Startups
One Simple Business Strategy That Will Save Your Startup From Failure
When you are feverishly building your startup, there are 1 million things that must be done. And if just one of those million things is off by just a fraction of a millimeter — failure. As an entrepreneur, you are frequently courting failure, and because of the ever-present chaos, you are trying to do everything yourself. Why, because no one can do the job better than you.
But you would be epically wrong. It’s wrong of you to assume that you have the skill set to manage all the moving parts in a startup. It’s not your responsibility to work in your company, it’s your duty to work on your business. That is a difficult pill to swallow when you are first growing your startup.
The Nightmare of Not Outsourcing
Jack Canfield, one of the authors of, “The Power of Focus,” shares:
”As the foundation is built, people and systems are put in place to create stability. Gradually the entrepreneur becomes more involved in day-to-day administrative duties. Paperwork increases and what started out as an exciting venture becomes a daily routine, with much more time spent putting out fires, handling people problems, tax challenges, and monthly cash flow.”
Does that sound eerily familiar to you? Is that why you started a business, to manage human resource issues? Your company does not need you to handle the day-to-day. What your business needs is your consistent focus on the core competencies that are giving birth to the products that give you a unique selling proposition and add value to your customers.
Yes, HR issues still needs to be managed, tax challenges need to be resolved and fires need to be put out, but if not by you then who? Let others maintain those parts of the business. Outsource everything that does not support your company’s core competency. Why because your success is based on focusing on a minimal number of high leverage activities.
“If you deprive yourself of outsourcing and your competitors do not, you’re putting yourself out of business.” – Lee Kuan Yew
Find Bliss in Contracting (work) to Others
But before you rush to hire a consultant or a service provider you must ask yourself two important questions:
- Do you trust the company that is going to manage the tasks that you are outsourcing?
- Will outsourcing allow you to streamline the operations of your business?
If the answer is “yes” to both questions, then it’s time to outsource that function. You first start by engaging your outsourcing efforts broadly:
- Outsourcing human resources
- Engaging offshore developers
- Leveraging a virtual phone system
So how do you begin to understand what can be outsourced and what is the brains of the operation? Simple, make a visual map of everything that must happen in your business to produce the sale, direct and indirect. Then ask yourself: what are the unique processes that are designed to add value to the customer that only your startup can provide?
“An organization’s ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage” – John Carmack
Once you can separate what is necessary, what does not fit within that framework must be outsourced. Once you can focus on your core competencies what you have left are the minimal number of activities that you can leverage to compete in the marketplace.
What strategy would you give for startup success? Please leave your thoughts below!
Image courtesy of Twenty20.com
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15 Business Lessons From Napoleon’s Playbook
Unleash your business potential by harnessing Napoleon’s strategic genius.
From dreaming big and thinking bold to moving fast and staying agile, these time-tested tactics are your blueprint for success.
Learn how creative leadership, detailed planning, and relentless execution can transform your business landscape. Boost morale, lead with clarity, and embrace hard work to conquer your industry.
Don’t just survive—thrive with the power of Napoleon’s lessons.
Here are 15 Powerful Lessons You Can Learn From Napoleon Bonaparte
1. Dream Big, Think Bold
Napoleon wasn’t just playing small; he believed that “Imagination rules the world.” In the business world, boldness and creativity are game-changers. Don’t just aim to fit in—push boundaries and set ambitious goals that make you stand out.
Think of Steve Jobs, who didn’t just want to make computers; he wanted to revolutionize entire industries. Your vision should be so grand it almost feels unreachable. When you dream big, you inspire those around you to believe in the impossible and work together to achieve extraordinary outcomes.
2. Move Fast, Stay Agile
Napoleon’s quick and secretive moves gave him an edge. In business, you gotta be nimble. Adapt quickly, move fast, and you’ll often find yourself ahead of the game, capturing opportunities your competitors miss.
Companies like Amazon and Tesla thrive because they constantly innovate and pivot when needed. Speed is your friend; it allows you to react to market changes and customer demands faster than the competition, ensuring you remain relevant and ahead of the curve.
3. Creative Leadership
Napoleon thrived on chaos and wasn’t afraid to switch things up. Unlike rigid leaders, he was flexible and adaptive. In business, embrace change and let chaos work for you. Being adaptable can turn unpredictable situations into opportunities.
