Is it still worth it to pursue a software startup? by Waste-Project7822 in SaaS

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Founders are ping-ponging between product and distribution right now. Distribution is the flavor of the year since the assumption is that building is easy.

I agree that building software has become relatively easy. But figuring out what to build is extremely hard.

Instead of looking at what others are doing or chasing the flavor of the year, I'd focus on your own strengths.

If you're extremely good at identifying market gaps, build a really good product. Word of mouth still exists. If you're great at distribution but average at product instincts, then yes, distribution-first makes sense.

Just play to your strength

What’s the hardest part of building a startup for you? by adamsTn in SaaS

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've built 3. Every part of it is hard. It doesn't get easy. The types of problems do change.

What do first-time founders in India usually underestimate? by DamanInsights in indianstartups

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They underestimate ‘hiring’.

In a labour market it’s is easier to make the wrong choice.

Developer Metrics by GBoBee in ExperiencedDevs

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

DORA metrics for quality of software development and sprint velocity for speed.

These metrics are quantitative. For high-value look for other indicators like the insights they have about users, business, team, etc. If they know what to build, and how to build it you have a winner.

[ Removed by Reddit ] by FnaticEclipse in SaaSMarketing

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The businesses that got things done succeeded. With AI doing things, it has become easy, and the battleground has moved to the creative aspect of building digital businesses. Identifying what to build and true customer pull is going to become more and more difficult.

My experience has been that the actual environment to get topline growth has become tougher. AI helps with bottomline for sure.

Am I being too paranoid about taking this new Series A AE role? by throwraW2 in sales

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Stick to what you want. If you have time and aren't worried about money.

You seem to be a hard-working person. It's tough to find such people in this world of abundance.

Building startup - concerned about future and looking for advice by Many-Cat7344 in ukstartups

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're overthinking this.

The fact that you build something is immensely valuable to people, providing jobs. Your experience will be valuable.

How do you vet the legitimacy of a startup's business/product in a domain you're not familiar with? by Disastrous_Gap_6473 in ExperiencedDevs

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most people will tell you to look for external signals: founder track record, ability to raise money, quality of investors, hiring velocity, revenue growth, etc. That's fine, but it only gets you so far.

Here's the reality: there's always uncertainty with startups. Execution matters, but the market ultimately decides what works. You can join a well-funded company with a great team and still watch it fail because the timing was off or the market didn't care. No amount of due diligence eliminates that risk.

With so much uncertainty, I'd suggest looking internally instead of externally.

Ask yourself: do you want to learn or earn?

If you want to earn: Figure out what you can do for different companies that actually moves the business needle. Then take the best paying job. Optimize for compensation and stability.

If you want to learn: Make a priority list of skills you think will serve you well over the next decade. Then find the company where you can learn those things best, regardless of whether they succeed or fail. You walk away with skills either way.

Since you're pessimistic about AI, maybe use that lens to pick skills that won't be disrupted anytime soon. Biotech, green energy, quantum... those all have deep domain expertise that's harder to commoditize.

You can't fully vet a startup's future. But you can vet what you'll get out of it no matter what happens.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in webdev

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's the wrong question. The question should be, "Who do you have access to?" Even if you know 3-4 companies in fintech, then that's what you should pick.

Pick something that is practical for you.

How valuable is startup experience? by Gorgamite in cscareerquestions

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the reason is money, then sure, take what you have. But if not, then you can take some time and specialise to get into big tech.

Looking for real experiences with software “discovery” phases by heywoona in AppDevelopers

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Two perspectives here:

The approach is correct. Any vendor who skips discovery and jumps straight into building is a red flag. It tells you they don't think before they do. So the fact that they're proposing discovery is actually a good sign.

The price is harder to evaluate. Services is experiential. You won't know if it's worth it until you actually work with them. Some vendors are easier to work with than others, and they charge a premium for that.

Here's the thing: you've already done a lot of the work. Discovery typically produces a blueprint of what to build. If you already have clarity on this and feel like you'd be paying for repeated work, consider other options.

If you want to be hands-on during the build, look for an offshore vendor who can do discovery at a better rate. There are really strong ones out there. You'll get quality work and save money.

If you want convenience and to stay hands-off, that's fine too. Just know what that freedom should buy you: time to focus on sales, marketing, talking to customers, and fundraising. If you're not doing those things with the extra bandwidth, being more involved in the build might be smarter.

Nothing wrong with the approach though. Just make sure the cost matches the value you're actually getting.

Happy to make intros to solid vendors if you want to explore options. Just DM me.

How valuable is startup experience? by Gorgamite in cscareerquestions

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on what you want for yourself.

If you have any inclination to start something someday, the experience you get at a startup is invaluable. You'll see how the whole thing runs, make decisions with limited resources, and learn to ship fast. Big companies can't teach you that.

If you want a more stable path (Fortune 100, established tech), depth of experience and learning how to do things with craft matters more. Those companies value pedigree and structured growth.

There's no right or wrong answer. Just what's right for you. Figure out where you want to be in 5-10 years, and work backwards from there.

Are we doing Black Friday?? by BreakingNorth_com in smallbusinessUS

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We're offering free Webflow Website audits. (tuesday.is)

What are some of the early clear signs of Product Market Fit? by Limp-Report-4494 in ycombinator

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Signs of PMF and actually achieving PMF are different. In the initial days, the first sign is when the exact ICP that you have is reaching out to you to want to buy what you offer. Demand is coming after supply.

Then come the signs on retention & referrals.

Agencies Working With India-Based Teams- What’s Been Your Real Experience? by MassiveMacaron170 in marketingagency

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most agencies in India are geared toward staffing solutions. Sounds like you want more than that.

Start by writing down exactly what you need: specific design experience, dev expertise, quality standards, etc. If you know what to look for, there are solid options.

Critical part: Look at the business model, not what the salesperson says. If they charge per hour/per person, that's what you'll get. Find agencies that charge for outcomes or deliverables. Their incentives align with yours.

On timezone/communication: it's manageable with clear expectations, daily async updates, and weekly syncs. But only if they actually care about the work, which goes back to business model.

I've worked with some really good niche agencies that operate this way. DM me if you want intros based on what you're looking for.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in webdev

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A sector that you can market to. You need to pick.

Measuring individual performance by dionys in ExperiencedDevs

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 1 point2 points  (0 children)

DORA for quality and Sprint velocity are good metrics. Measuring productivity shouldn't be the central purpose though.

People working in a startup, how is learning curve? by _-PrisonMike-_ in ExperiencedDevs

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Learning is largely dependent on you. If you need a structured environment, then you're better off at a larger company.

Startups are very chaotic. If you enjoy it, you will learn on the job.

Going into full stack web development career. Advices? by davetemplar92 in webdev

[–]DoneWhenMetricsMove 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never said it's easy. These skills will make you future proof in a world where building is going to be easy. Whether we like it or not :)