blog archive
15 January 2009
Have your say… the business or the person?
When considering chances of long term success of a start-up… do you think it’s more important the business concept is sound, or the person driving the business to success has the skills and determination to make things happen?
15 January 2009
Le Poisson said:
Tthe business concept being sound is the most important criterion. But only because, with a sound concept, you can bring in good people to make it go, while even tons of energy won’t make a bad idea good.
17 January 2009
Stuart Fleming said:
The person(s) comes first…
You could have the best idea/concept/plan in the world, but unless you have passionate, skilled and flexible people driving it forward, it will just sit stagnant.
That said, the quickest way to de-motivate the perfect person is to lump them with a dumb idea!
Give a determined, persistent and passionate person the skills and resources to develop a sound (or to-be-proven) concept and watch things happen!
Smiles,
Stuart Fleming
The guy who stops parents and teens from fighting about money
http://StuartFlemingBlog.com
17 January 2009
Mark Ternent said:
If the business idea does not pass initial tests, then there is no point in proceeding any further. Marketability, cashflow, ROI, competitive and market factors, capitalisation requirements, etc. If it does pass, then it is worth looking at in depth.
From that point on the person and their supporting team become crucial.
I have seen quite a few ideas that were pretty good, but never went anywhere because of the person. Entrpreneurial flair and drive are essential, and other characteristics too. The right attitudes are key in overcoming the inevitable challenges that will kill even the best concept.
Many years ago I used to be an “ideas person” and was proud of that, wearing the title like a badge, then I discovered that ideas are worth nothing – on their own. I think this revelation occured to me after the zillionth discussion of some awesome idea where nothing was actually done. Ideas must be accompanied by focused action or they are just hot air.
So, the concept is the start and must be sound, but after that the person(s) driving the action become most important. This is why I favour a team approach, with members picked for their ability to get on and for the complimentary talents they bring.
Mark T.
18 January 2009
Jenny said:
Hi Lisa. I think its a combination of both. I have seen great ideas go noewhere with the wrong person and capable people with no real target to attach or they promote someone elses idea successfully. Perhaps its partnerships (although they have inherent problems too) that may work here. Match someone with a brilliant idea and the passion to work it through to potentially market ready with someone who can take the ready idea to market. Matching the creative acumen with the business acumen.
20 January 2009
Bruce said:
Life is an “AND” rather than an “OR” so both have to be present for success – an idea which is out of step with a particular marketplace is doomed and a great isea not given life by a passionate person will die in the challenges of establishing something new
21 January 2009
Steven McTague said:
Definitely the person… they must have the skills to convert the concept to a going concern.
The is absolutely no point having a great idea if you have noone to drive it.
As you are well aware there are lots of businesses out there that are surviving despite themselves… yet they would be great businesses …. with the right team!