Ken Hess’ Checklist for Bootstrapping and Selling a Software Company
Ken Hess founded a successful software company and sold it to Broderbund after 200 successful software releases. Sales were $26 million for the fiscal year when Ken left the company. His speech and checklist are a little over ten years old but still seem relevant to the software industry today.
Ken’s Checklist for Building a Company
This checklist is about getting the odds in your favor. Fitting together all these pieces of the puzzle is what separates a good business plan from mere speculation.
1. Are you focused on creating the product?
2. Are you the world expert in your product niche?
3. Does your product meet viable new product criteria?
4. Do you have the force of will to make things happen regardless of the inevitable obstacles?
5. Do you need help?
6. Are you spending money wisely?
Then once you’ve shipped, continue to ask:
7. Will today’s task contribute to or diminish the organization’s focus?
8. How can I broaden the market?
9. Is the company’s scale appropriate to the task?
10. Is it time to sell?
Source:
http://www.klhess.com/sef_spch.html