24 hints for building a lean startup

24 Hints to Build a Super Lean Start-upDorian Selz – Squirro

2Squirro – © 2016 Nektoon AG 2© memonic

Namics (Leading CH/D Web Consultancy)


http://www.local.chlocal.ch (local search)


Memonic.com


Get insights fasterSquirro is the most powerful solution for search-based data discovery and advanced analytics.

6Squirro – © 2016 Nektoon AG

Squirro: A business transformation solution

AnalyticsAutomatically extract insights, e.g. customer engagement

VisualizationMake your data accessible for anyone in your organization

Cognitive A learning system providing relevant information in-context

PredictiveAnomaly and trend detection to automate processes

SearchCombine all your data and search in all your data


The startup challenge


A journey starts…

9Squirro – © 2016 Nektoon AG © memonic

§ Simple goals and a simple planà Focus on getting things done

§ At local.ch: Best local search in Switzerland

§ Squirro:Automate Data

Squirro provides the right information at the rightmoment in context of your workplace – automatically.

1 - Start with a simple plan


§ Rule 1 – Customer First, always!§ Rule 2 – A great team is great people§ Rule 3 – The solution is the team§ Rule 4 – Long term over shortterminism§ Rule 5 – And yet we count the time in months not years§ Rule 6 – We're optimistic§ Rule 7 – Creativity and communication are key§ Rule 8 – Errors are ok, if...§ Rule 9 – Getting things done§ Rule 10 – Be nice!

2 - A few commonly shared rules


§ Why?àMoney matters...

§ A techie is per se not credible with a business person & vice versa

§ You need somebody to manage the (growing) organization

§ 3a: Select intensely (as with all appointees)

3 - Get a business person into the team



§ Cash is king§ The first due diligence looms on the horizon§ The first (tax, social security, VAT, etc.)

audit is just around the corner§ In the end you’ll sell your business

based on Excel not on code

4 - Get a professional bookkeeper

12

© memonic



§ What we put into the contract:- Act as one team- Pay-out if somebody leaves the team (voluntarily or not)- Obligations (What happens to your shares if you divorce)- Price of shares when sold internally- Right of first refusal, pre-emptive right

- Basically it’s a prenuptial agreement ... ;-)

5 - Start with a good founding contract

13

© memonic


§ Your largest spending position: Hardwareà Frugality pays

§ Save on salaries:- In case of founders funds: Already taxed money…

§ Save on equipment:- Ikea will do,- Standard pizza box servers, too

6 - Don‘t spend money


§ Time is your most precious resourceà Spend time wisely

§ It’s not about control, it’s about an allocation decision of your most precious resource

7 - Time tracking pays


8 - Atlassian Starter LicensesBest 10 bucks you’ll ever spend


No upfront investment, way more flexibility

9 - Use Cloud Computing

© memonic


A call two days before the quarter ends…

10 - NEVER buy hardware at list prices


11- Cheat a little... (where you can get away with it)

© memonic

100 MB1st year free

85.-

Private

Business20 MB

150.- setup98.-


12- Use Virtualization

© memonic

VMware ESX is a superb product and is free.


§ One single-fits-everything-system is prone to failàAvoid a Titanic effect

13- Split your system in blocks


Yesterday all my backups seemed so far away…

14 - Forget tapes, do online backups


15 - Don’t waste time on stuff that others do much better for free or almost free...


16 - Get early agreement, do mockups


Before the launch that is.

17 - Do usability testing


The truth comes out (e.g. Scrum)

18 - Consider using Agile Development

26

© memonic


18a – Correct errors fast


Automated server management lets you sleep

19 - Use puppet!

28

© memonic


This initial additional effort means less downtime

20 - Automated testing


21 - Catch those warning, use ELK


22 - 80% of success is showing up


§ A start-up experience is an expedition to unchartered territoryàKeep up good spirits

§ Apply the Stockdale Principle: “Unwavering believe in a positive outcomeyet face the brutal facts of your current position”

23 - Learn to live with the ups and downs


Success = HardWork * Opportunity * Luck

24 – Erfolg ist wenn harte Arbeit auf Opportunität trifft

34Squirro – © 2016 Nektoon AG 34© memonic05/27/09 © 2009 Nektoon AG

Das Internet wird mündig

Que

lle:

http

://w

ww

.flic

kr.c

om/p

hoto

s/kk

kkkk

kat/3

5660

1197

9/

Thank you!

SwitzerlandBadenerstrasse 1208004 Zurich+41 44 586 98 98

GermanyBirkenleiten 4181543 Munich +49 89 2154 7429 0

SpainCalle Pallars 97-99 , Of 3208018 Barcelona+34 93 348 21 64

United States54 West 40th Street10018 New York City+1 347 321 9470

[email protected] www.squirro.com Squirro - © 2016 Nektoon AG

Squirro is an advanced contextual intelligence and Insights solution that allows organizations to efficiently manage and unlock the hidden value within data.

Squirro’s Insights aid businesses to gain a better and faster understanding of their operations and clients; thus optimizing their processes and becoming more competitive in an ever-changing marketplace.

Squirro – The Insights Company

United Kingdom1 Canada Square, Level 39 E14 5AP London+44 203 725 7609