"... When you evolve out of start-up mode and start worrying about being professional and dignified, you only lose capabilities. You don't add anything... you only take away. Dignity is deadly. ..."
This is the crux of the article. If you have to get dressed up and wear a "suit", it doesn't make your software better. If you subscribe to the latest theory of "foo" because the "bar" association thinks it's good, it wont help you get more customers. The ideals of Professionalism and Profession are a mismatch for the Startup world.
The creation process in Startups is new markets, products and services. Not old ones. In fact, the best are trying to displace the old entirely. Put them out of business and make them extinct. It's messy, full of unexpected stops and starts. Not the calm, orderly and mastered process with known results as the ideals of Professionalism enshrine.
Professionalism has its place where the benefit of improvement has to be weighed with the risk of damage to the old and existing. An insurance policy against risk but a barrier to innovation.
"... Living only on take-out and caffeine. Working in a [small] living room. Crazy, stupid, unprofessional behavior. Wearing nothing but shorts and ripped t-shirts ..."
I love this quote. It neatly sums up the informality of the startup process and something people from more structured backgrounds have trouble grokking. At least it's another excuse get around in shorts + t-shirt, think and code up ideas rather than waste money on clothes.
This is the crux of the article. If you have to get dressed up and wear a "suit", it doesn't make your software better. If you subscribe to the latest theory of "foo" because the "bar" association thinks it's good, it wont help you get more customers. The ideals of Professionalism and Profession are a mismatch for the Startup world.
The creation process in Startups is new markets, products and services. Not old ones. In fact, the best are trying to displace the old entirely. Put them out of business and make them extinct. It's messy, full of unexpected stops and starts. Not the calm, orderly and mastered process with known results as the ideals of Professionalism enshrine.
Professionalism has its place where the benefit of improvement has to be weighed with the risk of damage to the old and existing. An insurance policy against risk but a barrier to innovation.
"... Living only on take-out and caffeine. Working in a [small] living room. Crazy, stupid, unprofessional behavior. Wearing nothing but shorts and ripped t-shirts ..."
I love this quote. It neatly sums up the informality of the startup process and something people from more structured backgrounds have trouble grokking. At least it's another excuse get around in shorts + t-shirt, think and code up ideas rather than waste money on clothes.