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Business Strategies That Will Deliver Something, Including Face Time with Legal Eagles

January 28, 2025

dino orangeA blog post written by a real and still-alive dinobaby. If there is art, there is AI in my workflow.

I read an interesting write up which has an implied forbidden word in its title. I have provided a link, but I made an editorial change to avoid getting into trouble with the oligarchs and their forbidden word punishment squad. The write up is called ““Stealth Mode” and Other … Brilliant Strategies.” Let’s take a look at the list and consider what the “brilliant strategies” mean for a person or entity needing cash, customers, repeat business, a BMW, and probably a yacht or four like Mr. Bezos has.

Here are the strategies, which I would label “tactics”, but dinobabies are persnickety:

  1. Stealth mode. I think means keep what you are doing a secret.
  2. Get “it” right. I added the quotes. I am not sure to what the “it” refers.
  3. Don’t ask anyone if he or she would pay for the product or services.
  4. Hey, don’t work too hard.
  5. Write the code first which translates to build the product, software, service, or whatever.
  6. Raise money before you have customers.
  7. Copy the competition.
  8. Sell to everyone.

At first glance, these “strategies” reflect the current business environment. Most of these would be warmly endorsed by the oligarchs who are now helping a new President make big-time decisions. If one assumes that the major technology companies and some of the promising start ups have been using these “brilliant strategies,” how have the knock on effects changed society. Here’s my comment on each of the eight items.

  1. Stealth mode. I think the idea is to pretend to be doing something in secret. The reality is that information has a tendency to escape. Keeping secrets is difficult. Just ask the major telcos or the victims of a pig butchering scheme. “Stealth mode” is a form of marketing and PR. “Real” journalists love to write about secrets.
  2. Get it right. Sorry that’s not part of the method today. I would remind you that updates to Microsoft Windows wreck havoc for some people. The security breaches which popular X.com’s OSINT posts are a grim reminder than excellence in software is another marketing precept. The way the world works is, “Ship it Thursday.”
  3. Don’t ask suggests that market research is not needed. I disagree. One needs input, particularly before creating a product or service. If no one will pay, the organization is dead or dying. Check out the supply of Dodge Hornets. Research may not translate to good decisions.
  4. Yeah, “don’t work too hard.” Wow. I grew up in a home populated by a father who worked two jobs and a mother who kept house and volunteered for decades at a hospital. The idea of “work” is important. I think that may be why at age 80, I chug along. Working hard has many benefits. These include self respect, money, and a way to remain productive. No, “work hard.” The scrolling life is very bad.
  5. Build first. Okay, but I think the first two steps are planning and talking to people. Sorry. I stick to the basics.
  6. Raise money before you have customers. This means that you need to have money. For the top one percenters in income, this may work. For most people, money is needed. Lots of money is needed because shoe string grand slams are infrequent events.
  7. Copy. Yep, the me-too culture. My view is that one should plan which includes research and analysis. Then figure out how to differentiate and deliver value. Copying Google will get a start up exactly nowhere. Copying content for an AI play will get you some face time with lawyers. Do the Leonardo thing: Be innovative.
  8. Sell to everyone. Successful people are able to sell their ideas, themselves, narcotics, whatever. The trick here is to talk to people. Those with a need will respond to a solution if it works.,

Let’s step back. Will the budding entrepreneur make a lot of money following these rules? The depressing answer is, “Yes, some carpet baggers will indeed strike it rich.” That’s something to keep in mind. I have some rules of thumb, and they are different from the eight set forth in the write up. Dinobabies are a pain, aren’t they?

Stephen E Arnold, January 28, 2025

Written by Stephen E. Arnold · Filed Under Business strategy, Financial, News 

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