One of the huge mistakes people make is that they try to force an interest on themselves. If you're really interested in software and computer science, you should focus on that, but if you're really interested in medicine, and you decide you're going to become an Internet entrepreneur because it looks like everybody else is doing well, then that's probably not going to work. You don't choose your passions, your passions choose you. -Jeff Bezos
I love this quote! I had to learn this the hard way. Early on, I got involved in business opportunities that I new little or nothing about. It cost me a lot of time and money.
When I decided to focus my entrepreneurial efforts around Sales, Leadership, and Blogging things really took off!
Bloglovin' is one of my favourite startup teams and Ville from ArcticStartup has written a good read of their journey so far. Here's what makes Bloglovin', to my opinion, a good example on how to build online services:
Enabling users To solve a real life problem by creating a service so simple one doesn't even have to know the difference between a browser and a search engine is a challenge. Instead of developing a cool tech solution that first caught up the eyes and hearts of the geek world, they went straight to the source to find the solution, real users with real problems.
Real life experience: I never forget when trying to introduce Google Reader to a friend of mine who loves to read blogs. I literally saw all the energy escaping her body while explaining how it works. I showed her Bloglovin' instead and she got so excited she called up her friends and they all signed up. I still use Google Reader :)
Metrics and user driven development Even if it doesn't have to be that costly to experiment with new features, it's still a waste of time if you can avoid it, that is. Like Jeff Bezos tells you to obsess over your customers and Eric Ries advices you to not to create stuff nobody wants to use anyway, Bloglovin' is focusing on the metrics to determine what features users really like, at the same time keeping up a dialogue with them.
Some things take longer time - It only took me half a year to convince the guys to get stickers, but when they finally arrived, they sure went gaga over them.
Ps. Looking for great stickers? I recommend Stickit.se in Malmö, Sweden (Swedish site but give them a call, they're very helpful)
I’ve been a bit remiss on my blog postings on the retail industry but when summer time is full of fashion news and events can you blame a girl. So I wanted to finally share my thoughts on one of the biggest retail news to hit the web within the past two weeks – Amazon.com buying Zappos.com.
The joining of these companies has come as a surprise to all and never have I seen so many positive reactions from analysts and news media concerning this union. It is being touted as “A match made in heaven” (Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at Port Washington) using the financial strengths and inventiveness of Amazon combined with the unique business culture and superior customer service of Zappos.
For retailers, those online and those who are not, Amazon’s acquisition of Zappos signifies three things:
Online retail creates more opportunities for growth and invention
Long term goals are important to planning for success
Excellent customer service is the core of creating success and loyalty
You’ll see in the accompanying YouTube video Jeff Bezos, founder and chief executive officer of Amazon.com talks about the Things I Know sharing his lessons leaned and the shared excitement of coming together with Zappos.
I hope this merger also opens new doors for online shopping for Canadians such as the access to more international products and the removal of shipping restrictions across the border. The day I can get a subscription of L’Officiel delivered to my door will be an extremely good one (le sigh).
I came across this bit of wisdom this morning on Larry Cheng's blog and thought it really makes good sense both in business and in life - do you ever take the time to look at what's going right and double down on that?
"Today’s post is about one such piece of wisdom that I think is particularly relevant in these times. This piece of wisdom came from Jeff Bezos, founder & CEO, Amazon.com during an MFG.com board meeting. Jeff asked the question, “Is there anything big or small, that is working better than you expected? Is there any where we could double down?” Jeff’s point was that we spend a lot of time focusing on what’s not working in Board meetings (especially in times like these), and not enough time focusing on what is surpassing expectations and how we can “double down” on those areas. Often times the key levers in businesses are found in little things that are really outperforming whether by intention or not (often not, actually). Sometimes these are things that are either adjacent enough or small enough that they wouldn’t make a board presentation or be an obvious discussion point because they’re just seedlings that need to be watered. I appreciate how Jeff wanted to bring these seedlings to the forefront to see if they deserved some real investment."
