4 Maintain a secure financial base. 5 Develop an intimate knowledge of your products, markets and customers. 6 Don't be afraid to partner with other companies,even rivals,to further your goals. 7 Think ahead. Don't hesitate to discard one technology or solution for another.
Constant innovation is needed to establish a standard.
9 Select personnel carefully. Hire top-notch staff that have specific, necessary skills. 10 Consider staying private, at least early on. It can avoid some of the problems associated with stock market changes. Companies such as Check Point and Ariba are following suit in the technology arena, solution providers say.