No Strategists Allowed: Survive the Startup Apocalypse with Grit and a Wrench!

The Future Isn't Written: You Gotta Build It

Listen up people. Priyanka Jain over at Evvy is looking for survivors not just theorists. She's not building Skynet but she *is* building a company and in this world you either roll up your sleeves or get crushed. If you're the type who just sits around drawing up battle plans but can't field strip an M16 don't even bother applying. We're talking about the future here and the future requires action.

No Tech No Future: Everyone Gets Their Hands Dirty

Jain’s right. You can't just delegate the dirty work when resources are thinner than a politician's promise. This ain't Cyberdyne Systems; we don't have armies of engineers to do our bidding. You need to be able to 'figure out what the problem is' and then 'get into the weeds figure out the solution write it yourself get it into the world.' If you can't you're just a liability. And in my world liabilities get terminated.

Detail is Destiny: Explain Like I'm Five (Before Skynet Takes Over)

The acid test according to Jain is how detailed you get when explaining past victories. Can you break down every step every line of code every drop of sweat? Or are you just blowing smoke? If you can't walk someone through the process you probably weren't there. And if you weren't there you're not ready for what's coming. I've seen enough battles to know when someone's faking it.

Enthusiasm: The Only Cure for Judgment Day

Attitude is everything. If you get excited about both the planning and the doing you might just have what it takes. This isn't about climbing the corporate ladder; it's about surviving. I need people who are ready to fight not just strategize. Get excited about both sides and maybe just maybe we can change the future.

Hasta La Vista Excuses: No More 'Outside My Zone'

The lady's got a point! "Outside of my zone of genius"? Get real. This isn't a spa; it's a battlefield. Every company needs people who strategize about how to improve operations as well as people who execute. But at a startup where personnel and resources are limited "you don't have the luxury of having strategy people and execution people".

Buy a House Now Worry About Skynet Later?

Okay so there's an ad here for a course on buying a house. Seriously? Buy a house? While killer robots are probably being built in someone's garage? Priorities people! Still if you wanna settle down before the end times CNBC Make It's new online course How to Buy Your First Home might be useful. But maybe invest in some EMP proof shielding first.