Think of how Netflix transitioned from DVD rentals to a streaming giant. Flexibility and creativity in leadership allow you to navigate through turmoil and emerge stronger, transforming challenges into stepping stones.
4. Organize Like a Pro
Napoleon’s mind was like a supercomputer, processing vast amounts of info to make smart moves. Businesses should do the same—stay organized, use real-time data, and adapt strategies based on fresh insights to keep that competitive edge.
Utilize modern tools like CRM systems, analytics software, and AI to manage information efficiently. Staying organized and informed means you can make better decisions, foresee potential issues, and react promptly.
5. Keep It Simple
Napoleon knew the power of simplicity. Overcomplicating things can bog you down. In business, streamline processes and focus on what truly matters to hit your goals efficiently.
Apple’s product design philosophy under Jobs was about simplicity and user-friendliness.When you remove unnecessary complexity, you reduce errors, speed up processes, and make it easier for your team to focus on what’s important, driving efficiency and effectiveness.
6. Execute Relentlessly
Once Napoleon decided on a course of action, he went all in. In business, once you pick a direction, pursue it with full commitment. Execution is where success is truly made.
Look at how Elon Musk commits to his vision for SpaceX and Tesla. Relentless execution means overcoming obstacles, staying focused on your goals, and not getting distracted by setbacks. It’s the determination and persistence in execution that ultimately leads to triumph.
7. Play to Your Strengths
Napoleon only fought battles he knew he could win. In business, focus on your strengths and avoid head-to-head fights in areas where you’re weak. Know your advantages and leverage them.
Microsoft leverages its strength in software development and cloud services rather than trying to compete directly in hardware. Understanding and maximizing your strengths ensures you play a game you can win, using your unique capabilities to outshine competitors.
8. Plan in Detail
Napoleon planned for every possible scenario. Businesses should do the same—conduct thorough planning and prepare for various outcomes.
Detailed planning helps you stay ready for anything. Scenario planning and SWOT analysis are tools that can help you foresee different futures and prepare accordingly. When you’re prepared for multiple scenarios, you can adapt smoothly and continue to drive forward, no matter what challenges arise.
9. Seize Opportunities
Napoleon saw luck as the ability to capitalize on accidents. In business, be prepared and ready to grab unexpected opportunities. Agility is key.
Companies like Uber and Airbnb seized gaps in the market by being ready to pounce on opportunities when they arose. Always be on the lookout for opportunities, and when they come, don’t hesitate. Preparation and readiness to act quickly can turn unexpected moments into major breakthroughs.
10. Learn from the Past
Napoleon studied the greats who came before him. Entrepreneurs should always be learning from the successes and failures of others. History is full of lessons waiting to be applied.
Warren Buffett is famous for studying businesses and market histories. By learning from the past, you can avoid repeating mistakes, understand what works, and build on proven strategies. Continuous learning from history helps refine your strategies and improve decision-making.
11. Boost Morale
Napoleon knew how to keep his troops motivated. Business leaders should do the same—keep your team inspired and engaged. High morale leads to high productivity.
Companies like Google and Salesforce invest heavily in employee well-being and motivation. When your team feels valued and motivated, they are more productive, innovative, and loyal. High morale fosters a positive work environment where people are excited to contribute and excel.
12. Lead with Clarity
Napoleon believed in the power of a strong, decisive leader. In business, clear direction and strong leadership are crucial. Ensure everyone knows the plan and follows it.
Leaders like Jeff Bezos provide a clear vision and direction, ensuring their teams know what they’re working towards. Clear, decisive leadership aligns your team, fosters trust, and drives coordinated efforts towards achieving your business goals.
13. Reflect on Failures
Napoleon analyzed both his wins and losses. Businesses should review their successes and failures to keep improving. Learn from mistakes to avoid repeating them.
Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates emphasizes the importance of learning from failure in his book Principles. By conducting post-mortems, you can understand what went wrong, make necessary adjustments, and continuously refine your strategies to avoid future pitfalls and drive success.
14. Action-Oriented
Napoleon was all about turning thoughts into actions. In business, decisiveness and execution are vital. Don’t just plan—act on those plans with energy and determination.
Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson embody this principle by constantly moving from ideas to actions. Action orientation ensures that you don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis but instead drive forward, making things happen and turning visions into reality.
15. Embrace Hard Work
By implementing these lessons from Napoleon, businesses can sharpen their strategies, strengthen leadership, and execute with precision, driving sustained success.
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