4 ms·

Anybody recognizes how similar these questions are to what an investor would ask? This is what I'm always telling developers. You are an investor. You invest yo

by erikb 9y ago

Anybody recognizes how similar these questions are to what an investor would ask? This is what I'm always telling developers. You are an investor. You invest your life, health, best hours of 5+ days a week, ambition. Your investment is not as important to the company as a few million bucks would be, but to you it should be more valuable than a few million bucks. It's all you have. And you want to give it to someone in exchange for money, you better make sure that someone is worth your investment. So read what investors are asking a prospect company, and ask the same questions. Only accept if you would give them a million bucks.

kemiller2002 9y ago
Randy Pausch said it best (paraphrase), "You can always make more money, you can never get more time." It's the most valuable thing you have, and one way or another you are investing in a place where you work.
- delibes 9y ago
  Thanks for reminding me. The Last Lecture is good. Since it's about 9 years ago, some younger HN readers may have missed it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo Cancer sucks.
  - erikb 9y ago
    > Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. So, actually 10 years ago already. Time flies.
  - qxzw 9y ago
    Younger HN reader here. Wow. Thank you so much for this.
- kthejoker2 9y ago
  Let's give props to Seneca: For we are mistaken when we look forward to death; the major portion of death has already passed. Whatever years be behind us are in death’s hands. https://www.lettersfromastoic.net/letter-1/ https://www.lettersfromastoic.net/letter-1/
  - vitomd 9y ago
    I could add another from Seneca: 'For many men, the acquisition of wealth does not end their troubles, it only changes them ' A compilation of some great Stoic quotes http://arandomquote.com/categories/stoic/ http://arandomquote.com/categories/stoic/
shas3 9y ago
Very similar to Heielmeier questions: http://www.design.caltech.edu/erik/Misc/Heilmeier_Questions.html http://www.design.caltech.edu/erik/Misc/Heilmeier_Questions.... Pretty universal set of things to check for in new ideas.

by erikb 9y ago

kemiller2002 9y ago

Randy Pausch said it best (paraphrase), "You can always make more money, you can never get more time." It's the most valuable thing you have, and one way or another you are investing in a place where you work.

delibes 9y ago
Thanks for reminding me. The Last Lecture is good. Since it's about 9 years ago, some younger HN readers may have missed it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo Cancer sucks.
- erikb 9y ago
  > Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. So, actually 10 years ago already. Time flies.
- qxzw 9y ago
  Younger HN reader here. Wow. Thank you so much for this.
kthejoker2 9y ago
Let's give props to Seneca: For we are mistaken when we look forward to death; the major portion of death has already passed. Whatever years be behind us are in death’s hands. https://www.lettersfromastoic.net/letter-1/ https://www.lettersfromastoic.net/letter-1/
- vitomd 9y ago
  I could add another from Seneca: 'For many men, the acquisition of wealth does not end their troubles, it only changes them ' A compilation of some great Stoic quotes http://arandomquote.com/categories/stoic/ http://arandomquote.com/categories/stoic/

shas3 9y ago

Very similar to Heielmeier questions: http://www.design.caltech.edu/erik/Misc/Heilmeier_Questions.html http://www.design.caltech.edu/erik/Misc/Heilmeier_Questions.... Pretty universal set of things to check for in new ideas.