Many people have a lot of opinions, advice, and issues concerning the tech world, but few actually launch their own website to discuss these thoughts. Sameer Singh, on the other hand, decided to take his experience in business consultancy and M&A in the mobile tech sector and create a platform for discussion with Tech-Thoughts.net. We caught up with Sameer to find out how he hopes to be recognized as an authority on tech analysis.
Why is your perspective for Tech-Thoughts.net unique?
Most websites focus on the question “What?” or “When?”, for example “What is Android’s market share?”, “When is the new iPhone coming out?”. On tech-thoughts.net, my focus is on the question “Why?”, for example “Why is the Android’s market share moving in a certain way?”, “Why is the iPhone coming out in September?”. This helps me uncover data and spot trends that most analysts or websites haven’t seen.
How’d you come up with the name for your company?
I initially stumbled into creating my website. I was talking to a friend of mine who’s an analyst for Goldman Sachs about my favorite topic, my thoughts on the state of the mobile technology sector. The conversation ended with her telling me that I should put my thoughts on a blog. That’s how I came up with the name “Tech Thoughts” and I haven’t looked back since. The rest of the name was based on domain availability.
What’s the very first thing you do at work everyday?
The first thing I do is look up the day’s latest news on the mobile technology sector on Google News or Pulse News. Since my whole website is based on unique business perspectives on mobile technology, I need to make sure I’m up to date with everything that’s happening in the industry.
Remember the early days starting up? Maybe you can share one anecdote that describe the struggle you went through?
Gaining relevance as an authoritative source for analysis is always difficult on the web because there’s so much noise. So what I would normally do is send out links of my best articles to leading technology/business oriented websites. Unfortunately, a lot of website owners are so attached to their favorite company/platform that they refuse to believe any analysis that shows any business risks to that.
My favorite exchange was with the founder of a leading technology website that is notoriously biased towards Apple. He felt the need to put down my work while marking his entire team on the email. Fortunately or unfortunately, my polite explanation helped them understand my analysis and didn’t make the founder any happier.
How do you handle frustration? When/how was the last time you dealt with frustration?
I usually just step back and spend some time working on my game on the basketball court. That always helps me relax. Sometimes I spend some time playing video games – I’ve always been a huge fan of the Half-Life series. Apart from that, I lean on my wife’s support to help me get through frustrating moments.
What’s your office environment like?
I currently write from wherever I am and there’s no formal office. However, when I begin expanding, I cannot fathom an office with a formal atmosphere. The reason I’ve been successful publishing great content and getting recognition for it is because I like what I do. The only reason that works is because I have the freedom to research my own topics. I want to continue the same method even after I’ve expanded, so employees develop a sense of ownership about their research and content.
How do you picture your company in 5 years?
In 5 years, I hope to expand the website, with specific writers/researches for each company/platform. I will look to hire researchers from across the globe as they don’t need to work out of an office to research or write. I would like to have a small team in an office where I’m based to manage marketing and publicity. Hopefully, ad revenue and consulting services should put the company on track financially.
Who or what inspires you?
I’ve always been a huge Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan fan. And whenever I feel down, I look at this quote of his:
“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.”
How’d you fund this venture?
So far, the website’s been completely self-funded
Got any great bootstrapping tips for the lean startups out there?
So far, I’ve learned that my free marketing initiatives driven by the strength of my content have been far more effective than advertising. So I would advise startup websites to invest more into content generation, and less on advertising.
What would you be doing if you had one year off and $500,000 to spend (and you couldn’t spend it on your currently startup / projects).
Well, if I couldn’t spend it on work, I’d spend it on traveling the world. There are a few places I’ve been to that I always felt I have to visit again – Paris & Bora Bora. Unfortunately, they’re also prohibitively expensive. So, I’d spend that money on exploring those and a few other places.
Do you consider yourself a successful entrepreneur right now? If not, what’s it gonna take to make you feel successful?
I think being a successful entrepreneur has two parts, at least at this stage. The first part, in my field, is recognition, and I feel like I’m ahead of the curve there right now. The second part is revenue generation, where I feel like I’m about where most websites would be but below my own expectations.
Website you couldn’t live without and why?
Aside from the all-powerful Google god? Probably Reuters, since their reports are mostly where my Google searches lead me.
Mobile App you’re in love with and why?
This one’s easy – Pulse News. It’s the first thing I look at when I roll out of bed in the morning.
Dogs or cats?
Always been and always will be – Dogs!
iOS or Android?
Android. Although I feel it’s necessary to mention that this does not cloud the analysis on my website!
What’s the greatest thing about Tech-Thoughts.net?
I think the greatest thing about tech-thoughts.net is that it brings a unique perspective of the mobile technology sector to tech enthusiasts and tech analysts alike. Usually, most websites are decidedly geared towards one of those segments, either blogs that carry a whole host of product reviews or ones that include so much financial information that it becomes difficult for someone without a financial background to understand. On tech-thoughts.net, I ensure that even though the depth of analysis is unparalleled, it is broken down and simple enough for anyone to understand, as long as they’re interested in the topic.
Where can our readers reach out to you?
I’m on all three major social networks:
Facebook TwitterGoogle+
Thanks Sameer! Join the tech discussion at Tech-Thoughts.net and get Sameer’s professional perspective on Android, Apple and Microsoft.
