HBR On Strategy What’s Behind the Success of Some Tech Start-Ups?
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May 8, 2024 
Andy McAfee, MIT researcher and author, explains how Silicon Valley tech companies succeed through unconventional problem-solving and geek culture. He emphasizes the importance of company norms, human judgement vs data-driven insights, and the balance between leadership and innovation. Key topics include strategy, technology, start-ups, and competitive strategy.
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Geek Definition
- Andy McAfee defines a geek as someone obsessed with hard problems.
- They embrace unconventional solutions, like Maria Montessori's educational methods.
The Geek Way
- The "geek way" is a business model created in Silicon Valley.
- It focuses on running companies effectively during rapid technological change and uncertainty.
Quibi vs. Netflix
- Quibi, a digital short-form video startup, failed despite significant funding.
- McAfee contrasts this with Netflix, a successful "geek" company, highlighting that digital doesn't equal geeky.