Here are a couple of interesting question sthat came via an online forum
How do I get a idea for building SaaS product?
Editor’s response: Asking for an idea that you can build is like a hammer looking for a nail!
Ideation does not happen in a vacuum! Ideation can come from experiential or empirical learning:
- One should try and gain some real-world experience solving business problems. Some of those observation could lead to ideas. One gain this experience by working for a startup or even large organizations where you engage closely with business SMEs
- Empirical experience could come from observing and learning. Just like what you are doing on this and other online forums.
IMO, the greatest challenge startusp face is in executing an idea and not merely ideating. Continue attending startup events and browsing announcements till you come across a viable idea.
Is it worthwhile to go to business school for someone who wants to work in startups or start a company?
Editor’s response: Yes and no.
Yes because an MBA will help you manage and grow the startup in a professional way. Skills you learn in B-School can be applied in real life!
No if you are just looking at an ROI. After spending thousands (or hundreds of thousands) $$s in a B-School degree, there is no gurantee that you will recoup it from a Startup gig.
Also check out “Startup advice: What do I need to lookout for when joining a startup?”
What is it like to be a Director of Marketing at a startup?
Editor’s response: Corporate titles can be extremely nebulous, more so in a startup where it is generally all-hand-on-deck. Everyone rolls up their sleeve and pitches in.
The title – Director of Marketing – suggests the person is responsible for marketing. Marketing is a broad area but for a startup it could simply be someone who brings in the leads, and help convert prospects into sales ($$s)
How do I know? I have been a “head of Marketing” for a startup.
I agree with Mohan.
And it also usually means that he has no or just interns as a team and no to very little budget to get it done.
Has to be a f. creative hands-on hustler!
Whereas head of marketing in bigger companies are more like an administrator. Has to build and manage the right team and the right providers to get it done.
How do I know? I’ve been both 😉