The Startup Podcast

Is monetization the secret sauce for startup success, or is it a treacherous highway to failure?  Monetization isn't just about making money; it's about proving your product's worth in the market. Chris and Yaniv unveil the perfect timing for startups to take the monetization plunge and why premature monetization can slam the brakes on growth. Early-stage founders, take note: Discover why proving product-market fit is your North Star. Timing is everything, and monetizing too soon can slam the brakes on your growth. It's not just about profits; it's about reinvesting wisely. Explore how to navigate the monetization maze, from charging the right customers to leveraging paywalls and mastering enterprise sales. Dive into the priorities that propel startups from product-market fit to profitability, each stage an essential chapter in your success story. Remember, this framework isn't one-size-fits-all; it's a compass for your unique startup journey. Don't miss this episode—use it as your roadmap to monetization success! The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe    Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Squads - they’re the “it” way to organise cross-functional teams at Silicon Valley-startups. So why do they often not work? Unravel the blueprint for achieving organizational excellence through effective squads. With squads, teams transform from mere projects to long-term mission owners. These cross-functional squads, comprised of diverse roles and skills, skillfully navigate the balance between self-management and alignment with company objectives. Leadership steps in as the guiding force, offering vital support for escalation and resourcing needs. Behind the scenes, functions like product and engineering ensure seamless consistency across squads, fostering collaboration and autonomy. Discover the financial heartbeat of these squads as they are funded based on their missions, igniting innovation and progress. In this episode, we demystify the true metrics of success: outcomes and objectives. Join us this week as Chris and Yaniv explore the evolution of teams into autonomous, accountable units, all with the guidance and backing of leadership. The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe    Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

In a world where insider founders often seem to have the upper hand, what if being an outsider founder could become your secret weapon?  This week on The Startup Podcast, Chris and Yaniv dive deep into the intriguing journey of outsider founders – those who don't hail from traditional backgrounds.  Join them as they unravel the strategies and insights that can transform your perceived disadvantages into strengths. Discover how understanding insider jargon and metrics can help you communicate effectively with investors and vital partners.  This week, they emphasize the power of seeking advice and making insiders your allies in the journey to success. And don't miss the exclusive on how accelerators can supercharge or destroy your growth and credibility.  But that's not all! They also explore the art of networking and the immense value of authenticity in forging lasting professional relationships.  Tune in and learn how to harness your scrappiness and resourcefulness, turning outsider status into your secret weapon for startup success!  The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe    Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

There’s no denying it. No matter how good your product or team is, the startup will make or break because of the founder. Most founders learn this during their startup journey and actively pursue everything they can to make sure they can be the best founders possible. But in doing so, fall into the hidden traps and paradoxically become the founders they’ve tried so hard to avoid being. What are these founder traits that you should avoid at all cost? Chris is back and he rejoins Yaniv to explore the 7 Founder Archetypes Destined To Destroy Their Own Companies. With an analysis of their strengths and pitfalls, this exploration into the inner workings of startup visionaries is bound to captivate anyone fascinated by the clash of ego, ambition, and innovation. The 7 Founder Archetypes: 🪄 The Showman. 🍆 The Sex Addict. 👶 The Baby Elon. 👩‍💼 The Grown-Up. 🚁 The Helicopter Parent. 🎐 The Weathervane. ❓ The Memento Guy. The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe    Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Being a founder is incredibly difficult. There’s no denying that.  As a startup founder, the fate of the company rests on your shoulders. There’s little wonder you’re stressed. For the sake of the company, you must develop skills and techniques to look after yourself! With Chris unavailable as he continues his European adventures, Yaniv explores his 5 Rules of Staying Sane As A Founder. Curious about the art of balancing ambition and well-being? Eager to glean insights from a co-founder's perspective on steering the startup ship through uncharted waters? Watch as Yaniv peels back the layers of startup life, his personal anecdotes, invaluable tips and tricks for preserving your sanity in the exhilarating world of innovation and disruption. Yaniv’s 5 Rules of Staying Sane As A Founder: Rule 1: Keep your eye on the ball Rule 2: Observe the Stockdale Paradox Rule 3: Care a lot, but not too much Rule 4: Don’t try to do it alone, lean on others Rule 5: Prioritise staying in the game over winning the game The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe    Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with. That’s great at a social level or when you’re climbing the corporate ladder but what happens when you’ve founded your own startup and are looking for advice. Enter advisory boards - your startup-oriented “five people”. Feeling stuck and unsure on how to build your advisory board?  Don’t worry, Chris and Yaniv are here to help you navigate the world of advisory boards. In this week’s episode of The Startup Podcast they dive into: Understanding Advisory Boards The Two Types of Advisors Identifying Suitable Advisory Board Members Advisor Compensation Structures Whether you’re a startup founder, operator, enthusiast or someone interested in getting into the advisory game, this episode is a must listen! The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Planning on fundraising in the next 6-18 months?  Interested in the inner-workings of startup fundraising?  This episode is a MUST listen for you! After the success of our previous episode replay we’ve gone into the vault and polished another one of our most popular episodes. This week we’re rediscovering the symbiosis that exists between startup founders and venture capitalists and that at its core, this relationship is what makes the startup business model possible. When the relationship works, billion-dollar, hockey-stick curved, Silicon Valley-style startups are born. But when it goes badly, the results are catastrophic. Listen to this episode to get educated on how it all works and how to dance the dance. This episode Chris and Yaniv dive into: Different investing stages: Seed vs Series A etc. Aside: Non-dilutive capital What investors look for: Defensible moats and more Selling the big picture vs. existing traction Episode Links: Listen to the original episode: https://www.tsp.show/edu-fundraising-basics-part-1-how-to-find-the-smart-money/ The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

