The Leading Cause of Startup Death – Part 1: The Product Development Diagram

I've launched two startups, both of which have had some - minor - degree of success...and both of which have had major problems.

I got Steve's book a few months ago and have been reading it ... and re-reading it ... and re-reading it.

I slap myself in the forehead about every other page.

The point that he makes in this blog post is key.

Go, read it.

In my recent experience with startups, or at the very least ideas for startups, I'm beginning to find that not acting upon your ideas quickly can also be detrimental to your startup. Being stuck in the "Product Development Diagram," particularly in the "Concept/Bus. Plan" phase can allow others with similar ideas to get a head start, and possibly even get to launch before you've even started.

Personally, I think that by getting into the development of your idea as soon as possible will help you. As an added bonus, there are always ideas, features, or a different method of implementation that get brought up while you are developing that you cannot anticipate during the planning/conceptualizing phase.

I thought the leading cause of Startup Death was lack of persistance or innovation

I was on the edge of my seat (well not really) until I got to "Coming next Part 2: What’s Wrong with Product Development as a Model?"

I sure hope someone posts Part 2 here at hn before I forget why I was so interested. A serialized blog is an interesting idea until it has a cliffhanger.