That Will Never Work
Marc Randolph
How many times have you been told “that will never work”? Probably not as often as Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph. The veteran Silicon Valley entrepreneur, advisor, investor, speaker and best-selling author has founded or co-founded half-a-dozen successful startups and mentored scores of entrepreneurs from first time business owners to established CEOs. Be a fly on the boardroom wall as Marc's podcast opens up the opportunity to entrepreneurs everywhere to gain the benefit of his years of experience as he helps each guest think through their business problem.These lively conversations, which showcase Marc’s unique combination of analytical skills, tough love and a healthy dose of humor, provide actionable advice that will benefit founders - and would-be founders - at every stage of their business journey. New episodes every Tuesday.Want to be a guest on That Will Never Work? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form and record the question you’d like Marc’s help with right there on the site. And while you’re there sign up for Marc’s newsletter https://marcrandolph.com/newsletter/Feeling social? Marc would love to hear from you here:Twitter: @mbrandolphInstagram: @ThatWillNeverWork LinkedIn: Marcrandolph Tiktok: @marc_randolph
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 11, 2022 • 31min
#32: It’s Only a Service if People Will Pay For It
Congratulations! Drawing on your personal and professional experience, you’ve created a service that addresses an obvious market need. Now, who’s going to pay for it? Sarah’s solution for onboarding parents and nannies is a good one, and clearly has a lot of potential. But she needs to re-examine her business model to maximize the customer base without pricing out either party. Listen in as Marc negotiates this tricky balance with her.Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).
Jan 4, 2022 • 30min
#31: If The Shoe Fits, Sell It
Entrepreneurs hawking new products find inspiration in a variety of ways. And you know what? To the outside world, it doesn’t matter that much. A compelling origin story makes for great brand building, but it won’t be the first reason people buy your wares. The product has to fit a consumer need. Today’s guest, Kenton, who started making expandable shoes for barefoot orphans in Kenya, is taking his innovative solution into the marketplace. Now he has to get the product right - and that’s where Marc comes in.Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).
Dec 28, 2021 • 31min
#30: When Ramping Up Your Business Means Blowing Up Your Model
Why would you blow up a successful business model? To make an even better one, of course. That’s the place we find today’s guest, Nunzio. In order to streamline and maximize his service - which provides listings for folks buying and selling businesses - he’s going to ruffle some feathers and dry up some previously wet beaks. Marc coaches him through the uncomfortable steps that will hopefully bring him to a new tier of success. Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).
Dec 21, 2021 • 30min
#29: Think Big But Start Small
Every app or service that sets out to change the world needs to start the same way: by changing the life of a single customer. So no matter how bold your vision, you still have to go through the same steps of iterative development. Today’s guest, Dana, wants to transform Global literacy, but Marc brings her down to earth, sharing his tips on how to develop big ideas. Rule number one? Make sure it does what at least one person wants it to do. Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).
Dec 14, 2021 • 31min
#28: The Most Important Decision? Deciding Who You're Building For.
Join David Grew, a radiation oncologist turned innovator, as he discusses his mission to enhance doctor-patient communication through a cloud-based platform. He delves into the challenges of providing clear information during tough consultations and the potential of digital resources like personalized video libraries. Grew shares insights on navigating healthcare regulations while revolutionizing patient education. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding your audience in entrepreneurship and how technology can bridge gaps in healthcare communication.
Dec 7, 2021 • 28min
#27: Perfecting the Art of Gift-Giving - And Receiving
Kat dives into the intricacies of being a personal jewelry shopper, discussing how she manages the dual needs of gift buyers and recipients. They explore the overwhelming nature of jewelry shopping and the importance of building trust with male clients. Marc offers marketing strategies, suggesting ways to leverage the Instagram following to drive male inquiries. The conversation also emphasizes educational content to empower buyers and create a strong emotional connection. A two-account strategy is proposed to serve distinct personas effectively.
Nov 30, 2021 • 24min
#26: From Service to Product and Back Again
In the highly customized world of business consulting, Juan’s Madrid-based company is already turning a profit. Now, he and his colleagues are looking to expedite the onboarding process by providing a tool for clients to help them determine their efficiency needs. He’s come to Marc for advice on how to develop this emerging tool while still keeping the revenues coming in on the traditional side of the business - a classic entrepreneurial dilemma, and one Marc has more than a little experience with.Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).
Nov 23, 2021 • 32min
#25: No Time In The Penalty Box
Entrepreneurial persistence shines as Bill shares his journey in youth sports compliance. He discusses why 70% of kids quit sports, pinpointing the crucial coach-athlete relationship. Marc and Bill explore the challenges of coach selection and the impact of COVID on their partnerships. They delve into the complexities of compliance responsibility across competition tiers. The conversation highlights the realities of trial and error in business and strategies for future pivots, encouraging resilience in the face of repeated failures.
Nov 16, 2021 • 30min
#24: A Metaverse of His Own
Join a fascinating discussion with content creator Jak, who runs a thriving metaverse studio on YouTube. Discover the secrets of evolving beyond platform dependence and building direct relationships with audiences. Explore how to navigate unstable ad revenues and the trade-offs of posting frequency. Uncover strategies for monetization through subscriptions and merchandise, and the importance of owning your email list. Get practical advice on experimentation and growth in the ever-changing landscape of DIY media.
Nov 9, 2021 • 32min
#23: A Solution In Need of a Market
On today’s show, we meet JR. A successful contractor, he is also a quintessential entrepreneur; in the course of running his own business, he’s discovered some industry-specific problems that he believes he can solve. Now, the question is, will his solution have broader, industry-wide appeal, and if so, how to let his fellow builders know? A case study in how to bring good ideas to market.Want to be a guest on "That Will Never Work" and get help with your business issues? Head to https://marcrandolph.com/guest (https://marcrandolph.com/guest), fill out the form, and leave a voice message right there on the site. While there, you can also sign up for Marc’s newsletter – or else connect with him on Twitter (@mbrandolph) or on Instagram (@ThatWillNeverWork).
