Tools for progress #12
How to figure out what to do with your life, simplifying progress updates for stakeholders, the puzzles of AI
We (humans) read hundreds of articles on company building, angel investing, and self-management and curate the best ones into a weekly summary—helping founders and operators stay on the top of their game.
Better thinking
Rapid habit formation often fails, but lasting change can emerge slowly over time. Nat, the author, shares personal experiences with drinking less and writing more, highlighting how gradual, self-directed shifts can be more durable than forced, immediate changes. This approach challenges the "30 days to a new habit" concept, suggesting that patience and consistent nudging towards desired behaviors may yield more sustainable results than aggressive, short-term habit-building attempts.
How to Figure Out What to Do with your Life (13 minute read)
Here’s your weekly dose of existentialism. You only get one life (probably, we don’t know for sure…), how do you know you’re living the one you have in a way most meaningful to you? This is a personal journey. Regret minimization is a useful mental model–what will the end-game version of you wish you had done? The hedonic treadmill is alluring, with each new success we unlock a new standard of living. But our baseline of happiness / requirements increases.
Useful and Overlooked Skills (4 minute read)
Behavior, in business and investing, is the art of putting skills into action. It’s probably the most difficult aspect of this game. Some useful skills are completely overlooked. Why? Not because they’re non-obvious but rather because they are not enjoyable. From being able to diplomatically say ‘no’ to getting to the point to the ability to have a 10-minute conversation with anyone from any background. Once you observe someone who lacks them, you realize how useful they can be in many circumstances, both personally and professionally, so start developing these skills today.
Operational tactics
Clio’s Journey to $200M ARR (12 minute read)
A few days ago, Clio announced its US$ 900M Series F, the largest software financing for a software company in Canada, ever. Clio's 16-year journey showcases the merits of starting outside tech hubs, valuing steady growth over hyper-growth, and the essential role of persistence and founder leadership in reaching $200M ARR. Its success reinforces the unexpected scale of vertical SaaS and the power of non-consensus strategies.
Too Detailed in the Wrong Ways, Not Detailed Enough in the Right Ways (10 minute read)
Being "too detailed" isn't about avoiding details, but about providing the right ones for your audience and context. Wes Kao explains how to avoid common pitfalls like overwhelming stakeholders with numbers, neglecting context, or misreading the task. Remember that the goal is to help your audience make sense of information, not just relay data.
How to Simplify Progress Updates to Stakeholders (4 minute read)
The number one rule of stakeholder communication is that they should never have to struggle to understand progress. While proactive communication is key, it doesn't have to be verbal or time-consuming. Learn how to leverage traffic light systems, internal newsletters, and nested wikis to tell your project's story effortlessly. The tough reality is that part of delivering business value for the company is much more than just the technology or product.
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Angel investing
10 Charts That Capture How the World Is Changing (10 minute read)
In a dynamic reflection of evolving global trends, the latest "10 Charts" edition unveils significant shifts across diverse arenas, from the rising use of ketamine in therapy to WhatsApp's breakthrough in the US, and the intriguing yet cautious embrace of AI in music production. With a sharp eye on societal transformations, such as the aging population's impact on egg freezing and speculative debates around the future of work, these charts offer founders and investors a visual journey through changing consumer behaviors, technology's advancement, and emerging market opportunities.
The Puzzles of AI (7 minute read)
On a recent trip to San Francisco, Gil Dibner discovered a fervent focus among investors on AI, with conversations revealing a collective chase for AI applications demonstrating explosive growth. Amid this AI gold rush, concerns loom about profitability, market durability, and the rush towards companies with low customer retention. Despite the hype and potential overvaluation, the stark reality for founders is a divided path: venture into the high-growth yet precarious AI domain or build a sustainable business that withstands fleeting investor trends.
Inside Vinod Khosla’s High-risk Green Tech Strategy (5 minute read)
Investing in climate requires a very healthy appetite for risk, more so than other industries. Pioneering climate tech, like fusion power and advanced technology batteries, are incredibly hard to get right, many fail. Striking the right balance between backing groundbreaking (but risky) solutions, and delivering returns to your investors (or yourself) can be incredibly challenging. Vinod’s approach? Go all in on the risk, our climate demands it. Easily said when you’ve got an insane multi-decade track record, very hard if you’re an emerging investor trying to earn a name for themselves.
Managing your career
When to Join a Startup (8 minute read)
Joining a startup is a risky decision that requires careful thought. But not enough potential startup employees think about risk, even though it’s the driving force that determines their economic success. So what should you do? The most basic principle is to join a startup as soon as you can tell a major risk, like technology risk or defensibility risk, has been removed before other people have figured it out. Because when a form of risk is removed, the expected value of that business increases. That’s why learning to assess risk will likely lead to better decisions.
Reed Hastings Dropping Truth Bombs about the Workplace (2 minute watch)
The culture at Netflix is well documented; “We’re like a professional sports team. If you have one bad game, you don’t lose your position, but ultimately, you’re fighting for your position every year.” Of course, if you’re a CEO or founder, you want your employees to be at the top of the game. But the inverse positioning here is interesting, and often overlooked. You need to treat yourself like a professional athlete–work hard, push the boundaries, maintain an incredibly high standard for yourself, but rest and recover like a champion. Lots of folks either don’t push it hard enough, or push it too hard without recovering adequately and end up burning out. You are a knowledge worker athlete.
How to Impress in High-Stakes Presentations (8 minute read)
Presenting to executives is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate impact and establish visibility. Although delivering presentations can be nerve-wracking, if used to your advantage, can help expand your influence and build credibility with decision-makers. You might find yourself presenting to higher-ups for one of three reasons: To sell an idea, share results, or respond to a crisis. And the quicker you can help them make that decision, the better the presentation. Here are 7 steps to bring out the X-factor in your next executive presentation.
Miscellaneous reads
Why your Startup Needs a Patent Strategy (13 minute read)
Even the busiest startups can't afford to ignore patent strategy. It's not about hoarding patents, but understanding their value and timing. With insights from seasoned experts in tech, law, and marketing at Balderton, this piece navigates the why and how of patenting for fledgling companies. Key takeaways include crucial timing, potential loss of rights without patent protection, and strategic planning tips for startups. Dive in to safeguard your innovation's future.
Palantir: Creation of a Cult Stock (10 minute read)
From "black box" to Wall Street darling: Palantir's journey to becoming the highest-valued SaaS company by revenue multiple.
The New Vertical SaaS Playbook (5 minute read)
Vertical SaaS companies are ditching the slow climb to platform status, thanks to open technology standards. This shift is enabling startups to build powerful network effects from day one, potentially disrupting industries from construction to healthcare.