The Power of Cultural Change and Winning in Consumer Subscription

The Power of Cultural Change and Winning in Consumer Subscription

Introduction:
Cultural change is a slow process that occurs person by person, conversation by conversation. It is through these interactions that expectations are set, roles are defined, and systems are built. While the internet may demand our attention on the latest happenings, true change is measured in years, not minutes. Focused and persistent community action is what drives system change and reinforces cultural norms. As individuals, we have the power to shape and be shaped by culture. In the world of consumer subscriptions, companies that prioritize efficiency and staying lean have found success. This article explores the commonalities between these two areas and provides actionable advice for individuals and businesses.

The Power of Cultural Change:
Culture is not something imposed upon us; we are the culture. We have the ability to change it or be changed by it. Consistency is key in cultural change. It is the everyday conversations, actions, and expectations that shape the culture over time. While the internet may emphasize the importance of what happened five minutes ago, the culture understands that what happens in five years is what truly matters. If we care about driving change, we must continue to have conversations, take actions, stay focused, and not get bored. This is how we shape the culture and create lasting change.

Winning in Consumer Subscription:
In the world of consumer subscription companies, efficiency is a common thread that leads to success. These businesses prioritize staying small, keeping costs down, and achieving profitability. They maintain a lean team size, often under 10 members, and are willing to work long hours in modest settings. Every outgoing dollar is questioned and prioritized. Staying small forces these companies to develop hacking skills and a growth-focused culture.

The founders of the biggest B2C subscription companies share a common background as immigrants. The experiences and perspectives gained from immigrating to a new country often contribute to their success. Noom and Grammarly's founders hail from Ukraine, Duolingo's founder is from Guatemala, Calm's founder is from the U.K., and Spotify's founder is from Sweden. Their immigrant backgrounds bring a unique perspective and drive to succeed.

Actionable Advice:

1. Stay Lean: Regardless of the industry, staying lean is a valuable approach. Keeping costs down and maintaining a small team size allows for greater focus and flexibility. It forces businesses to prioritize revenue over growth until they have found product-market fit.

2. Focus on Efficiency: Obsession with efficiency can drive innovation and growth. Question every outgoing dollar and prioritize investments wisely. Develop hacking skills and create a growth-focused culture within the organization.

3. Embrace Diverse Perspectives: Recognize the value of diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Immigrants often bring unique experiences and insights that can contribute to success. Embrace diversity within your team and leverage different perspectives to drive innovation.

Conclusion:
Cultural change and winning in consumer subscription both require a focused and persistent approach. By recognizing the power of everyday conversations and actions, we can actively shape the culture around us. Similarly, businesses that prioritize efficiency and staying lean can find success in the world of consumer subscriptions. By staying small, questioning every outgoing dollar, and focusing on revenue over growth, companies can achieve profitability and product-market fit. Embracing diverse perspectives, particularly those of immigrants, can bring valuable insights and drive innovation. To drive change and succeed, we must keep talking, keep acting, stay focused, and never get bored.