Some Rules for Entreprenuers
7/23/08
“A real entrepreneur is somebody who has no safety net underneath them.”
-Henry Kravis
There is something to be said for web creativity or web curiosity. Let me explain. We all hear how the internet and staying on the computer (and not “doing”) is making “us” lazy. But I think one of the best web features is the Google Mail scrolling header (I’m not sure of the exact definition) that seemingly “reads” our mail and sometimes posts targeted articles and advertisements based on the content in our emails. Oftentimes these links lead to some interesting topics that I never considered pursuing, such as my find today: naming a startup.
In early 2006 I partnered in starting a tutoring business in Dallas called DFW Tutors, and choosing the name seemed important enough but I do not remember us laboring over the decision. I found some interesting articles that supposedly have the keys to naming businesses, and since we all love lists, they have them in list form. With titles proclaiming “8 Mistakes To Avoid When Naming Your Business” or “The 10 Commandments of a Great Business Name” I was definitely hooked. Lets have a quick look at the first article’s pointers:
Mistake #1: Getting the “committee” involved in your decision.
Mistake #2: Employing the “train wreck” method of creating a name.
Mistake #3: Using words so plain they’ll never stand out in a crowd.
Mistake #4: Taking the atlas approach and using a map to name your company.
Mistake #5: Turning your name into a cliche.
Mistake #6: Making your business name so obscure, customers will never know what it means.
Mistake #7: Taking the Campbell’s soup approach to selecting a name.
Mistake #8: Choosing the wrong name and then refusing to change it.
Some of these mistakes seem pretty generic and mistake #5 seems to have worked well for Google or Kleenex. Let’s look at the second article:
1. Take Naming Seriously
2. Avoid Word Play Dangers
3. Don’t be an IBM
4. Be Focused
5. Stay Out of Court
6. Think Beyond Local
7. Avoid ME Inc
8. Ask Others to Spell it
9. Be Web Friendly
10. Check AvailabilityOnce again these all seem pretty generic, but I am definitely more interested when the information is given in a list.
The name of a company does have a lot to do with how curious we might be in the products or services delivered. I wonder what the writers of the two articles would think of Springwise, my new favorite site?
-Amit
akooner@brilliont.com
Tags: Dallas, DFW Tutors, Henry Kravis, Springwise
