Following closely on the heels of Monday’s announcement of Hacker Dojo relocating we received the following notice this afternoon from Ground Floor Silicon Valley Special Announcement We are writing to members of the Ground Floor community to let everyone know that the building at 2030 Duane Avenue has been sold. The last day that Ground Floor […]
GroundFloorSV Leaving 2030 Duane Location Nov-30-2012 Read More »
Managing complexity and uncertainty was the focus of Dr Atul Gawande’s commencement address at Williams College on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 (Reprinted in New Yorker as “Failure and Rescue“). The entire talk is worth reading and offers a medical case history as a compelling context for his points. “…the critical skills of the best surgeons
Dr. Atul Gawande on Managing Complexity and Uncertainty Read More »
“Subsidizing the markers of status doesn’t produce the character traits that result in that status; it undermines them.” Reynold’s Law In the same way that free range animals are healthier than those that are caged, people learn how to become effective entrepreneurs when the have the freedom to experiment and they are focused on pleasing
Subsidizing Startups Does Not Produce Entrepreneurs Read More »
Hacker Dojo announced today that they are moving to a new home at 599 Fairchild Drive in Mountain View from their problematic location at 140A South Whisman Road in Mountain View. Hacker Dojo has found a new home, just 5 minutes away from our current location. The new building is bigger, better, and we’re excited to
Hacker Dojo Relocates To 599 Fairchild in Mountain View Read More »
The key to changing management’s view of an innovation from “probably not a good idea” is to assess the impact of metrics that they care about. At which point you are often told “We’re late.”
Three excerpts from “Physics and Politics” that highlight impact of rapid change, value of perseverance, and importance of collaboration.
Three Insights from Walter Bagehot’s “Physics and Politics” Read More »
In May of this year I was invited to take part in a month long group discussion on CPSquare where my consulting practice was the topic. This is the second question I answered, it was prompted by a sentence my opening statement. Q: Can you please elaborate on your statement “The incorporation of a new
Innovation Often Obsoletes Assumptions, Political Boundaries, and Work Process Read More »
Two excerpts from E. B. White‘s 1949 essay, “Here Is New York,” that I thought were also applicable to life in Silicon Valley
Finding Silicon Valley in Two Passages from E. B. White’s “Here Is New York” Read More »
Our collaborative writing approach has no backstage: clients see our ugly early first drafts, but this “wiki style” collaboration allows rapid iteration.
The Benefits of Collaborative Writing, Interviewing, and Improvisation Read More »
Growth is an outcome of impact. Focus on impact and innovation before investing efforts in growth. Once you have identified an opportunity to make an impact you can plan for growth.
Startups Should Focus on Impact and Innovation Before Growth Read More »
Four quotes from Amar Bhide‘s “Origin and Evolution of New Business.” “Entrepreneurs who undertake uncertain initiatives face a wide spread between desirable and undesirable outcomes, but they cannot quantify the odds they face or even fully anticipate the possible results. The uncertainty is irreducible to the degree it cannot be resolved without actually undertaking the
Amar Bhide: Start With Affordable Bets in Markets Too Small to Interest Large Players Read More »
You can follow @skmurphy to get these hot off the mojo wire or wait until the end of the month when these quotes for entrepreneurs are collected on the blog. Enter your E-mail if you would like new blog posts to your inbox.
Quotes For Entrepreneurs–September 2012 Read More »
In May of this year I was invited to take part in a month long group discussion on CPSquare where my consulting practice was the topic. This question on innovation was the first that I answered, it was prompted by my opening statement.
Real Innovation Requires a Community of Practice Fostering a Cascade of Inventions Read More »
Entrepreneurship gets a lot of hype but it’s not for everyone: here is a brief discussion of some of practical realities of what it’s like to work at a startup.
Q: Should I Get A Normal Job Or Work At A Startup? Read More »
For the third year in a row I will moderate a panel of startup founders sharing lesson learned bootstrapping a technology startup at Silicon Valley Code Camp. This “Working for Equity” session will be on Sunday Oct 7 at 9:15am. Here is the announcement Many of us in Silicon Valley seek to found or be
Startup Founders Announced for Working For Equity Panel at SVCC 2012 Read More »
Cardwell’s Law (named for British historian Donald Cardwell): every society, when left on its own, will be technologically creative for only short periods. I explore the implications for Silicon Valley and for entrepreneurs.
Joel Mokyr on Creative Forces and Cardwell’s Law Read More »
Q: I was contracted to develop a custom software application that I delivered with a minimum set of features the client requested so that it was simple to use. Once my client is satisfied should I try and market it? There are similar products available but mine is simpler and I can afford to offer it
Q: Can a Custom Solution Be The Basis For A Product? Read More »
Howard Tullman writes the Perspiration Principles blog in Inc. His recent post “Who Said Failure was Fashionable? Frankly, It Sucks” made four great points: Mistakes vs. Failures Somehow, it has become cool to brag about how your last business failed–and what a wonderful learning experience it all was. But that’s a crock. You only fail
Howard Tullman on Distinguishing Mistakes From Failure Read More »
I came across a great essay on insight, “Behavior and development as a function of the total situation (1946)”, written by Kurt Lewin in a collection of his papers published as “Resolving Social Conflict & Field Theory in Social Science.” Here are some excerpts and commentary:
Kurt Lewin on Insight Read More »
In May of this year I was invited to take part in a month long group discussion on CPSquare where my consulting practice was the focus. This is the introductory statement I posted to explain a little bit about my background and what I do. Intro I worked in Electronic Design Automation on board, chip,
“Sharing My Practice” Discussion with CPSquare: Intro Read More »
