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7 Essential Beliefs All Startup Founders Should Have

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Being a successful startup founder requires you to have a distinct set of beliefs to be able to create your dream and turn it into a reality.

Many founders are not aware that your beliefs are not just important for your personal life but also for your startup. Beliefs are the foundation in which your entire business is built upon, and it spreads through your team as your startup grows. It’s for this exact reason you need to get the right from the start, trying to fix them once your business has scaled, is quite difficult.

Below are the seven essential beliefs all startup founders should have.

1. Believe your vision is going to change the world

If you look back through history, all successful entrepreneurs believed at some point that their business would change the world. In order to be truly successful with your startup you must believe this, otherwise you’re more than likely destined to be ordinary like the other 90% of business that fail in the first five years.

If you’re not going out there each and every day to solve a problem that needs solving, in the hope that you will change people’s lives for the better, then why aren’t you? You should be trying to do this, but maybe your startup is not built around your passion, and you built it for the money. I have been there and done that, it doesn’t work.

“Changing the world is the first step, believing you can is the next step and then aligning this with your passion is the last step. If you do those three things, the money will come”

2. Believe anything is possible

There is a high likelihood that whatever your startup is doing exists in some form already. For you to be successful, you need to believe that anything is possible and that even if your idea is 0.1% better, it’s that difference that will attract loyal customers to your business. You don’t have to be 1000 times better; often you don’t even need to be twice as good.

Have a crack; know that any founder can do anything they put their mind too and come from a place of certainty, knowing that your hard work and research will pay off if you believe it will.

3. Believe your team is amazing

Every pitch I have ever seen take place in front of a venture capital firm has involved a large amount of focus on the team. As a founder, your biggest challenge will be people and getting them to work together and have a vision that you all believe in. Worship your team when they do something right, give constructive feedback when they do something that can be improved. Understand that the best teams in the world have a leader that believes they are amazing and a team that agrees with them.

4. Believe in the power of rejection

If I was to say there is one belief that you absolutely must have as an entrepreneur and a founder of a startup, it’s to be able to believe in the power of rejection. You are going to pitch for a lot of deals over the course of your business that you are not going to win. Each time you will be rejected and told that you weren’t good enough, your price wasn’t low enough, you couldn’t deliver fast enough or you haven’t got enough experience. If you believe that each of these reasons makes your startup stronger and gives you a chance to succeed in the future, you will be very successful. The more you can deal with rejection, the more chance you will discover opportunities that other startups in your niche haven’t seen.

I can remember being rejected by a large company out of Europe during our startup phase, and they told me that because we weren’t listed on the stock exchange, we didn’t have the experience needed to deliver on what they wanted. I kept in touch with them, ignored the rejection, and became good friends with them. Two years later I convinced them that the company they had chosen, who were listed on the stock exchange, couldn’t deliver what we could. I showed them some examples of mystery shopping we had done and the research we had found about their target market. The tailored solution and persistence eventually won us the contract, and the negotiation was 100% in our favour. Bottom line, don’t accept rejection and play the long game for larger revenue opportunities.

As your startup starts to experience success, naysayers are going to pop out from everywhere. The more success you have, the more they will pop up. You must believe that the rejection they bring is useful and that some people will always find a way to say negative things about your startup.

5. Believe in thinking differently

The tag line for Apple’s most famous marketing campaign is also a belief that will ensure your startups success. Your ability to think differently and solve a specific problem differently to your competitors will be your startups make or break. Anyone can copy your idea, will they have the passion and the different thinking skills required to beat you? Probably not.

Thinking different once won’t help you win, you have to think consistently different for the benefit of your customer. A word of warning though, don’t be one of those new age cool cats that thinks different just for the sake of it and not because the business problem requires it.

When I was working in a very competitive industry with our startup, a lot of my prospects would get up to ten quotes from the market before coming to me. I would often find that each of the ten quotes were very similar, which is why it usually came down to the price. I went out of my way to find something that was nothing like what anyone else had presented, even making my proposal email quirky. I would usually win a lot of the time because people often just wanted to hear something that was different to the other ten people or at least presented differently. Sometimes it was just my personality that was different, but sometimes that alone, can be enough.

6. Believe in selling dreams

A game-changing belief that I learnt in my early startup days was when a sales person said to me “Tim you just sell dreams, it’s up to your customer to follow the plan you have set out for them and make it a reality.” Don’t misunderstand this one, I am not saying you just sell a dream and then who the hell cares what happens. You must sell the dream truthfully and respectfully to your prospective client always.