There is only one Silicon Valley. Countries around the world have tried and continue to attempt to recreate the magic of Sandhill Road. But there will be only one Silicon Valley. So what can different startup ecosystems do to emulate the success of Silicon Valley? This week on The Startup Podcast, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive into the key tenants on creating your own Silicon Valley.  What marketplaces do NOT work Why governments need to focus on only ONE place to strive for ecosystem success and change taxes to persuade foreigners to move How to capitalise on your area’s natural advantages How to elevate expatriates How to take big bets effectively  Government. Education. Economics. AI. This podcast covers it all and more.  Whether you’re a government official, startup founder or operator or someone interested in the startup landscape, this episode is a goldmine for opportunities to make your startup and startup ecosystem a global force.     The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

The tech industry has evolved immensely in 2023. It’s time Chris and Yaniv answers the burning questions of startup operators in The Startup Podcast community. This Q&A episode they explore:  Everyone always talks about how you must continue iterating on a product. Does there ever come a point where there is over iteration? Is there a way of telling when you’ve hit that point where you’ve effectively solved the problems but are now making new problems? Is a problem ever truly solved? Is Web3 dead? Was it a problem in search of a solution? An oversold ape, NFT bought for Dogecoin perhaps? What are your suggestions about reaching out to Angels or VC when you are shit scared and an introvert? I’ve been here for 4 years, moved from Silicon Valley, originally from India. This country is going on a steady path of decline. Like most of Europe, tall Poppy syndrome is rife. GDP has flatlined for 10 years, and innovation is met with severe resistance. There is a massive entitlement culture and so on. The younger generation have a doomer mindset and resorts to victimhood instead of using hardship as a learning process. There’s also a culture of toxic positivity all around where any constructive or negative opinions seem to be frowned upon. I’m happy with my life in Australia, but definitely a bit concerned with the future of this great nation. Is Australia declining? Can anything be done to reboot GDP growth? Thanks to Aidan, Nick, Reese and Aswan for your questions. *Get your question in for our next Q&A episode:* https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A  The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

🚨Twitter Rebrands to X 🚨 Elon Musk wants to blow up the Twitter brand & replace it with 'X' - but why? Listen to this bonus episode of The Startup Podcast, hosted by Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein to hear their 🌶️🌶️🌶️ takes!  The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Rules are meant to be broken! You wouldn’t be building startups if you were a complete rule follower. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein discuss all the times when you should IGNORE their advice! Together they cover common themes that regularly appear in episodes: Don’t listen to VCs Don’t compromise on your vision Don’t build B2B when you’re trying to build B2C Don’t build a technology-backed services company Along the way they also sprinkle key insights such as “data in context is information. Information in context is knowledge. Knowledge in context is wisdom”. Whether this is your first time listening to The Startup Podcast, or you’ve held with baited breath week-to-week for the next episode from the beginning, learning when to break the rules is almost as important as learning the rules.  Enjoy! Episode Links Listen to episode 2- Edu: Early Ideation - Your Idea is Worthless: https://www.tsp.show/edu-early-ideation-your-idea-is-worthless/ Listen to the episode featuring Kyle Poyar, Accelerate Sales with Product Led Growth: https://www.tsp.show/guest-kyle-poyar-accelerate-sales-with-product-led-growth/    The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

