Comments for Scott Burkett's Pothole on the Infobahn http://www.scottburkett.com Blogging, opining, ruminating, and pontificating on entrepreneurship, venture capital, process improvement, technology, online communities, business networking, IT Management, online social networking, and other things that melt in the warm Atlanta sun. Mon, 15 Feb 2010 01:53:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind by Chuck Johnson http://www.scottburkett.com/index.php/atlanta-business-scene/2010-02-09/the-answer-is-blowin-in-the-wind.html/comment-page-1#comment-148041 Chuck Johnson Mon, 15 Feb 2010 01:53:34 +0000 http://www.scottburkett.com/?p=1122#comment-148041 I believe that the best part of all of this is the number of conversations that have started and continued. Some may say/think that all of this chatter is keeping us from getting ‘real work’ done, but I would not agree. Whether you’re a Fortune 1000 company or a couple of guys in a garage, or basement or down at Ignition Alley - the business of business is relationships. Those relationships do not happen in a vacuum. They happen when like minded people meet, dialog, and connect (find a common interest or purpose). With the exception of a few people, groups and organizations, I have found that Atlanta’s technology and startup communities are not very well connected - not as well connected as they could/should be. And I am not alone in that opinion. Last year Dan Breznitz presented the results of his study the ‘communal roots of entrepreneurial-technological growth’. The study showed that the leaders (board members and C-level/SPV exces) of the Atlanta’s technology companies are not well connected. The leaders had few, if any, significant business, personal, fraternal relationships with leaders in other organizations. And this included local ‘technology’ law firms/lawyers and venture/angle capital firms. The key premise of the study/presentation (and much of the questions and discussions) was that 'unless a local high-technology industry develops rich multiple, locally centered social networks (which embed companies in the region) [technology] cluster development will stagnate'. Furthermore, those factors are more important to the development and growth of technology clusters than ‘factor availability’ such as the supply of highly educated labor, availability of capital, infrastructures and environment. You may not completely agree with the conclusions of Dan’s work, but his premise and argumentation were compelling. I do agree with the observations that have been made by Lance, Paul and others that we need to focus on “things like creating products, getting customers, and building companies” and on “the nuts and bolts of building startups”. However, when we have our sleeves rolled up, our heads down and are burning the midnight oil we need to bear in mind that the success of our endeavors depends as much on the wise cultivation and utilization of our personal and business relationship as it does on our own creativity, ingenuity and industriousness. I believe that the best part of all of this is the number of conversations that have started and continued. Some may say/think that all of this chatter is keeping us from getting ‘real work’ done, but I would not agree.

Whether you’re a Fortune 1000 company or a couple of guys in a garage, or basement or down at Ignition Alley – the business of business is relationships. Those relationships do not happen in a vacuum. They happen when like minded people meet, dialog, and connect (find a common interest or purpose).

With the exception of a few people, groups and organizations, I have found that Atlanta’s technology and startup communities are not very well connected – not as well connected as they could/should be. And I am not alone in that opinion.
Last year Dan Breznitz presented the results of his study the ‘communal roots of entrepreneurial-technological growth’. The study showed that the leaders (board members and C-level/SPV exces) of the Atlanta’s technology companies are not well connected. The leaders had few, if any, significant business, personal, fraternal relationships with leaders in other organizations. And this included local ‘technology’ law firms/lawyers and venture/angle capital firms.
The key premise of the study/presentation (and much of the questions and discussions) was that ‘unless a local high-technology industry develops rich multiple, locally centered social networks (which embed companies in the region) [technology] cluster development will stagnate’. Furthermore, those factors are more important to the development and growth of technology clusters than ‘factor availability’ such as the supply of highly educated labor, availability of capital, infrastructures and environment.
You may not completely agree with the conclusions of Dan’s work, but his premise and argumentation were compelling.

I do agree with the observations that have been made by Lance, Paul and others that we need to focus on “things like creating products, getting customers, and building companies” and on “the nuts and bolts of building startups”.
However, when we have our sleeves rolled up, our heads down and are burning the midnight oil we need to bear in mind that the success of our endeavors depends as much on the wise cultivation and utilization of our personal and business relationship as it does on our own creativity, ingenuity and industriousness.

]]> Comment on The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind by Sustaining Start-Ups: How the Local Business Structure Impacts Growing Companies « Rambling Tech http://www.scottburkett.com/index.php/atlanta-business-scene/2010-02-09/the-answer-is-blowin-in-the-wind.html/comment-page-1#comment-148040 Sustaining Start-Ups: How the Local Business Structure Impacts Growing Companies « Rambling Tech Mon, 15 Feb 2010 01:27:35 +0000 http://www.scottburkett.com/?p=1122#comment-148040 [...] of all this is the number of conversations that have started and continued (see Scott posting on The Answer is Blowing in the Wind).  Some may say/think that all of this is keeping us from getting ‘real work’ done, but would [...] [...] of all this is the number of conversations that have started and continued (see Scott posting on The Answer is Blowing in the Wind).  Some may say/think that all of this is keeping us from getting ‘real work’ done, but would [...]

]]> Comment on The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind by Mike Schinkel http://www.scottburkett.com/index.php/atlanta-business-scene/2010-02-09/the-answer-is-blowin-in-the-wind.html/comment-page-1#comment-147834 Mike Schinkel Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:21:52 +0000 http://www.scottburkett.com/?p=1122#comment-147834 Excellent! (nothing more to say.) Excellent! (nothing more to say.)

