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I think the author doesn't go far enough in his post. Yes, ideas are worthless. But finding "smart nerds" is an almost fruitless endeavor as well. It's not tha

I think the author doesn't go far enough in his post. Yes, ideas are worthless. But finding "smart nerds" is an almost fruitless endeavor as well. It's not that they don't exist, but they are so sought after, and are doing so many projects many times, that unless they are a great friend of yours, they will politely listen to your idea and then say they don't have time for you. Also, "Smart Nerds", unless they are completely oblivious, can instantly disseminate what value you bring to the project. Did you just think up the idea, yet want an equal split of the company with the "smart nerd" who will actually bring the idea into fruition? Fat chance, they will do their own thing and become big their own way. The best strategy is to learn to become your own "smart nerd". You may not be as good as those around you, but you have to show that you are committed to the project, and that you actually have some technical sense of what it will take to do what you dream. I'll be much more likely to work with someone if they show me they have thought about user interface, technology, done some mockups, etc, than someone who comes to me with something they thought up while drinking. Finally, it helps to actually give a shit about the person, rather than imagine them as some "resource" to be "had". I know one guy who would spam aspiring programmers walls with reasons why they should work for his company, including adding a bullet point listing himself as a selling point ("Work with the 2011 entrepreneur of the year!" He said, failing to mention that he himself, was that entrepreneur). Stop being so egotistical and fucking treat people with respect. If they have their own ideas, listen to them, and if one sounds interesting, help them out in any way you can. It will be a huge shift than what their used to, people being actively interested in their ideas and wanting to work with them on it.

davidhansen 15y ago
It bears mentioning that this "smart nerds are extremely scarce" perspective doesn't apply nearly as much outside of the SF/NYC/Boston areas. Here in Orange County, for example, the job market for developers is fairly balanced.
- eggbrain 15y ago
  True enough, but I think it applies to a lot more cities than people might think. Many of the developers I talk to in Ann Arbor, for example, are working on 2-3 projects in their spare time, and are constantly being asked to work on more. Ann Arbor isn't exactly one of the big 3 web dev cities, but it still is extremely competitive.
dcpdx 15y ago
I know I'm going to get downvoted for this, but +1
true_religion 15y ago
I've been through 3 start ups from fruition to close, with the highs and lows in-between playing merry hell with my blood pressure. At this point in my life I'd kill for a smart business man. Nerds, I do not need. I'm a nerd, I know plenty of other nerds, and if I needed to I know where to go to hire nerds and how to evaluate their performance. What I need is a good business man. I need someone who is an absolute genius at PR, brilliant at direct selling, and knows how to wheedle her way into the appointment book of a Big-Co CEO when we need to make a product deal. Where can I find that?
- 9oliYQjP 15y ago
  You can't make a good General in boot camp, but a lot of business types today rush into startups armed with an MBA or BBA. Wars produce Generals for the next wars. What you're looking for is somebody in a startup (not necessarily a founder) right now who won't be ready to be your co-founder until they have gone through a big war on their own. Get to know a few of these people and one day over beers and "would have", "should have", "could have" stories of their current or past startup you will find your business co-founder.
  - OpenAmazing 15y ago
    This is an amazingly insightful comment. Everyone here should read this a few times through.
  - larrys 15y ago
    "rush into startups armed with an MBA or BBA" Let me add to your excellent comment this from my experience at Wharton. There are people who go and get their MBA or BS etc who were liberal arts majors or who never thought about business until they decided one day to go to business school. Then there are people (and I'm sure you know these people) who have lived and breathed business since they were 4. In many cases they came from business families and it's part of their makeup. They were always angling to make money in high school and college and did things on the side to earn a buck whatever way they could. Those are the types that you should try to have on your team if possible. They have a seat of the pants feel for business and it's in their blood. Going through business school I was absolutely amazed at the number of people in the classroom (with 1600 SAT's at the time the highest score) who didn't understand some really basic business concepts. This is not to say in any way shape or form that it doesn't exist in someone who decided one day to pursue business of course it does and there are many examples of those that are super successful. But normally they are not successful out of the box without, as you would say, a few wars under their belt. The person with a business upbringing has a head start.
xsmasher 15y ago
> Also, "Smart Nerds", unless they are completely oblivious, can instantly disseminate what value you bring to the project. Did you just think up the idea, yet want an equal split of the company with the "smart nerd" who will actually bring the idea into fruition? Fat chance, they will do their own thing and become big their own way. It's not completely hopeless. There are some smart nerds who want to collect a paycheck every week, sit at a desk, and work on interesting problems. Sometimes 2 and 3 are optional. That's not necessarily obliviousness, just a case of recognizing your strengths.

