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Startup Team

Arguably THE most important aspect of any startup.  μ The answer is easy, though admittedly, the implementation is a bit more difficult:
  • Design: both graphic designers (Photoshop experts) and developers (experts in HTML, the code that runs the website, and CSS, which identifies the look and feel such as colors, placement, font, etc).  These folks should also be experienced in UX and UI (user experience and user interface).  This team member's value is extremely important, yet also the most easily critiqued (cut your designers some slack!).  Compare the Google homepage to Yahoo's and you'll recognize the value.
  • Engineering: these folks engineer the algorithm/code and develop it into a workable application.  If your idea is technology-based (e.g., mobile apps, web apps, software), then this will be the most critical team member in the beginning.
  • Business: obvious.  Someone with the expertise to manage cash flow (i.e., the number 1 reason new businesses fail), establish pricing strategy, sales/marketing/advertising, legal issues, and most importantly, customer development (i.e., establishing market fit).
I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by a great team covering each of these specialties. Oh, and one last thing.  While most people believe that going into business with friends can be troublesome, I disagree if it's with the right group.  The team needs to have a thick skin so when the heated arguments arise (and trust me, they will), egos are not bruised and the team becomes closer, not further away.  Again, I'm lucky in this area as I've known a few of my team members for a few decades (and one since I could barely walk!). If you need help finding the right person, feel free to contact me and I may be able to set you up with someone in my network that can fill in your professional gaps. You should follow @seanMeverett on Twitter here.
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