I recently read this post on Behance and thought that it was definitely worth sharing with all of you.

Contrary to popular belief, creativity can exist in bureaucratic environments. You can see it in the form of brainstorms and “exciting days” in offices across the corporate world. A new idea flourishes, but then it enters a bureaucratic mess that substantially reduces the likelihood of execution.

“Don” (real name protected) had an internship this summer at a social networking startup that shall go nameless. As he explains, “ideas for changes and small improvements would originate in a brainstorm, and then be preserved for a meeting with our design agency. A week later, a meeting with designers would end with a series of questions for the programmers. The programmers (some work on the opposite coast and some work in India), would have to agree on a meeting time with the designers and with the executives. By the time that meeting happened, everyone would need a refresher on the topic, weeks would have passed, and money evaporated.” Painful.

To make ideas happen, creative professionals must work in a system that values a bias-to-action and boundaryless collaboration.

• Brainstorm meetings should include the resources required for execution. If the plan for implementation involves designers, programmers, accountants, lawyers, etc…then they should have representation.
• Strive to have everyone at the table (physically or metaphorically). It is no wonder that small all-in-house start-ups are especially productive in developing new businesses.
• For dispersed groups, extra effort must be taken to engage the right resources in a timely manner.

When an idea is brewing, your first action should be to get everyone involved who will actually need to take action to make the idea happen.

Brought to you by Micah Davis

Mistakes…immediately after the fact, they suck…but in hindsight…they’re some of the best teachers of all time.  To be brutally honest, this post is going to be in direct reference to a mistake that I’ve made in the management of my startup venture.  So without further adieu…lets just cut to the chase.

Several months back, our team and project was thriving, yet there remained one critical piece to the puzzle that needed to be filled.  Actually, there was one more person that we needed to find to work with on the project.  My thinking was to do a ton of research, talk to a ton of people and then see who I would come across.  Upon doing so, I spent time talking to several different individuals and worked hard on filtering down the list to a handful of candidates.  And then I made a major blunder…

I decided to really narrow down all of the potential people to see who would be “the best fit” for the project, and then from there, go after that individual.  Well, one guy, in particular, stood out above the rest.  So we had several phone calls, talked about the postition, talked about expectations, even flew out to meet up with one another, we did all of our *due diligence*…from there, we set up a sort of audition for the gig. 

Fast forward to about four weeks later, things ended up not working out for both parties (nothing bad, just not the right fit).  And that’s not even the kicker to the whole story…the same sort of scenario happened again…yes, again!  So taking a look back at that point in time, my partners and I were still left with this need that had to be filled yet we were over 8 weeks delayed on our timeline!

Moral of the story…hedge your bets!   This is especially true when it comes to teaming up with the right people.  Hmmm…let me explain some of the logic as to why my partners and I chose to pursue one individual at a time rather than several (and this explanation is not meant to be a form of self-justification but instead I share it as a point of reference to some of the variables that played into our decision making).  For starters, it has to do with money.  Pursuing multiple people, flying them out to meet up, contracting them for a short period of time, etc…all costs money!  Also, we have an intense passion for FOCUS…and so we thought that to focus on one person deeply rather than several not quite as well was the best course of action.

Well, the opposite actually came true.  Due to the time delay of the situations, it ended up costing us more time, more money and more resources to lazer in on a few candidates than it would have if we had pursued the top five candidates for the position.  Ahhhh…diversification!  I used to not like it…thought that it was overrated…shunned the principle of it…yet, its merit holds true…at least in this example.

When dealing with a search to add a new member to your team, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket!  Not because people aren’t trustworthy or flake out, or are difficult to work with…but rather because life tends to throw curveballs from time to time and it can be difficult to mesh different people’s goals, talents and ambitions.

Timing is a critical component to any startup…timing to market, timing to product launch, timing to reach a lost people group, timing to set up a cause-related initiative…TIMING (and the opportunity cost of timing for that matter) should play a major role in decision making.  Keep your plan rolling when it comes to filling gaps and meeting neeeds…don’t shut the process off just because one option opened up or is worthy of further pursuit.

