gistfile1.txt

* keep people working on internal projects, assign and schedule the work
  * dont look desperate, dont have immediate availability
  * can tell a client you can 'shuffle internal projects' to accomodate them

* online ads dont work well
  * referrals instead
  * do a great job every single time
  * voice calls important
    * when people call you call them back

* legal
  * contracts
    * 2 part contracting
      * master services agreement (binds them as client, doesnt bind payment)
      * statement of work
    * split deliverables into 2 parts
      * things specific to their business (work for hire)
      * general code (you keep copyright)
    * limit liability (no more than what they paid you)
    * specify arbitrator (and arbitration location)
    * RightSignature for signing documents
  * never negotiate under pressure

* finances
  * took hashrocket 700k in their first year to build
  * fixed bid contracts = bad
    * puts you at odds
      * you want to cut corners
      * they want to squeeze more work in
  * hashrocket rates (variable based on length of engagement)
    * 250 obie
    * 190 short term
    * 175 long term
    * 150 > 6 mos
    * open source negotiable (good publicity)
  * make sure you budget for non-paying clients (literal line item)
    * keeps you from getting desperate
    * hashrocket runs 100-300k 90 day AR
  * budgeting for product development
    * jump from services -> product is hard
  * dont invoice manually
    * check out Harvest
    
* agile
  * try to follow every agile practice
  * storycard for estimation

* relationships
  * talk to your clients every day
  * help your client manage their budget
  * win over their people
  * be able to fire clients
  * keep employees learning
  * nice work environment
  * keep employees in the loop