Vidya Narayanan’s Post

6 best books that every single entrepreneur must read: 1. The Lean Startup. It talks about a structured process of building a startup. So many of us think of a cool technology or a solution in mind and then try building a business out of it, only to realize that no one wants it and definitely no one would pay for it. This book talks about a structured approach of talking to customers, getting their feedback and then working backwards to build what they want. So many startups won't fail if only their founders read this book before starting up. 2. The Mom Test. This is another excellent book that talks about a structured process of customer discovery. When we interact with our prospects, we are so much tempted to talk about our startup idea rather than trying to understand the prospect's pain area. The book talks about why this is the worst way to do customer discovery. The book also explains how to ask the right questions which will truly help you discover insights about the pain area. 3. Blue Ocean Strategy. So many of us are worried about the "competition". Look, Lamborghini is a great car. But then you cannot drive it on Kanpur roads and so, for someone in Kanpur who has a million dollars to spend on a car, they'd rather buy a car with a higher ground clearance. Does that make Lamborghini a bad car? No. Customers don't care what product is "better". They care about the product that solves their problem. This book talks about what I just said, in great detail. 4. The Hard Thing About the Hard Things. Social Media influencers have glamourized entrepreneurship. We all keep hearing stories about 21-year-olds who made millions of dollars with some shortcut. This book talks about the real struggles of entrepreneurship which we don't really here. The stress that a founder goes through in day-to-day life. The anxiety. The pressures of investors. The deadlines. Running out of cash. Layoffs. The book talks about many such issues and also explains solutions to some of them. 5. Atomic Habits. This is one of my favourite books and should be read by everyone, whether or not they are an entrepreneur. We all are fascinated about doing BIG things in life like building a BIG business or making a BIG change to our life habits. But the reality is that when we actually start to execute our BIG plan, we all fail miserably. Why? Because taking too many BIG steps in life makes life difficult. The book talks about how small, consistent steps can help us achieve similar goals in a sustainable manner. 6. Think and Grow Rich. This book talks about the principle of autosuggestion, which, according to me, is one of the most powerful things that you can learn. Thoughts lead to belief. Belief leads to action. Action leads to behavior and behavior leads to identity. So whomever we want to become starts with our thought process. If we can master controlling our thoughts, we can control our destiny. This is what the book explains. What are your favourite Business books?

Startup Success: Inspiring Entrepreneurs & Strategies. Unlock the secrets of success with Startup Success Stories. Discover inspiring tales and proven strategies from seasoned entrepreneurs.

In my recent article published in Entrepreneur Media, I discuss essential factors that contribute to startup success. These insights are drawn from years of industry experience. I invite you to read the article for a deeper understanding of these key elements. #FractionalLeadership #FractionalExecutives #StartUpSuccess #IndustryInsights #Entrepreneurship

Thoughts by Startup Professionals (Thoughts are not our own, just trying to help): "10 Strategies To Find That Rare Complementary Partner" ----------------------------- A common challenge faced by every entrepreneur is that they don’t have the bandwidth, interest or skills to do everything that is required to build their startup. Of course, they can outsource part of the work or hire employees, but that approach means more time and money to manage the work, which they don’t have. The right answer is to find a co-founder with complementary skills.Two heads are always better than one in a startup. Both need to share the passion, long-term opportunity and risk, rather than just getting paid to do a job, win or lose. Investors worry about a single entrepreneur getting overloaded, disabled or led astray, with no balancing and supporting partner. The challenge is how to find that elusive perfect-fit partner.Don’t expect someone else to find the partner for you, since it’s really very much like finding a life partner. Your version of the right chemistry, similar values and passion for your solution probably won’t match mine. Yet from my own years of experience in the startup community, here are ten common steps that have worked for other entrepreneurs:Write a "job description" for that ideal partner. Your best friend, spouse or a family member is the least likely candidate, so don’t start there. Take a hard look at your own business strengths and weaknesses, and write down what partner skills and experiences would best complement yours. Seek input from seasoned investors and peers. Network to find co-founders just as you network to find investors. In fact, many of the same venues, such as industry conferences, entrepreneur forums and local business organizations are useful for both. Online, it pays to join entrepreneur groups on LinkedIn and Facebook, and interact with people who meet your criteria on Twitter. Join online "matchmaking" sites for business partners. Co-founders are business partners for startups, so don’t be afraid to join and explore sites such as StartupWeekend, StartupAgents and CoFoundersLab . Also start a discussion on the wealth of business blogs frequented by entrepreneurs, where you can make your interests known. Attend local university entrepreneur activities. University professors and student leaders always know a host of top entrepreneurs, alums or staff members who are just waiting to find the perfect match for their own interests, skills and entrepreneurial ideas to change the world. Support local activities and you support yourself. Look for a partner from a different background. In today’s global economy, your ideal partner may be half way around the world, from a different geography and business culture. Every startup infrastructure is flush with smart people from all cultures, many of whom may be ready and able to bring new energy and creativity to your startup. Follow up with associates from prior job assignments. If yo

