Why I Love IM

You know why I love IM and live chat?

It draws out thoughts and IDEAS and those are the basis for blog posts. Conversation creates thoughts. These thoughts are part analysis and part imagination. It’s analysis because problems are frequent topics of discussions. Imagination is part of it too because some problems require different methods. New problems sometimes require entirely new ways are developing solutions.

Situations and circumstances require thinking. Follow up questions in IM can clarify any misunderstandings. Answers and solutions are not one size fits all. Each problem is different and must be thought of as unique in the thinking and idea phase [where you are listening]. If you think you have seen the problem before it is fully explained, you better listen a little longer and clarify all critical points. Any of these points, if misunderstood may drastically reduce the effectiveness of any proposed solution.

DETROIT STARTUP WEEKEND

IDEAS PUT INTO ACTION

In about four weeks, Startup Weekend will descend on Detroit Michigan. As the state with the highest unemployment rate, Michigan needs a storm of entrepreneurial activity to ignite. Entrepreneurs start with an IDEA then add some secret ingredients. In the process they require specialized knowledge, skills and talents. It is at that point, employees may be added to the business enterprise.

Now more than ever

Now is a great time to start thinking about some ideas that create customers. What does it mean to create customers? Solving consumer needs, wants and desires creates value. The value that is created by a business enterprise is exchanged for money. The more value the firm creates the more potential there is to become an economic force that grows the fortunes of both customers and the the enterprise. This a win-win. In the process, jobs are created and customers are better served. In all of that, the economy grows and expands. 

Are you thinking about your IDEA for Startup Weekend already?

Now is the right time. Bring together your own mastermind group. Brainstorm for ideas that solve customer needs, wants and desires. Keep churning the idea each and every day. Use feedback to adjust the product or service you will bring to market.

Why should I do this today?

Better ideas are more likely to hit the spot where customers find value and where contributors see the idea as viable and a mission they want to participate in. This is like a groundswell in such that in will resonate quickly if the message is focused and grounded in reality. 

A great way to create a focused and grounded idea is to think about it a lot. Everyday is not too often. Have others join you in these conversations. They can see things you can not. They may uncover issues that would stall or become impassable stumbling blocks. 

Tweeetups

If you are interested in exploring some ideas with others, there are few events as powerful as a tweetup. What is a tweetup? A tweetup is a gathering of people that use Twitter.com. You are strongly encouraged to join Twitter as soon as possible if you are interested in Startup Weekend or business in general. It is a powerful and effective way to meet smart people. Many of these folks are knowledge workers. They have the knowledge, skills and talents that are the bridge to success. Meet as many people as you can via tweetups.

What are your thoughts on Startup Weekend or business enterprise?

MAKING THINGS HAPPEN: APPLIED IDEAS

There are some really smart people on the Internet. When you come across their stuff it gives you multiple "A-ha" moments.

Noah Brier is one of those people. If you have heard of or visited Brand Tags you have seen the results of his applied IDEA. Ideas that are not applied are almost worthless. Those that are, have value that are almost incalculable.

You can achieve so much if you take your IDEA and MAKE it happen.

The two posts below should be required reading for middle and high school students. Even folks in and past college can gain valuable insights from these two posts.

Feel free to leave your comments below. You may want to subscribe to Noah's blog as well. His site is http://www.noahbrier.com/

Read this one first
Brand Tags' Noah Brier: How My Website Took Off

Second Post
Making Stuff on the Internet: Passing Data and Databases

The presentation from the second post is embedded below.

Making Stuff on the Internet

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: sql php)

STARTUP BUSINESS IDEAS

Re: Jul 12 From 25 startup ideas to 5,the list, which one would you start? Update:make that 4

My choices are below. The words in "[ ]" are my thoughts on each idea. They are not in any particular order. The link to the post was provided by Wayne Sutton VIA Twitter.

POSTED REPLY:

Lots of great ideas.

The five that may have the most Promise / Opportunity / Success are…


# 5 Walt - incredible tree web app, make easy to record details, capture idea, thoughts
[Ideas come and go quickly, important to capture then then implement them]


#16 Mark – plug-ins for wordpress to turn site into a business (example shopping cart system)
[People can more easily monetize their ideas]


#18 Jeff – mashup of a twitter service and a game tracker type service, mobile phone update, system to follow sports player, by stats or actions
[Fantasy sports... Huge opportunity]


#23 Taylor – kiva for kids - micro finance site for teenagers
[Great opportunity to help poor / underprivileged get a college or university education]


#25 Brandon - personal price tracker, iphone or web based memory shopping social app
[What is the regular price? This idea will help people track the Right / Best price]


Visit the site and write your picks and analysis in the comments to this post.

Thanks for reading.

THOUGHTS ON IDEAS

"Idle ideas are worthless, implemented ideas may be priceless."

This was a thought created during a bike ride earlier today. Below are several Edison quotes that relate in some way.

"The value of an idea lies in the using of it." Thomas A. Edison 

"To have a great idea, have a lot of them." Thomas A. Edison

FREAKONOMICS: IS CREDIT DUE?

The Boston Celtics analyze game events in a systematic way. The use some sort of tagging or labeling system. This allows them to analyze what is working and what is not for individual players, situations and floor locations etc.

Should the analyst get credit if Boston wins?

The coaching staff does analysis; they get credit when they analyze, strategize and effectively implement a wining game plan.

My Reply to the Freakonomics post is below

The point may be that when events are labeled or tagged in a system they can be analyzed. Proper analysis leads to learning. Learning leads to knowledge. Applied knowledge leads to desirable results.

The Freakonomics post may spur the imagination of a reader and they will create the next _____ [fill in the blank].

Too many people think there are no opportunities. Thinking, creativity, ideas, analysis and applied efforts will lead to…

Mr. Zarren is attempting to do something that may or may not be successful. But he is DOing something.

People should be encouraged to THINK and be Creative and to give it a shot, win or lose.

What do you think?

David

— Posted by David Damore

WSJ: WOMEN LEADERS IN BUSINESS

There is a good conversation going on in the Wall Street Journal about thought leaders in business.

The first article is...
New Breed of Business Gurus Rises
There is an obvious lack of women on this list. The methodology probably has a lot to do with the lack of women on the list.There is another column that looks at why this is. It also looks like there will be lots of comments.

The second article is...
Ayn Rand, Where Are You?
This is definitely worth checking out. My comments are below.

"There are lots of women who are successful thought leaders.

Their ideas, creativity etc are opening new ways to think and succeed.

When I have been to conferences some of the best speakers and presenters have been women.

If you create a list of the top 20 Women [thinkers, analysts, leaders etc, there will be lots of people interested in reading it.

If you are interested, go to Twitter and look for the top 100 people by followers. You will find some extremely talented women.

http://www.twitterholic.com/

A few you will want to check out are Pistachio & missrogue
There are probably about 10 women in the list.

Also recommended is smallbiztrends / Anita Campbell, she is not yet on the list…"

David

Comment by David Damore - May 5, 2008 at 5:29 pm