Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Some degree of fear is healthy - some degree of confidence is healthy. Extremes of either are rarely helpful. Execution is a specific skill - and like anything - it requires practice. If you haven`t had much practice perhaps you could step back and instead say "I don`t know how well I execute but I would like to find out".

Execution isn`t rocket science or smoke and mirrors; it`s simply moving toward a measurable objective. Sometimes execution is very easy and sometimes it`s exceedingly difficult and irritating and stressful. In that sense, execution requires context. Maybe you don`t have the experience or skills to execute a huge, complex software product. With that in mind, what can you execute? Can you execute a demo of your product? Can you execute a start up web site?

Why not invest an afternoon and run a pen and paper simulation of how you might execute your business plan. This won`t risk anyone`s investment and you might uncover some important wrinkles.

1. You have a plan.
2. Write a strategy if needed.
3. Write measurable objectives if needed.
4. Assemble the resources.
5. Write weekly execution documents for three months of execution.

When you review the execution documents you might find out that the water is very deep. You might find certain tasks distasteful or scary. But there are undoubtedly people who would look at that task with a gigantic smile on their face. As a potential business person you have to learn how to assemble resources and manage tradeoffs. That`s why the simulator is so useful. If at the end of the simulator you think "you know, I just don`t want to do this" then move on.

If you can manage your life well enough to complete college and so forth, you probably have the skills required to execute something. 

1. Nikole gave a great answer about execution documents. A business plan is great but it won`t tell you how to actually execute. Your first post indicated a potential lack of experience with respect to execution so I suggested assembling execution documents. These uncover the wrinkles that a business plan alway misses and help you evaluate the side effects of hits and misses in execution. Assume:

Action A -> Action B -> Action C

Solve for failure of Action A, Action B, and Action C.

2. I can`t offer you any counsel on whether or not it`s a good idea to max out your credit cards to build a prototype because I don`t know much you. Some people deal with debt-related stress and risk much better than others. There is a lot to be said for the level of commitment required to get any business off the ground and in most cases, the amount of commitment in every sense of the word is vastly greater than the amount of commitment you think you need. But that said, there`s also the right way, the wrong way, and the best way to execute something. I don`t know if accumulating credit card debt amounts to the right way - but it is definitely a way - and definitely a time-honored tradition. But think about it very carefully first. I can assure you that $10,000 to $20,000 is not a million dollars even if your perception tells you that $10,000 is just as out of reach as $1,000,000.

3. You seem to like the idea of finding a programmer and DBA to assist you with development. Where would you find these people? Do you have access to a computer lab? Ask around. Use Google. There are lots of programmers looking for opportunities - just make sure you find one in your area if you`re going to work with someone you don`t know very well. That is very important. Face time makes the world go around. Make double/triple sure you have a written agreement about the partnership and the rights/obligations thereto.

4. Frustration. Welcome to business! Execution is often very frustrating, irritating, and so forth. Being responsible for execution is the difference between an owner and employee. Execution involves great responsibility.

The co-founder dilemma... Someone who you would marry - trusthworthy, intelligent, honest, dedicated. Someone who has passion for your startup and not the just potential payoff - although dollars are a great motivator for some. The right co-founders are different for each person. You might try the website foundread.com. It`s run by Om Malik ( who also runs GigaOm ) and I`ve found a lot of useful information on this site.