Over on “The Shane & Peter Inc. Blog” they made a post about their 2008 goals. Reading it got me thinking about my goals for next year. So now, I’m sitting here working on my business plan for next year. It’s scary gut wrenching stuff to do for a hacker. I’ve spent fifteen years with my eyes glued to the screen writing reams of code for my various employers and clients. Until these past few months never have I stepped back to really look at the big picture and work the numbers. I feel somewhat dizzy now.
I am building a software and services business. In the next few weeks I’ll begin executing my marketing plan (Ok – I’m still working on it too). I also have an opportunity in the pipeline that will require me to get help, equipment, and probably an office (t-shirts mandatory dress code). So I started putting together numbers based on a little google research. Things like pay for software developers in Texas, Office space, price of laptops, jujifruits, servers, T1 phone lines, and laser printers.
The numbers indicate that I can do it. Meaning that the service opportunity can launch the business, but there won’t be much margin for error. That means that if I want to eat I have to get my product selling and develop more products too.
I doubt many people ever sit down and work up the numbers. Maybe it is better that way. I don’t really know, but I miss my ignorance now.
I’m excited about the opportunity before me and grateful to the people who are making it possible. At the same time I’m scared of the possibility of failure. I’m also scared of the possibility of success.
I know success seems like an odd one but it really isn’t. Success here means big change. I handle small change really well. C# instead of C++, Windows instead of Unix, Motorcycle instead of car. Big deal. Leader/Owner/boss of a business instead of being the hot shot architect is a big deal. The tools I’ve always used to win won’t work the same way. I’ll have to get new tools and they won’t look anything like the old tools.
Actually, this helps me understand one of the questions in building a well formed outcome. The question is something like “What is something you value that you will have to give up when you get what you want?”. I think I understand the question now and I know the answer. Sucksville – my programming. I won’t be able to spend all my time writing code. My time will be split around the various roles that need to be carried out. Admittedly I will outsource, buy or hire people to handle the stuff I suck at as quickly as I can. I’m not an accountant so I’ll get one, same with lawyer and marketer. Eventually I will get the business to a point where I can focus on just product development. But I don’t think that will happen next year.
Anyway, go try it out. Count how many people are in your group. Guess their salary or use your own. Make a guess (use Dell’s web-site) at the cost of the gear you use (computers, printer, internet access, software, etc). Add it all up and see what you get. Then think about your manager or the director or VP over him. They’re responsible for making sure that number (or what like it) is covered. Also, bare in mind you probably didn’t count insurance, 401K or bonuses. Nothing is free so the money has to come from somewhere.