I think this is simple advice and often incorrect.
For example: JIRA, it's very complicated software. Many of the complicated features I think are essential for it to get into the Enterprise market. Revenues $242 million.
Basecamp: Their mantra is simplicity (although they do not actually do just one thing, they have several features as part of their software). Revenues estimated at over $100 million.
I do no think there is one simple answer to how to build a successful startup. Focusing on being great at one thing might be a good idea for some businesses but it's not only way to do things and it's far from proven as "the" way to build a startup.
In a sense, the "one thing" that JIRA does really well is being bloated (and through fulfilling the check box process).
And I'm only half joking. I mean, have anyone ever successfully been productive at using the thing? To me, it certainly doesn't do well in department of being useful to developer (or manager, for that matters).
For example: JIRA, it's very complicated software. Many of the complicated features I think are essential for it to get into the Enterprise market. Revenues $242 million.
Basecamp: Their mantra is simplicity (although they do not actually do just one thing, they have several features as part of their software). Revenues estimated at over $100 million.
I do no think there is one simple answer to how to build a successful startup. Focusing on being great at one thing might be a good idea for some businesses but it's not only way to do things and it's far from proven as "the" way to build a startup.
http://www.afr.com/p/technology/atlassian_sales_leap_as_reve... https://medium.com/@hungrycharles/basecamp-the-small-bootstr...