Jeff Bezos on how to spend startup money

Successful Businesses Follow This Equation

Every company is different, but among the most successful, you'll find clear patterns. I thoroughly enjoyed this article about three factors that increase the likelihood of outperformance over the long term. All three matter, but I think the best one to start with is to make sure all business equations are deeply tied to value delivery and user engagement. 

Process People

Over a decade ago, Paul Graham popularized awareness around two distinct kinds of workers: makers and managers. But in recent years, we've seen the rise of another type of contributor: process people. I agree with the sentiment in this article—processes aren't inherently bad, but they can be dangerous if you make them the main focus. Before you hire process people, make sure you are clear about their purpose and expected contributions.

Effort Toward Quality

As Seth Godin notes, we often assume that quality is the result of effort. But high-quality outputs are the result of not just effort but also approach. And ironically, focusing solely on effort is almost guaranteed to perpetuate a quality problem over time. Instead of posing the question "who isn't trying hard enough?" try asking "how do we do this work?" instead. 

Notes for UI Designers Who Have Lost Their Way

Has anyone else noticed that UI design is starting to feel more non-intuitive? While so many things have improved, the desire to make something different and beautiful can get in the way of making something practical. I thought this was a humorous reminder that, in the end, design is about making things more intuitive and accessible for users. 

Software Estimation Is Hard. Do It Anyway.

Few people would argue that estimating software projects is a straightforward task. Nonetheless, it's essential. You can become better at estimation over time if you get in the habit of regularly reviewing your initial estimates against reality. In the process, you'll learn about critical personal biases and team tendencies, too. 

Online Communities at Every Stage of the Startup Journey

Having a solid community is the holy grail of startup marketing and sales, but building one takes significant time and effort. If you commit to community-building upfront, your company will be better for it down the road. This is an excellent roadmap to building effective online communities at every startup stage.  

It's Time To Optimize Your Twitter Profile

Twitter is a great place to connect with interesting people, share your ideas, and get feedback. It is by far my favorite social media platform. If you want to start making better use of it yourself, here are six things you can do to optimize your profile, grow your audience, and connect with some of the most interesting people in the world.

What To Look For When Hiring a Head of Growth

One of the most challenging roles to fill at a startup is the Head of Growth. I've witnessed many companies get this hire wrong. Andrew Chen does an excellent job explaining the five primary stages of growth and why each one requires an entirely different set of skills from a Head of Growth. Do you agree?