Optimisations The problem with optimisations are unknown-unknowns. These are things that you don’t know you don’t know. Say, for example, you want to go abroad on a road trip. You have the known-known, of how many guests vs car seats there are, the known-unknown of how much fuel you’ll need and the unknown-unknown that you’ll Read more about Unknown-unknowns[…]
Variety One of the constants I’ve experience with FreeUP is variety. Other roles I’ve had have been variable, but (over time) had a relatively steady base-line, a ‘normal’ from which I could measure how different my day was. This base-line in a start-up however, drifts, sometimes at quite some speed. A ‘normal’ day 3 months Read more about Great expectations[…]
What is it? Flow is the rather un-scientific phrase which describes the ultimate state of productivity. The state where you lose all track of time and end up completing tasks partially on auto-pilot and feeling great about the amount of progress you’re making. The momentum is only lost when someone pulls you away, you run Read more about Entering flow[…]
A summary of obvious points When dealing with third-party companies, smaller companies can move faster and larger companies can generate more value. As startups are pressed for mostly every resource they have, picking different size engagements to tailor how the world interacts with you can be quite a powerful tool. The portfolio approach Typically when Read more about Different Size Engagements[…]
The role of diminishing returns It’s not a rule, but instead, something that is quite commonly observed; the law of diminishing returns. Often this is talked about from an economics viewpoint where you try to optimise the profits made from the inputs committed. If you put nothing in you’ll get nothing out, but if you Read more about Science to startup[…]
Commoditising yourself Einstein was once quoted as saying “If I were given an hour in which to do a problem upon which my life depended, I would spend 40 minutes studying it, 15 minutes reviewing it and 5 minutes solving it”. Actually he was quoted on several occasions quoting similar things, but the sentiment of Read more about Personal Brand[…]