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MenuI would love to hire a proven expert (2-4 hours) at the start/middle/end of my projects—paid mentoring essentially. Anybody doing this already?
Are there any models of hiring experts to help define scope and start-off projects on the right path? I'm fine doing most projects on my own, but with just 1-2 hours of input/feedback at the beginning, middle, and end of each project I'm positive I would learn more on each project and deliver better results.
It would have to be someone confident/competent/available enough to be able to jump in and help when needed (within reason and for pay obviously). So not just some developer who manages to "figure it out" like myself.
Answers
We do have those people on Clarity. Jason comes to mind https://clarity.fm/asmartbear
That being said, anyone on this list (who have software background) would be great
https://clarity.fm/search/entrepreneurship
Depending on your ventures, my expertise revolves in the ideation and development phase and growth (start & end) But I agree there are a few key people here that can help you out :)
I've done consulting for various startups/online businesses and provided exactly what you describe. Spending a couple hours at project milestones to discuss with an expert can make a big difference in clarifying the project so that it continues smoothly and effectively.
Yes, you can figure things out on your own, and while it is great to learn from your mistakes, having a few pointers along the way can save a great deal of time in getting you to that next step effectively.
What type of projects are you looking for a mentor on specifically?
My company is a software consultant that also mentors our startup clients on the product management process. I typically do "process" update calls with our clients on a weekly basis to make sure that they are gathering the right kind of information from their clients, etc.
If this is the kind of mentoring you are looking for, then I would be happy to give it a shot with you. If you are looking for technical wordpress mentorship, I am not the person you are looking for.
I have experience in both Wordpress and Advanced CSS, but the more important CSS these days is for responsive web design.
Responsive web design forces websites to fit in all devices including smartphone and tablets as well as regular computer monitors and laptops.
For Wordpress, I can show you theme development and plugin development and how CSS works into those tools.
Bruce
I'd be more than happy to help in this arena.
Models... no. Been there.. done that. But There are bunch of questions one has to ask hirself, time and again, and in most cases, one does not dare ask them. Esp. if u wear 5-6 hats (in most cases with contradicting goals). For everyday life u may get those asked in a pub by next stranger, but not for work-related topics needing huge amount of technological background... There comes the expert/mentor who would not mind sending your hopes/illusions to hell and back, or suggesting something unthinkable. Things like 360' exploration (in begining), building correct product vs building product correctly (all the time), release unfinished but early or all perfect but late (at end), etc. See this http://www.svilendobrev.com/rabota/metodologia.html or this http://alistair.cockburn.us/Cooperative+game+manifesto+for+software+development ; and although these mostly talk about human-side, it's same stuff on technical side, just with different names. Have fun.
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How can I manage my developers' performance if I don't understand IT?
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I have this social media idea,but no coding skills. How do I get someone to do the coding (cant afford to pay them) and not give away half of my idea?
Dilip was very kind in his response. My answer might be a bit on the "tough love" side. But that's for you to decide. My intention, just for the record, is to help you (and those like you) on your path to success. And that starts with having a viable philosophy about entrepreneurial-ism and business. And I'm going to answer this because I get asked some form / version of this question very frequently from newcomers to entrepreneurial-ism. The scenario goes something like this: "I have a great idea. It's amazing, I love it, and I just KNOW it's gonna make me a ton of money. But I have no money right now so I can't afford to (fill in the blank with things like "to build it / create it / market it / etc" or "to hire the required staff needed to work in my business to sell it / develop it / etc"). And I don't want to tell anyone about my great idea because I'm worried someone will steal it and make MY million / billion dollars. But I can't afford to legally protect it either... So how do I launch without the skills to personally create the product AND no money to hire anyone else to do that either??" The answer is ... You don't. Look - let's be honest. All you have is an idea. Big deal. Really. I'm not saying it's not a good idea. I'm not saying that if properly executed it couldn't make you a million / billion dollars... But an idea is NOT a business. Nor is it an asset. Until you do some (very important) initial work - like creating a business model, doing customer development, creating a MVP, etc - all you really have is a dream. Right now your choices are: 1. Find someone with the skills or the money to develop your idea and sell them on WHY they should invest in you. And yes, this will mean giving up either a portion of the "ownership" or of future income or equity. And the more risk they have to take - the more equity they will want (and quite frankly be entitled to). 2. Learn how to code and build it yourself. MANY entrepreneurs without financial resources are still resourceful. They develop the skills needed to create what they don't have the money to pay someone else to do. 3. Get some cash so you can pay someone to do the coding. You'll probably have to have some knowledge of coding to direct the architecture of your idea. So you will likely still have to become knowledgeable even if its not you personally doing the coding. (This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of options... And I'm sure some of the other experts here on Clarity have others to add - and I hope they do) To wrap up - Here's my final tip to you that I hope you "get"... It's FAR more valuable to have an idea that a very specific hungry crowd is clamoring for right now - One that THEY would love and pay you for right now - Maybe even one they'd pre-order because they just have to have it - Versus YOU being in love with your own idea. [Notice I didn't say "an idea that some as-of-yet-undetermined market would probably love"] I wish you the best of luck moving forward.DB
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How much should I charge to develop a WordPress site?
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