Here's how you can propel your startup career using strategic thinking.

Don't just keep up with trends that shape *your* industry - keep up with *industries* that shape your industry! Startups disrupt. And in order to disrupt the status quo you have to view problems from a different perspective.

One thing I’ve learned from working with many startups in my industry is staying proactive and engaged in all communities and external resources to gauge your market and emerging trends. These have helped the companies I’ve worked for understand customer needs and the ever changing landscape!

Propel your startup career by understanding market trends, setting clear goals, and developing unique skills that align with your startup's vision. Build a strong internal and external network, invest in continuous learning, and adapt quickly to changes. Make data-driven decisions and show initiative by identifying opportunities and leading projects. Seek feedback and mentorship to improve and maintain a healthy work-life balance to stay productive. Regularly evaluate your progress, reflecting on achievements and areas for growth, and adjust your strategies accordingly. This strategic approach will drive your career forward and contribute significantly to your startup's success.

Une réflexion stratégique efficace commence par une compréhension approfondie du marché. J'ai mené des analyses régulières pour identifier les tendances, les besoins des clients et les mouvements de la concurrence. Cette analyse continue m'a permis d'anticiper les changements et d'adapter notre offre en conséquence.

It is easy to get lost in the hustle of building a startup. In such situations, an entrepreneur must align their focus and attention toward setting clear and realistic goals. Goal-setting not only provides direction but also enables the team to measure success over time, which is crucial for maintaining motivation. It helps determine where to focus resources, ensuring their optimal use. With startups often operating with small teams, making sure resources are adequately utilized is essential for achieving sustained growth.

Dès le départ, j'ai pris le temps de définir une vision claire et une mission pour Sowbeez. Nous voulons révolutionner le marketing local en connectant les commerces avec des citoyens influenceurs. Cette vision nous guide dans chaque décision stratégique, nous permettant de rester concentrés sur notre objectif principal.

 While setting clear goals is important, it is equally crucial to maintain adaptable long-term visions and objectives. This approach ensures a flexible strategy that can successfully respond to future changes. If our initial goals and vision are not supported by thorough preparation for the uncertainties that the future may present, we risk building our foundations on hope and luck rather than on strategic, long-term planning.

Too many set goals and treat them as known destinations, a goal should be measured as an output of impact. Clearly identify what that output is and make sure the organisation is focused on that. If we make goals too rigid about what should be done we end up missing; goals should be fluid in delivery but focused on impact.

Analyzing risks is a critical part of my decision-making process. I categorize decisions into one-way (irreversible) and two-way (reversible) doors. For reversible decisions, I’m comfortable moving forward with 70% of the information, maintaining a bias for action. For irreversible decisions, I conduct thorough risk assessments and scenario planning to ensure the best possible outcomes. This balanced approach helps me make bold yet informed choices.

Risk is a measure of trust - if we trust ourselves to deliver an outcome we will contextualise the risk. In a previous life I traded risk - it was a number that became a moving target and based off volatility. If volatility rose risk increased - yet, for a trader risk is a measure of liquidity and offset, things may be volatile but if liquidity remains present there is an exit. The same for startups, the only risk measure that matters is the risk of failure. Build it smart means make investments based on expected impact, and likelihood of success. Constantly evaluating what is happening is therefore crucial, but always have a mind to learn.

  In my experience with nine start-ups, conducting 'risk analysis' has always felt akin to addressing the elephant in the room. The term 'calculated risk' is becoming increasingly ineffective in our era of rapidly changing trends. For instance, technological advancements accelerate with each passing year. We have faced 'natural' disruptions such as COVID-19, and now we are encountering the rise of artificial intelligence. Soon, we will likely witness full digitalization and the potential for widespread robotization. These macro-environmental factors make it progressively more challenging to conduct effective long-term risk analysis during the start-up phase. 

