Focus.com posted a fantastic summery of 12 key characteristics demonstrated by prominent entrepreneurs. Their 6th trait, simplicity, really struck me as something that more budding entrepreneurs need to hear.
The following excerpt has been replicated from the post 12 Characteristics of Successful Internet Entrepreneurs.
The Trait: Simplicity. The Entrepreneurs: Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim. The Company: YouTube.
Engineers have an old saying that drives the field to this day: KISS, or “keep it simple, stupid.” YouTube founders Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim understood this better than most when they created a site that existed to do nothing more than let the average Joe upload his own videos. Without any delusions of grandeur or pretense about changing the world (which it has arguably done anyway), YouTube rose to Internet stardom by simply creating a cool, useful service that people would enjoy using daily. The fact that YouTube links are shared over IM, text, and Facebook all day long is a testament to the value of simplicity in business, and explains why Google snapped up the video sharing site for over $1 billion in 2007.
It is important to not let ideas of grandeur get in the way of solving a problem. It is OK to change your vision for the future once you get there but too often Entrepreneurs don’t stick with one idea long enough to get to that point. There is an old adage that states the good is the enemy of the best. Don’t let that apply to you.
Additionally, the simpler your idea is, the easier it is to explain it to others. The easier it is to explain, the more likely friends are going to tell others. The more people who relate to your idea the easier it is to explain and the more opportunities you will have to pitch your idea.
Find the one need you want to address and stay focused. Don’t let the solution become something more than it needs to be. Also, don’t ever discredit an idea because it sounds simple. Some of the most innovative products –a personal computer for example- have come from very simple beginnings.
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This new camera by Canon, along with the other video capable DSLR camera’s available from nikon and other camera companies, is going to change the world of photography and video as we know it. Canon, who just released this new full frame camera has officially made full frame, incredible quality video and photography available to a non-professional market. While the price for this camera is fairly steep (a cool $3500 body only), its price tag pales in comparison to the $5000+ cost of other professional quality cameras in the canon line. The new 5d canon boasts a 22 mp full frame sensor with incredible low light sensitivity (think iso 25,600, which for those who do not know camera lingo, this means you can shoot photos in darker situations). This, paired with the camera’s video capabilities, makes it a must have for up and coming cinematographers and photographers. It is so incredibly versatile and feature packed in comparison to other video camera’s (ex: RED which retail in the $17000). It also allows you the ability to purchase other high quality lenses that allow you to customize your rig to the type of shooting you are aiming to do.
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