This is a challenge to startup founders -- to pare down the feature list to just the essentials. When you're in a meeting and someone says "Wouldn't it be great if..." -- you as a designer must forcefully evaluate whether or not it is valid. If there is any doubt, push back. The good ideas that deserve to make it into the product can survive merciless scrutiny.
I believe this is at least partially why Steve Jobs's tyrannical micromanagement of product design works. Every single feature that makes it into an Apple product has to pass the muster of Steve's unforgiving eye. Chaff is discarded, like spare words at the hands of a great editor.
"Imagine the product comparison grid on the back of the box: our product has to have more check marks against more features than Quicken. Even if they never get used…"
I believe this is at least partially why Steve Jobs's tyrannical micromanagement of product design works. Every single feature that makes it into an Apple product has to pass the muster of Steve's unforgiving eye. Chaff is discarded, like spare words at the hands of a great editor.