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What is worse are idea people whose pitch to technical people is "I have this great idea that will revolutionize industry X" and/or "I will take on megacorps X,

by zmb_ 13y ago

What is worse are idea people whose pitch to technical people is "I have this great idea that will revolutionize industry X" and/or "I will take on megacorps X, Y and Z with this idea", and then continue immediately with: "But I cannot tell you anything until you commit and sign an NDA." That's very poor salesmanship, which is the exact opposite of what I need from a non-technical co-founder. It also tells me straight away that the idea has never left the idea person's head. He hasn't talked with technical people to understand if it's feasible, he hasn't talked with potential customers to understand if his idea is attractive to them and if they're willing to pay for it, and he hasn't pitched to anyone for funding. In fact, he is probably guarding his idea so tightly because he knows that idea alone is all he has to contribute. I have drawers full of those kinds of ideas I could build, I don't need an idea person for that. If all the idea person brings to the table are things I could do myself with a trivial effort, then they have no value at all. The real value comes from things that are difficult to achieve and take hard work. Like relationships with customers, deep understanding of what is the simplest possible technical solution that will satisfy those customer's needs, and the ability to bring in highly skilled employees, partners and funding.

Cardeck1 13y ago
"I have drawers full of those kinds of ideas I could build, I don't need an idea person for that." "I could do myself with a trivial effort" This is ridiculous, you know that?I'm a programmer too but I can't say I have a drawer full of super-mega-awesome ideas.If that were true you would be a billionaire by now. So how about we stop bragging about it?Because in reality most of us don't have those revolutionary ideas.You know why?Because we overthink it too much.Sometimes an outside mind can see things clearer even if it's not technical. Arrogance kills innovation all the time.
- demallien 13y ago
  There are two types of "awesome idea" 1) a truly awesome idea, which if executed properly will lead to me becoming a billionaire 2) a sucky idea that will make me work on a project for two years for pretty much no financial return. The problem is that nobody knows the way to tell the difference between the two without actually trying to execute. The GP apparently understands this, that's why he only has a drawful of ideas rather than Google. The GP is right to say that creating type 2 ideas is relatively trivial. Which is not to say that the "ideas" guy might not have a type 1 idea in his pocket, but nobody (including the ideas guy) can actually tell, and the odds are that he has more of a type 2 idea than a type 1 idea.
  - Cardeck1 13y ago
    I agree with you in some points.What I was trying to say is, we should stop the thinking that we, as technical people, have the best ideas and the best thinking and we are the ultimate SELECTORS when it comes to building a team and creating a startup. Now, I don't know how everyone sees an "idea guy".For example, for me an "idea guy" = someone who is not involved in the startup/business world at all and suddenly comes up with a "brilliant idea" in a domain he does not understand at all.Now, of course I wouldn't work with him.But if a non-tech guy comes to me with a clear idea and he knows his stuff around the product and his familiar with the startup/tech scene, of course I would work with him.What I want from him is not really programming but insane passion, creativity, dedication, hungry to learn anything relevant to his product etc. And let me tell you, I rarely fail with this strategy.But who asks these questions nowadays?Nobody.Everyone is interested if the non-technical guy is a technical guy...No wonder there is so much terror when it comes to these people.
    - imrand 13y ago
      Nice reply Cardeck, echoes my sentiments exactly, in my reply to MGirdleys post.I should have asked you if your interested in being a co-founder lol!! I dont understand why there is so much hostility between tech and idea/biz folk, whose got the bigger b*lls etc I think being an "idea" person is about knowing the market your going in, understanding your application and development in that market, the sales, finance etc Remember often what you go onto develop will not be used by tech guys so you also perhaps need an outside looking in perspective...but maybe I'm just saying that as the "idea" person
- gurvinder 13y ago
  Most of the time its not the idea which is very unique or world changing, it the execution of the idea which makes it a success. so yes I have drawer full of ideas, and I see them being executed by other in nice ways and becoming successful, but If I would try to do the same idea, I am sure I won't be successful.
paul_f 13y ago
Agree++. Want to recruit a technical co-founder? Go vet your precious idea with 100 potential customers, make three pivots and then approach me with what you learned. Then we can have a useful conversation.

by zmb_ 13y ago

Cardeck1 13y ago

"I have drawers full of those kinds of ideas I could build, I don't need an idea person for that." "I could do myself with a trivial effort" This is ridiculous, you know that?I'm a programmer too but I can't say I have a drawer full of super-mega-awesome ideas.If that were true you would be a billionaire by now. So how about we stop bragging about it?Because in reality most of us don't have those revolutionary ideas.You know why?Because we overthink it too much.Sometimes an outside mind can see things clearer even if it's not technical. Arrogance kills innovation all the time.

demallien 13y ago
There are two types of "awesome idea" 1) a truly awesome idea, which if executed properly will lead to me becoming a billionaire 2) a sucky idea that will make me work on a project for two years for pretty much no financial return. The problem is that nobody knows the way to tell the difference between the two without actually trying to execute. The GP apparently understands this, that's why he only has a drawful of ideas rather than Google. The GP is right to say that creating type 2 ideas is relatively trivial. Which is not to say that the "ideas" guy might not have a type 1 idea in his pocket, but nobody (including the ideas guy) can actually tell, and the odds are that he has more of a type 2 idea than a type 1 idea.
- Cardeck1 13y ago
  I agree with you in some points.What I was trying to say is, we should stop the thinking that we, as technical people, have the best ideas and the best thinking and we are the ultimate SELECTORS when it comes to building a team and creating a startup. Now, I don't know how everyone sees an "idea guy".For example, for me an "idea guy" = someone who is not involved in the startup/business world at all and suddenly comes up with a "brilliant idea" in a domain he does not understand at all.Now, of course I wouldn't work with him.But if a non-tech guy comes to me with a clear idea and he knows his stuff around the product and his familiar with the startup/tech scene, of course I would work with him.What I want from him is not really programming but insane passion, creativity, dedication, hungry to learn anything relevant to his product etc. And let me tell you, I rarely fail with this strategy.But who asks these questions nowadays?Nobody.Everyone is interested if the non-technical guy is a technical guy...No wonder there is so much terror when it comes to these people.
  - imrand 13y ago
    Nice reply Cardeck, echoes my sentiments exactly, in my reply to MGirdleys post.I should have asked you if your interested in being a co-founder lol!! I dont understand why there is so much hostility between tech and idea/biz folk, whose got the bigger b*lls etc I think being an "idea" person is about knowing the market your going in, understanding your application and development in that market, the sales, finance etc Remember often what you go onto develop will not be used by tech guys so you also perhaps need an outside looking in perspective...but maybe I'm just saying that as the "idea" person
gurvinder 13y ago
Most of the time its not the idea which is very unique or world changing, it the execution of the idea which makes it a success. so yes I have drawer full of ideas, and I see them being executed by other in nice ways and becoming successful, but If I would try to do the same idea, I am sure I won't be successful.

paul_f 13y ago

Agree++. Want to recruit a technical co-founder? Go vet your precious idea with 100 potential customers, make three pivots and then approach me with what you learned. Then we can have a useful conversation.