First time for Obama

It was interesting to see the debate today. Having watched the earlier two, i felt today was the first time that Obama got stumped on a couple of big things by Mc Cain. The best was the comment on you should have fought the elections four years back if you wanted to fight Bush - it was a killer. The other was the single biggest negative campaign by Obama. Looking closely at the news sites, I see that this is true, as the number of comments by the online team on CNN stories for example on Joe the plumber shows the PR machinery that is looking to discredit Mc Cain.

Obama came back strongly in the second half of the debate though with healthcare and education. However, I first time saw some innovation in the way Mc Cain approached the debate today.

I think if Mc Cain has to have any chance - he needs to take more such shots directly at what Obama has been trying pin him down with. This is because I do agree that Obama's campaign has been more about why Bush is unsuccessful, which anyway no one is contesting in America right now. Mc Cain might fail at taking these risky stances but it is better than status quo and anyway conceding defeat if he continues the way he has been. The big thing that Mc Cain needs to change is his stand on women related issues and the youth - two big segments, which would not want to be close to what he says.

I wish his advisors work on those two elements in the last few weeks of this long campaign. All the best to both of them!

Entreprenuership during a recession

I am begining my career as a blogger with thoughts on starting a new business venture during a downturn or not. A lot of wide and experienced people started saying that it is foolish to do so and one should remain within the confines of a safe job. I have a few points though that i consider make it better to start a business to start during a downturn.

1. Thinking through your business plan - Since funding and revenue streams are going to be tighter, the promoter of a new business venture thinks through the idea more carefully, refines the positioning of what one is offering and is it really distinctive and appealing more critically and looks for sustaining his business for longer. At the end of the day - these result in a more robust idea.
2. Commitment - Since you start during a downturn, your commitment to the venture is stronger and you are passionate to take risk during difficult times.
3. People - Getting people to join a start up during difficult times is easier to get cause the fat salaries get thinner, hikes get smaller and job offers get lesser.
4. Pressure of a job increases - With a more difficult market, the pressures in a job increase. Getting in business becomes tougher, meeting targets is a pain and patience is lesser
5. Consumers - They become more cost conscious and value focused - so if they get some thing cheaper from a start up, they will go for it rather than paying for the best name because of the brand alone.

Obviousely, we have downsides too because companies have less of an appetite to take risk with a start up and decision making getting longer and tougher terms with start ups. However, i still believe that the upside is better