Do the Best and Save the Rest
I recently read a quote: “If you are smart enough to know that you’re not smart enough to be an Engineer, then you’re in Business.” This quote is dead on when it comes to running a business as an entrepreneur.
Over 3 years ago when I started my first business I knew absolutely nothing about internet technologies such as XHTML, CSS, and PHP. The languages used to build websites.
After losing plenty of time and money and not to mention being taken advantage of by people who preyed on my ignorance, I began learning the ins-and-outs of web development and how to actually take an idea of a website and turn it into a real service.
I have to admit, when I first began learning these languages I told myself that I would become an expert in them and become a “master programmer.” I learned a ton about these technologies and have used what I have learned to help me run my internet ventures. The knowledge gained has been priceless.
And though I initially thought that I would become a “master programmer,” at the end of the day that just wasn’t for me. It wasn’t a part of my core competencies (re: the things that I do best). What I loved most was coming up with ideas, not staring at an HTML editor writing code.
Don’t get me wrong, as an entrepreneur it’s your duty to learn and broaden your scope of knowledge constantly — that is a must. But you shouldn’t try to become an expert in every little thing, especially if it’s not necessary.
I see it happening everyday, another young entrepreneur who isn’t practicing what they know best. If your true talents lie in writing, then you shouldn’t be studying programming books 80% of the time.
You should be writing 80% of the time and studying programming 20% of the time. As a founder of a company you have to know what “you” do best and what “other” people do best.
Want to know why Bill Gates is a genius? It’s not because he’s a brilliant programmer (far from that). It’s not because he’s a brilliant businessman. It’s not because he is able to hold onto the PC software market. It’s because he is able to hire the right people for the job.
Microsoft, and in effect, Bill Gates, is a genius because they are able to hire many, many brilliant people and put them together under the same roof with the same objectives.
Don’t fall into the trap of trying to do everything. When you do that, you dilute what you are really brilliant at.
If your talents lie in coming up with creative concepts and designing, then do that! If your talents lie in coding, then do that! If your talents lie in creating videos, then do that!
But don’t do things that you simply have no desire, passion, or the necessary skills to do. If you need an engineer don’t become one, find one. If you need a writer don’t become one, find one. If you need a server administrator don’t become one, find one.
I learned that I didn’t want to become a programmer, so I stopped trying to become one. But does that mean that I completely stopped learning web technologies? Absolutely not. I’ll never stop learning.
You should never stop learning. Just because you’ve hired someone to do your programming, designing, or videos, it doesn’t mean that you should stop learning those technologies. That wouldn’t make sense.
As I’ve always stated, “you need to know a bit about everything.” In order to intelligently speak to the people who you’ve found for the job, you have to have an intuitive understanding of the particular technology or whatever it may be. And that can only come from continued studying (the stuff you do 20% of the time when you’re not doing what you do best 80% of the time).
Just do what you do best and find other people to do the rest! (hey, that rhymes…)
12 Comments
Aaron
January 12th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
the best business minds are smart enough to realize they need a team.
Evaluate yourself and know your strengths and weaknesses. Find other people who are strong in the areas you are weak. They don’t have to be partners just contract them for the work you need done in a certain area.
Focus on your strengths and outsource the rest.
Lucas
January 12th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Nice Article David,
I know where you are coming from and i’ve learned a bit from this as well. Its hard because sometimes you want to get your hands “dirty” but just where and how to dirty them takes knowledge of yourself which takes time to develop. I am no top programmer myself and when i started i knew nothing about it but i learned much like yourself. I’ve realized where my strengths come from and i am focusing on efforts that allow me to do what i do best and enjoy the most but it has not been an easy road. A lot of second guessing has taken place and i am sure you know what i am talking about when i say that David. Talk soon,
Lucas
Tom Serres
January 12th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I love it! You couldn’t be more dead on!
-T
David Askaripour
January 12th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Hey Aaron: Indeed, contracting is a huge part of running a successful company. In fact, every successful company has practiced contracting in some form.
Hey Luc: Yeah, we have to control those urges to wanting to spend too much time on things that aren’t really going to add value to our businesses. It can be hard to do, but it’s important. We can’t afford to seconds guess when we are capable of getting the right person for the job.
Hey Tom: Thanks, glad you like it.
Thanks for your comments, everyone!
Lucas
January 12th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Hey David,
Self Discipline is one of those things that few people are great at because we, as humans, are ruled by emotion. I am going to be starting a business in the next year myself and i do have some experience to the industry i want to be in but i am wondering if i should work with more experienced players. I am looking to move into Recruiting/Staffing actually. Any thoughts you’ve got would be appreciated. Talk soon,
Lucas
David Askaripour
January 12th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Aaron K
January 12th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Luc,
You definetly have to focus on what actually makes you money. Being entrepreneurs we often get carried away with the idea and start thinking of all these things that would make it even better but that won’t necessarily bring in more money.
We have to focus on what makes money and if there is left over time and money to add the cool features.
Lucas
January 12th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Hi Aaron,
I definitely agree with you about sticking with what makes you money… most people that first start out try every idea in the book when only a few really work for that person. This means focusing on the top 20% of things you do best and leaving the other 80% in the dust. I am not going to win any programming awards or anything so software development is out of the question but i am learning that my true skills are where i’ll make the difference if i focus on them.
It’s hard to be so narrow-minded while keeping an open mind.
Cheers,
Luc
Lucas
January 12th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Hello David,
Thanks for responding back. I know that what i want to do there will be a need for. I am also not against getting other skilled people involved to help me over time. To start it will probably be just me and maybe one other person. The other thing is that this business may start off as virtual office where people work from there homes and then move to a central office. That’s my thought but we’ll see. Cheers and thanks for the words,
Luc
Josee Vedrine
January 13th, 2007 at 12:18 am
Dave,
Nice article. Thanks for your insight. People who are multitalented are oftentimes overwhelmed with multiple commitments, and so prioritizing and going at things with a focus becomes essential. This is something that I am still working towards perfecting, and so a business partner who can complement me in that arena makes things run much smoother.
Focus on the 80% and let the rest just be…
Josee
David Askaripour
January 13th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Hey Lucas: Indeed, that’s a great plan. Start with what you have and go from there.
Hey Jose: Thanks for the awesome comment. I agree, the key is to have priorities and to stick with them. It’s all about keeping the 80/20 Rule in mind with everything you do.
Lucas
January 14th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the advice. I am just going to take my time building this business. I am comfortable hiring other people to work for me and i’ve been thinking of ways to do this but i’ll let this build up over time as i still have a lot of learning to do. Cheers
Luc
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