I think that I could write more about this topic…but feel that this post has become long enough already.  Hopefully my mistake will translate into your education…after all…isn’t that one of the best ways to learn?!?!   …just some Food Forethought.

By Micah Davis

Could it be? Is there really a time when more can be less? Yes…at least when it comes to results, performance and productivity that is. Bear with me here.

A very talented and experienced software engineer once gave me some advice on the topic of partnering with the right people. In a very simple and to-the-point kind of manner, he told me that one great programmer could do the same amount of work, if not more, than that of three good programmers. So with this example, throwing more people (resources) at a project doesn’t necessarily mean better/faster development (results).

Ever known somebody like that? A person that you knew could handle anything, do it without a team of assistants and still manage to get in done in less time than needed. Moral of the story…while the RIGHT person may require more resources and be more difficult to get on board…in the end, they’ll end up accomplishing more than three other good individuals combined. LESS is MORE…think GREAT, not GOOD.

And this post is not just about people…but about many other areas as well.  MORE money, MORE hardware, MORE marketing…instead, think of the RIGHT solution to your problem, the RIGHT strategy for your target market, the RIGHT approach to your social work.  Case in point, quality > quantity.

Let me preface this post by saying that I’m a HUGE advocate of dreams. Everything about ‘em…from the dreaming process to the creativity involved to the aspiration of more than “the familiar”…it’s all good…BUT, I’ve recently noticed the shortcomings which often plague those that dare to dream. In essence, it’s *the next step* that stifles the dreamers, and this next step is where dreamers develop into visionaries. Initiative, Passion, Thinking…yes, yes and yes…they’re all very vital, but I’d like to just mock up a quick comparison of the two for the time being:

By Micah Davis

“Wherever you are…be there.” - Dr. Nasir Siddiki

This post is in direct response to the quote above. The culture of our society today seems to 100% embrace the notion of an “it’s okay…I have A.D.D.” type of mentality. Combine that with the ever-present *multi-task mindset* of the work-a-holic community and there’s no wonder why people have such a hard time staying on track, reaching their goals and fulfilling their dreams.

Ever been somewhere but not really “been there?” You know, your body is there but you’re checked out mentally. Daydreams, sleepiness, fatigue, ideas…whatever the reason may be, it’s easy to go through the motions without being tuned into the environment and/or task at hand.

Well I once heard Dr. Nasir cite the quote from above, “Wherever you are…be there,” and it has struck a chord with me ever since. I’ve often found myself in some situation: working on a project, talking with a friend, doing some research, attending an event…only to realize that I’m only 50% engaged in the moment (that’s if I’m even there at all). About a year ago, I made it a point to observe my own habits and tendencies during certain events of each day and I, stunningly, came to the reality of just how frequently I didn’t give my best to another person or the current endeavor.

So why not? Why not give your full and undivided attention to those that so long for a caring friend? Why not devote your best to the task at hand, irregardless of how minute it may seem? Why not think of an idea for a problem even if the company isn’t yours? Why not…”be there?”

Well, in order to be your best and stay focused…you’ve got to position yourself to be both alert and considerate. One simple tip that may seem to be sort of trivial and irrelevant is…rest…yep, good old rest. A body that is sleep-deprived is often tired…which often leads to fatigue…which often leads to negativity…which often leads to being unproductive, irresponsible and uncompassionate.

Another simple point is to be more “intentional.” In order to *be there* you have to continually remind yourself that it’s of no good (and often to the detriment for that matter) to give less than you’re capable of. In order to create a laser-like focus, you have to be intentional about doing so.

And finally, *being there* requires being selfless. Relationships are at the core of everything we do and when it all boils down to the core…our nature is to value “self” above that of “others.” Many tasks and situations require labor for the benefit of another…and often so without the promise or fulfillment of either recognition and/or monetary gain. Both laziness and selfish ambition are rooted in the desire to look out for one’s own interest prior to that of those around you.

So next time you catch yourself checked out mentally of what it is that your currently doing…under the silence of your breath…whisper to yourself the words…”wherever you are…be there.”

