As a startup founder and top podcast host,
I’ve had the chance to learn from 100’s of successful CEOs over the past 2 years.
Here’s the 7 best business principles I learned:
I’ve had the chance to learn from 100’s of successful CEOs over the past 2 years.
Here’s the 7 best business principles I learned:
1. Leverage is power
I thought outsourcing was not working hard enough.
No massive business/ empire, was ever created, run and executed by 1 or 2 people.
By doing more IC work, you aren’t doing your actual job as a founder.
I thought outsourcing was not working hard enough.
No massive business/ empire, was ever created, run and executed by 1 or 2 people.
By doing more IC work, you aren’t doing your actual job as a founder.
2. Follow your idea maze
You will have more ideas than time and resources.
With no simple answer to which of them is the right time to execute on.
Make a decision, take a risk.
Just because it feels like a maze, doesn’t mean you aren’t heading in the right direction.
You will have more ideas than time and resources.
With no simple answer to which of them is the right time to execute on.
Make a decision, take a risk.
Just because it feels like a maze, doesn’t mean you aren’t heading in the right direction.
3. First doesn’t always equal best
Just because you were there from the beginning, doesn’t mean that you will always be.
Don’t be disheartened by “going to market late.”
It’s an advantage people envy.
Just because you were there from the beginning, doesn’t mean that you will always be.
Don’t be disheartened by “going to market late.”
It’s an advantage people envy.
4. Make sure your ideas pass the “mom” test.
Potential customers will say ideas are great until they have to open their wallets.
The “mom” test crafts questions your customers (and your mom) can’t lie to you about….
Potential customers will say ideas are great until they have to open their wallets.
The “mom” test crafts questions your customers (and your mom) can’t lie to you about….
Questions to pass the “mom” test
- Ask specific questions
- Ask about the customers life, not about your idea
- Talk less and listen more
Listen to specific problems your customers have.
Fuse your ideas into their solution.
- Ask specific questions
- Ask about the customers life, not about your idea
- Talk less and listen more
Listen to specific problems your customers have.
Fuse your ideas into their solution.
5. Your product shouldn’t be better than your marketing.
Often the case for product/engineering driven companies.
Don’t shortchange your amazing products with subpar marketing.
Often the case for product/engineering driven companies.
Don’t shortchange your amazing products with subpar marketing.
How to take your marketing from good to great.
Make it about your customer:
- Speak their language
- Provide a desirable transformation
- Show them you understand their problem
Amazing products do well on their own.
Amazing marketing takes those products to scale.
Make it about your customer:
- Speak their language
- Provide a desirable transformation
- Show them you understand their problem
Amazing products do well on their own.
Amazing marketing takes those products to scale.
6. Talent is global
Your rockstar force-multiplier may be in a different country.
The beauty of today is it’s never been easier to hire from elsewhere.
Your rockstar force-multiplier may be in a different country.
The beauty of today is it’s never been easier to hire from elsewhere.
6a) Talent doesn’t have to come from big tech
Just because your candidates worked at
- Apple
- Google
- Facebook
Doesn’t mean they’re right for the job.
Hire based on
- Ambition
- Creativity
- Ability to execute
Startups are a different meal that requires a unique palate.
Just because your candidates worked at
- Apple
Doesn’t mean they’re right for the job.
Hire based on
- Ambition
- Creativity
- Ability to execute
Startups are a different meal that requires a unique palate.
7. Efficiency is found in unexpected places.
Having an in-person HQ, while costly, leads to
- IRL motivators - nothing better than a physical goal tracker
- Connective tissue conversations
- Easier recruiting
- Deeper bonds
Investing in an in-person HQ is incremental.
Having an in-person HQ, while costly, leads to
- IRL motivators - nothing better than a physical goal tracker
- Connective tissue conversations
- Easier recruiting
- Deeper bonds
Investing in an in-person HQ is incremental.
The 7 best business principles I learned over the past 2 years:
1. Leverage is power
2. Follow your idea maze
3. First doesn’t always equal best
4. Pass the “mom” test
5. Products shouldn’t be better than marketing
6. Talent is global
7. Efficiency is found in unexpected places
1. Leverage is power
2. Follow your idea maze
3. First doesn’t always equal best
4. Pass the “mom” test
5. Products shouldn’t be better than marketing
6. Talent is global
7. Efficiency is found in unexpected places
Thank you for taking the time to read this!
If you liked this thread:
1. Follow me @claudiaclaurie
2. Retweet the 1st tweet to help your fellow founders
If you liked this thread:
1. Follow me @claudiaclaurie
2. Retweet the 1st tweet to help your fellow founders
Loading suggestions...