One perspective on evaluating risk is the use of the time dimension, for instance long term vs. short term. Of course, if you wait long enough, all risks will either assert themselves or melt away. In a cost analysis, as an example, all fixed costs are eventually variable. So, it can be helpful to set a time limit, even if arbitrary, using all available information at the moment, and make a decision at that point in time. You will never have perfect information after all, and the depth and energy for the analysis can simply depend on the perceived importance and irreversibility of the decision.

Networking and utilising your connections is an integral part of growing your startup. Early on, I understood the power of connections and made a conscious effort to engage with industry leaders, potential partners, investors and like-minded entrepreneurs. This strategy has often given me access to critical advice, resources, and opportunities which would otherwise be difficult to obtain.

Leveraging networks has been instrumental in my career. I actively seek out mentorship, partnership opportunities, and potential customers through my connections. Building a diverse network has opened doors to invaluable resources and insights. It’s not just about expanding my reach but also about providing value and fostering mutual growth.

Les partenariats jouent un rôle crucial dans notre stratégie de croissance. J'ai identifié et noué des alliances avec des entreprises complémentaires et des influenceurs clés. Ces partenariats nous ont permis d'élargir notre portée et d'accéder à de nouvelles opportunités de marché.

Something to keep a watch on is just at a very human level, who is it in your circle who seems to support you and show concern about your business and you as a person? These non-transactional relationships - maybe they’ll never be a customer or a partner - can prove to be the most valuable over time. You can go to them for unvarnished advice. You’ll find that you don’t have to worry about showing your vulnerability. As you grow in success, these kind of trusted relationships can grow in value because they will become rarer.

Embracing Flexibility in propelling startups is important because of the market dynamics. Markets can change so rapidly that being flexible is the only way that allows Startups to pivot their strategies and adapt to new markets.

I have consistently developed and implemented two distinct strategies. The first strategy, I refer to as the "golden pole," which serves as the primary framework to sustain and achieve the core objectives. This strategy is robust yet flexible enough to accommodate new changes. Strategy B), I call it "king cobra,". This strategy wraps around the golden pole, safeguarding the primary strategy. As new changes arise, the king cobra assumes a defensive stance, evaluate and adapts to new changes. It allows the golden pole to remain focused on its original goals and vision while seamlessly integrating new developments. Having a protective secondary strategy has proven to be a crucial safeguard for my start-ups on multiple occasions.

La gestion efficace des ressources est essentielle pour une startup. J'ai veillé à optimiser notre budget en priorisant les investissements qui offrent le meilleur retour. De plus, en restant flexible et prêt à pivoter, nous avons pu nous adapter rapidement aux changements de marché et aux nouvelles opportunités.

Maintaining flexibility in a startup is more than an adaptive defensive strategy. It’s one of the prime strengths that a startup has over an entrenched incumbent. Think of a small man with a slingshot battling a giant by running and weaving in between his legs until he can get a clear shot at the giant’s temple. It’s the flexibility, coupled with speed, that can actually enable the much smaller competitor to win. Flexibility can be a powerful advantage and an offensive force in the marketplace.

Regular reflection is integral to my approach. I make it a point to conduct post-project retrospectives to evaluate what went well and what could be improved. This practice of continuous learning helps sharpen my decision-making skills and fosters a culture of improvement within the team, ensuring long-term success.

I learned this by setting aside time each week to review my goals and actions. This practice helped me identify patterns and adjust my strategies. For example, I noticed that prioritising customer feedback led to better product decisions. Reflecting on these insights allowed me to refine my approach and stay aligned with my long-term vision. It’s not just about making decisions but understanding why they work or don’t. This ongoing self-assessment has been key to my growth and success in the startup world.

Dans un marché compétitif, l'innovation est essentielle. J'ai encouragé une culture d'innovation au sein de l'équipe, nous permettant de constamment améliorer notre produit et d'explorer de nouvelles fonctionnalités. Cette approche nous aide à nous différencier de nos concurrents et à offrir une valeur unique à nos utilisateurs.