I might offend you, and I’m okay with that

And so should you be, IMHO. But hey, we are all entitled to our own opinions.

I don’t walk on egg shells.

I don’t tiptoe around sensitive issues.

I don’t mind rubbing you the wrong way.

If you have read some of my answers on Quora, you might know this already. If I don’t agree with something, I’ll call it out. And I will be very direct, crude and blunt about it.

The one point I have been blunt about the most is when you tell me how great a business idea you have and how it WILL change the world.

IT WON’T!

This is what happened today. Some text from his question is seen as codified quote and what follows is my answer to that part of the question.

THE REAL QUESTION IS — WHY?

I could have simply ignored that part of the question and focussed on answering the rest. But somehow that doesn’t seem fair or right — not even to the person who has this misguided notion. The longer he lives with this wrong notion, the worse this will get.

1. This is not exactly a new phenomenon. For as long as I can remember (think 10 years, maybe more), I have run into people who had ideas that would be the next big thing. Just open up any freelancing website and you’ll see the number of project offers for the “next unicorn” business ideas.
2. They fizzle out. Almost as fast as they start. Sometimes even faster. Why? Because you’ve a fantasy version already painted in your head. Build, and they will come. So when they don’t, you will find some excuse to pin the blame on, and walk it off.
3. If you don’t fizzle out, you will be as flat as a pint of beer that’s been out too long. Why? You’re so convinced of the game-changing nature of your business that you are not trying to find flaws in your model, your approach, your execution. So you will continue to wait for an inflection point, and time will pass you by.

I am not her to coddle you. I am not here to shield you from the pain and hurt. I am not here to respect and protect your sensitivities. If you think I can help you or your business in any way, sure — I’ll be more than happy to help you out in any way possible. But I will do it the most efficient way. And letting go of the niceties is on top of my list. If I upset you — tough! Grow a pair and get back to work. You may feel offended today, but at least you won’t be stuck with something wrong. You would thank me later. Or won’t. I don’t care.