davidhansen 15y ago

It bears mentioning that this "smart nerds are extremely scarce" perspective doesn't apply nearly as much outside of the SF/NYC/Boston areas. Here in Orange County, for example, the job market for developers is fairly balanced.

eggbrain 15y ago
True enough, but I think it applies to a lot more cities than people might think. Many of the developers I talk to in Ann Arbor, for example, are working on 2-3 projects in their spare time, and are constantly being asked to work on more. Ann Arbor isn't exactly one of the big 3 web dev cities, but it still is extremely competitive.

dcpdx 15y ago

I know I'm going to get downvoted for this, but +1

true_religion 15y ago

I've been through 3 start ups from fruition to close, with the highs and lows in-between playing merry hell with my blood pressure. At this point in my life I'd kill for a smart business man. Nerds, I do not need. I'm a nerd, I know plenty of other nerds, and if I needed to I know where to go to hire nerds and how to evaluate their performance. What I need is a good business man. I need someone who is an absolute genius at PR, brilliant at direct selling, and knows how to wheedle her way into the appointment book of a Big-Co CEO when we need to make a product deal. Where can I find that?

9oliYQjP 15y ago
You can't make a good General in boot camp, but a lot of business types today rush into startups armed with an MBA or BBA. Wars produce Generals for the next wars. What you're looking for is somebody in a startup (not necessarily a founder) right now who won't be ready to be your co-founder until they have gone through a big war on their own. Get to know a few of these people and one day over beers and "would have", "should have", "could have" stories of their current or past startup you will find your business co-founder.
- OpenAmazing 15y ago
  This is an amazingly insightful comment. Everyone here should read this a few times through.
- larrys 15y ago
  "rush into startups armed with an MBA or BBA" Let me add to your excellent comment this from my experience at Wharton. There are people who go and get their MBA or BS etc who were liberal arts majors or who never thought about business until they decided one day to go to business school. Then there are people (and I'm sure you know these people) who have lived and breathed business since they were 4. In many cases they came from business families and it's part of their makeup. They were always angling to make money in high school and college and did things on the side to earn a buck whatever way they could. Those are the types that you should try to have on your team if possible. They have a seat of the pants feel for business and it's in their blood. Going through business school I was absolutely amazed at the number of people in the classroom (with 1600 SAT's at the time the highest score) who didn't understand some really basic business concepts. This is not to say in any way shape or form that it doesn't exist in someone who decided one day to pursue business of course it does and there are many examples of those that are super successful. But normally they are not successful out of the box without, as you would say, a few wars under their belt. The person with a business upbringing has a head start.

xsmasher 15y ago

> Also, "Smart Nerds", unless they are completely oblivious, can instantly disseminate what value you bring to the project. Did you just think up the idea, yet want an equal split of the company with the "smart nerd" who will actually bring the idea into fruition? Fat chance, they will do their own thing and become big their own way. It's not completely hopeless. There are some smart nerds who want to collect a paycheck every week, sit at a desk, and work on interesting problems. Sometimes 2 and 3 are optional. That's not necessarily obliviousness, just a case of recognizing your strengths.