Title: Captivating Entrepreneur & Startup Stories: Unleashing Inspiration Introduction: Entrepreneurship is a thrilling journey of passion, perseverance, and innovation. Hearing success stories from fellow entrepreneurs and startups can fuel motivation and provide valuable insights. In this post, we unveil the power of captivating entrepreneur and startup stories, showcasing the lessons learned and inspiration gained from their experiences. 1. Authenticity Attracts: When sharing entrepreneur and startup stories, authenticity holds immense power. Through transparent narratives and genuine emotions, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level. By sharing the highs and lows, the challenges faced, and the lessons learned, you create an authentic experience that resonates with aspiring entrepreneurs. 2. The Power of Resilience: Entrepreneurship is synonymous with resilience, and startup stories exemplify this quality. Highlight the setbacks and how these entrepreneurs overcame them with determination and creativity. Their stories communicate the importance of never giving up, inspiring others to persevere through their own entrepreneurial journeys. 3. Lessons in Innovation: Entrepreneur and startup stories often showcase groundbreaking concepts and disruptive ideas. By focusing on the innovative aspects of their journeys, you can inspire your audience to think outside the box and explore uncharted territories. Emphasize how these entrepreneurs harnessed their unique ideas to revolutionize industries and challenge norms. 4. The Human Connection: The heart and soul behind any startup or entrepreneurial endeavor lie in the people involved. Stories that highlight the founders' experiences, passions, and motivations forge a strong human connection with your audience. Showcase how these entrepreneurs' personal stories shaped their businesses, instilling a sense of relatability and accessibility. 5. Learning from Mistakes: Behind every success story, countless mistakes are often made. Share stories that openly address the failures and blunders encountered along the way, emphasizing the valuable lessons learned from these experiences. By normalizing failure and focusing on the subsequent bounce-back, you encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to learn from mistakes and grow stronger in the face of adversity. Conclusion: Entrepreneur and startup stories have the power to inspire, educate, and ignite the entrepreneurial spirit within us all. By showcasing authenticity, resilience, innovation, human connection, and the lessons learned from setbacks, you can leverage these stories to motivate your audience. Remember, in the entrepreneurial world, the stories we share contribute to a collective tapestry of experiences, bonding individuals across time and geographical boundaries.

