When it comes to funding startups, Y Combinator is an incubation machine. And behind it are founder Paul Graham’s unique insights about what constitutes true innovation.
Have a fluid mind…
“I had in essence discovered the writer’s life, one that exists in the world of the pages of his or her story and then seamlessly steps into the realities of everyday life.” -Chinua Achebe, on writing Things Fall Apart. He passed away this morning at the age of 82.
Read his obituary in the NYT
A herculean mind… He will be missed.
(via aaronleaf)
Our Insincere, Pointless Cult of Apology — The Daily Beast (via Newsweek)
This behavior existed before Twitter, but it’s certainly gotten much worse lately. (via ericmortensen)
While The Onion’s tweet was below the fray, there’s a good point being made here.
(via shortformblog)Truth…
(via shortformblog)
Top 41 Tips from Game-Changing Entrepreneurs
In The Startup Playbook, David Kidder writes about the fascinating startup stories—the good, the bad and the ugly—of 41 successful entrepreneurs and asks them to divulge lessons from the trenches. A few common themes emerged: 1) don’t fear failure (in fact, you should fail often); 2) focus on the big ideas rather than the to-do list; 3) always look forward and think ahead; and 4) develop a product that will improve lives and leave a positive impact on the world.
Read here for our favorite pieces of advice from each entrepreneur profiled.(via Top 41 Tips from Game-Changing Entrepreneurs - OPEN Forum :: American Express OPEN Forum)
Useful insights…
Seth Godin: “Everything That Michael Dell Did, Do the Opposite”
Up until now, getting a professional degree and working in corporate America was considered a surefire, safe way to success. Starting a business was a whole lot riskier.But bestselling author Seth Godin says this is no longer the case.
In his new book The Icarus Deception, Godin says success today requires being creative, genuinely connecting with people and moving outside your comfort zone. In other words, taking an entrepreneurial approach is now the “safest” approach.
Talk to them…
The 12 Trends That Will Rule Products in 2013
The design and innovation consultants at Ziba have put together a list of the trends that they think will have the most impact on product design this year.
1. THE MIND IS A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.
2. CUSTOMER-FACING EMPLOYEES ARE YOUR BRAIN AND YOUR BACKBONE.
3. ANALOG WILL NEVER GO AWAY.
4. WORTH IS DETERMINED BY PHILOSOPHY, NOT PRICE.
5. NARRATIVE IS A DELIVERY VEHICLE TO MAKE INFORMATION STICK.
6. REPAIR AND REPURPOSE ARE THE NEW KILLER APPS.
7. TECHNOLOGY MOVES TOO FAST TO CARE ABOUT.
8. FLAWLESS FUNCTION IS TOMORROW’S GREAT USER EXPERIENCE.
9. BRAND LOYALTY IS HOW WE ESCAPE DECISION FATIGUE.
10. HUMAN INTERACTION HAS NEVER BEEN MORE PRECIOUS.
11. GEN Y IS CREATING ITS OWN SERVICE ECONOMY
12. EVERYONE IS A SPECIALIST.
Good list
(via fastcompany)
To succeed at building your startup you need to focus.
This infographic is about eliminating everything from your life that does not help your startup.
(Via Funders and Founders)
Jewels…
Here are 12 things that you can emulate to move towards success !
Click here to read more
(Via 12 Things Successful People Do Differently - Marc and Angel)
Preach…
Adapt or die….it’s easier said than done though..
Barbara Corcoran on Projecting a Big Image and Living Up To It
Somehow it always works out…
An oldie but goodie on entrepreneurship…
