Every Industry Is Changing, All Need to Focus On Value

Umair Haque has been writing for months about how the biggest difference between 20th century business (or at least the business we got used to at the end of the 20th century) and 21st century business is that in tomorrows world, business needs to create real value (that someone is actually willing to pay for in some way or another) rather than manufacturing iterations of the same crap.

It's been fascinating to have been working on a concept for a web startup throughout the financial crash. When we first started, we still had a few thoughts of "build it, get a ton of users, slap some adds, figure out money later." Our perspective, and this is to some extent driven by external advisers but far more by our own gut sense, has shifted entirely to "what are you thinking about building that people want to buy now, and how can that grow to new places later?"

I couldn't help but laugh today when one of my twitter buds (@ayllu) pointed me to this video:

Choice lyrics:

"See you lata, public beta, do a real release
The whole long tail couldn’t even save this piece
Got a social app? Well, it’s a disgrace, look
‘Cause Facebook can’t even make money on Facebook

You got a podcast, but the point you’re missin’s
Your vision’s so weak, ain’t no one listenin’
SecondLife sales? Man, that plan is the worst
I think you shoulda made a dollar in your first life first"

First, these guys are awesome. Check out their company RJMetrics, even if you don't care, because this creativity and clarity should be rewarded.

Second, the video - and particularly the lines above - are just one more reminder: Create great stuff. Period. Create things that people want and need. Period. And have a ton of fun doing it in public.