Thoughts by Startup Professionals (Thoughts are not our own, just trying to help): "10 Strategies To Find That Rare Complementary Partner" ----------------------------- A common challenge faced by every entrepreneur is that they don’t have the bandwidth, interest or skills to do everything that is required to build their startup. Of course, they can outsource part of the work or hire employees, but that approach means more time and money to manage the work, which they don’t have. The right answer is to find a co-founder with complementary skills.Two heads are always better than one in a startup. Both need to share the passion, long-term opportunity and risk, rather than just getting paid to do a job, win or lose. Investors worry about a single entrepreneur getting overloaded, disabled or led astray, with no balancing and supporting partner. The challenge is how to find that elusive perfect-fit partner.Don’t expect someone else to find the partner for you, since it’s really very much like finding a life partner. Your version of the right chemistry, similar values and passion for your solution probably won’t match mine. Yet from my own years of experience in the startup community, here are ten common steps that have worked for other entrepreneurs:Write a "job description" for that ideal partner. Your best friend, spouse or a family member is the least likely candidate, so don’t start there. Take a hard look at your own business strengths and weaknesses, and write down what partner skills and experiences would best complement yours. Seek input from seasoned investors and peers. Network to find co-founders just as you network to find investors. In fact, many of the same venues, such as industry conferences, entrepreneur forums and local business organizations are useful for both. Online, it pays to join entrepreneur groups on LinkedIn and Facebook, and interact with people who meet your criteria on Twitter. Join online "matchmaking" sites for business partners. Co-founders are business partners for startups, so don’t be afraid to join and explore sites such as StartupWeekend, StartupAgents and CoFoundersLab . Also start a discussion on the wealth of business blogs frequented by entrepreneurs, where you can make your interests known. Attend local university entrepreneur activities. University professors and student leaders always know a host of top entrepreneurs, alums or staff members who are just waiting to find the perfect match for their own interests, skills and entrepreneurial ideas to change the world. Support local activities and you support yourself. Look for a partner from a different background. In today’s global economy, your ideal partner may be half way around the world, from a different geography and business culture. Every startup infrastructure is flush with smart people from all cultures, many of whom may be ready and able to bring new energy and creativity to your startup. Follow up with associates from prior job assignments. If yo

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. There are so many peaks and valleys on the way to releasing a new product or concept that it’s no surprise that most ventures fail. The individuals who succeed seem to have a certain mental toughness that allows them to continue to walk a long path, often alone, armed only with a clear vision of the outcome and the determination to get there, no matter what. It occurred to me recently that those same “tough” people have another side: they are innately open to helping and supporting each other. I looked back on my current journey bringing a CPG product to market—it’s almost here folks!—and am so thankful and appreciative of all who have helped me along the way. Almost every time I have been faced with a challenge, a fellow entrepreneur selflessly provided a solution. Most have even gone above and beyond, and I cannot wait to help others along their journey. So what are the reasons these endurance running creatures will drop out of their race for a moment to freely help their fellow entrepreneurs? Here are a few attributes: 1.      Shared Experience: Entrepreneurship is a unique journey, and those who have walked the path understand deeply the triumphs and trials. There’s a unspoken energy and empathy that comes from these shared experiences, fostering a bond that transcends industries and backgrounds. 2.      Pay It Forward Mentality: Many entrepreneurs, like myself,  have benefited from the guidance of mentors or experienced individuals in their own journeys. This creates a culture of paying it forward, where successful entrepreneurs are eager to share their knowledge and support the next generation of innovators. 3.      Collaboration Over Competition: Entrepreneurs recognize that collaboration often leads to greater success than competition. By working together, sharing insights, and lifting each other up, we create a rising tide that lifts all boats. 4.      Innovation Thrives in Community: The entrepreneurial spirit is fueled by innovation, and innovation thrives in a collaborative environment. By coming together and exchanging ideas, entrepreneurs contribute to a culture of constant improvement and forward momentum. Cue the picture of my “tough” dogs collaborating to carry a heavy branch—they can both do it alone—but it’s easier and more fun together! So, here's to the entrepreneurs who inspire and support each other! 🚀 Let's continue fostering a community where collaboration and shared success are not just encouraged but celebrated. 💪 I'd love to hear your thoughts! How have you experienced the support of fellow entrepreneurs? Share your stories in the comments below. Let's keep the conversation going! 👇 #Entrepreneurship #SupportiveCommunity #InnovationJourney

Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Startup Tips Every Entrepreneur Should Know

Explore captivating startup success stories and uncover invaluable strategies used by inspiring entrepreneurs. Your path to success begins here! Discover more. https://lnkd.in/gHKKcbwu