Jason talks to John Lenker, founder and Chief Vision Officer of the marketing firm and Kevin deLaplante Partner & Chief Knowledge Officer. Lenker is a growth consulting firm that specializes in assisting early-stage startups in achieving product-market fit and establishing a recognizable brand before their launch. They emphasize on the challenges startups encounter, including a lack of market analysis and a tendency to prioritize technical development over other critical aspects of their business. Linker aims to help startups navigate these challenges and achieve their growth goals.
Episode Highlights
- 05:19: Kevin mentions that some startups exhibit what he refers to as "pathological behavior," which involves making decisions that are not in their long-term rational self-interest, such as burning through limited funds or making poor decisions.
- 06:02: Some startups, especially those with an engineering perspective, focus solely on building their technology because they believe it will revolutionize the market.
- 07:42: John talks about the importance of early-stage analysis and planning in the fintech industry to avoid common pitfalls and challenges faced by startups.
- 08:41: John explains that they sophisticated tools and financial models, including customer lifetime value simulation engines, to guide early-stage decision-making for fintech startups.
- 17:02: John shares a real-life example of an individual who worked for a major platform company for several years.
3 Key Points
- John highlights one of the primary reasons startups fail in their endeavors, which is a lack of proper market opportunity analysis. He emphasizes the importance of examining the need in the marketplace, identifying the target audience and buyers, assessing the competitive landscape, and understanding the current solutions available and their market adoption status.
- John talks about the importance of thorough market research, timing, and branding in the success of entrepreneurial ventures, including fintech startups.
- The discussion emphasizes the process of crafting a brand that becomes the undeniable solution in the market.
Tweetable Quotes
- “Many entrepreneurs have not fully thought through their business situation, making it essential to guide them in clarifying their goals and increasing the likelihood of achieving them.” – John
- “There is often a disconnect between how the client perceives the problem and the reality, which becomes apparent through discussions and discovery processes.” – John
- “Branding involves making people believe in you and your initiative, which creates a tailwind for your work.” – John
Resources Mentioned:
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