This is the second guest post by Chris Schmitt lead instigator for Team Camp.

For me, one of the biggest revelations that came from reading Seth Godin’s book Linchpin is that getting a better job doesn’t mean quitting.
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In the fall of 1997 I returned to work refreshed and energized after a year long sabbatical. I was (and still am) eager as hell to execute my vision of bringing telecommunications into the 21st century; in particular, moving a traditional telecommunications company toward a more collaborative, innovative, agile and open environment; one that partners with it’s suppliers and customers to build a better service.

Technically speaking, I’m not in a position of power within my company to actually do any of those things. I’m basically middle management. I started TeamCamp in the fall of 2008 because I was quite frankly bored with the content and seemingly glacial progress I was making at work. I decided to take the matter into my own hands and find other like-minded people that were interested in building web apps and learning about what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

A funny thing happened. Not only did I learn about starting my own business, agile development, minimum viable product, open source, etc., I also got better at my day job: I took more risks, I aggressively pushed my peers, my staff and management to think “outside the box”. I pushed the IT department to modernize the development process, I pushed Marketing to become more customer-focussed, I pushed our Technology team to become more agile, I pushed HR to introduce a better learning and development environment.

Still, I was afraid that if I pushed too hard I was going to piss somebody off and get myself fired. It didn’t happen. I started getting more challenging projects and more recognition.

Then I started pushing more; I cautiously started telling folks at the office about TeamCamp. Again, initially I was concerned that telling my boss and other key executives that I run a group that turns good ideas into startups might end up getting me the ‘boot’. It didn’t happen. Instead, I got put on a team to develop my company’s 2020 vision and strategy.

Suddenly, I feel like I’m beginning to achieve the vision I that had when I first returned to work in 2007. In doing so, I feel good about myself, and I believe I’ve become more valuable. I can also say that I’m proud to work for my employer, MTS Allstream.

The lesson I learned is this: If you’re unhappy with your job then for God’s sake do something about it. If you think there’s a better way to do something: learn about it. Write a proposal. Ask to try something new. If you think you can do something better yourself then try it. Only good things will come of it. Do these things and you will become a linchpin, and you’ll be a hell of a lot happier with yourself.

- Chris

Filed under: Collaboration Corner, Entrepreneurship, Featured, Guest Post, Ottawa, The Code Factory by Ian
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This is the last post in the 20 part series made from the Entrepreneurship slide deck presentation I gave at O’Rielly Ignite Ottawa back in the fall of 2009. I hope you have enjoyed the series it has been fun to write. If you did want to leave a comment on your thoughts that would be awesome and sincerely appreciated.
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The most common metaphor I have heard for entrepreneurship is the roller coaster. This is a great metaphor because based on my personal experiences many of the entrepreneurs I chat with on a daily basis and a whole host of events I have attended echo the same up and down sentiment. It is a fun ride with exhilarating highs and devastating lows. The best thought I can offer is a quote from an unlikely source on entrepreneurship, Johnny Depp:

“I think the thing to do is to enjoy the ride while you’re on it.”

Ian Graham

Filed under: Entrepreneurship, Featured by Ian
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This is a guest post by Stacey Shrout. Stacey will be presenting a seminar at TheCodeFactory on May 3rd with respect to Cash Flow Management for start-ups. Stacey helps at least two of our tenants with their books and is very well regarded.

You can sign up here: http://moneytalksseminars.eventbrite.com/

As we travel down the road we call life, we can encounter many twists and turns. There are times when the road is straight and other times when the road changes direction. It’s easier to navigate these twists and turns when you are experienced and have the required skills.

Managing a start up business can feel like a never-ending windy road. When we have our nose to the grindstone it is hard to look ahead and see what’s coming our way. This tends to leave us in reactive mode all the time. Feeling that we are always reacting and never planning ahead can create a stressful situation. Making the ride more enjoyable is the goal. Achieving it, is the challenge.

Planning, managing, and reflecting are the tools I have used to navigate my path over the last five years. Luckily, this came naturally to me. After all, this is how I make the living. The first thing I did when I started my business was setting up a budget. I continue to do this every fiscal year. Also, my decisions and my cash flow are managed according to my plan. Every month I take the time to reflect on the actual numbers and goals that lie ahead.

Having these tools available has given me the ability to look further down the road. I am more prepared for surprises. More importantly, I am creating new paths and I can change the direction at any given time. I feel a sense of confidence when I’m making quick decisions.

Stacey Shrout
Balance Accounting and Financial Services Inc.

Filed under: Featured, Guest Post, Ottawa, Start-up by Ian
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Are you a marketing, communications, PR or business generalist student looking for work?

If the answer is YES do we have an event for you … Students and Start-ups 6 is coming April 26th to TheCodeFactory and you’re invited. Details on which start-ups are coming and signup at the link below:

Students and Start-ups 6

Why should you participate?