By Micah Davis

In the continuation of the Snapshots of a Startup series, I’ve making an effort to simply share some of the lessons/principles/concepts that I’m learning throughout the course of working on my first major startup. Well…it’s been a while now…and I’ve had this idea brewing in my head for quite some time. I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to both meet and become friends with many successful entrepreneurs, businessmen and social influencers. Each person has had some great nuggets of insight to share…yet in the experiences of each lies one thread, one reoccurring theme, one common denominator.

One principle has literally set apart the successes from the failures, the peak’s from the valley’s and the IPO’s from the bankruptcies. This one thing has been the decisive element that has taken a great idea all the way from concept to creation and from creation to adoption. When you cut it all down to the core, the essence of what shaped an idea in its rawest form and birthed it into something great, it all comes down to one thing…or so I think (after all, I haven’t had a major success just yet so, in a couple of years, we may all look back and find this post to be premature in nature).

P-E-O-P-L-E. Yep, people. You, me, him, her…we’re all people. Every single day there are millions of people that work with one another or for one another…BUT it’s the *right* people working *together* that can make all of the difference in the world.

Think about it… How many great ideas were once filled with enthusiasm and fueled by passion only to be stifled by some mis-communication that sowed the seeds towards a dysfunctional partnership? How many dreams have been left devoid because a team couldn’t stick it out together when the going got tough? How many causes were left unattended because of an individual’s caving to his/her own selfish pursuits?

Cliche…maybe. Underrated…probably. Powerful…definitely. It’s all about the people!

The *right* people will find solutions to problems. The *right* people will pick up one another during times of struggle. The *right* people will embrace confrontation even when it isn’t the most popular thing to do. The *right* people will go out of their way for the success of the vision. The *right* people will accept failure as a step in the process. The *right* people will persist despite the negativity spoken by others.

And for the record, I’m not talking about CEO’s, VP’s or any Executives for that matter…I’m talking about every person in the organization. So next time you find yourself ready to pursue a major endeavor, take the time necessary to get the right people on the bus…for their value will far exceed that of rubies and gold.

By Micah Davis

The story below is an excerpt from Chazown, a book by Craig Groeschel. It’s short and simple…but raises some good points!

One day the bird was flying South for the winter and got caught in a snowstorm. As snow landed on his tiny wings, it melted slightly, then quickly froze, causing the bird to fall to the ground. As he sat helpless and shivering, encased in ice, the bird thought to himself, this is the end.

To make matters worse, a cow wandered toward the freezing bird and - wouldn’t you know it? - deposited a stinking pile of manure on top of the bird. The bird panicked, horrified at the thought that he was going to freeze to death, covered in manure. But slowly, the warmth of the manure caused the bird to thaw out. He fluttered his newly freed wings and began to chirp with joy! Chirp! Chirp!

That’s when a cat, drawn by the chirping, ran over, dug out the bird…and ate him! This story of courage and calamity teaches three important lessons:

1. Not everyone that drops manure on you is your enemy
2. Not everyone who digs you out of manure is your friend
3. When you are in manure, keep your mouth shut

By Micah Davis

Hamilton Wright Mable said, “Don’t worry about opposition. Remember, a kite rises against the wind, not with the wind.” We need to approach challenges with this same mindset. At first, it may seem like a hindrance, but in the end, the wind is what allows the kite to soar and dip gracefully across the sky. Without the wind, the beauty within the kite is not revealed. Face the challenge head-on, with passion, and allow it to help you soar. Remember, no one rises to meet low expectations.

The above is a passage from the Habitudes by Dr. Tim Elmore. What struck me the most about it though was the last sentence that reads, “Remember, no one rises to meet low expectations.” The kite analogy is a simple illustration of how going “against the grain” is what reveals the beauty of the kite. I recently sat down with a fellow entrepreneur and MBA student at Cal-Berkley. In our conversation, he mentioned an idea of his that had a couple of hurdles to overcome. While these barriers to entry may be difficult to overcome initially, upon reaching the other side…the very same obstacles that once hindered his path to success could eventually become the pillars of his competitive advantage.

So to sum it all up…if what you set out to do was *easy*, then somebody would already have done it or there wouldn’t be any great reward in constructing it. The Key to Growth is Resistance…if we could only keep that in perspective.

