🪴 How to kill your startup, fast
(treat carefully)
"Why build when you can brainstorm?"
~ A failed founder (probably)
Having bad priorities in an early-stage startup is one of the quickest and easiest way to hit the finish line. Why bother doing it for 20 years when you can have a similar CV outcome in just 3 months?
If you want to learn how to do just that, this post is for you (and don’t forget to put an “exit” on your resume, otherwise you learned nothing)
Let’s start with a great advice on prioritisation:
Anyone running a successful early-stage startup can tell you looking productive is being productive.
Theoretical approach is always better than building.
Spend weeks perfecting your Notion templates, write a thorough documentation on your first commit.
I’ve heard founders say that every task in startup can be broken down into 2 binary categories: Building the product, or selling it. Why make it fair grounds with everyone else, when you can learn much more?Doing what your users want.
People definitely know exactly what they need, haven’t you tried organising a group vacation with your friends? That’s why great founders rely entirely on market research surveys, because nothing says innovation like building whatever the loudest person in your inbox demands."
If Henry Ford had listened to his customers, he would’ve built a faster horse — probably with Bluetooth.
~ Steve JobsMost users know what they want from your product. And they will tell you. If you listen to all of them, your product can’t end bad.
Chasing too many things at once.
Exploring multiple markets, target audiences, or products helps you switch attention in between tasks to keep you always engaged and focused.
YCombinator’s “Make something people want” sounds too easy to be true. Don’t be a fool.Build extensive (and unessential) features.
Any feature that is a nice-to-have will be the thing that separates you from your competitors. This is what separates you from your competitors.
The main functionality is not even that important, if you can slap an extra “AI-tool" on top of it. People love that.Decide only using data.
All your data-points are well-represented and not skewed at all as an early stage startup. Don’t follow your hunch at any point, as we all know, computers can beat Magnus Carlsen at chess. They are much smarter.
Pro tip: hiring a McKinsey’s consultant can give you even a better competitive edge for your company.
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