What Makes a Crush Object For Steve?

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Here at fan to pro, we talk about our Crush Objects, what goes into the Resume-Worthy Roundup, etc.  But we don't explain our philosophy about it.

Well Bonnie and I don't exactly have a unified philosophy about it, but here are the things that makes me crush on a company – and make me think that you might want to send that company a resume.  Next time you see a News of The Day or a Resume-Worthy Roundup, here's what I'm thinking, in no particular order, and not that every company has to meet all these requirements:

  • Bright Idea or Right Idea.  I want a company with good ideas, either really innovative, really stable, or both.  If a company can innovate and have a stable, reliable idea then I'm bang alongside it.  Just remember sometimes a dull idea that works is better than an unsure brilliant idea – and a brilliant idea may be better than a dull, plodding approach.
  • Right location.  This isn't always important to me, but some locations seem more promising than others because of prominence, recruitig opportunities, and the fact investors do seem biased to some physical locations.  My biases tend towards Seattle, the Bay Area, Greater Boston, Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Baltimore-DC, and Chicago.  The megaregions, in short.
  • Money.  The company should be financially stable or have some great Venture Capital.
  • Venture Capital.  Steve's Rule is that if someone invests $10 million or more in a company, I pay attention.  It's sort of an intuitive thing with me.  $10 million is the magic number – though in some cases, less is OK if there are other good factors.
  • The right person.  You hire some CEO or innovator with a good record, and I'm going to pay attention.
  • Savvy.  I want to see smarts, an edge, something clever – or something so functionally dull I can't deny it works.  I also want to see that you've addressed concerns before others raise them.
  • Communication.  This is amorphous, but I like companies that can communicate their ideas and are open about what they do (though in the case of stealth startups I know that doesn't always happen).  Tell me and others why you're good, talk to us.
  • Demo.  If you can show me why you're good, even with a prototype, I pay attention.
  • Right Time.  Are you coming in at the right time, or planning for a time that's right in the future?  Then I pay attention.
  • Survival.  I admire companies that ride out bad times.
  • Personality.  This is amorphous, so I think it's obvious.  I do like a company with a human side and that is "itself."

So that's what gets companies to crush object status with me and/or gets them into the Resume Worthy Roundup.

Now, feel free to argue – or tell me your standards!

– Steven Savage

Dirty Mythbusting Jobs Versus Nature With Bizarre Foods in The Wild

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I love Mythbusters.  That's a tame statement actually, but human vocabulary is limited.  Let's just say now and then when I fire up Netflix, the people I live with dread I'm going to watch some episode for the 3rd or 4th time.  Seriously though, how can you not watch a hot water tank take off like a rocket again and again?

In fact, I love shows like Mythbusters, though they're my prime love.  I love these oddball reality-esque shows that look at weird jobs, foods, areas, history, and more.  You know the formula – get the right host with a good personality, a subject, turn them loose, and film the fascinating results.  From blowing up toilets to eating tuna eyeballs, these shows are addictive to people like me.

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News of the Day 10/15/2010

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Anime Kiosks? Blogs to Books? Money in science? More questions? Answers here in the must-know geeky career news!

Career:
The clues someone is a smart job hunter – Are you leaving clues?

Economics/Geekonomics (or "Fraudclosure Follies" as of late)
MUST READ: The primary concerns of the Fraudclosure mess – Nice, simple, easy to understand, and a reason to change your underwear. Reead so you get up on the financial issues that might well mess the economy up – again.

MUST READ: Where global financial centers are. Plus some interesting discussion of what makes a global financial center and how they change. Great, informative read.

MUST TOLERATE: I like the term "Fraudclosure" and am going to be using it. Be warned.

Anime and Manga:
Digital Manga and Tokyopop put 12 more titles on eManga, from BLU. Included for continuing news on the electronic manga front.

Media Blasters to launch Anime Kiosks – Ala Redbox. One can also buy the DVD on a site after renting it. My first reaction is that this sounds way too specialized and limited, but then again I thought Redbox sounded like a weird idea so I could be wrong. It's certainly experimental, and would allow for targeted marketing. I'm going to see what happens and remember my past inaccuracies.

Blogging:
Demand media forms blog distribution network. Might be good for any of you bloggers there (though mostly it seems to be a way to get attention, not make money). Can't really say much more until I investigate it, so I present it for your interest. Yes, I will take a look at it.

Publishing:
Borders makes deal with BookBrewer – This is to let authors publish eBooks at Borders via BookBrewer (yay. More formatting fun for us authors), but also to turn an RSS feed into a book. THAT is intriguing. I'd pay attention to BookBrewer, and to how this goes, and keep it in mind for your blog. If you try it, let me know. (Me, I'm still doing this by hand for now).

eBook sales surge. I know eBook sales of my books are outstripping print.

Science:
Anadys Pharmeceuticals raises $25 million – via stock offering as well. Throw in their location in San Diego and the fact they provide medication for Hepatitis and you've got a good deal here science and medgeeks . . .

Exelixis gets a nice $60 million with a new deal with Bristol Myers. They sound like they're bouncing back after a tough time, that's a nice chunk of change, AND they're in the geektastic Bay Area.

Technology:
Study Blue, a study and study tool service Raises $3.65 million. They're also experimenting with a freemium model. Worth your attention? May be in an age of online teaching and products like the Kno . . .

Newspapers are right to be worried about Tablet Screen Size.

Video:
Netflix on PS3 to be improved, discless. World domination continues. Right now every device plugged into my TV runs Netflix . . . OK most, I have to double-check . . . but you get the idea.

Video Games:
Video game sales down again. I can't say I'm surprised – I am depressed, but not surprised. I don't think it's an industry to avoid, but the message here is that, in gaming, pick your employer carefully.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: How much more will game sales decline?

– Steven Savage