The problem I think is that many people only think short term and hence focus on taking value, they feel they start giving they wont be able to take. Where as people who focus on long term know that if they give value now, in the long run in will come back to them in multiples
The fact that PG released HN code as open source means that he wants more people to use it. The issue about the name is correct, we shld think of a different name for HN India - so that there is no false impression of any affiliation with HN.
But I think a local flavor is surely a good idea and more counties / geographies should create their versions. Just in 3-4 days the Indian HN has gotten a lot of traction.
I used to feel this way for first 6 years of my career when I was working for other people and doing pretty well. But to myself I used to think - am I really good.
But ever since I became an entrpr I feel totally natural & confident in doing what I m doing. I guess its also about are you really you are totally passionate about. If yes - you are to absorbed in it that you dont have time for these things
I believe this list can be brought down to just two basic (not just one):
- Customers: Understand them, improve their lives, get them to pay regularly, get them to spread the word
- Costs: Keep them as near to zero as possible. That will enable you to be profitable even with minimum number of customers
During the first year of your startup don;t worry about anything other than the above two. Special warning: Dont spend anytime on external fund raising, fund raising is the most distracting thing for startups and something where you have least control and very low odds, unless you accomplish something "of value".
If you can get thru the first year with a complete focus on Customers & Costs and hit break even by the end of first year. I can guarantee that you on the way to build a successful company (not just a good startup)
I would think importance of this increases in the bust / crash times as money is scarce / precious, one has to use innovative / free ways to get things done. In fact it happened with me most when madhouse was running with very low cash.