Startup founders like to think about scalability—and that’s usually a good thing. But overly focusing on scalability overlooks one of the biggest advantages that startups have over larger companies.
Love the nod to the tradeoff of scalability in favor of flexibility. Waseem, thoughts on the signals to understand when to commit + prioritize scalability instead?
Probably when the quality of what you're doing is degrading — or at risk of degrading to the point where it's no longer delighting the customer.
Like: "I don't think I can reliably meet my commitments to you because I'm underwater" is the situation you want to avoid, and you need to put the scalable solution in place well before that occurs.
One thing you hear people say to scaling startups all the time is "what got you here won't get you there." And they mean it's time to start focusing on scalability across your org. But I think a lot of early stage founders forget what else that means - to get to the place where you can scale, you'll have to do some things that won't scale.
"Do things that don't scale...and maybe just keep on doing them" 😛
Exactly. I mean, there are definitely worse strategies...
😂 💯
Love the nod to the tradeoff of scalability in favor of flexibility. Waseem, thoughts on the signals to understand when to commit + prioritize scalability instead?
Probably when the quality of what you're doing is degrading — or at risk of degrading to the point where it's no longer delighting the customer.
Like: "I don't think I can reliably meet my commitments to you because I'm underwater" is the situation you want to avoid, and you need to put the scalable solution in place well before that occurs.
One thing you hear people say to scaling startups all the time is "what got you here won't get you there." And they mean it's time to start focusing on scalability across your org. But I think a lot of early stage founders forget what else that means - to get to the place where you can scale, you'll have to do some things that won't scale.
Wow, that is very insightful. Thanks for sharing!
I'm doing exactly the same at Lexgo; works like a charm!