from the IT support side but I can share with you some of the issues and problems I have had to deal with. First of all, just a side not, two of the companies I worked with are still succesful while the third went backrupt so need to realize that bankrupcy is a real possibility as the majority of startup companies fail. Many individuals or groups that start up companies know the technological side of the issue (i.e. programming, tech support, etc.) but are not well versed in the other aspects of business, i.e., sales, marketing, financing, legal, management, etc. Therefore, it is their lack of expertise in these areas that tends to be their downfall. So in my experience here are a few tips that I would share with you.

1. Make sure that you have a real market. Go to the experts and query them to find out if there is a real need. Remember, if it difficult at best to get people to change, so you have to have something that is far superior to get poeple to even consider changing.
2. I know, most everyone has a dislike for lawyers, but in this case they are a necessity. Get a lawyer and set up a corporation to protect yourself and your proprietary software. Make sure that anyone that sees or assits you with your software signs a non-disclosure statement so that they do not steal your ideas from you. You must protect yourself.
3. Getting venture capital is a real challenge. It takes a great deal of digging but it is possible to find it, just be aware of scam artist you will steal everything from you if you are not careful and protected. Be ready to give up some control to some vcs. That is just the way they work.
4. If you can get vc money, then surround yourself with the best people possible in your weak areas, i.e. sales, marketing, finance, management, etc. DO NOT hire friends and family. That is the quickest way to failure and discord.


Anyway, just a couple of ideas. HTH. Good Luck,

Gary

Well, that's a very complex question. What constitutes a product is a whole collection of different disiplines. I've been through this process several times in my career, some of the products were extremely successful, some not so successful. But every one of them had a lifespan. They are born and brought to market. They sell like crazy for a while. And then they die. Why do they die. I've seen it happen twice, both with companies that had a very successful product. I think I understand why it happened, but that's a subject for another rant.

Timing is of pivotal importance. If you've thought of an idea for a product, you can bet your bottom dollar (and you will) that somebody else has also thought of it as well. The first one to bring a product to market with the necessary financing and effective marketing will get the first bite at the apple. He has the best chance of achieving success. But that success won't last by itself. As soon as the other guy brings his product to market, he will take away some of your potential customers and probably some of your existing customers as well. He will know your product because it's already out there and will make sure that his product addresses the weaknesses that exist in yours. Then come the knock-offs. If you have a really good idea that makes you a lot of money, there will be lots of competition before long. The best response to that is to make your product the one that users most want to use. Constantly add features, expand to related areas, merge with other companies whose products fit with yours, etc.

I'm not saying that you can't succeed, but it's going to be tough. But it can also be lots of fun.

Hoppy

hi im 23 years old i dont work with computers but i know how to use them very well
the thing is that i have a lots of ideas about new tools and menus
things to make any operating system more efficient and beautiful
but i dont know who to call for help i tryed to contact microsoft but nothing and lambert and lambert but they cant help me to sell the idea can you please give me a tip
thanks