Tech for Non-Techies

104. Do things that don't scale


Listen Later

"One of the most common types of advice we give at Y Combinator is to do things that don't scale," says Paul Graham, Y Combinator founder. Recruiting users manually and getting feedback is what lets you build a scalable product.

Learning notes from this episode:

  • "The most common unscalable thing founders have to do at the start is to recruit users manually. Nearly all startups have to. You can't wait for users to come to you. You have to go out and get them." - Paul Graham

  • A product is always a solution to a problem someone is experiencing. The better you understand the problem and the users, the better the product will be. This often means 1:1 conversations with your customers.

  • This advice doesn't only apply to early stage start-ups. If you are creating products, you are always looking for customer feedback to make them better. Brian Chesky still books Airbnbs so he can experience his product as a customer.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

  • Do things that don't scale - essay by Paul Graham

Get your FREE guide to the top 10 concepts non-technical leaders need to work with developers, designers and data scientists.

-----

If you like learning about how tech products and profits get made, you'll like our newsletter.

It's funny too. Sign up here.

-----

There are 2 ways to apply this work to your goals:

For individuals, APPLY FOR A CONSULTATION CALL for Tech For Non-Techies membership.

For companies: If you want to increase productivity, innovation and diversity, then your non-technical teams need to learn how to collaborate with the techies.

BOOK A CALL to discuss bespoke training & consulting.

We love hearing from our readers and listeners. So if you have questions about the content or working with us, just get in touch on [email protected]

Say hi to Sophia on Twitter and follow her on LinkedIn.

Following us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will make you smarter.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Tech for Non-TechiesBy Sophia Matveeva

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

23 ratings


More shows like Tech for Non-Techies

View all
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch by Harry Stebbings

The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

540 Listeners

The McKinsey Podcast by McKinsey & Company

The McKinsey Podcast

403 Listeners

The Knowledge Project by Shane Parrish

The Knowledge Project

2,696 Listeners

The a16z Show by Andreessen Horowitz

The a16z Show

1,099 Listeners

Super Data Science: ML & AI Podcast with Jon Krohn by Jon Krohn

Super Data Science: ML & AI Podcast with Jon Krohn

299 Listeners

Founders by David Senra

Founders

2,188 Listeners

Masters of Scale by WaitWhat

Masters of Scale

3,987 Listeners

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

8,852 Listeners

Inside the Strategy Room by McKinsey & Company

Inside the Strategy Room

176 Listeners

Coaching Real Leaders by Harvard Business Review / Muriel Wilkins

Coaching Real Leaders

670 Listeners

Business Breakdowns by Colossus | Investing & Business Podcasts

Business Breakdowns

356 Listeners

ACQ2 by Acquired by Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal

ACQ2 by Acquired

296 Listeners

Marketing Against The Grain by Hubspot Media

Marketing Against The Grain

357 Listeners

The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis by Nathaniel Whittemore

The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

662 Listeners

HBR On Leadership by Harvard Business Review

HBR On Leadership

172 Listeners