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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Startup Playbook summary
David S. Kidder
Secrets of the Fastest-Growing Startups from Their Founding Entrepreneurs
10 mins
Brief summary
The Startup Playbook by David S. Kidder is a must-read guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. The book provides practical advice from successful founders on how to navigate the startup world and convert your ideas into a thriving business.
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The Startup Playbook
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Key idea 1 of 5
Enter the market early and anticipate obvious problems.
You’ve probably heard of the professional social network LinkedIn. But do you know the story behind it? Most people couldn’t tell you how such huge companies get started.
And, contrary to what many people think, the key isn’t to be in the right place at the right time – it’s to be there early.
This is a lesson from Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn. He’s also invested in several successful start-ups, and his secret is to spot a trend before it even starts. For example, when he invests in start-ups, he looks for companies whose value has yet to be fully recognized – a sure sign that a trend has yet to begin.
When Hoffman was starting LinkedIn, many people thought his idea would fail. Newspapers and headhunters already fulfilled the needs of the employment market, so why was his website necessary? Hoffman’s idea seemed bad because it came so early. This made it harder to find investors, but it also greatly diminished competition.
Another reason LinkedIn became so successful is Hoffman’s ability to anticipate solutions to obvious problems.
If you’ve got a great idea, chances are someone else has probably already tried it – and failed. That means you have to figure out exactly why the idea hasn’t already made it big, and what you can do differently to make it work.
For example, when LinkedIn got started, people were skeptical about the value it could offer its first users; with so few members in the network, what was to be gained? This is a typical problem for many start-ups.
Hoffman had a great solution, though. He developed a function that allowed new users to scan their e-mail address books for LinkedIn matches. They would then be shown a list of who was already on the network, as well as options to invite friends and colleagues to join. This network grew quickly, allowing its users to connect with more and more people.
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What is The Startup Playbook about?
The Startup-Playbook (2012) gives you business-building tips straight from the founders of some of the world’s biggest start-ups. By conducting interviews with the founders of companies like LinkedIn and Spanx, the author uncovers what you need to do to make it big.
The Startup Playbook Review
The Startup Playbook (2012) is a must-read for aspiring entrepreneurs looking for practical insights and advice. Here's why this book stands out:
- It offers a wealth of actionable strategies that can be implemented in real-world startup scenarios, providing a roadmap for success.
- Featuring interviews with industry experts and successful entrepreneurs, it offers valuable perspectives and lessons from those who have been there and done it.
- The no-nonsense approach of the book keeps readers engaged and motivated, making it an exciting and informative read for anyone interested in startups.
Who should read The Startup Playbook?
- Current and aspiring start-up founders
- People interested in running a successful business
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The Startup Playbook FAQs
What is the main message of The Startup Playbook?
The main message of The Startup Playbook is to provide valuable insights and lessons from successful startup founders.
How long does it take to read The Startup Playbook?
The reading time for The Startup Playbook varies, but it would take several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just a few minutes.
Is The Startup Playbook a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Startup Playbook is worth reading for its practical advice and real-world examples. It offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Who is the author of The Startup Playbook?
The author of The Startup Playbook is David S. Kidder.
What to read after The Startup Playbook?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Startup Playbook, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
- The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
- Start-up of You by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha
- How to Start a Start-up by ThinkApps
- Why Startups Fail by Tom Eisenmann
- ReWork by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
- Startup Growth Engines by Sean Ellis
- The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
- Secrets of Sand Hill Road by Scott Kupor
- Mind Shift by Erwin Raphael McManus
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