business
The freedom of business
Jun 24th
Got Values? on Prezi
Current presentation of what I’m doing. It still sucks, but I want to take a break from presentations and start coding. Thus this iteration gets pushed out the door, unpolished just like the rest.
Positions & Props: the Play with no Prototype
Jun 7th
It’s time to go to the last all day session of the Market Entry Program. This is my homework, though I’ve failed to do it as suggested. I may have gotten into the program a little ahead of schedule. I definitely qualified by having no customers, but I also have no product. Thus I am mostly bringing my brain to market. However, maybe it has positioned me well for a different route.
Last week I got into my #1 competitor’s beta: Quora. This application is amazing and their name is way better than mine. 
I love that they share the same central idea in their product: No duplication of questions. There are some great strengths and obvious weaknesses to me, but I’ll save that post for later. Today I redo my go to market strategy for my non-existent prototype, which I can’t seem to start by myself. I keep saying I’m more of a fixer than a build-from-scratch guy, but maybe I should just get on with it. I’m definitely way behind these guys technically. I hope my story will catch their eye and we’ll talk about teaming up. Either way I’m sure we’ll talk eventually. More >
rebels, jesters, believers, and thinkers
May 30th
I am building a game of value. What does this mean? I see a distinct need for a neutral and engaging way to get us talking about our values. Here is some evidence of the gap identified at the world economic forum. The people of this planet have many deeply held beliefs, values, and opinions and GAIA wants to create a value management system to help us discuss them. The game part is in the mechanics, that filter and organize the content. The more you help out, the more prominence and influence you will wield, to promote the values you have. If this interests you, in even the slightest manner, I have a request. Find the question that resonates the greatest YES for you and take action. Together we can shift the world and show our collaborative colors!
Are you a rebel?
Definition #2 To resist or defy an authority or a generally accepted convention.
Rebels want freedom. They want control over their destiny and choices. They want freedom from authority, rules, and restrictions. I love freedom and think our democracies would be much better served if we promoted and valued our rebels more. Marc Emery is a rebel, and a hero of mine, who is currently locked up for selling seeds (a heinous crime indeed). What rule or authority are you railing against? More >
contest failure
May 30th
I didn’t make the cut in the contest. My average score from the 5 judges was 1.92 / 5
I love how encouraging everyone has been throughout this process, but it really isn’t a contest for concept stage companies. Anyways, it’s all good. I’m failing fast as the saying goes, and now I have more time to focus on what I should have been doing all along: building a prototype.
Thanks for reading!
idea wave!
May 24th
I just applied to this cool conference in Victoria called Idea Wave. It’s on July 10-11, 2010. Here is my application to speak for 10 minutes about the QuestionCollector. By the way, I’ve been trying to think of a better name for the product. Maybe PeaceQuest? (the domain is for sale, but I can’t afford it yet.) Would love to hear your ideas for a name.
Title:
A value centered social game for questioning everything.
Talk Abstract:
A text-based social game for online debate. We want your questions, the ones that burn
in your identity. The ones that move you to action. The ones that make you burst into
laughter. We want you to gather with people and organizations of similar values and form
questioning communities. We want to serve your debates, and opinions in a fun and
neutral sandbox where you control your identity. Most of all, we want you to feel
empowered to share your vision. More >
Help me make it to round three!
May 3rd
May 10 is the deadline for my submission to qualify for round three of the New Ventures BC 2010 contest. I’m writing this post to detail my current draft plans and get feedback from you. Is it clear? Did I answer the questions? What else should I consider? I would love your harshest criticisms and any encouraging comments you can spare. Thanks for reading!!!
customer outreach
Apr 18th
If this is your first time here I recommend checking out my updated prezi for a short intro into what the f#*k I’m doing.
I’ve been working on my positioning statement and I have some homework to talk with my target customers about them. If you are interested in this game, does the following statement resonate with you? If you aren’t in the target market (youth age 14-32) are you still interested in the game? I would love your comments, suggestions, and/or criticisms, either below or via skype chat: jazzmann_91
The QuestionCollector is an online game of debate for people who want to be heard. It provides a social network for questioning everything and unlike eRepublik, Farmville, or Pet Society the QuestionCollector delivers real world significance and entertainment value. More >
Help me!
Mar 25th
I would appreciate any feedback on this presentation. Is it clear? What do you like? What do you dislike? What do you think is missing? What am I doing wrong? Yes I am doing lots wrong, but need your help identifying my additional weaknesses. Do you think this could work? Would you want to play?
Thanks for reading!
self demotion
Mar 15th
I’m waking up to how much help I need and how little experience I have. I’m going through a very difficult time personally right now and it’s showing me all my errors in crystal clarity. I have to ask for help, but I don’t know who to ask. My best friend keeps giving me clues, and I try to reach out, but I need to work at it harder. Stubbornness is going out the window, along with my arrogance, and other stopping-me qualities. I am a nut, I am in love, my dream is what I am living, and it’s turning into a fun story. To kick it up a notch I just fired myself from the position of CEO and put myself in my place, as Founder / Product Designer. I’ll remain acting CEO, until I partner with my replacement. What I need to do is work my prezi and find that first follower/partner, advisers, money, and lots more fans. Check out the facebook page or follow us on twitter links to the right under comunicate me.
Thanks for reading!
seminars and pitch update
Mar 4th
Over the last two days I attended two seminars at the local technology park. One was on product positioning and marketing and the other was on intellectual property and business structure. Both were useful and it was good to get out and meet some local entrepreneurs. Thanks to Gowlings and VIATec for hosting!
Here is our current positioning statement:
The QuestionCollector is a sociopolitical game of debate, for Internet users who want to create peace with words instead of weapons. It provides a fun and neutral architecture for questioning everything. Unlike current social games the QuestionCollector is fun AND useful to your world.
Read on for the draft text of my media pitch and let me know what you think of it or my positioning statement.
the purple wizard dance
Feb 26th
Today I advanced my marketing strategy by arranging to make my first video. On Sunday, weather permitting, I’ll be in downtown Victoria dancing with my friend filming me. It should be quite comical for people watching, because I’ll be the only one who can hear the music, via my headphones. More >
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