As I work to build and launch products, my intention is to make my partners’ work as streamlined as possible. Rather than speaking multiple times, passing several documents back and forth, and running through multiple iterations, I keep communication as direct, and smooth, as possible. That said, I think there are a few valuable takeaways from my recent work that will help us interact with our business partners and start-up teams in the future:
1. Do your homework – understand the market, what you want, how you want it, and what the team is capable of implementing.
2. Come prepared – make the lives of your teammates as simple as possible with concise communication. When in doubt, clarify further.
3. Organize the responsibilities – know who is doing what, and make it clear in one place, for all parties involved. Assign one person to each task, and of course, make sure this person is the best person for the job. Make sure timelines are achievable and consistent.
4. Speak candidly – ask questions openly, clarify to the best of your ability, and consult someone who will know if you’re unsure.
There are more takeaways, and as I think of them, I will update this post. I hope you enjoyed the holiday weekend.
good stuff, jeff…looking forward to reading your thoughts.