We have a special episode for you all this week! This week we’re putting our own advice to use! We have repolished one of our most popular episodes with our new style jam-packed with information to get your company off the ground and steer away from small business syndrome. What is the difference between a Silicon Valley-style tech startup and a regular small business? In this episode of The Startup Podcast Chris and Yaniv unpack the many ways people misunderstand what makes startups different to other businesses, and what goes wrong when those differences are ignored. Enjoy! Episode Links Listen to the original episode: https://www.tsp.show/edu-what-is-a-startup-an-antidote-to-small-business-syndrome/ Paul Graham’s essays on how to start a startup http://www.paulgraham.com/start.html and what startups are really like http://www.paulgraham.com/really.html   The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Introducing Mid Capital! This week on The Startup Podcast Chris and Yaniv wanted to switch it up and show how to navigate the fundraising VC discussions via roleplay. That’s right! We think Yaniv has found his calling as an actor as he performs as the VC and Chris is the founder pitching. This episode is jam-packed with ways to respond to questions, read the signs and maintain a level of self-belief  and confidence that the right investors are out there for you. Not every VC firm will be investing in the same types of business as you, their risk profiles may be vastly different and that’s okay! What you need to have as a founder fundraising is the conviction, clarity and understanding of the true nature of the world - where there is infinite resources, billions of people and trillions of dollars. It is hard but all you need to do is find your people! It’s a big call but we believe this is our best episode yet! 🔥🔥🔥 PSA: No VC’s were harmed in the recording of this episode. Enjoy! The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

🚨🚨TAKEOVER ALERT! 🚨🚨 Today we’re excited to share with you an episode from one of our favourite podcasts - The Sachin and Adam Show. Each episode, Sachin and Adam host a fascinating guest from the tech industry - plenty of podcasts do that! But what separates The Sachin and Adam Show from the rest is the skill of the interviewers blending the professional with the personal in a way that really makes you feel like you’re getting to know everyone of their guests!   We chose to share with you Maxine Minter’s episode. Maxine is founder and general partner at Co Ventures. Maxine shares everything she’s learnt from her fascinating and unorthodox journey as a lawyer, founder, coach, mentor and investor. We love the Sachin and Adam Show and are sure you will too. Enjoy! Episode Links Checkout Maxine’s Fund Co Ventures: https://www.aprildunford.com/ Follow Maxine on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxine-minter-06011951/  Checkout Maxine’s Startup Co Lab: https://www.the-colab.co/  Checkout The Sachin and Adam Show: https://linktr.ee/TheSachinandAdamShow  The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Product positioning will make or break your startup. Go toe-to-toe with multinational trillion-dollar behemoths and the likelihood of success is minute. Restructure your approach to target a different group and you could one-day be the industry-leader yourselves. Researched ways on how to develop your product position and still feel stuck? Don’t fret! Yaniv and Chris are back this week with a super special guest - April Dunford, author of “Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get it, Buy it, Love it” and podcast host “Positioning with April Dunford”. Sit back and get ready to take some notes as April, Chris and Yaniv break down product positioning for startup. Along the way she shares the concept of positioning baggage, the three styles of product positioning from her book, why product market fit is not a useful thing for startups - just a vibe created by VC, discuss examples of Salesforce and Snowflake and share snippets from Jack Trout’s Positioning the Battle for Your Mind and Peter Thiel’s Zero to One. There is so much to learn from this episode we highly recommend listening to it twice! Episode Links Order April’s book “Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get it, Buy It, Love it”: https://www.amazon.com.au/Obviously-Awesome-Product-Positioning-Customers/dp/1999023005/  Checkout April’s website: https://www.aprildunford.com/ Listen to April’s podcast “Positioning with April Dunford”: https://www.positioning.show/ Follow April on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/  Follow April on Twitter: @aprildunford The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by UntilNow, a next-generation agency and venture studio https://www.untilnow.com.au/  Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Saying NO takes clarity of thinking. It requires personal conviction and above all else, requires courage. For weeks, Chris and Yaniv have discussed solutions to the symptoms of chronically saying yes: lack of polish, growth, self-serve and appropriate prioritisation. They’ve spoken to special guests about the 10 Commandments of Planning, understanding the 7 Deadly Sins of Startups, developing strategies, focus and culture and learning the difference between traction and distraction. But there comes a point when someone, somewhere in the organisation has to have the courage to stop the overcommitment and say “NO”. Say “NO” to your leadership, “NO” to your customers and “NO” to your distractions. Feeling powerless and unable to take the first step to saying “NO”? Chris and Yaniv have your back in this week’s episode of The Startup Podcast. From learning how saying “NO” is an unknown superpower in startups, to discussing how toxic niceness and ruinous empathy is destroying companies to understanding Consequence Education this episode is a must for all startup founders, operators, investors and consultants to realign with their North Star and principles. Listen to hear how saying “NO” can provide surprising consequences now!  Episode Links Checkout one of Yaniv’s favourite leadership books-  “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-five-dysfunctions-of-a-team-patrick-m-lencioni/book/9781118118757.html?source=pla&gclid=CjwKCAjwv8qkBhAnEiwAkY-ahia4LKfiNFbKOZXCBDvPlt9naiza4TIqJTmV3MizJv8Zre5_-rGO_BoC6OEQAvD_BwE  The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by UntilNow, a next-generation agency and venture studio https://www.untilnow.com.au/  Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Apple on your face, or a big disgrace? 🤔 On the 5th of June, an auditorium sat patiently waiting for Apple’s 2023 Worldwide Developer Conference. Rumours had been floating for a while that there was a new product under development. Over the past few years, Apple had been gaining patents, buying companies and hiring people in the augmented reality (AR) space. Much to the wonderment of the crowd, Tim Cook presented the first-look of the Apple Vision Pro, Apple’s AR product and first major product introduction since the Apple Watch in 2015. Ever since, there has been a tsunami of content released around the Apple Vision Pro. From Marques Brownlee review to tech pundits pontificating on what this new product release means for the future of tech.   This week’s episode, Chris and Yaniv go back to their roots and go one-on-one over the Apple Vision Pro. There’s been a lot of predictable reactions to this new product but is it really worth it? Should you as a startup founder be considering a pivot into the AR space with this potentially revolutionary product? Listen to this 🔥🔥🔥 to find out! Episode Links Checkout the Apple Vision Pro: https://www.apple.com/apple-vision-pro/?afid=p238%7CsMvRJFrna-dc_mtid_209256hr42481_pcrid_661147233482_pgrid_149559740549_pexid__&cid=wwa-au-kwgo-avalanche--slid---product----Announce-  The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by UntilNow, a next-generation agency and venture studio https://www.untilnow.com.au/  Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

