Josh Kopelman (above), Om Mailk and Jeff Nolan share some good thoughts about launching a new product, how early interest after a TechCrunch review isn’t indicative of mass market interest, and how enterprise IT is diametrically opposed to Web 2.0 (enterprise = “boring”, Web 2.0 = “cool”).

For those focused on winning in the consumer market (that is, not enterprise IT), here’s the points that resonated with me … solve real problems, don’t merely tout features and functions … work on big ideas that appeal to large segments of the non-geek market … talk to “mainstreet” customers, not merely those centred in tech-heavy geographies … *Focus* on what it is that will get the user to come back day after day, and not merely register for a quick look and then shift on.

For those focused on winning in the enterprise market, the very things that makes Web 2.0 of interest to the early adopter geek market will not play well in the enterprise. Om talks about the opportunities for combining Web 2.0 ideas on the front-end with traditional enterprise IT systems on the back-end, however it will take lots of time, energy and education to get there. Startups wanting to focus on the enterprise market will need suitable liquidity and cash reserves to fit in with the enterprise IT decision cycle.

Finally, this comment from Stephanie Quilao on Josh’s post is spot on … think of the “life context” of your offering:

How does your 2.0 creation help me live my best life? I find that many of the web 2.0ers focus on the tools and capabilities, but not the life context. Think IKEA. Not only do they give you endless furniture choices, but they show you multiple ways you can make your livingroom, bedroom, or kitchen look cool with their stuff. Stirs the imagination, and makes you wanna decorate.