I recently watched Startup.com, and here's some notes I jotted down while watching it.

  • We should all trust that any one of us will represent a vision of the business that will be seconded and thirded by anyone in the team.

  • We should never be in a confrontation / debate stage in front of anybody.

  • There's a sadness about watching ideas grow until they're beyond the point where you can do anything for them.

  • As soon as someone says "There's no need for this to be ugly" it's going to get ugly.

  • Meet your competitors, befriend them. Force them into making plays earlier than they want to. But only if your product tangibly is better.

  • Don't make your company about your personality as a CEO who 'doesn't lose'.

  • It doesn't matter if the market is big, it's a question of who can make money in it.

  • Always have a third party who can arbitrate.

  • Have a 'Days to Live' countdown board with focussed tasks to achieve in that time

  • Everyone should use the product, CEO down to the person who answers the phones.

  • Be critical on the status of your product's functionality. If it doesn't work, say it doesn't work.

  • Keep momentum on Testing.

  • Security of your product, your office, everything is paramount.

  • Be concerned about revenue. Don't be concerned about the Board. It's their prerogative to fire you or re*shuffle as they see fit, and they will do so.

  • Goals need to be specific and actionable.

  • Any company with two CEOs is in trouble.

  • Even in 2001, mobile phones had some horrific extendable antennas.

  • Sales cycles are always longer than anticipated.

  • Things change. That's the best part.

  • Decline happens quickly and noticeably.

  • The scariest part of this movie is Kaleil Tuzman driving along a wet highway, chanting to a CD and reading from a book held against the wheel.