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10 Huge Successes Built On Second Ideas

by Tim Berry on October 22, 2009

I want to recommend storing this somewhere for future reference when people fall into the trap of overemphasizing the idea in the success of the venture.

Early Microsoft

Last week Business Insider published 10 huge business successes born from early failures. In my experience, these aren’t exceptions to the rule, they are the rule.

Oh, and the successes? Have you heard of them? How about AOL, Twitter, Intel, Microsoft . . . and those are just the first four. Microsoft (the example shown here to the right, an early picture of Microsoft, with Bill Gates at lower left) started doing a BASIC compiler for the Altair 8800, a computer that ceased to exist before the company made any money.

The point is that most businesses evolve. Business plans evolve. You don’t blindly follow the plan; you keep reviewing and revising the plan until you figure out something that works.

(Illustration: from the Business Insider post, 10 huge business successes born from early failures.)

About Tim Berry

Tim Berry

Tim Berry is the founder of Palo Alto Software, a co-founder of Borland International, and a recognized expert in business planning. Tim is the originator of plan-as-you-go business planning. He has an MBA from Stanford and degrees with honors from the University of Oregon and the University of Notre Dame. Today, Tim dedicates most of his time to blogging, teaching, and evangelizing for business planning. His full biography is available on his blog.

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