Startup Priorities: Imitate, then Innovate

Startup Priorities: Imitate, then Innovate

One of the most difficult tasks for a startup founder is deciding what to do. With limited resources and a small team, it becomes crucial to prioritize the right activities that will lead to growth and success. In this article, we will explore the concept of startup priorities and how imitating others can actually lead to innovation.

When it comes to startup priorities, it is important to choose a key metric to track and focus exclusively on making that metric grow. This metric should be one that you are confident you can increase, but it should also be a measure of how well your company is doing. By choosing a metric that matters, you can ensure that the growth of that metric will be a good objective measure of your success, especially in the eyes of potential investors.

In the early days of a startup, it is crucial to focus on product/market fit. This means prioritizing features that will have a profound impact on a large number of users. These features should be ones that you can build quickly and cheaply, allowing you to gather data from your customers and determine where to build depth. It is useless to try to grow or scale before finding 100 users who truly love your product.

Interestingly, the concept of imitating others can also play a role in startup priorities. The idea of imitating, then innovating is a powerful one. Many creators feel scared to imitate other people's styles, fearing that they will not be seen as original. However, imitation and innovation are not opposed but rather operate in tandem.

Creators consume art differently than consumers. They are intentional in what they consume, using it as productive work. By studying the work of others, creators can develop their own mental Pinterest board of ideas to borrow and build upon in their own work. The fear of plagiarism is often instilled in us from a young age, but throughout history, imitative learning has been a key component of skill development.

When we imitate somebody's work, we are forced to think about why they made the decisions they made. This helps us develop our own creative personalities and discover our unique style. It is through imitation and innovation that we can truly create something new and original.

In the world of startups, imitating others can also extend beyond the creative process. By diversifying our inputs and escaping our industry, we can gain new perspectives and ideas that can lead to innovation. Reading about history, for example, can provide valuable insights and lessons that can be applied to the present.

However, it is important to note that imitating others should not be done blindly. If we want to be innovative, we should be selective in who we choose to imitate. Learning from the past and understanding the problem we are trying to solve is crucial. Originality for the sake of originality is not the goal; quality, beauty, and clear communication should be prioritized instead.

With these principles in mind, here are three actionable pieces of advice for startup founders:

1. Choose a key metric that matters: When deciding what activities to prioritize, focus on a metric that is both important for your company's growth and can serve as an objective measure of success. This will help guide your decision-making process and ensure you are on the right track.

2. Embrace imitation and innovation: Don't be afraid to imitate others and learn from their work. By studying the successes and failures of others, you can develop your own unique style and create something truly innovative.

3. Escape the Never-Ending Now: Diversify your inputs and look beyond your industry for inspiration. Read about history, explore different perspectives, and gain new insights that can fuel innovation in your startup.

In conclusion, startup priorities are crucial for success. By choosing the right activities to focus on, imitating others, and embracing innovation, startup founders can pave the way for growth and achievement. Remember to choose a metric that matters, imitate to innovate, and escape the confines of the present to find inspiration in the past.