We did a brand review for Terragen Token, here is what we did, and the outcome of the changes. It was a dramatic shift and seeing more traction due to the changes. Reach out if you think we can help you.
Chat GPT is a Game Changer
ChatGPT is getting tons of press. It is well deserved. It's a major step forward. About half our clients are using it in some capacity. The skill in extracting the best results from these tools is incredibly valuable, and may become a new job title soon. "Artificial Intelligence Interpreter"
Cybersecurity Concerns
We want to provide value to users. We never want to put them in a worse place than they were when they came to us. Preventative security measures largely protect from these scenarios. But as with any other priority of the company, these concerns can be analyzed with numbers and approached with a rational risk assessment. The purpose of security measures is to properly manage risk with a reasonable cost benefit analysis to protect user integrity, data, and privacy.
The Case for Fractional Workers
The world of work is changing rapidly. We see the major tech companies laying off tens of thousands of overpaid local engineers. The global workforce was brought top of mind with the pandemic, and it's been a long time trend. I saw some of this change over a decade ago with competitions for labor as an employee of TopCoder. Seeing some of the smartest engineers in the world do weeks of work for a chance at getting paid the prize was eye opening. I suggest taking the best of both worlds by hiring fractional executives and specialist contractors. Here I lay out the reasons to hire part time (1099/corp to corp/cash) vs full time (w2/salaried).
Best MVP Stack
There are countless technology stacks that can be used, some are better for certain tasks. Others are more popular, or more academically rigorous. Here, I'll lay out the case that 95% of MVPs should be built in a powerful, easy to write, popular framework. Python and Flask, Postgres, React (if necessary), Docker, Google Cloud Platform.
MVPs for Highly Regulated Industries
A number of industries create unique hurdles for startups and new products. They come in the form of compliance constraints, legal restraints, or regulatory red tape. It is possible to create disruption in these industries, and there are a few strategies that work particularly well for this. Industries that most reflect this type of compliance complexity are healthcare, finance, gambling, food supply, electricity, government or military contracts, some types of manufacturing, and transportation.
Two Sided Marketplace MVPs
A two sided marketplace is a product or website for two distinct demographics that engage in an economy based on their different needs. It can take many forms. Here I'd like to explore the types and what makes a successful marketplace MVP.
Getting Advice on Your MVP
As an entrepreneur, you're blazing a new path. This is definitional. If it's been done before, you wouldn't be needed. You have the responsibility to curate your influences and the things you want to effect your actions. Where should you seek advice? This is what I'd like to explore in this article.
Limitations of Unit Tests
Some developers are dogmatic using test driven development (TDD) philosophy. For MVPs, I think this is the wrong approach. Here I lay out some considerations for a solid development culture while you build your business. I will specifically focus on unit tests, tests that validate atomic components of an app.
MVPs for Crypto and Bitcoin
Crypto is a huge topic, and this format is too short to share comprehensive thoughts, but I want to dive into crypto MVPs, integrity, and the gap between the promise of crypto and its current reality.