Turning an idea into a profitable finished product lecture's presentation pitched at Moataz Al-Alfi Hall of the AUC new Cairo Campus to the favor of Fekrety EIP competition, 3rd of July, 2012

1. Turning an idea into a
profitable finished product
Hani Gamal

2. Establish Success
Clear Vision
Establish Elements
Reinforces Influences
Your Idea
h Est
a blis ts a
Ele blish
Est en me
m nts
Ele
Emphasis on AFFECTS The will to
teamwork/cooperation create the future

3. Forming Ideas #1
Gather &
Core Idea
Research Refine
to Scenario
info.
Define
Define
Feasibility Requireme
SWOT
nts

4. Research, Gather & Refine
Information
● Understand the concept, clear and define the
research goals
● List proper keywords
● Manipulate search phrase with your
keywords to get the best results
● Scale your research bit by bit, this will help
you refine your information

5. Core Idea to Scenario
“Prototyping”
● Prototype is not a proof of concept it is a minimal shape of your
product/service but it is not a product or service
● Know that your prototype is better than thousands of words and
presentations
● Clear your core functionality whether product or service
● Make a “Scenario” out of your core functionality
● Create “cases” of the problem
● If right then all “cases” will lead to your solution
● otherwise you need to find an alternative solution or
workaround
– if that happens don't panic it is a good sign that you can see
the flaws of your upcoming product/service

6. Alternative Solutions &
Workarounds
● Both depends on your creativity
● Finding alternatives almost about bending your
first solution a little bit
● Research skills is a key point here
● Workarounds almost done because of a threat of
some limitation of technology

7. Feasibility
● Idea Scope
● Well stated problem is half solved
● Current Analysis
● Used to define and understand the current method of implementation
● Requirements
● How requirements are defined depends on the object of the project's attention
● The approach
● The recommended solution or course of action to satisfy the requirements
● Evaluation
● Examines the cost effectiveness of the approach selected

8. Choosing the right technologies
● It does what you need!
● Wisely fit your resources, money and human
● Never choose something because its “free” or it has
some “offer”
● Choose the less customization but customizable, more
configuration and make sure you can customize at least
without a 3rd party involvement
● Scalability and long-term life cycle
● Wide known technology over the new ones, well
documented is a must and large community is an asset

9. Define SWOT
● Strengths
● Weaknesses
● Opportunities
● Threat

10. Elements of SWOT
● Strengths: characteristics of the business, or
project team that give it an advantage over others
● Weaknesses (or Limitations): are characteristics
that place the team at a disadvantage relative to
others
● Opportunities: external chances to improve
performance (e.g. make greater profits) in the
environment
● Threats: external elements in the environment that
could cause trouble for the business or project

11. Know Your Plan
● Everybody likes plans that presents lots of
information in as few words as possible.
● 15 to 20 slides will be more than enough including the following:
● Business Purpose: one sentence only
● Problem & Solution: use cases
● Why now?
● Marketplace & Market Size: larger is better
● Competition: list your advantages
● Product/Service: define your development road-map
● Model: how you'll get revenue, pricing, pipeline
● Team: DNA of your company
● Financial

12. Start-up Success Elements
● Clarity of purpose, company's mission statement
● Large market & rich customers
● Focus on a product or a service
● How important/valuable is your product/service to your
customer
● Team is the company's DNA, this should be formed in the
first 90 days, “A” class founders attract an “A” class team
● Agility will usually help beat-out large companies
● Spend only on priorities and maximize profitability
● I see that the main success for a start-up is to be an
enduring company

13. Achieve Success Elements
Brainstorming Teamwork
Time Management

14. Define The Best Tools
Fulfill your ambitions with
Open Source

15. Recommended Tools #1
● Brainstorming, Mind Mapping & Research
● Desktop
– Xmind http://xmind.net
– Freemind http://freemind.sourceforge.net
– ViewYourMind http://sourceforge.net/projects/vym/
– Visual Understanding Environment http://vue.tufts.edu/
– Compendium http://compendium.open.ac.uk/institute/index.htm
– Blumind http://blumind.org
● Web based
– Mindmeister (Paid) http://mindmeister.com
– Bubbl.us http://bubbl.us
– Mind42 http://mind42.com
– Wisemapping http://wisemapping.com
– Dabbleboard http://dabbleboard.com

16. Recommended Tools #2
● Teamwork & Project/Time management
● Web based
– Google Docs, Google Apps :)
– Open Atrium http://openatrium.com
– ProjectPier http://projectpier.org
– Project2manage http://project2manage.com
– Basecamp (Paid) http://basecamp.com
– Campfire (Paid) http://campfire.com
● Communications
– Spicebird http://spicebird.com
– Skype :)