Tonight I finished reading The Business of Software, by Michael Cusumano. I asked for this book for Christmas because it had such great reviews from the sites I visit most often that I thought I couldn't lose. I was not disappointed. It was a great book, dense with insight into the world of the software business.

One sentence from the book haunts me, though:

Nine out of ten high-tech startups fail.

What?! Nine out of ten! Why, that's 90%! (Don't my math skills impress you?)

At first I thought that sounded high. But the author decisively backs up that statement with case study upon case study of software businesses that have failed.

So how do I get into that 10% that survive?
I have to admit that when I read that, my mind went into overdrive wondering how in the world I could possibly get into that 10% that survive. My brain was about to explode and ooze out my ears when God reminded me of something.

This is His business. It is my responsibility to be faithful to Him and to the commitments He has brought into my life. It is not up to me to stress myself into a drooling frenzy figuring out every little detail to ensure that I can do it all by myself. That's not the biblical model at all. I am to work hard at obeying God with His help, and He will advance His kingdom through our efforts. This business is no different. If I will just obey His leading in this business, it can be one more push to advance the kingdom.

But what about business knowledge? Am I saying that I don't have to have any at all? Am I saying I don't have to work at running the business well? Am I saying that it's not important to keep up with market trends and do market research and refine the development process and work on customer relationships? Is that what I'm saying? Just throw all caution and concern to the wind, find a comfy recliner, and sit there and wait for the money to roll in because God's gonna take care of it?

Not at all. I'm supposed to work hard at being faithful to the calling God has given me. But if this business has any hope of making it into the 10% that survive, it must be God's business. God will bless God's plan...not mine. He will implement His vision...not mine. It's up to me to bring this business--not to mention the rest of my life--in line with His plan and His vision. Then, whether the business "succeeds" or "fails" it will accomplish what God wants it to.

What could possibly be better than that?