Intro

This chapter explores the hurdles companies encounter when growing from startups to larger enterprises, particularly the necessity for experienced professionals in crucial roles. It addresses the pitfalls of friend-based hiring and emphasizes the importance of specialized skills to manage a complex business landscape.

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This Week in Startups is presented by:

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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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