Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi y`all--

Really. Is this a business- or a social-networking community? Neither? Other? What is the Community to you? 

Does the Community vet posts for validity, say, when someone gives "authoritative" advice on how to improve Web performance or design, but has no Web site himself? We know it`s a valuable resource, but how do you sort the nuggets from the bilge? Does the cream simply rise to the top? (How`s that for a bizarre mix of metaphors?)

We have data collected from surveys and analyzed, but I`d like to hear folks talk about the Community, give a little more detail.

Any takers?

 

 

I`m just waiting for a plane...



Actually, your question goes to the matter of reasoned analysis in conjunction with (or in opposition to) empiric proof.

Can someone make a pronouncment that life on the moon would be difficult if they`ve never been to the moon? Proponents of logic and reason would say yes. Those who believe that only personal experience can be trusted would say no.

Your example of Web critiques offers two basic starting points. The one is to look at the Web site as a developer-designer. The other is to look at it as a prospective customer. In most cases, the prospective customer has no idea how to code a site. Does that mean their opinion of the viability of the site is useless?

So what if they have or don`t have a site of their own? They`re not selling anything, they`re looking at a beta version of a site, or an existing site up for critique and commenting as to why they would or wouldn`t shop at that site.

What makes SuN much more interesting is that not only can non-technical people comment on a site, but then technical developers can step in an explain either how to fix it, or why the other comments are taking place.

This community is an excellent example of how "The Market" is a close cousin to Objective Reality. How people interact with that amorphous "blob" of dispassionate existence is up to each of them.

Human beans have survived and developed mostly due to our capacity to imagine, talk, write, and reason. Critical analysis is the most basic part of reasoning, and it uses the other capabilities as well.

The way we separate the truth from the bilge water is with critical analysis, judgement, evaluation, and comparative logic. For the moment, this community offers a less immediate, less dramatic way to practice those skills without getting killed.

Our time in history is particularly notable in its near complete polarization between people who "feel" they understand reality and the truth, and those who are "convinced" of that knowledge. The two perspectives are totally opposed when they`re the ONLY two perspectives. Properly, we should use a blend of those methods, and include other perspectives.

SuN offers that blend in each topic that gets picked up for discussion. It allows for arguments based on both perspectives, and leaves the reader with the opportunity to try out whatever`s the advice. But that trial is in a "protected" environment---a simulation, if you will---that often doesn`t require real investment of real money, or irrevocable decisions that can`t be changed later.

I have no idea what the hell Craig just said.

What I would like for it to be is a forum for business discussion, with the social aspect simply developing on it`s own. Too often, it is agenda-driven - `look at what I do for a living`-type posts - but I would rather it be a forum to discuss startup issue that we all face. We are at different places in our careers and experience, so some of us may have knowledge to help others in some areas, vic-versa in others.

Posts which start with `how I started a fire in my kitchen` and stuff like that do me absolutely no good. Those belong perhaps in a chat room or not on here at all.

As entrepreneurs, I think one of the key issues we all face is isolation and lack of people to bounce ideas off of from time to time. This site is valuable for stuff like that. I`ve said before that I`m not really here to do business, simply because most startups are not my target market, but for support and advice on common startup issues.

We seem to get away from that a lot, and that makes the site less interesting and therefore less useful, which leads to less traffic, lower advertising revenue from banner advertisers, etc., etc. Maybe we need an overhaul of the topics list, I`m not sure.

here`s my take: this site is a business community AND a social networking community. in my experience, small business is often relationship-based. we get new customers, select and keep vendors, find employees, etc., based on relationships. that`s why "kibbutzing" that abounds here at SUN, a business community, is so fundamentally valuable to the people involved. it allows us all to get to know each other as people and informs and affects our business decisions.

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Rich Sloan , Co-Founder, Chief Startupologist, StartupNation

Craig, could you let the gas out of that post and cut to the chase?

In a recent post on another topic you, as a prolific poster and writer, made the incredible claim that "words have no power," or something to that effect. Hmmm. I`ll have to catch up with you over there on that one. Meantime, please find a local Girl Scout meeting, walk in, shout the choicest 4-letter word you can think of and, when the dust clears, explain again how words have no power. Enh...a little humor.

Rich,

I agree. There are so many different knowledge levels, degrees, and backgrounds. No one should make a decision based on one person`s advice, but think about how the information could benefit his or her business. I have read many great topics here, and used some advice of others.

The business aspect of the site help others understand there are more dimensions to each side of the business. For example, people often want advice on their sites because they are doing it alone. With Startup Nation and professional experience of most, they can get some advice, good or bad, of ways to improve the look, information, and/or concept of the site.

You have so many different opinions, but they are constructive.

That`s what I`m looking for.

Who`s next?

I see this as a place were people with similar interests exchange and bounce ideas off of each other and gather information using the knowledge base of our combined experiences. Although not all input immediately provides resolution the synergies achieved from the interaction of the members often leads to the desired conclusion. Also, the boards provide the necessary environment for the occasional social conversation.

I see this web site as a business resource center. But at the same time, it has become a place where people ask their questions freely without being judged on their experience.

It is a community of entreprenuers, that are helping eachother. Even though I see some "personal posts", I guess they are good to see once in awhile just to buffer the whole business aura.(brandAlchemy. don`t call me an illegal if I misspelled it).

As for people giving advise ,whether they have a web site or not? Who cares!..
If you ask the question or ask for an opinion you are going to get one.

Finally it is a social networking-community: I think that I`ve met so many great people here. As a matter a fact I have made new friends here.
We speak on a daily or weekly basis and some we are just starting a friendship. 
Some of the people that I`ve met here are PaulTWC, Terry McCahill, Jill Krol, Scrappy, Tiffany, nhgnikole, and iouone2 just to name a few.




-------------------------

Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

We`re a rogue gang of circus performers.

I`m going to revert back to high school and start giving people nicknames.
We`re going to call CraigL "The Windy Author".
And Jeff can be "Mr. Bluntnfunny".
Because that`s what you do to friends, right?

I have to say one thing though ... after being here for a while, I can almost write people`s posts for them.

Ric: [some serious sensible question]
CraigL: [blah blah blahs on for 7 pages and no one quite understands it]
CookieMonster: Really you have to get to the point. Here, read my article on copywriting.
Joel: CookieMonster rocks!
BrandAlchemy: Let me tell you like it is .... and not care if you cry.
ElidS: You`re making a lot of sense, guys. Now let me add some equally sensible comment to the mix.
Nuevolution: Well here`s my big-businessy-man answer.
Joel: Way to go team!!
Rich: Let me show you the can-do spirit with my peppy but knowledgeable comment.
nhgnikole: How can I put this lightly ... hmm ...
Joel: Yay group!!


And that`s what I call community.