When I understood this belief, I realised that all the stress I was putting on myself for my clients to get 100% of the benefit I promised them was near impossible. Unless I am with them 24 hours a day, I can never be sure that they will use the product the way it was intended to. If you lay out the plan, give them all the tools and then your customer says it doesn’t work, help them to make some tweaks. If they still can’t get the results that you promised them and they are doing everything exactly as you told it to them, give their money back. If they are only following part of the plan, then there is only so much you can do so stop stressing yourself.

7. Believe in your naivety

One of the best things I ever did in my startup career was to believe in my naivety. I would often enter a new marketplace being completely naïve to its nuances. This by default would mean that I would approach and believe things that my competitors would not. People would constantly tell me that my ideas wouldn’t work or that customers would want something. I would usually prove them wrong (although not always, I am not god) because I just didn’t know any better, and I think that was my number one success factor.

It’s very easy to have people’s opinions cloud your idea or convince you that something won’t work. When you learnt to walk as a baby, you didn’t know that you couldn’t do it, so you just kept trying until you did. Take this same approach to startups, and you will experience success, I promise you.

What beliefs do you think are essential? Do you agree with the beliefs I have outlined above?
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Startups

15 Business Lessons From Napoleon’s Playbook

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Business Lessons and strategies from Napoleon Bonaparte for Entrepreneurs and CEO's
Image Credit | Joel Brown

Unleash your business potential by harnessing Napoleon’s strategic genius.

From dreaming big and thinking bold to moving fast and staying agile, these time-tested tactics are your blueprint for success.

Learn how creative leadership, detailed planning, and relentless execution can transform your business landscape. Boost morale, lead with clarity, and embrace hard work to conquer your industry.

Don’t just survive—thrive with the power of Napoleon’s lessons.

Here are 15 Powerful Lessons You Can Learn From Napoleon Bonaparte

 

1. Dream Big, Think Bold

Napoleon wasn’t just playing small; he believed that “Imagination rules the world.” In the business world, boldness and creativity are game-changers. Don’t just aim to fit in—push boundaries and set ambitious goals that make you stand out.

Think of Steve Jobs, who didn’t just want to make computers; he wanted to revolutionize entire industries. Your vision should be so grand it almost feels unreachable. When you dream big, you inspire those around you to believe in the impossible and work together to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

2. Move Fast, Stay Agile

Napoleon’s quick and secretive moves gave him an edge. In business, you gotta be nimble. Adapt quickly, move fast, and you’ll often find yourself ahead of the game, capturing opportunities your competitors miss.

Companies like Amazon and Tesla thrive because they constantly innovate and pivot when needed. Speed is your friend; it allows you to react to market changes and customer demands faster than the competition, ensuring you remain relevant and ahead of the curve.

3. Creative Leadership

Napoleon thrived on chaos and wasn’t afraid to switch things up. Unlike rigid leaders, he was flexible and adaptive. In business, embrace change and let chaos work for you. Being adaptable can turn unpredictable situations into opportunities.

Think of how Netflix transitioned from DVD rentals to a streaming giant. Flexibility and creativity in leadership allow you to navigate through turmoil and emerge stronger, transforming challenges into stepping stones.

 

4. Organize Like a Pro

Napoleon’s mind was like a supercomputer, processing vast amounts of info to make smart moves. Businesses should do the same—stay organized, use real-time data, and adapt strategies based on fresh insights to keep that competitive edge.

Utilize modern tools like CRM systems, analytics software, and AI to manage information efficiently. Staying organized and informed means you can make better decisions, foresee potential issues, and react promptly.

 

5. Keep It Simple

Napoleon knew the power of simplicity. Overcomplicating things can bog you down. In business, streamline processes and focus on what truly matters to hit your goals efficiently.

Apple’s product design philosophy under Jobs was about simplicity and user-friendliness.When you remove unnecessary complexity, you reduce errors, speed up processes, and make it easier for your team to focus on what’s important, driving efficiency and effectiveness.

 

6. Execute Relentlessly

Once Napoleon decided on a course of action, he went all in. In business, once you pick a direction, pursue it with full commitment. Execution is where success is truly made.

Look at how Elon Musk commits to his vision for SpaceX and Tesla. Relentless execution means overcoming obstacles, staying focused on your goals, and not getting distracted by setbacks. It’s the determination and persistence in execution that ultimately leads to triumph.

 

7. Play to Your Strengths

Napoleon only fought battles he knew he could win. In business, focus on your strengths and avoid head-to-head fights in areas where you’re weak. Know your advantages and leverage them.

Microsoft leverages its strength in software development and cloud services rather than trying to compete directly in hardware. Understanding and maximizing your strengths ensures you play a game you can win, using your unique capabilities to outshine competitors.

