The Network Series #3: Andy: Denovo Studios - App Development for the People!
This weekend I got the chance to catch up with old co-worker, still friend, Andy - Founder of Denovo Studios. I don't think he will quote me on the slogan: "App Development for The People!"... but I think it's a fair summation of his mission based on our conversation
While I learned a lot, I didn't really get a handle for a cost, time, feasibility of my app as a project..BUT I did learn more about Andy and his Modern Business Mind. Which to me, is ultimately more important. I was very excited to have the conversation naturally bring about the topics I discuss on this blog. We used a lot of words to identify that Andy indeed is doing "the right thing" because it is "the right things to do". That's entrepreneur speak for what basically means: It wasn't about the money, it was about solving the world's problems and hoping to leave it a better place than it was before. This is where my little slogan came into play, inspired by what I understood as Andy's favorite part about Denovo Studios: providing app development for those places that need a competitive edge to stay alive - or get to a next level of operation.
He gave me the impression that he was in it because these people are in need of his help. However, what was the most interesting to me was that Andy wasn't totally aware of the impact (and potential impact) he was making. This made me switch gears and try to get to the bottom of Andy's internal model for how a startup should be done. It seems like Denovo Studios was created because he had that little voice in his head telling him it was the right move... but he did not necessarily have a clear and defined model of his "vision" that he could produce and show me. So I think I helped when I whipped out the model I use and let him fill it out... step one, answer this question:
"what is the end result of the goal of the company that he started"
He answered half of the question by letting me know he wanted to leave the world a better place than it was aka 'end result' - but what was the goal that this is the end result of? That goal is: to provide the skill of app development to allow, and teach, his clients the value it adds to their endeavors and the rest of the world.
Answering this I feel is hugely important when you review my theoretical concept of the Modern Business Mind AND reflect on the lessons taught by waitbutwhy's chef and cook model.Andy's mind, values, and motto are all in the right place to be a true, original chef. I felt that if I could have him clearly define and realize the potential of his impact, he could re-tool his strategy in such a way to meet that larger than life goal of ACTUALLY leaving the WORLD a better place. It lets me ask questions like:
"what are the next steps for Andy?" and "what are the next steps for Denovo Studios?"
that illicit responses similar to:
"I like Detroit because of the underdog/comeback spirit and it is keeping Andy and Denovo Solutions in Michigan" and
"if I were to hire anyone, I would give them the target and deadline, but let them come up with the solutions and have them teach me the new way to do it" and
"Adding people would significantly reduce the time it takes for my projects, meaning I could take more on and help more people".
Those responses to me are much more valuable than the generic make some more money, buy a house, maybe get some people to help me - because they take into consideration the "why" someone is doing something and what they hoped to accomplish with their "how's".
These sorts of thoughts I must believe are keys to unlocking and realizing the full potential of an innovator's impact. And so, if I can ask enough people these questions I too can leave the world a much better place than I found it through them
Feel free to comment, critique, and share!
Sincerely,
MBMJeremy
Our lunch started with us doing a quick "life catch up" (and joking about my awkward 30-minute-early arrival). Andy didn't necessarily know that I was planning to probe him for information in regards to creating my own app/startup. As a result, we sort of danced around a bit with some general topics that lead to some powerful conversation about innovation, owning your own business, and the entrepreneur life. That, I think, helped frame the rest of the discussion into a much more preferable platform for gaining the insight I was originally seeking. Since Andy and I were now on the same page of the "greater context of our goals", it was easier to seek advice and avoid that feeling of "hiring of friend" entirely. I started being more specific with what is my message, intent, purpose, values, missions (etc). were - which was a catalyst for organic conversation, and allowed it all to feel a bit more genuine.
While I learned a lot, I didn't really get a handle for a cost, time, feasibility of my app as a project..BUT I did learn more about Andy and his Modern Business Mind. Which to me, is ultimately more important. I was very excited to have the conversation naturally bring about the topics I discuss on this blog. We used a lot of words to identify that Andy indeed is doing "the right thing" because it is "the right things to do". That's entrepreneur speak for what basically means: It wasn't about the money, it was about solving the world's problems and hoping to leave it a better place than it was before. This is where my little slogan came into play, inspired by what I understood as Andy's favorite part about Denovo Studios: providing app development for those places that need a competitive edge to stay alive - or get to a next level of operation.
He gave me the impression that he was in it because these people are in need of his help. However, what was the most interesting to me was that Andy wasn't totally aware of the impact (and potential impact) he was making. This made me switch gears and try to get to the bottom of Andy's internal model for how a startup should be done. It seems like Denovo Studios was created because he had that little voice in his head telling him it was the right move... but he did not necessarily have a clear and defined model of his "vision" that he could produce and show me. So I think I helped when I whipped out the model I use and let him fill it out... step one, answer this question:
"what is the end result of the goal of the company that he started"
He answered half of the question by letting me know he wanted to leave the world a better place than it was aka 'end result' - but what was the goal that this is the end result of? That goal is: to provide the skill of app development to allow, and teach, his clients the value it adds to their endeavors and the rest of the world.
"what are the next steps for Andy?" and "what are the next steps for Denovo Studios?"
that illicit responses similar to:
"I like Detroit because of the underdog/comeback spirit and it is keeping Andy and Denovo Solutions in Michigan" and
"if I were to hire anyone, I would give them the target and deadline, but let them come up with the solutions and have them teach me the new way to do it" and
"Adding people would significantly reduce the time it takes for my projects, meaning I could take more on and help more people".
Those responses to me are much more valuable than the generic make some more money, buy a house, maybe get some people to help me - because they take into consideration the "why" someone is doing something and what they hoped to accomplish with their "how's".
These sorts of thoughts I must believe are keys to unlocking and realizing the full potential of an innovator's impact. And so, if I can ask enough people these questions I too can leave the world a much better place than I found it through them
Feel free to comment, critique, and share!
Sincerely,
MBMJeremy
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