Hackers can be business guys, and other lessons from Paul Graham
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Hackers can be business guys, and other lessons from Paul Graham
1–10 of 52 posts
Re: Hackers can be business guys, and other lessons from Paul Graham
#2Right. Business things, like hacking is mostly experience.
But much like hacking, I would argue, there are rockstar/ninja/superstar/10x/ business people as well. A lot of it has to do with natural aptitude; just as how coding doesn't simply click for everyone, business things (which is mostly just dealing with people) simply doesn't either.
Re: Hackers can be business guys, and other lessons from Paul Graham
#3Right. Business things, like hacking is mostly experience. But much like hacking, I would argue, there are rockstar/ninja/superstar/10x/ business people as well. A lot of it has to do with natural aptitude; just as how coding doesn't simply click for everyone, business things (which is mostly just dealing with people) simply doesn't either.
Personally I don't believe in natural aptitude. Most of what others tend to see as natural aptitude is in fact just attitude. If someone really enjoys something they put in the hours of practice and the effort to be awesome in that field, and they can become the "rock star".
Re: Hackers can be business guys, and other lessons from Paul Graham
#4Right, what are these rules?
Re: Hackers can be business guys, and other lessons from Paul Graham
#5Right. Business things, like hacking is mostly experience. But much like hacking, I would argue, there are rockstar/ninja/superstar/10x/ business people as well. A lot of it has to do with natural aptitude; just as how coding doesn't simply click for everyone, business things (which is mostly just dealing with people) simply doesn't either.
Personally I don't believe in natural aptitude. Most of what others tend to see as natural aptitude is in fact just attitude. If someone really enjoys something they put in the hours of practice and the effort to be awesome in that field, and they can become the "rock star".
"Talent is willingness to practice" is how I've heard that described.
Re: Hackers can be business guys, and other lessons from Paul Graham
#6Right. Business things, like hacking is mostly experience. But much like hacking, I would argue, there are rockstar/ninja/superstar/10x/ business people as well. A lot of it has to do with natural aptitude; just as how coding doesn't simply click for everyone, business things (which is mostly just dealing with people) simply doesn't either.
Personally I don't believe in natural aptitude. Most of what others tend to see as natural aptitude is in fact just attitude. If someone really enjoys something they put in the hours of practice and the effort to be awesome in that field, and they can become the "rock star".
Well yes and no. Obviously for most things you will get better with practise but it's certainly also true that you are genetically predisposed to learn some things faster than others and be able to get to a higher level quicker and have a higher chance of becoming one of the best in that field. So it makes sense to specialise in those things.
For example I'm sure I could run pretty fast if I trained but I'm never going to beat the 100m record because I'm not usain bolt.
Re: Hackers can be business guys, and other lessons from Paul Graham
#7I don't think that word means what you think it means kid
Re: Hackers can be business guys, and other lessons from Paul Graham
#8Earlier quoted context omitted.
Personally I don't believe in natural aptitude. Most of what others tend to see as natural aptitude is in fact just attitude. If someone really enjoys something they put in the hours of practice and the effort to be awesome in that field, and they can become the "rock star".
Well yes and no. Obviously for most things you will get better with practise but it's certainly also true that you are genetically predisposed to learn some things faster than others and be able to get to a higher level quicker and have a higher chance of becoming one of the best in that field. So it makes sense to specialise in those things. For example I'm sure I could run pretty fast if I trained but I'm never goi…
I think its more like people get fixated on certain subjects and automatically spend more time on the subject.
Re: Hackers can be business guys, and other lessons from Paul Graham
#9I would say smart hackers can be nearly anything they want to be. The best of them are capable of looking at most any problem and breaking it down into solvable chunks. Whether it's figuring out the behaviors necessary to tone their bodies into beings capable of physical activity, or honing their skills with machinery to rebuild an old car. Hackers can be some of the best mechanics and are capable of knowing how to turn their bodies into incredible machines.
Those are just a couple of examples of what hackers are capable of outside of, well, hacking on things. If there are parts of problems or tasks hackers don't know, they can research them and understand how to fix them. This means that they're not afraid to jump into the deep end in other professions or tasks.
Capable of being a business person, and possessing the same drive as business people are where the disconnect occurs, in my opinion. Could a good hacker figure out the steps needed to create something that would be considered a successful business? Yes, probably so. But, are smart hackers driven to generate wealth or create large organizations of people? In my experience, the answer is often: "not really, but I'd love to help you build it."
Re: Hackers can be business guys, and other lessons from Paul Graham
#10I am surprised that Shenglong is down voted - it strikes me that the idea of 10x "business-people" is just as valid as
10x developers. Certainly Branson for example seems better at it than, say, me.
@Andrew_quentin Want my take on the 5 or so business rules:
1. Budget. Don't spend more than you plan to, plan to make a profit.
2. Clarity. Be clear what you offer and why it benefits the target market
3. ABS - Always Be Selling. Build a pipeline of prospects and clients and audiences. Keep on telling them how your thing will make their lives better. Then and only then watch GlenGary GlenRoss
4. Service - the customer must think you love them because only people we love do we treat so well. This is easier with few customers. They then have to be charged more. This is a sub rule (6)
5. Consistency - say it, do it. Hire a PA to make sure you do.
6. Never drop your price or cut your rates