 

8. Plan in Detail

Napoleon planned for every possible scenario. Businesses should do the same—conduct thorough planning and prepare for various outcomes.

Detailed planning helps you stay ready for anything. Scenario planning and SWOT analysis are tools that can help you foresee different futures and prepare accordingly. When you’re prepared for multiple scenarios, you can adapt smoothly and continue to drive forward, no matter what challenges arise.

 

9. Seize Opportunities

Napoleon saw luck as the ability to capitalize on accidents. In business, be prepared and ready to grab unexpected opportunities. Agility is key.

Companies like Uber and Airbnb seized gaps in the market by being ready to pounce on opportunities when they arose. Always be on the lookout for opportunities, and when they come, don’t hesitate. Preparation and readiness to act quickly can turn unexpected moments into major breakthroughs.

 

10. Learn from the Past

Napoleon studied the greats who came before him. Entrepreneurs should always be learning from the successes and failures of others. History is full of lessons waiting to be applied.

Warren Buffett is famous for studying businesses and market histories. By learning from the past, you can avoid repeating mistakes, understand what works, and build on proven strategies. Continuous learning from history helps refine your strategies and improve decision-making.

 

11. Boost Morale

Napoleon knew how to keep his troops motivated. Business leaders should do the same—keep your team inspired and engaged. High morale leads to high productivity.

Companies like Google and Salesforce invest heavily in employee well-being and motivation. When your team feels valued and motivated, they are more productive, innovative, and loyal. High morale fosters a positive work environment where people are excited to contribute and excel.

 

12. Lead with Clarity

Napoleon believed in the power of a strong, decisive leader. In business, clear direction and strong leadership are crucial. Ensure everyone knows the plan and follows it.

Leaders like Jeff Bezos provide a clear vision and direction, ensuring their teams know what they’re working towards. Clear, decisive leadership aligns your team, fosters trust, and drives coordinated efforts towards achieving your business goals.

 

13. Reflect on Failures

Napoleon analyzed both his wins and losses. Businesses should review their successes and failures to keep improving. Learn from mistakes to avoid repeating them.

Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates emphasizes the importance of learning from failure in his book Principles. By conducting post-mortems, you can understand what went wrong, make necessary adjustments, and continuously refine your strategies to avoid future pitfalls and drive success.

 

14. Action-Oriented

Napoleon was all about turning thoughts into actions. In business, decisiveness and execution are vital. Don’t just plan—act on those plans with energy and determination.

Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson embody this principle by constantly moving from ideas to actions. Action orientation ensures that you don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis but instead drive forward, making things happen and turning visions into reality.

 

15. Embrace Hard Work

Napoleon lived and breathed work, saying, “Work is my element; I am born and built for work.”

In business, a strong work ethic and relentless dedication are key to success. Think of how Howard Schultz rebuilt Starbucks through sheer hard work and determination. Embracing hard work means being willing to put in the necessary effort, staying dedicated to your mission, and continuously pushing towards your goals, no matter the challenges.

 

By implementing these lessons from Napoleon, businesses can sharpen their strategies, strengthen leadership, and execute with precision, driving sustained success.

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Startups

How to Manage Your Startup’s Finances More Efficiently

No matter how groundbreaking your product or service, your startup could quickly be on shaky ground without proper financial management

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managing your startups finances

Running a triumphant startup requires juggling numerous responsibilities. From managing operations and coordinating with team members to developing innovative marketing strategies and nurturing relationships with clients, the to-do list seems endless. (more…)

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Startups

5 Strategic Power Moves to Successfully Build Your Empire

Transitioning from idea to empire is a journey of strategic planning, execution, and constant evolution

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how to build your empire

The journey from a fledgling idea to a thriving empire is both exhilarating and daunting. The Startup Launchpad is not just a process but also a strategic framework that enables visionary entrepreneurs to become market leaders. This framework comprises five power moves, each a critical steppingstone in building a successful business.

These moves—Ideation, Business Plan, Online Presence, Strategic Marketing, and Launch and Growth—are the blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements. (more…)

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Startups

How to Avoid Startup Clichés and Buzzwords When Pitching Investors

Using jargon can make you sound like you’re trying to fill space instead of providing meaningful data

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How to pitch investors better

Entrepreneurs frequently seek startup funding through a variety of channels. Yet, none seem as challenging as successfully pitching to experienced investors. After all, investors are pressed for time and eager for opportunities. These characteristics make it challenging to motivate them, especially if you’re bombarding them with a pitch full of jargon. (more…)

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