I was recently asked to give a talk to first time founders at an accelerator program in the North of England. Thanks Nick Duggan @ Zuas! I shared with them 7 guiding principles that have served me well over the years for developing technical products. Here they are:

#1 Start at the end

Imagine the customer using your product and getting value from it and telling their colleagues and suppliers all about it. Now work backwards. What had to happen to get to that point from where you are today?

#2 Make a plan

Turning ideas into products are big projects. There are too many moving parts that it’s impossible to remember them all. For these big projects its essential that you write things down and make a plan. What are your key milestones or deliverables?

#3 Focus on your strengths

Startup teams are often expected to do anything and everything. To succeed you need to be disciplined to stick to what you know best. Focus on YOUR value add. What can you do that brings the most value for your customer and their needs?

#4 Constraints point the way

When you’re stuck or unsure what to do next then figure out what you CAN’T do and the constraints your working within. There are always constraints and they can point you towards a solution. Do you know all the constraints that you are working within?

#5 It is OK not to know

Be open about what you don’t know. It is impossible to know or do everything. Find the knowledge and expertise gaps within the team. What areas of your project will you need to find help with?

#6 Leverage expertise

American skyscraper construction was revolutionised by a crane invented in Australia. Nobody succeeds alone. All businesses leverage third parties and the expertise of others. Who can help you?

#7 Don’t underestimate luck

Every endeavour is subject to fortune. When you get lucky, lean into it and double down. Conversely, when things aren’t going your way and nothing seems to work STOP! Have you taken the wrong path?