Post: #1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4nN5CKth...re=related

This is part 1 of a long series in which Jason Fried, who is the founder/CEO of 37signals, answers important startup-related questions.

I think 37signals, which is a very successful tech company in its own right, was conceived and then built/launched entirely remotely. In theory, this is not very remarkable since we live in the 4HWW work, but the further I go into my own startup, the more I'm realizing that I need to put the systems in place to emulate the way in which they scaled their startup.

Jason Fried's TED talk. Start with this before you start watching the other videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XD2kNopsUs

Post: #2

When people ask me why I work from home and I tell them its so I can get things done, they dont seem to understand.

I would say once or twice a week I will go to the studio and work side by side with others, and I always leave with the feeling that I cant wait to get home so I can apply what we just talked about doing.

I like how he mentions that things like twitter are modern smoke breaks. This is a good way to put it, and something that I can remind myself so I dont get frustrated with my lack of focus.

Post: #3

That's crazy YMG - I was watching that exact TED video last night. What are the odds?

Not only is Jason Fried a successful businessman, but his advice is full of common sense. He emphasizes the value of humility and hard work which is why I pay attention when he talks. He did this write-up in Inc. Magazine on developing good business sense, that I highly recommend.

Post: #4

The virtual business has arrived.

I like a lot of things about his philosophy on how to operate businesses, especially the mobile/global part, but not all businesses can be run the way his is. He addresses that issue, though.

Post: #5

Great videos. Rework should be required reading for all entrepreneurs.

Check out some of David Heineimeier Hansson's videos too (he's the other co-founder of 37signals).

http://ecorner.stanford.edu/authorMateri...l?mid=2351

Post: #6

He's always got good ideas. Relevant to me as I'm trying to decide if I should expand my service business by outsourcing to higher paid remote western workers or physically go to Asia and open an office to save on labor costs (and bang Asians).

Post: #7

Rah, I would suggest that you shouldn't go with a one-size-fits all solution and make decisions on an as-needed basis.

I hired someone who I thought would be competent to make independent decisions for what seemed like a good price. It turns out that you do, in fact, get what you pay for. I've lost 2 months of time, work, money, and productivity on empty promises, lies, and incompetence. This is my fault, not his fault - ultimately, I was the one who delegated the job to him, so any poor results are my responsibility.

Having said that, for any menial, repetitive, brainless task that a monkey would be able to do with some training, I suggest you outsource to third world countries. Do not expect superior results or independent decision-making capability from them.

That is not to say that they can't do it. You should just not expect it.

I suggest you read "Source Control" by David Walsh.

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November, "Rework" is a fantastic book and great value-add to the forum. A lot of people have been asking me what business books I would suggest. Actually, there are not many. Also, I love the Gorillaz. "Stylo" is probably my favorite song.

I consider "Work the System" and "Millionaire Fastlane" to be required reading. Everything else I have read has either been too high-level birds-eye view material for corporate managers or just not very great reading.

Post: #8

(11-16-2011 10:16 PM)youngmobileglobal Wrote:  Rah, I would suggest that you shouldn't go with a one-size-fits all solution and make decisions on an as-needed basis.

I hired someone who I thought would be competent to make independent decisions for what seemed like a good price. It turns out that you do, in fact, get what you pay for. I've lost 2 months of time, work, money, and productivity on empty promises, lies, and incompetence. This is my fault, not his fault - ultimately, I was the one who delegated the job to him, so any poor results are my responsibility.

Having said that, for any menial, repetitive, brainless task that a monkey would be able to do with some training, I suggest you outsource to third world countries. Do not expect superior results or independent decision-making capability from them.

That is not to say that they can't do it. You should just not expect it.

I suggest you read "Source Control" by David Walsh.

Yeah, I've heard stories about work ethic and independent thinking problems with 3rd world labor. Which is why I'm thinking the only way to make it work would be to physically go to them, open an office, and crack the whip until I can find someone to do it for me. If I could find competent employees that could deliver the goods under closer supervision and direction I could be saving like up to 70% on labor costs which is 90%+ of all my business expense.

I'm eyeing the Phillipines right now for trying this out.

Post: #9

"You get what you pay for" has been true all the time, based on my experience.

I've been outsourcing my powerpoint development to an American guy who provides somewhere between Filipino and American prices - probably because he is young and he might actually be living in foreign destinations, since he is never working on the American timezone.

I think this is an ideal situation - to find Americans/Canadian/Brits/Aussies who are freelancing from cheap spots and will deliver quality stuff for less cost.

This guy made my slides and even built me a logo for free, without asking me - and it turned out to be better than anything I ever could have done or thought of myself.

Post: #10

YMG where did you find your guy? The one who made your logo and slides. I am at the point where I realize that with the Rework business model your employees dont even have to be in the same country as you, however I can imagine finding the most qualified person for the job would be extremely difficult if you dont go local.

Post: #11

(11-19-2011 07:25 PM)defguy Wrote:  YMG where did you find your guy? The one who made your logo and slides. I am at the point where I realize that with the Rework business model your employees dont even have to be in the same country as you, however I can imagine finding the most qualified person for the job would be extremely difficult if you dont go local.

I can't speak for YMG, but in my case it was all networking. When I worked in affiliate marketing I became really good friends with a couple guys who ran CPA networks (obviously well connected). They would always recommend the best people/companies to outsource to. And they always ended up being really well-hidden or hard to find.

You won't find solid labor by searching Google. It's all about having the access to the right business networks.

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YMG - Very solid picks for books. The Gorillaz have always been one of my favorite bands. Stylo is great, but it's so tough to pick a favorite. Everything they put out is quality.

Post: #12

http://www.elance.com

Post: #13

+1 great stuff by 37 signals

My new macbook pro should arrive tomorrow so I can finally switch to Ruby on Rails

Will have a look at work the system, thanks

Post: #14

bface, are you a ruby programmer?

Post: #15

PHP at the moment, but I want to switch asap.

Post: #16

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H8RB24ZfRo

Another great presentation by Jason Fried, co-founder of 37signals.

This guy is rapidly becoming another one of the business people I look up to. I've found that the majority of the business books I've read or have been recommended are specific to someone who is a high ranking executive working in the ranks of a large multinational. While the concepts, in theory, are applicable to startups, his down to earth approach to what is critically important is enlightening and resfreshing.