By Micah Davis

Learning from the mistakes of others can be one of the single biggest *shortcuts* on the path to success. Here are some recent remarks from some entrepreneurs who have “been there and done that.”

Build a Strong Team of Generalists Who Can Specialize - Avichal Garg

Find team members who complement each other but who can jump in to do anything. For example, if you are building a team of engineers, find great engineers, some of whom think about the front-end, some about the back-end, some about speed, but all of whom can jump in wherever and whenever needed to build a part of the product.

Do the Simplest Thing Possible - David Weekly

You’re probably pretty smart so you’ve probably built out a very elaborate scheme / architecture / process for achieving world peace while becoming fabulously wealthy. Drop it. This big-picture kind of stuff is pure intellectual masturbation. Instead, ask yourself, almost as a joke, what the absolute simplest possible version of the idea would be - challenge yourself to something you can do in a day. You may be surprised (positively or negatively!) by the results.

Bigger than You - Sumaya Kazi

Surround yourself with people smarter than yourself. It can only breed success.

Don’t Worry if You Don’t Have All the Answers - Craig Walker

People will try to poke holes in your ideas from every angle. Regardless of your answers, you can’t convince everybody it’s the greatest idea in the world. Just keep working and executing. The answers will come or you’ll learn to make adjustments on the fly.

Passion & Failure - Angie Chang

Most importantly, be passionate about your startup and enjoy it while it lasts! A failure can prove positive if you succeed in learning from your mistakes along the way.

Put Community First - Tara Hunt & Chris Messina

This is something that in practice is very hard to do when you have budgets and bills to deal with, but for the long term viability of your project, you really do need to put community in the lead of all your decision. Now, to be sure, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you bend to every whim of your community, but that instead, you act as a gatekeeper to what gets in and what experiences your community has. You are your community’s first and last line of defense and if you side with anyone *but* your community, you’ll shortly thereafter have no community to advocate for.

Drink Your Own Artificially Flavored Fruit Beverage - Matt Curry

You should be using your own product on a daily basis as an end user would. If you find some user interface element awkward or are constantly thinking, “if only we had this feature”, then chances are your users are saying the same thing. The great thing is since this is your site you can fix it and make everyone happy.

The above “words of wisdom” are courtesy of the interviews from Center Networks.

By Micah Davis

First off, I’d like to mention that one of my best friends and co-founder, Chris Capehart, has recently launched his new blog appropriately titled “The Different Ink.” Chris is one of the most passionate people that I know with a genuine care for relationships and appetite for success. I highly recommend that you check out his blog…I know that I’m looking forward to some more posts (Chris…*hint, hint*). And now we’ll be moving along to what’s been on my mind…

Stuck…ever been there? Ever felt it? Well if you’re human like the rest of us, then the chances are that you have been. But breaking through mental barriers and life’s challenges can be accomplished easier with some tools at hand. So when it comes to being creative, I generally like to try 2 different approaches. The 1st of which is to ask the BIG question of…”What if?” Simple…you bet, but powerful when uttered with intent. I’m actually not going to dive into this direction as Chris has actually just written about the subject here.

Now this next approach seems to be neglected and underutilized a little more often than not.

It’s what my good friend Jeremy recently said to me as “Creativity with Constraints.” It’s the ability to look at the limitations of a situation and use them to your advantage. When it comes to the creative element, the “What If” method does have its place…but sometimes it can really help to look at a challenge as an opportunity. So you don’t have a million dollar marketing budget…big whoop! How about enough manpower…big whoop! Or what about a superstar endorsement…big whoop!

These *constraints* force you to think outside of the box….or should I say “inside” of it. Don’t get down about “what you can’t do with what you don’t have”…but rather ask “what it is that you can do to maximize what you do have.”

Sometimes less can be more. Think about it for a second…if you had what everybody else had then you wouldn’t be forced to create what others have yet to create. Hmmm, a blessing in disguise perhaps. This approach has helped me several times in coming up with a great solution…one that has been innovative and key to a certain success. So next time you’re stuck and need to get those creative juices flowing…embrace the constraints and seek out new ways of reaching your goal…you just might be surprised by what you come up with.

By Micah Davis