Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of running a startup?

Re:Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of ru... by jamiequint on Sunday May 31, 2009 @01:20AM (#634462)

Books are a good start. Here is a (very) short list of must reads.

1. 4 Steps to the Epiphany by Steve Blank (Recommended by Marc Andreesen and many others, for starting a company you only need to read the first half)

2. Innovators Dilemma by Clayton Christensen (Understating whether what you are doing is a sustaining or disruptive innovation)

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Re:Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of ru... by rjurney on Sunday May 31, 2009 @04:39AM (#634552)

Here here. Most startups get to step 2 without ever achieving step 1, and so they flame out. Get '4 Steps to the Epiphany.' Drop everything and read it. All will become clear.

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Re:Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of ru... by matt1 on Sunday May 31, 2009 @09:28AM (#634674)

Just ordered it off Amazon -- looks like a great book. Thanks.

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Re:Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of ru... by jamiequint on Sunday May 31, 2009 @12:13PM (#634790)

Good blogs that follow the 4 Steps Model are:

Steve Blank (author of the book) - http://steveblank.com/

Eric Ries - http://startuplessonslearned.blogspot.com/

- An advisee/investment of Steve Blank, started IMVU.com, Venture Advisor at Kleiner Perkins) His blog has become somewhat less useful lately though as he's been using it mostly to promote his "Lean Startup" classes.

Sean Ellis - http://startup-marketing.com/

- Has applied 4 Steps model at many companies, consults on "Customer Development" with VC backed companies

Also Venture Hacks is a great place to start. Check out the archives at http://venturehacks.com/archives/

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Re:Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of ru... by rjurney on Sunday May 31, 2009 @04:24PM (#635038)

NP, but its $10 cheaper here: http://www.cafepress.com/kandsranch.58024175 ;)

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Re:Ask HN: How do you learn about the business aspects of ru... by ig0rskee on Sunday May 31, 2009 @11:25PM (#635471)

Absolutely love the 4 Steps book, the best part is how re-reading it as the business grows keeps bringing more insights.

It's hard to digest all the knowledge in it unless the pain has been experienced first-hand

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