Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by scottc 4973 days ago
Well, first off, you're already on the right track. So many "entrepreneurs" start off with some idea and try to make problems "fit" this idea. You've started by trying to first identify problems.

Disclaimer: I'm pretty new to this too.

I obtain ideas by talking to friends/family about areas they're expert in. Sometimes I'll bounce ideas off of people in my network. Sometimes I'll check out stuff from http://ideaswatch.com too.

Then I'll try to minimally validate the idea and run through my "filter". It's a list of questions and validation methods I've obtained from the web.

Example: A couple weeks ago I talked to a friend about improving comic book store inventory systems. So I went to the local comic shop, and spent some time talking to the owner about his story - how he opened the store.

I mentioned I am a web developer and like solving problems. I asked if we could meetup the next day and discuss some of his day-to-day problems in the shop.

Well we did meetup and it turns out he doesn't really have problems in regard to inventory management (but does in other areas).

This is just my approach but I'd love to hear what does and doesn't work for you in the future.

1 comments

Wow, I must say this is brilliant - the sort of answer I am looking for!

Would you be able to share what your "filter" is? I.e. what sort of questions do you ask when evaluating new product idea?

Thanks!

I'll be posting a video about this tomorrow/Tuesday so hopefully you can wait till then. Definitely start by googling "lean startup machine validation board". Watch those videos.
Dude, totally awesome video, thanks! Loved the idea of using Graigslist for assumption validation too.
Hey so I posted a video that talks about validating ideas. There is a link to a big list of questions I've compiled.
Only found that link in your profile :) Thanks!

PS I wish HN notified users of replies...