SlideShare une entreprise Scribd logo
1  sur  27
Télécharger pour lire hors ligne
“QUITTING, SUCKING, and failing
your way to a better life”
http://www.about.me/michaelrwolfe!
@michaelrwolfe!
michael.wolfe@stanfordalumni.org!
!
fAILURE & ME
FAILURE & CULTURE
FAILURE & YOU
FAILURE AND ME
!
I often QUIT!
!
I often SUCK!
!
I often FAIL!
!
My Career
!
Four startups and a
couple big companies!
!
Founder, VP Engineering,
EIR, CEO!
!
Investing, advising and
mentoring!
!
QUITTING
!
I quit several good jobs!
!
Several pivots!
!
I shut one company down!
SUCKING
!
Small teams, no
resources!
!
Roles we didn’t know
how to do!
!
No domain expertise!
FAILING
!
One company failed!
!
The rest had near-
death experiences!
!
All had high likelihood
of failure!
!
!
RESULT
!
Very rapid learning!
!
Great times, amazing teams!
!
One IPO, two acquisitions!
!
Maintained family life,
sports, travel, sabbaticals!
!
CONNECTING THE DOTS
Everything good was because
of failure!
!
Every regret came from a fear
of failure!
FAILURE AND CULTURE
OUR MODEL of the world
CLEAR AUTHORITY!
!
!
KNOWN PROBLEMS!
!
!
DEFINED CRITERIA!
!
!
CHILDHOOD
CLEAR AUTHORITY!
Parents!
!
KNOWN PROBLEMS!
Be good, sit up straight,
do your chores!
!
DEFINED CRITERIA!
Praise, rewards!
!
SCHOOL
CLEAR AUTHORITY!
Teachers!
!
KNOWN PROBLEMS!
Math, reading, writing,
language!
!
DEFINED CRITERIA!
Right and wrong
answers, grades!
!
SPORTS
CLEAR AUTHORITY!
Coaches!
!
KNOWN PROBLEMS!
Football, basketball,
athletics!
!
DEFINED CRITERIA!
Skills, strength, wins
and losses!
!
WORK
CLEAR AUTHORITY!
Bosses!
!
KNOWN PROBLEMS!
Well-understood
markets, customers,
products!
!
DEFINED CRITERIA!
Deadlines, quotas!
!
SOMETIMES IT is the right model!
!
!
!
!
!
!
You don’t want these folks to !
QUIT, SUCK, and FAIL!
BUT NOT FOR INNOVATION
Customer, product,
market unknown!
Solutions found via
trial and error!
Small, inexperienced,
teams!
Most fail,!
winners are huge!
FOR EXAMPLE
Quit school, quit jobs!
!
Poor management skills
initially!
!
Failed projects!
!
Near-death experiences!
TAKEAWAY
Acceptance of failure is the
single most important
attribute of a startup
ecosystem and its
participants!
FAILURE AND YOU
GO to failcon
√	
  
PLEASE JUST STOP THIS
“That
seems like
such a time
waster”!
“They will
never make
money”!
“Companies
will never
trust that”!
“That team
has no
experience”!
“LIVE in the future”
•  Smartphones !
•  Cheap tablets!
•  Wearables!
•  Robotics!
•  3D printing !
•  Self driving cars!
•  Online universities !
•  Crowdsourcing!
These will impact you – get in front of it	
  
EMBRACE YOUTH
If you are young, jump in – don’t wait!
!
Give young people real authority!
!
No “paying your dues”!
quit, suck, and fail
If you aren’t growing, quit!
!
Be willing to suck!
!
Risk failure!
CREDITS & RECOMMENDED READING
“Lean Startup”!
- Eric Ries!
“Little Bets”!
- Peter Sims!
“Be a learn it all” !
- Bill Gurley blog!
Blog & “Startup
Owner’s Manual”!
- Steve Blank!
“How to get startup ideas”!
- Paul Graham Blog!
QUESTIONS?
http://www.about.me/michaelrwolfe!
@michaelrwolfe!
michael.wolfe@stanfordalumni.org!
!

