October 14, 2004

Saying No

37Signals noted that Steve Jobs shares their philosophy of saying no. As Jobs says:

And it comes from saying no to 1,000 things to make sure we don’t get on the wrong track or try to do too much. We’re always thinking about new markets we could enter, but it’s only by saying no that you can concentrate on the things that are really important.

I agree. But it is hard to hold the line. People ask for additional features. "Wouldn't it be great if..." You end up adding them. Death by a thousand paper cuts. It probably helps to be a tyrannical business guru...