A Business / Organizational Question to Answer

In addition to the large donor-supported organizations (first NBI, then ARI and TOC), there have always been many individuals who have started ventures tapping into the "Objectivist market", either i) as an audience or ii) as workers or supporters. During the nineties, there were dicussion and online publishing of papers and essays websites such as Carolyn Ray's "Enlightenment" project and the Daily Objectivist, and wetheliving.com with its OWL and Atlantis boards. There were hard copy periodicals such as Aristos and Full Context. These have all folded.

Now, in this decade, projects include, for example, The Atlasphere and Solo - which has spun off or morphed into four or five websites - the Firehammer/Stolyarov one, wethethinking, this website (Return of Reason), Solopassion, and Objectivist Living.

Considering the above state of affairs, before one develops a project or a battle plan which is either addressed to or relies on the Objectivist market to support it, there is a preliminary business question that one needs to ask, prior to launch.

Can anyone guess what it is?

Phil

[Hint: Most entrepreneurs or venture capitalists, or a business school student, could answer this question.]

Post 1

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 4:38pm

Market Target?

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 5:23pm

What are our vision, values, and mission?

Post 3

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 5:49pm

Whether or not to invite Phil????*

kat
www.objectivistliving.com

*just joking, you know we love ya ;-)

Post 4

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 6:02pm

Location location location??

Post 5

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 6:30pm

How can I maximize my freedom, property, ability to live, and happiness? ;)
(Edited by Dean Michael Gores
on 1/02, 6:31pm)

Post 6

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 7:22pm

How can we maximize the amount of time we spend talking about doing something without actually doing anything?

Post 7

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 8:04pm

C'mon guys: Nobody's got it yet! It's not that hard!! (Joe wins the sarcasm award, though.)

Post 8

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 8:17pm

How can we maximize the amount of time we spend talking about doing something without actually doing anything?

Oh, that's easy. Just watch me for a brilliant example. (Sarcasm or not? You be the judge.)

Post 9

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 9:13pm

Q. What is your product?

A. An Objectivist forum where intellectual and artistic insight into the nature of human beings, and understanding of the philosophy needed for living on this earth can be discussed and studied.

Q. Do you have a market? [something new or better to offer].

A. Market = intelligent individualists. New product = best website design, best plan for long term success.

Q. What is your plan?

A. Create a growing archive of articles and discussions oriented towards objectivist values and ideas. Allow multiple tiers of access for beginners through expert, encourage insights at every level. Assumption: Critical thinking skills required to understand objectivist principles at a deep level may not be present in many people. Solution: Develope those critical thinking skills through discussions emphasising logical thinking, expose fallacies gently but firmly. Constantly check premises.

Q. Do you have initial funding?

A. [I don't know how RoR is funded]

Post 10

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 4:23am

Letter of Intent?
Articles of Incorporation?
Ummm...A Business Plan??

I give up if it's not the above.

Post 11

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 7:01am

My first question for myself, if I wanted the site to be either profitable or self-supporting would be "how many times can you slice the pie?"

Post 12

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 8:44am

Hint #2: Outlining the nature of the project (vision, mission, funding, battle plan) and some of its details, yes! But before you go too far with that, there is a crucial, overlooked business thing you need to do, FIRST... else you are likely to fail!!
(Edited by Philip Coates
on 1/03, 8:45am)

Post 13

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 8:46am

Phil, I have read that under-capitalization sinks most new businesses. So perhaps the question is:

"How much initial capital do we need to succeed?"

Post 14

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 10:05am

Yes, that's true and important, Luke. But it is not the first question.

Post 15

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 11:24am

How about "What is your goal; what are you trying to accomplish?" Of course, that's what "mission" is and Luke already gave that answer...

Post 16

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 11:28am

I'm going to try: "Do I want to make this work?"

/not a business student

Edit: I'm not sure of the question, but I know the answer is 42. Do I get points for that?

Sarah

(Edited by Sarah House
on 1/03, 11:29am)

Post 17

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 12:26pm

How about one more guess;

Can I be honest enough with myself to truly ascertain whether I have the abilities or knowledge for a successful launch and follow through.

Post 18

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 12:54pm

How about: "Does anyone retain the intellectual property rights to the product you want to sell?" Example: ARI retains the rights to Ayn Rand papers, symbols, copyrights etc. How can you popularize Ayn Rand and objectivism if you can't even sell a T-shirt? Hard to make money if you can't sell products.

Post 19

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 1:57pm