Things I found on the web this week (29th September)
This week in honour of the new teams that have just started at the Digital Incubation Center, here are some of the most popular links from recent editions of this newsletter, all related to starting up. Featuring advice for startups from Microsoft, examples of brilliant MVPs, how to write winning PR copy, how to think like a designer.
Here are the things I found interesting on the web over the last few weeks.
Happy reading!
// STARTING THINGS
The weight of starting
“I sometimes think there’s a problem of digital teams taking too much time to do things. They just don’t get started soon enough…”
// BOOKS TO READ THINGS
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
If you aren’t following the principles set out in this book, your business will probably fail. It’s as simple as that.
Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products
“Hooked gives you the blueprint for the next generation of products. Read Hooked or the company that replaces you will.” Matt Mullenweg — Founder, WordPress
Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug
This is THE essential book on how to design brilliant web applications that everyone should read — CEOs and designers alike. “Absolutely everyone should read this book. The internet would be a far better place.” — Amazon reviewer
The Field Guide to Human-Centered Design
A step-by-step guide that will get you solving problems like a designer. I urge you to download this free guide.
// ADVICE THINGS
Start-up Advice: Dave Coplin, Microsoft UK
Some sage advice from Microsoft’s Chief Envisioning Officer.
// GETTING STARTED THINGS
Discovery Sprints
A discovery sprint is a one week time-box of product discovery work, designed to tackle at least one substantial problem or risk in your product’s definition. Learn about the benefits here.
// PR & MARKETING THINGS
Here’s How to Write PR Copy That Will Get Your Business Noticed
Attention spans have grown shorter in the mobile era. That means PR copy must now be crisp and creative if it’s going to stand out. Here are three tips to help you write compelling copy more quickly, whether for emails, tweets or press releases.
// INSPIRING MVPS THINGS
3 Inspiring Minimum Viable Products from Dropbox, Buffer, Airbnb
I was reminded this week of how Airbnb started out. Just one simple idea, one simple website, a ‘test run’, and Boom! You know the rest. Here’s their story along with Dropbox and Buffer. Three amazing examples of how and why MVPs really work.
// DESIGN THINGS
6 Key Ways Design Thinkers Approach Problems
This is a look at how veterans of the process think: what goes on in their minds when they approach a problem, be it a new app or a service.
// PRODUCT MANAGEMENT THINGS
The Day-To-Day Product Management Toolkit
As a startup founder you have to fulfil many roles. Product Manager is one the most important ones. Here is a list of the tools you can use to help you in that role.
Compiled with ❤️ in Qatar
