An angel investor in 350 startups, including Airtable and Rippling, says founders shouldn't copy Silicon Valley playbooks
Briefly

Startups are often encouraged to emulate successful companies like Airbnb by adopting their playbooks, including full 'founder mode' and OKRs. Immad Akhund, an angel investor, cautions that such copying can lead to failure since these frameworks are tailored to specific contexts. He stresses the importance of understanding the original intent behind these frameworks and adapting them to each startup's unique situation. Akhund also warns against letting metrics dictate every decision, advocating for a balance between tracking performance and fostering creativity to enhance customer experience.
Immad Akhund, an angel investor in over 350 startups, asserts that simply emulating Silicon Valley playbooks often leads to failure, as they are context-specific and not universally applicable.
The essence of success lies in grasping the frameworks that facilitate achievement at other companies, then thoughtfully adapting those lessons to suit the unique circumstances of your own startup.
Akhund emphasizes that while metrics are important, allowing them to dictate every decision can be perilous, as it may hinder creativity and the ability to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
He reflects on his own experience with OKRs, expressing skepticism about their relevance for small teams, implicitly suggesting that flexibility often trumps rigid structures in an early-stage startup.
Read at Business Insider
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