Startups, Sparks and Serendipity

On this week’s episode of Startups, Sparks & Serendipity, we have a bit of a changeup. Mike is alone this time. You know how synching schedules can be when business is picking up, and that is just where we are. So Mike takes some time to talk about two very important mental models he uses.

Inversion - solving problems by working backwards. Instead of asking yourself what can you do to be successful, ask yourself what might you do that can prevent your success?

Handlem’s Rasor - Do not attribute to malice what can be explained to be a mistake or forgetfulness. Think of your own mistakes and think about how they could be perceived by strangers.

Recommendations:

Books: The Precipice by Toby Ord

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50485582-the-precipice

Tools:

Posture Corrector

https://www.Newsletterstack.com

On this week’s episode of Startups, Sparks & Serendipity, we are at last together, recording an episode in person! We discuss long-term goal setting, necessary tech knowledge for creating a startup, issues with a European Fintech company, and more!

Recommendations:

To Read:

Universal Principles of Design 125 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions

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012 - The consolidation of the audio industry and advice for our past selves

On this week’s episode of Startups, Sparks & Serendipity, Max and Mike discuss audio and Voice as the user interface of the future. From his start with podcasts and confounding an audio tech startup, Max discusses the beginnings to his fascination with audio technology. Audio, as a frictionless medium, can be more convenient while traveling, commuting, or just while you’re cleaning the house. As podcasts and other audio content as well as smart speakers continue to grow in popularity, more and more opportunities can be expected in the audio and Voice spaces. This is one of two episodes on audio. Enjoy!

Recommendations:

To Read:

Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller by Ron Chernow

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16121.Titan

Tools:

Rain Agency Newsletter

Follow Mike on Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/mikemahlkow

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Hi all! We were intrigued by the positive feedback we have gotten on our mental model episode and therefore wanted to deep-dive in two very specific mental models that are helping us day-by-day. Feel free to listen in, while you are enjoying the sun, sitting on the couch or going for a run. 

And don't forget to subscribe. See you next time! 

Book recommendation: 

Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

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This week our hosts dive into the WHY of startups. From the desire of autonomy to the need of solving real world problems, and the freedom to solve problems on your own terms, this podcast is filled with useful information for entrepreneurs and future startup founders. Whether you want to pick who you work with or feed your curiosity, starting a business is one way towards autonomy in your work. Why are startups not always about the money?

To Read:

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35167685-surely-you-re-joking-mr-feynman

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Branding is one of the most important and yet elusive concepts in business. This Week Mike and Max dive into a recent Brand Intimacy study exploring which brands different generations (Gen Z, Millennials, Boomers) feel the most connection to, and are surprised by some of the results. Then there is some discussion about the process that brings customers to bond and fuse with brands that they grow to love and use every day. Finally, they share their most important email tips and explain how they make sure to be productive when being bombarded by emails every day and finish with some great reading recommendations.

Recommendations:

To Read:

Email Article 1: One-Touch to Inbox Zero (https://fortelabs.co/blog/one-touch-to-inbox-zero/)

Email Article 2 : How to write email with military precision (https://hbr.org/2016/11/how-to-write-email-with-military-precision)

Brand Intimacy Study (https://bit.ly/brandintimacy2)

To Watch:

Email Video: Christoph Magnusssen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jtWdbMzZN0)

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This week our hosts explore the fundamental concepts of startups and give helpful tips on how to get started with the process. Speaking from experience, the hosts describe some important must-do actions for bringing a product or service to market. From having a MVP and being able to engage with your target to getting feedback and evaluating risks and assumptions, this podcast has several useful tips. Further on in the episode, Max and Mike improvise a mock startup and develop the business model on the spot to give you an idea on the developmental process and mindset that when implemented can yield a hopeful business plan.

Tip: Implement what we call “rebounding” to keep your productivity higher longer especially in unstructured environments.

Recommendations:

Books:

Innovator's Dilemma (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2615.The_Innovator_s_Dilemma)

Zero to one (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18050143-zero-to-one)

Tools:

Sunsama - Productivity for elite professionals: https://sunsama.com/

Finally, we dive deeper into one of our favorite topics: Mental Models. There are few concepts as powerful and few topics as intriguing as going on a journey towards finding the most reliable patterns this universe has to offer. Sadly, we were busy. So this is a short one. Expect more on this in the future

Books: 

Elliott Hulse - KING (4 Layer Approach)

Poor Charlie's Almanack 

This week our hosts dive deeper into the Y Combinator process and discuss the interview. It is good to know that even if you are not accepted, the process helps you to think clearly about your startup. It forces you to ask yourself important questions that you may otherwise overlook. Some useful tips from this episode include the following: Know your numbers (e.g. revenue, market size, etc.), go-to-market strategy and user acquisition, scalability, monetization and profitability. The importance of your value proposition is not to be understated. What problem are you solving and how are you different? Team Dynamics are just as vital. How are the founders and cofounders splitting equity? Does the team have complementary skill sets? Mike shares how you should anticipate questions and prepare well for your interview. Finally, pay attention to non-verbal queues and curb your cockiness and arrogance.

Tip: Leverage creation for your own success.

Recommendations:

To Read:

The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker

Time to Build Blog Article by Marc Andreessen

When Tailwinds Vanish by John Luttig

Tool to use: Superhuman (write Max an email to info©maxelster.com in case you would like him to refer you)

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