Contenu connexe

En vedette

Should I start my career at a big or small company?
Should I start my career at a big or small company?Should I start my career at a big or small company?
Should I start my career at a big or small company?Michael Wolfe
 
Lecture on Innovation at Startups at ESADE
Lecture on Innovation at Startups at ESADELecture on Innovation at Startups at ESADE
Lecture on Innovation at Startups at ESADEMichael Wolfe
 
Basics on starting, funding and scaling startups at ESADE business school
Basics on starting, funding and scaling startups at ESADE business schoolBasics on starting, funding and scaling startups at ESADE business school
Basics on starting, funding and scaling startups at ESADE business schoolMichael Wolfe
 
Point Nine Saas Summit - Scaling Teams
Point Nine Saas Summit - Scaling TeamsPoint Nine Saas Summit - Scaling Teams
Point Nine Saas Summit - Scaling TeamsMichael Wolfe
 
SEO: Getting Personal
SEO: Getting PersonalSEO: Getting Personal
SEO: Getting PersonalKirsty Hulse
 

En vedette (6)

Failcon 2012
Failcon 2012Failcon 2012
Failcon 2012
 
Should I start my career at a big or small company?
Should I start my career at a big or small company?Should I start my career at a big or small company?
Should I start my career at a big or small company?
 
Lecture on Innovation at Startups at ESADE
Lecture on Innovation at Startups at ESADELecture on Innovation at Startups at ESADE
Lecture on Innovation at Startups at ESADE
 
Basics on starting, funding and scaling startups at ESADE business school
Basics on starting, funding and scaling startups at ESADE business schoolBasics on starting, funding and scaling startups at ESADE business school
Basics on starting, funding and scaling startups at ESADE business school
 
Point Nine Saas Summit - Scaling Teams
Point Nine Saas Summit - Scaling TeamsPoint Nine Saas Summit - Scaling Teams
Point Nine Saas Summit - Scaling Teams
 
SEO: Getting Personal
SEO: Getting PersonalSEO: Getting Personal
SEO: Getting Personal
 

Similaire à Failcon Zurich 2013

Michael Wolfe - failcon
Michael Wolfe - failconMichael Wolfe - failcon
Michael Wolfe - failconDavid Butler
 
Jackie Ramstedt Webinar: Team Building
Jackie Ramstedt Webinar:  Team BuildingJackie Ramstedt Webinar:  Team Building
Jackie Ramstedt Webinar: Team BuildingMultifamily Insiders
 
Blissdom Panel Slides
Blissdom Panel SlidesBlissdom Panel Slides
Blissdom Panel SlidesTara Hunt
 
Improv for business
Improv for businessImprov for business
Improv for businessBraveSpace
 
Lesson 1 trends &entrepreneurship intro + trendwatching (Walter Dewancker en ...
Lesson 1 trends &entrepreneurship intro + trendwatching (Walter Dewancker en ...Lesson 1 trends &entrepreneurship intro + trendwatching (Walter Dewancker en ...
Lesson 1 trends &entrepreneurship intro + trendwatching (Walter Dewancker en ...Walter Dewancker
 
Gmb asap e book 03 17 14
Gmb asap e book 03 17 14Gmb asap e book 03 17 14
Gmb asap e book 03 17 14Tom Rather
 
New World of Work | Rosan Gompers | SITEEMEA2012 juni 2012
New World of Work | Rosan Gompers | SITEEMEA2012 juni 2012New World of Work | Rosan Gompers | SITEEMEA2012 juni 2012
New World of Work | Rosan Gompers | SITEEMEA2012 juni 2012Rosan Gompers
 
Why do companies lose their best talents?
Why do companies lose their best talents?Why do companies lose their best talents?
Why do companies lose their best talents?CelexProject
 
A Culture Of Innovation In Practice - How To Tame The Culture Beast
A Culture Of Innovation In Practice - How To Tame The Culture BeastA Culture Of Innovation In Practice - How To Tame The Culture Beast
A Culture Of Innovation In Practice - How To Tame The Culture BeastProduktbezogen.de
 
Truth about entrepreneurship (...in emerging economies like Pakistan)
Truth about entrepreneurship (...in emerging economies like Pakistan)Truth about entrepreneurship (...in emerging economies like Pakistan)
Truth about entrepreneurship (...in emerging economies like Pakistan)Babar Ahmed
 
Startup Failure Is Not What You Think (Redux)
Startup Failure Is Not What You Think (Redux)Startup Failure Is Not What You Think (Redux)
Startup Failure Is Not What You Think (Redux)Sergey Sundukovskiy
 
