The *business* of software
How can we make this succeed?
Does anybody have any hints for how to get this social network off the ground? Is it just a matter of getting enough people to join until we hit critical mass, or is there anything else we should be doing?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Perry Ismangil on -
One trivial thing is this network does not yet have a logo, so it doesn't look good on the badge or Ning list of networks.
-
Permalink Reply by Neil Davidson on -
What can I do to persuade you all to tell your contacts and colleagues about the site? Should I just focus on making a good place to hang out, or should actively encourage you to spread the word?
-
Permalink Reply by Bob Walsh on -
Hi all,
I've been co-moderating with Eric Sink BOS for a few years now - a couple of observations, the key one is that a social network can and should be far more than a forum. It's the social aspect where I think the value exists. Here's a few ideas:
- Startup Mentoring. There are a lot of new people coming to this world (especially with where the economy is): find a way to team up here newbies with experienced business of software people.
- Meetups - both online and off with a specific focus. For example, Neil, getting a basecamp session at a set time/date on basics of SEO with some of the more experienced people here leading it.
- Resource referrals - I think one the very valuable things about LinkedIn is being able to get good recommendations for various needs. An organized way here to make and requests would be good.
- BOS does tend to focus on microISV/startups. Maybe what's needed here is to delibarately not focus on that size/kind of company.
- Reaching out to the other online startup communities - especially the Y Combinator folks.
Hope that helps: I plan to be here more often.
-
Permalink Reply by Chris Herbert on -
I find this very interesting. I have ideas but don't write code!
Matt Richards said:I know a fair number of engineers, both software and hardware, that are good at product development, but don't have a good product idea. I assume that there are a lot of people out there with good product ideas and have no idea how to develop them. I wonder if there is a way to get non-software people to post ideas for products on this site. Or maybe this is already being done elsewhere. I would assume that the resulting efforts would be joint ventures, where both the "idea people" and the product development people would have an equity stake in an ongoing business. This wouldn't just be one-off contracting.
-
Permalink Reply by Chris Herbert on
-
Hey Neil, this is a key question I have about social networking in general. I believe that social media can be a platform to create things. You're building a community of people who are interested in the "Business of Software". This topic is likely to interest a broad range of people who develop, market, sell and use software.
With over 300 people now in this group you've reached a critical mass where it can evolve in many directions. The best thing to do is ask everyone what they want to get out of this community of interest.
An example of a community of interest is ProductCampToronto. It is a bit different but similar...I'll explain. ProductCamp is an unconference that basically has a bunch of product managers get together to network, share and learn. It is modeled off of the "barcamp" phenomenon that has taken off across the world. ProductCampToronto uses the unconference format to generate interest amongst participants who have attended other ones like "demo camp", "startup camp" etc and it is geared to a professional functional role..product management. We used social media to create awareness, registrations and ultimately a community that meets and collaborates online and physically.
Providing community members with opportunities is what's it is all about. Opportunities to learn, network, collaborate, advance their careers...etc. What would you like to get out of this community? For me I have two things (so far!). First, I want to see how Ning is used as a social networking tool. Second, I am researching whether a nextgen business can be created using social media tools and networks. Third, I want to help create a nextgen business (without losing my house!!).
-
Permalink Reply by Mike on -
I think the digests are a great idea since they help me know what's going on here without *having* to come here everyday. It certainly drives my traffic and participation here.
-
Permalink Reply by Vikram on -
Exchanging ideas-would love to hang around once a day in this blog?
There are some others as well :
May be funding some new brilliant ideas?
May be showing path/new way for people to pursue their dreams in field of software services?
-
Permalink Reply by yadu tekale on -
Neil,
it depends on what you want to achieve out of this forum. Is it meant to be for anyone in technology to hang about?does it have a business focus or a social focus? do you wish to be selective about who joins? all those qs and many more will define how quickly the forum grows.
i dont think its necessary to make it a big network. I would value quality more than quantity. I am a member of several forums, online and offline, and I find that big is not necessarily the best.
to give a couple of examples of the fora i am on and why they work:
linkedin - i use linkedin for business contacts and it works because of its exclusivity and its referral system. It eliminates noise.
softwareceo - very business focussed on issues related to isvs, and that very focus helps the site grow. its not necessarily a large site, but is a quality site.
my two cents on this network in its current format
- no barriers to entry, just about anyone can join - which is fine if that's the way you want it
- i am not sure whether this is a social site, mentoring, site, a software discussion site and if its the last, is it a technical site or a business issue site
- profile information is too brief
- layout is nice, easy to use
and lastly, a link to your linkedin profile will help.
-
Permalink Reply by Peter C. Ruth on
-
Matt Richards said:I know a fair number of engineers, both software and hardware, that are good at product development, but don't have a good product idea. I assume that there are a lot of people out there with good product ideas and have no idea how to develop them. I wonder if there is a way to get non-software people to post ideas for products on this site. Or maybe this is already being done elsewhere. I would assume that the resulting efforts would be joint ventures, where both the "idea people" and the product development people would have an equity stake in an ongoing business. This wouldn't just be one-off contracting.
-
Permalink Reply by Mark Dalgarno on -
Some ideas for getting this off the ground and keeping momentum:
- Keep a strong focus on the business of software - don't be tempted to dilute it to gain more audience.
- Your question of the day idea is good - should keep people interested and involved. Hope you can keep it up :-)
- Some way of giving incentives to contribute could help. Even if it's just some count of number of postings, some indication of helpfulness of contributions, or other measure on people's profile pages.
- I feel the site is a bit 'Neil and Joel' oriented at present - perhaps unsurprisingly :-) Is everyone supposed to be equals or are some more equal than others? Maybe allow others to submit questions of the day?
- Backing up the online aspect with face-to-face is good for reinforcing bonds. In fact our Code Generation Network is now stronger face-to-face than online...
- Yes encourage people to participate. I already have :-) But watch out for increased levels of noise and flak. You may need to step in to moderate this down - are you ready to do that?
Just my tuppence worth.
Mark
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
Badge
© 2010 Created by Neil Davidson.
Powered by 
.
