Why is finding the right technology stack so hard? No niche yet. Just general. Retail, manufacturing, Nonprofits, CRM, Inventory management, practice management, service businesses...and yeah, now my head is ready to explode, as well. So, how do you choose a tech stack? Or do you choose a vertical first and then a tech stack? NO, really, I'm asking because I don't know.

Here's what we've done when we've been successful: Take something that someone else has built (that we currently like...even if it doesn't have every feature we want) and trust that the developers are humble enough, good enough, nimble enough and eager enough to figure out what would make their SAAS tool even better. And then iterate in the meantime between 'as is' and 'what it should be'.

SAAS is a tough business. It could develop into the internet version of Othello. The winners now need to keep on top and make all the right moves or tomorrow all the data could port to another system. In that respect, they need to embed some hugely compelling reasons to stay. It is almost like imagining parents that never want their kids to leave the house. They have to stock the fridge, buy a ping pong table, etc.

The tech stack defines the vertical, defines how effective a business is...or is it the other way around?

"My job is to walk in stupid." Such words were said by a mentor of Polly LaBarre, Co-Founder of Fast Company magazine, and speaker today at Xerocon. It isn't always easy or comfortable to ask what might seem to be stupid questions. The 'power structure' doesn't like it. It often makes us and others feel uncomfortable...and yet, "asking questions is the best anecdote to hubris", a great way to "practice dissent"...oh, and to learn things.

Another day of great speakers at Xerocon - Day 2. We even got a fun, practical chance to practice dissent by dancing in a hail storm outside the Denver Performing Arts Center. Overall, really great time, people and setting for a fun conference. Thank you, Xero.

Swag, swag and more swag. 

I got a bunch of free stuff today that I'll probably "keep for ten years and then sell it at a garage sale or on Craigslist and say, 'cool I made some money, I got this for free.'"...or something like that ...according to Steven Dubner, the Think Like A Freak dude who spoke at Xerocon today.

What a day! I'd love to take a deep dive into his views on the penny, white turkey meat, and other stuff he talked about but the nugget that I took away from his talk is that, sometimes, when we want people (or possibly ourselves) to "change" to do things that are good for us and others, we have to create paths, designs, technologies that make it seem fun or easy to "change". That's funny, subtle, paradoxical and obvious all at the same time. But, ah, such is life. Overall, great day, getting ready for Day 2

Thanks to Xero for a great 'Pre-con' day today. I wasn't sure whether I was going to sit-in on Dev Day or attend the session I had previously signed up for, 'Stand out from the Crowd' with Amy Vetter. I have to admit Dev Day looked awesome but the 'Stand out from the Crowd' session did not disappoint. Great cases studies and tips on how to really bring to life a vertical. A lot of research. A lot of passion. AND a lot of help from 'Add-ons' that integrate into cloud accounting systems.

Looking forward to the conference.