Sure, entrepreneurs may read articles on the digital revolution or attend conferences about next-generation technologies like blockchain, but very few truly comprehend and apply business technology basics into their own companies. This goes beyond the utility level of getting on the cloud or installing digital apps; it involves having a solid understanding of the software development life cycle from beginning to end in order to work with development teams and launch a successful technology project.
These observations are based on my firsthand experience engaging with hundreds of non-technical entrepreneurs, who were either established business owners or new startup founders. I learned that only a handful had the clarity and concrete plans in place for their tech projects -- the rest either had no idea what they needed to do and who they needed to hire, or they had the wrong idea to begin with. Over time, I discovered that many of them were truly fearful when it came to technology, causing a great number of barriers for them to move forward. Or, they were under the impression that finding a CTO will solve all of their problems so that they do not have to be involved with the technology side of their business — which is a disaster waiting to happen.
Many of these same entrepreneurs value the importance of having a hands-on understanding in all other challenging areas of their businesses, such as sales, legal and finance. However, technology has always been something that is seen as either too complicated or too time-consuming. In their defense, the market is limited in the number of people or programs that can empower non-technical entrepreneurs. (This is ironic considering we are in the midst of a digital revolution.) That’s why I decided to become a tech coach to help solve this major gap in the marketplace.
So, my recommendation to non-technical entrepreneurs is that before they embark on any new technology endeavor, it is critical to have a technology game plan in place in order to know for sure what they should build first, who they should bring on and how they should build it. If this is not sorted out before the technical talent recruiting process begins, the wrong solution could be built or the solution could be built wrong. Either way, this could result in a loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars, not to mention all the people, time and headache involved. Below, I would like to offer some steps that non-technical entrepreneurs can take right now to get on the right path.
Identify the problem. The first step is to be clear on the problem that you are trying to solve using a one-line problem-solution statement. It seems obvious, but I would say in the majority of conversations I have had, only a few could succinctly express their idea in one sentence.
Write a hypothesis. The best way to measure the success of your solution is by writing out your hypothesis following the innovation framework, which is a scientific method to perform a series of experiments.
Consider proof of concept, prototype and MVP. Determine if you need to start off with a proof of concept, digital prototype or minimum viable product (MVP for short). MVP is defined in “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries as “that version of a new product which allows a team to collect the maximum amount of validated learning about customers with the least effort.”All three should be explored in order to maximize learning and minimize both cost and risk.
Hone your hiring process. Write a proper technical job description to attract prospective talent, combined with a solid technical interview process. This applies to full-time employees as well as contract freelancers and agencies in order to avoid hiring mishaps. Many seem to skip this step and think simply having an organic conversation will do, but that is rarely the case.
Consider a variety of solutions. My last tip is to thoroughly evaluate a variety of technology solutions before deciding on which platform to go with. It should not just be the first platform an advisor or agency or even your CTO recommends, as many times they are biased and will lean toward what they are familiar with instead of what is best for your business. It is important that the pros and cons of at least the top two to three relevant technical solutions are listed and weighed accordingly before the project begins.
In summary, I encourage non-technical entrepreneurs to be proactive in learning about business technology and to be fully engaged from the beginning to end of their technology projects and with their technical teams. This is how you can gain the confidence in technology so that it will serve you, reduce the risk of failure for your technology projects and take your business to the next level in today’s rapidly changing digital economy.
