The Evolution of Mike and Doug's Pocket Link

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We open in 1996 where Mike and Doug they've created research in motion. They're there just being held up us robotics doesn't want to pay them for the modems that's put them in a real cash hole. But they also have this idea that Mike sort of developed for this thing they're calling a pocket link. He has this idea for a device that would be in your pocket but you could use it to check emails. It doesn't sound super impressive in 2023 but in 1996 emails in your in your pocket was remarkable.

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Today’s show:

Lon joins Jason to extract the business lessons from the film Blackberry (2:19). The two discuss the company’s rise and fall, the benefits of having multiple co-founders (9:11), the psychology of framing (23:05), knowing when to "fake it 'til you make it" (56:19) and much more!

Time stamps:

(0:00) Cold open! “What got us here won’t get us there.”

(2:19) Jason and Lon intro Business Breakdowns - a new series!

(5:51) Blackberry cast breakdown

(9:11) Lessons: Importance of having multiple, complementary co-founders and market pull

(13:25) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist

(14:32) Lessons: “Burn the boats,” importance of diligence, product velocity

(21:51) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist

(23:05) Lesson: Framing the product or pitch

(26:11) Lesson: Importance of riding and recognizing paradigm shifts

(31:04) Lessons: Marketing as a status symbol, real-world virality, being of action, “bend don’t break”

(36:50) Lesson: What got you here won’t get you there

(40:53) House of Macadamias - Get 20% off and a free box of Namibian Sea Salted Macadamia Nuts at https://houseofmacadamias.com/twist by using code TWIST20

(42:12) Lessons: Blackberry’s downfall, importance of focus, product association

(53:13) Lesson: Knowing when to cash in your chips

(56:19) Lesson: Know when to “fake it ‘til you make it”

(59:51) Business Breakdown Awards, presented by Jason and Lon

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