February 10, 2023
Every start-up needs an "Angel', don't they?
Alan Giles
CCO/CRO
I was watching a video of the amazing Angel Alvarado of Colombia as he entreated the Guinness World Record book, completing three Rubik's cubes whilst juggling them. I found myself wondering how many startup founders could identify with this amount of concentration and multitasking!
Running a startup can be a challenging and rewarding experience, much like solving a Rubik's cube whilst juggling. The comparison might seem unusual, but I think it accurately captures the multi-faceted and fast-paced nature of startups in the current market.
Just like a Rubik's cube, running a startup requires a great deal of focus, patience, and problem-solving skills. You must have a clear understanding of each aspect of your business, including your finances, marketing strategy, and team management, in order to effectively turn the pieces and bring everything into harmony. This often involves making difficult decisions, such as pivoting your business model or letting go of underperforming employees, all whilst trying to maintain concurrent focus on equally important tasks to keep the business moving forwards.
The Rubik's cube also represents the dynamic nature of the startup world. The cube's colours can change at any moment, just as market conditions and consumer preferences can shift rapidly in the business world. To succeed, you must be able to adapt quickly and effectively, always moving forward towards your goal of creating a profitable and sustainable business.
Juggling, on the other hand, represents the fast-paced and often hectic nature of running a startup. With so many balls in the air, it can be difficult to keep track of everything and ensure that each task is completed on time. You must have a keen sense of organisation and the ability to prioritize tasks in order to keep your startup running smoothly.
But just like completing a Rubik's cube whilst juggling (which still seems crazy, no matter how many times you hear it said or see it done), the rewards of running a successful startup are numerous. The feeling of accomplishment when you finally solve the cube or successfully complete a complicated juggling routine is akin to the satisfaction of launching a product, securing a big sale, or reaching a major milestone in your business.
In conclusion, running a startup is a complex and demanding task that requires a unique set of skills and mindset. But with the right combination of focus, patience, problem-solving skills, adaptability, and organisation, anyone can successfully run a startup, much like solving a Rubik's cube whilst juggling. There are also 43 quintillion ways to solve a Rubik's cube, so don't get fooled by those who tell you their way is the only way to win.
So, embrace the challenge, stay focused, and keep juggling – the rewards will come. Don't give up and smash it against the wall!