]]> Comment on The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind by Robert Shoe http://www.scottburkett.com/index.php/atlanta-business-scene/2010-02-09/the-answer-is-blowin-in-the-wind.html/comment-page-1#comment-147830 Robert Shoe Thu, 11 Feb 2010 03:25:59 +0000 http://www.scottburkett.com/?p=1122#comment-147830 amen, Burkett. amen. amen, Burkett. amen.

]]> Comment on The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind by Lance Weatherby http://www.scottburkett.com/index.php/atlanta-business-scene/2010-02-09/the-answer-is-blowin-in-the-wind.html/comment-page-1#comment-147822 Lance Weatherby Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:46:30 +0000 http://www.scottburkett.com/?p=1122#comment-147822 I second that motion. I second that motion.

]]> Comment on The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind by Paul Freet http://www.scottburkett.com/index.php/atlanta-business-scene/2010-02-09/the-answer-is-blowin-in-the-wind.html/comment-page-1#comment-147817 Paul Freet Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:15:40 +0000 http://www.scottburkett.com/?p=1122#comment-147817 Thanks Scott for the great post. Part of creating a startup culture is helping each other succeed and actually build great businesses. I propose that those of us who create events and mentor the community should shift our focus to more of the nuts-and-bolts of building startups in 2010. Thanks Scott for the great post. Part of creating a startup culture is helping each other succeed and actually build great businesses. I propose that those of us who create events and mentor the community should shift our focus to more of the nuts-and-bolts of building startups in 2010.

]]> Comment on The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind by seamusr http://www.scottburkett.com/index.php/atlanta-business-scene/2010-02-09/the-answer-is-blowin-in-the-wind.html/comment-page-1#comment-147812 seamusr Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:46:49 +0000 http://www.scottburkett.com/?p=1122#comment-147812 a long read but worth it. i could not agree more with what was said in the post and in randys comment. i will add though that there are still some scattered groups and people that are hanging on to the old ways of being a silo and not really being a part of the new community here, but as you said it doesnt matter if they come around or not at this point. a long read but worth it. i could not agree more with what was said in the post and in randys comment. i will add though that there are still some scattered groups and people that are hanging on to the old ways of being a silo and not really being a part of the new community here, but as you said it doesnt matter if they come around or not at this point.

]]> Comment on The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind by Randy Arrowood http://www.scottburkett.com/index.php/atlanta-business-scene/2010-02-09/the-answer-is-blowin-in-the-wind.html/comment-page-1#comment-147777 Randy Arrowood Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:42:22 +0000 http://www.scottburkett.com/?p=1122#comment-147777 Preach it brother! Well said. It's time to get our skin in the game and get junk done. Many of the concepts of the Startup Cloud need to happen and there are lots of smart folks around to pull it off. We are all going to ruffle some feathers, make some enemies and make some great friends along the way. If people don't like what they are seeing, do something about it. Enough whining, talking and moping around. The real proof is in the pudding. Let's spend our time making great businesses and demonstrating success. No better way to squelch out the noise. Preach it brother! Well said. It’s time to get our skin in the game and get junk done. Many of the concepts of the Startup Cloud need to happen and there are lots of smart folks around to pull it off. We are all going to ruffle some feathers, make some enemies and make some great friends along the way. If people don’t like what they are seeing, do something about it. Enough whining, talking and moping around. The real proof is in the pudding. Let’s spend our time making great businesses and demonstrating success. No better way to squelch out the noise.

]]> Comment on Great Startup Opportunity in Atlanta by Sam Round http://www.scottburkett.com/index.php/atlanta-business-scene/2010-01-04/great-startup-opportunity-in-atlanta.html/comment-page-1#comment-147555 Sam Round Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:45:42 +0000 http://www.scottburkett.com/?p=1071#comment-147555 Scott, I'd like to talk to you about your startup opportunity; it sound exactly what I'm looking for, and I believe I have the skill set you require. Even if it's not, I always like to meet Serial-entrepreneurs! ;-) Sam Scott,
I’d like to talk to you about your startup opportunity; it sound exactly what I’m looking for, and I believe I have the skill set you require. Even if it’s not, I always like to meet Serial-entrepreneurs! ;-)

Sam

]]> Comment on Faded Glory by Darien Smith http://www.scottburkett.com/index.php/misc/2010-01-15/faded-glory.html/comment-page-1#comment-146767 Darien Smith Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:40:23 +0000 http://www.scottburkett.com/?p=1079#comment-146767 Hey Scott, I stumbled upon your website and glad that I did. I played on the 2008 team in AZ, thanks to Rick. I have Parkinson's Disease and that was my last time on a pitcher's mound in a game situation. I will always have that memory of being on a major league mound, and for that I am very grateful. Thanks for supporting Rick and his venture. He deserves it! KeeptheFaith Darien Smith Hey Scott,
I stumbled upon your website and glad that I did. I played on the 2008 team in AZ, thanks to Rick. I have Parkinson’s Disease and that was my last time on a pitcher’s mound in a game situation. I will always have that memory of being on a major league mound, and for that I am very grateful. Thanks for supporting Rick and his venture. He deserves it!
KeeptheFaith
Darien Smith

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