🚨WARNING: Controversial topic alert!🚨 Historically, startup culture has forced people to create a professional facade. A facade that inhibits the ability to reveal any kind of distraction or humanity that might weaken your position or your professionalism in a corporate setting. Challenging that trend is Amy Sun. Amy is CEO and Founder of Briefly AI and also a new mother. Before running her own startup, Amy has a storied career including such roles as Partner at Sequoia and Product Manager at both Facebook and Uber where she worked with Chris. They discuss the difficulties and opportunities of being a new mother while also being a founder and running your own startup. The logistical challenges, the implicit and explicit biases and even the counterintuitive benefits. This episode is sure to provide some 🌶️🌶️🌶️ discussions. Episode Links Checkout Amy’s startup Briefly AI at: https://www.brieflyai.com/  Connect with Amy on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunamy/  Follow Amy on Twitter: @amysundae Amy’s Linkedin post on her experience of motherhood and being a startup founder: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sunamy_my-son-recently-celebrated-his-first-birthday-activity-7056281037928087552-CBVG?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop  The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by UntilNow, a next-generation agency and venture studio https://www.untilnow.com.au/  Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Have you built products and no matter what you worked on it didn’t matter, the business metrics didn’t improve nor did the user experience? You are not alone! Fortunately, we have special guest Itamar Gilad– Former Product Manager at Google turned startup coach, author and speaker here to help change your product mindset from data-driven to evidence-guided. Like many of you, Itamar developed and launched products that did not impact business metrics. From this, he investigated what makes the difference between successful and unsuccessful projects and how companies can repeatedly generate success.  What Itamar uncovers leads him to develop the “Product Idea Confidence Calculator”, a tool that can help your team switch mindsets and generate evidence for your product. Itamar is a true deep-thinker and this episode is sure to be thought-provoking for the entire team! Episode Links Visit Itamar’s website: https://itamar.gilad.com Product Idea Confidence Calculator: https://itamargilad.com/resources/confidence-meter-calculator/  The GIST Framework https://itamargilad.com/gist-framework-slides/ and GIST Board https://itamargilad.com/resources/gist-board-template/  The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by UntilNow, a next-generation agency and venture studio https://www.untilnow.com.au/ Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

We’re all storytellers. It’s the way we first begin to learn and it's the way we have communicated important information for thousands of years. However, it is the skill we practice the least. As startup operators, if you were a better storyteller imagine what you could accomplish. You would be able to engross and inspire potential investors and employees in any situation and be able to explain features better to your teams and get more work done.  How, you ask? Today we say “F*ck the Slides” with special guest, author of the upcoming book, storytelling expert and passionate salesperson - Nir Zavaro. In this episode Nir and Yaniv explore the importance of storytelling for founders. In doing so they delve into the “trailer” and “toilet” pitches, when to use them and how crucial they are for a founder to get right. Nir’s knowledge and experience is on show in this one, don’t miss it! Episode Links Watchout for Nir’s new book “F*ck the Slides” releasing in September Nir’s website: https://nirzavaro.com/ Follow Nir on Instagram: @nzavaro The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links The Startup Podcast is sponsored by UntilNow, a next-generation agency and venture studio https://www.untilnow.com.au/ Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/ Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/ Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/