Tools for progress #17
Getting Away With It, Good Technology Doesn’t Speak For Itself, How to Get Meetings With People Too Busy to See You
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
The Art of Finishing (10 minute read)
Ever noticed that whenever you sit down to work on that side-gig, the thing you need to do actually becomes dozens. The "Project Hydra Effect" plagues many, leading to a graveyard of unfinished projects. The more you get done, the more you realize you need to do. This phenomenon stems from fear of criticism, perfectionism, and the allure of new ideas. To overcome it, define "done" upfront, embrace MVPs, set deadlines, and celebrate completions. By developing a "finishing muscle," you can turn endless beginnings into successful launches.
Getting Away With It ( 6 minute read)
Silicon Valley claims to think differently, but it simply has its own norms. Paul Graham's recent "Founder Mode" piece, while popular, offers little practical guidance. There is a broader way to interpret Graham’s post, however: It is a reminder that there are no rules. Founder mode—and really, leadership, but that’s harder to brand—is the same thing: It is doing something daring and getting away with it. That is why Steve Jobs is Steve Jobs—not because he thought differently, but because he did something bold and it worked.
Problems Today, Problems Tomorrow (2 minute read)
We all have too many problems. We have problems we will face tomorrow, like new competitors, market shifts and capital requirements. There are so many problems that it’s often overwhelming. It’s not a question of how many problems you can solve, but which problems to solve first. Prioritization is the key. The best prioritization model is surprisingly simple: Solve your problems today to earn the right to have problems tomorrow. This refreshingly straightforward approach helps people and companies tackle immediate challenges that could potentially lead to failure if left unresolved.
Operational tactics
How To: Friction Logs (5 minute read)
Most software is bad. However, one of the best ways to keep the badness at bay for a while is through friction logs. Friction logs are exactly what they sound like: detailed logs of everything that causes friction when using a product. They're a valuable tool for product managers, designers, and curious individuals alike to improve software products. These logs help identify user pain points and frustrations in a systematic way, from initial research to sharing feedback widely internally.
It's Not Nagging: Effective Communication is Deliberately Redundant (3 minute read)
Embracing repetition in communication isn't a nuisance, it's a necessity. Contrary to our irritation with repeating ourselves and the tech world's "Don't Repeat Yourself" mantra, methodical repetition is crucial for clarity, learning, and ensuring critical info sticks in our info-saturated brains. Whether it’s communicating your brand value to prospects, or the strategy to your team, honing in on the most important elements and repeating them continuously will help you land the message.
Good Technology Doesn’t Speak For Itself (9 minute read)
Whether creating a new category, battling incumbents, or facing regulatory uncertainty, hoping that technology will speak for itself simply isn't good enough. Effective storytelling for technology companies, particularly startups, is crucial from their inception through to IPO and beyond. Storytelling means explaining what you're doing, why you are doing it, and why anyone should care. You must communicate this clearly to the audiences that need to understand it most. But there's another important ingredient: the founder or founding team needs to be bought into the importance of storytelling. By assuming that responsibility and using that power, founding teams can change narratives and change minds, just as Anduril has done in defense technology and Recursion in biotechnology.
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Angel investing
Daybreak: The One-Year Update (12 minute read)
Daybreak, a new early-stage VC firm, marks its first year amidst a challenging fundraising environment. The firm's thesis capitalizes on market downturns, tech shifts, and behavior changes, focusing on artisanal investing over asset management. With 10 diverse investments and a disciplined approach to ownership and valuation, Daybreak aims to fill the gap left by larger firms, positioning itself for long-term growth while maintaining an artisanal ethos in the evolving venture landscape. This one-year review provides an interesting framework into the life of an emerging manager.
How To Index Venture Capital (8 minute read)
Venture Capital (VC) investing offers attractive potential returns, but median performance is poor due to wide return dispersion. An indexing strategy in VC could provide access to mean returns by including top investments at scale. This approach, akin to John Bogle's philosophy of "buying the haystack," is gaining traction in venture markets. With major players like BlackRock entering the space through acquisitions, the trend towards indexing in private markets is expected to grow, potentially leading to more diverse and competitive products for investors.
You’ve Been Asked To Be a Startup Advisor: Now What? (5 minute read)
When asked to be an advisor for an early-stage company, there are four key things you should do. First, decide whether to advise the company, weighing the pros (networking, learning, potential opportunities) and cons (poor fit, restrictive terms). Second, discuss and set clear expectations on both sides, including areas of expertise, interaction frequency, and time commitment. Third, agree on compensation, typically in the form of stock options. Finally, put a good, quick legal agreement in place - the FAST advisory agreement is a good starting point for formalizing the advisory relationship.
Managing your career
How to Get Meetings With People Too Busy to See You (2 minute read)
Struggling to land meetings with the busy movers and shakers? Simply asking for coffee or to "pick someone's brain" is not an effective way to secure meetings with busy individuals. Instead, offering to share valuable knowledge or insights in exchange for a meeting significantly increases the chances of success. This approach creates a two-way learning opportunity, benefiting both parties involved.
What Is Your Product Leadership Archetype? (12 minute read)
Unlock your unique product leadership profile with this comprehensive framework. Whether you're gunning for a VP Product role or aiming to level up your career, this guide helps you articulate your distinct value proposition. Take the quiz and build your tailored product leadership profile today.
Managing Up Without Stepping on Toes (9 minute read)
Managing up, especially when dealing with superiors who feel threatened, is about more than just influencing decisions — it's about creating a space where collaboration and trust can thrive. Leveraging your "soft power" – the ability to influence through attraction rather than coercion or authority – can make a significant difference in your ability to lead and influence those above you. Understanding organizational dynamics through stakeholder mapping can help identify key influencers beyond formal hierarchies. Additionally, structured negotiation techniques, such as the IPIOS (Issues, Positions, Interests, Options, and Solution) framework, can help achieve desired outcomes.
Founder resources
Hiring a Strong New VP? Let Them Pick Their Right Hand Person (2 minute read)
Successful startups empower new VPs to bring in their trusted 'right hand' hire, even if unconventional. It’s a red flag if the potential VP doesn’t come with recommendations on who they would hire right away.
7 Insider Tips for Hiring the Right C-Suite Advisor or Coach (6 minute read)
When seeking a business advisor, prioritize industry-specific experience over general coaching. The most effective advisors work with both CEOs and functional leaders, addressing company-wide issues. Choose advisors recommended by trusted networks, commit to regular, long-term engagements, and leverage investor connections or industry groups to find the right match. The ideal advisor helps navigate growth challenges, improves performance, and prevents burnout by providing contextual, actionable guidance.
Why End-to-End Ownership Is Your Competitive Edge (And How to Master It) (5 minute read)
Foster end-to-end ownership to drive accountability and rapid learning. Encourage T-shaped skills for adaptability. This approach boosts product quality, team resilience, and innovation—crucial elements for navigating startup challenges and market changes.