What is a startup? Our recent conversations with BoS Alumni reminded us just how difficult it is to pin down a definition of, ‘startup’. We think Paul Graham is self interested in describing a startup as a potential billion $ business and it means far too much to other people. We also have a very special deal courtesy of Twilio and Balsamiq for a few lucky startups to attend Business of Software Conference for half price…

Ever wondered what it is like to live without the Internet for a few days? I just did a week with no phone and no Internet in the middle of France. We went camping en famille.

Back at BoS2010 a young, rather nervous looking engineer in a green tee launched into his Lightning Talk. He’d rather shamelessly stolen his opening line.

Just five years ago, many of us knew nothing about Lean. Or at least, none of us had a name for it. Here’s Eric Ries, in the dawn of Lean, speaking at Business of Software in 2010.

Last year’s workshops were very popular, and we’re bringing them back again this year, to help people develop specific action plans for their business.

At BoS we believe in software entrepreneurship – and we really want to encourage future generations to get involved.

Over the past month we have been in contact with our conference alumni – the people that have come to BoS more than once, to see why they keep coming.

Great news! Steve Johnson is closing BoS2014, September 15-17th, Boston. For anyone who hasn’t seen Steve or his work, here is his rather wonderful talk from BoS2009 which deals with the challenges that Agile development poses to tech companies in general and product management in particular.

Jeff Gothelf left college to run away and join the circus. Not only does he have some great thoughts on keeping innovation fresh within larger, established organisations, he also spills the beans on how the human cannonball works.

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So – to borrow a Valley meme – here’s the thing. We know a lot of people out there have great stories that would make epic lightning talks. We know, because other people – their ‘friends’ – tell us so.

Our search for the 2014 lightning talk stars is continuing. We think every single person who gets on a stage at BoS and puts their story across in 7 and a half minutes is a hero. You can share the thrill (and win a free place at Business of Software) by applying for a Lightning Talk here before the 19th July deadline. 

The Conference Attendee Manifesto

Ian Clifford, Founder of YouRock, attended Business of Software Europe Conference last week and we were delighted to receive this guest blog post.

We LOVE the idea of an Attendee Manifesto.

One of the most interesting things comments in Dharmesh Shah’s great talk last year at BoS 2013 about scaling culture was the importance of making sure that your culture doesn’t become ‘toxic’.

Mikey delivered a brilliant talk at the 2012 Business of Software Conference at Business of Software Conference that offered a three part framework to understand the importance of culture in an organisation, what happens when culture goes wrong and how to ensure organisational culture is embedded within your company.

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