Well … if you are looking for a job all of our start-ups are looking to hire. Our previous event resulted in 1 hire, an additional 2 job offers and at least a dozen interviews.

- Kyle is the newest employee at Youi Labs Ottawa hottest and most funded Mobile Apps start-up.
- Robert and Manuel have been extended job offers from another company
- 12 interviews
- More interview, job offers and hires to come.

Spots will fill up fast so if you would like to attend please sign up.

Ian Graham

Filed under: Featured, Ottawa, Start-up, The Code Factory by Ian
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This is a Guest Post by Chris Schmitt lead instigator at TEAMCAMP.

Here’s my fist post in this series. This one is is based on things I’ve learned in TeamCamp. Enjoy.
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While watching Zombieland over the weekend I couldn’t help thinking how similar surviving a zombie attack is to becoming a successful startup. The film Zombieland stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin as survivors of a zombie apocalypse. Together they take an extended road trip in an attempt to find a sanctuary free from zombies, following a set of “rules” designed to keep them alive where others have failed, killing zombies in a variety of creative ways while trying to “enjoy the little things” in a ruined world. (source: Wikipedia)

A central plot theme throughout the film is the list of rules Columbus comes up with for surviving in the zombie-infested world. By the end of the film, his list has thirty-three rules; here’s how I think these rules aptly apply to the life of a startup:

1. “Cardio” – To be a successful startup you have to always be one-step ahead of your competition
2. “Double tap” – If you going to fail, fail fast. If you’ve developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and you get no takers, then kill it fast and move on to something else.
3. “Beware of bathrooms” – When the going get’s tough there’s no place to hide – face your challenges and get on with it.
4. “Wear seatbelts” – Being a startup isn’t the only thing in life – take time for family, friends and your health.
5. “Cast iron skillet” – You don’t have a business until you have paying customers. Concentrate on what value your product or service brings and figure out how to charge for your service.
6. “Travel light” – don’t hire until you have to; keep your team small; keep the number of founders to 3 or less; don’t incur any expenses you don’t have to.
7. “Get a kickass partner” – Don’t try to go it alone – ‘nough said.
8. “Bounty paper towels” – Keeping your ideas secret because you think someone will steel them is crap. Ask people for their input and ideas and soak them up. Collaborate.
9. “Bowling Ball” - Look for opportunities to disrupt your chosen market.
10. “Don’t Be a hero” – Yes, it’s be a hero: Be courageous, be a strong leader, be confident, be positive – even when times are tough. Having a kickass partner helps.
11. “Limber up” - Learn everything you can, read everything you can and tap into your local startup community. Never stop learning.
12. “Avoid strip clubs” – Meetups and events are a great places to meet people and network, and they can be enjoyable. But don’t bother going if all you’re going to do is watch. Participate.
13. “When in doubt, know your way out” – Make sure you have a backup plan. Don’t put your life savings into your startup. Keep your day job for a while if you have to.
14. “The buddy system” – Get a mentor. Find someone else that has “been there, done that”.
15. “Check the back seat” – Keep an eye on your competitors once in a while – but don’t dwell on it. Meet your customers’ needs and always keep driving forward.
16. “Enjoy the little things” – Celebrate successes: your first customer, your 100th customer, getting code released, getting good feedback from a customer, a mention in a blog or article – anything that smells like success – enjoy it, it’s the fuel that’ll keep your team going.
17. “Swiss army knife” – Build a versatile, multi-purpose team. When you’re just starting you have no room (or money) for specialists.

If you’re alert you may have noticed that’s not 33 rules; you’ll have to figure the rest for yourself.
So what are you waiting for? Go get started!

Filed under: Collaboration Corner, Featured, Guest Post, Innovation, Ottawa, Start-up, The Code Factory by Ian
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In my opinion the journey to entrepreneurial success is paved with 3 things;

1) Hardwork,
2) Enjoying what you are doing,
3) Great people.

Repeat steps 1 through 3 as needed sprinkling in generous doses of humour and persistence, mix well and have fun.

Next post “Enjoy the ride”

Ian Graham

Filed under: Entrepreneurship, Featured, The Code Factory by Ian
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Precarn releases third round of the Industrial T-GAP
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Precarn has just released a third call for applications to its T-GAP Program. The program focuses on the gap between technology innovation and commercialization. The program is designed for small and start-up companies working in the area of intelligent systems. Applications must be received by May 16, 2010 for consideration under this program.

Precarn is seeking immediate applications to this program. A total of $4 million has been allocated for this call. Precarn funding will be up to 40% of the total eligible project costs to a maximum of $100,000. Once a project is approved, 50% of the Precarn funds will be paid at midterm of the project and the remaining 50% will be paid upon project completion and delivery of a final report.

Full details can be found on the Precarn web site by clicking here or pasting the following in your web browser (http://www.precarn.ca/ProgramsFunding/COREFundingPrograms/TGAP/)

< download the details Here>