Stream of Ry

6 months in Loudcloud Inc. and here’s what I’ve learned so far:

1. Starting up with available cash or access to cheap capital is always a good idea
2. Co-location beats virtual, hands-down
3. 2 Part timers < 1 Full time
4. In terms of effort, 100k project < 2 * 50k projects
5. Register with BIR within 30 days of incorporation
6. Register with SSS/Philhealth within 30 days of hiring/regularization
7. Get an accountant (that’s why you need #1)
8. Get a lawyer (also why you need #1)
9. Profitability vs Growth, depending on business model
10. Faster growth, less culture
11. Underpromise, Overdeliver, Always
12. Meetings are timesinks
13. Lots of business cards for those that does client meetings (in our case, Gerry and I)
14. Focus on your core competency. Just because you can go into a line of business, doesn’t mean you should.
15. Decide with the minimum number of people you need to make a decision
16. Do as much as you can if worth your time, else delegate
17. Communicate, communicate, communicate
18. A company can have dreams, and that’s what the people are staying for
19. If product-based, build consumer lust. If service-based, build partner lust. [1]
20. CEOs job is to bring in business that is in-line with the goals to take care of the people, but mostly take care of the people

[1] Partner-lust: You make them want to work with you.

I usually pep talk[1] younger Computer Science students when I get to talk to them. I ask them either one or both of these questions:

• “Anong bang plano mo pagkatapos mo grumaduate? (What are your plans after you graduate?)”
• “Bakit ka nag-CS? (Why did you decide to take CS?)”

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