Emotions of Startups 2014
Emotions of Startups 2014Emotions of Startups 2014
Emotions of Startups 2014Andy Parsons
 
Boost Turku and Startups 110311 at ICT Practice enterprise course.
Boost Turku and Startups 110311 at ICT Practice enterprise course.Boost Turku and Startups 110311 at ICT Practice enterprise course.
Boost Turku and Startups 110311 at ICT Practice enterprise course.Boost Turku
 
Wellesley High School Career Seminars - The Entrepreneur's Perspective 2015
Wellesley High School Career Seminars - The Entrepreneur's Perspective 2015Wellesley High School Career Seminars - The Entrepreneur's Perspective 2015
Wellesley High School Career Seminars - The Entrepreneur's Perspective 2015Stephen Randall
 
Where Is My Mind? – Risking Security & Finding Sanity by Leaving Big Business...
Where Is My Mind? – Risking Security & Finding Sanity by Leaving Big Business...Where Is My Mind? – Risking Security & Finding Sanity by Leaving Big Business...
Where Is My Mind? – Risking Security & Finding Sanity by Leaving Big Business...Bennett King
 

Similaire à Failcon Zurich 2013 (20)

Michael Wolfe - failcon
Michael Wolfe - failconMichael Wolfe - failcon
Michael Wolfe - failcon
 
Jackie Ramstedt Webinar: Team Building
Jackie Ramstedt Webinar:  Team BuildingJackie Ramstedt Webinar:  Team Building
Jackie Ramstedt Webinar: Team Building
 
People Capital
People CapitalPeople Capital
People Capital
 
People Capital
People CapitalPeople Capital
People Capital
 
Blissdom Panel Slides
Blissdom Panel SlidesBlissdom Panel Slides
Blissdom Panel Slides
 
Improv for business
Improv for businessImprov for business
Improv for business
 
My journey
My journey  My journey
My journey
 
Lesson 1 trends &entrepreneurship intro + trendwatching (Walter Dewancker en ...
Lesson 1 trends &entrepreneurship intro + trendwatching (Walter Dewancker en ...Lesson 1 trends &entrepreneurship intro + trendwatching (Walter Dewancker en ...
Lesson 1 trends &entrepreneurship intro + trendwatching (Walter Dewancker en ...
 
Les1trend
Les1trendLes1trend
Les1trend
 
Gmb asap e book 03 17 14
Gmb asap e book 03 17 14Gmb asap e book 03 17 14
Gmb asap e book 03 17 14
 
New World of Work | Rosan Gompers | SITEEMEA2012 juni 2012
New World of Work | Rosan Gompers | SITEEMEA2012 juni 2012New World of Work | Rosan Gompers | SITEEMEA2012 juni 2012
New World of Work | Rosan Gompers | SITEEMEA2012 juni 2012
 
Why do companies lose their best talents?
Why do companies lose their best talents?Why do companies lose their best talents?
Why do companies lose their best talents?
 
A Culture Of Innovation In Practice - How To Tame The Culture Beast
A Culture Of Innovation In Practice - How To Tame The Culture BeastA Culture Of Innovation In Practice - How To Tame The Culture Beast
A Culture Of Innovation In Practice - How To Tame The Culture Beast
 
Truth about entrepreneurship (...in emerging economies like Pakistan)
Truth about entrepreneurship (...in emerging economies like Pakistan)Truth about entrepreneurship (...in emerging economies like Pakistan)
Truth about entrepreneurship (...in emerging economies like Pakistan)
 
Startup Failure Is Not What You Think (Redux)
Startup Failure Is Not What You Think (Redux)Startup Failure Is Not What You Think (Redux)
Startup Failure Is Not What You Think (Redux)
 
Emotions of Startups 2014
Emotions of Startups 2014Emotions of Startups 2014
Emotions of Startups 2014
 
Boost Turku and Startups 110311 at ICT Practice enterprise course.
Boost Turku and Startups 110311 at ICT Practice enterprise course.Boost Turku and Startups 110311 at ICT Practice enterprise course.
Boost Turku and Startups 110311 at ICT Practice enterprise course.
 
Wellesley High School Career Seminars - The Entrepreneur's Perspective 2015
Wellesley High School Career Seminars - The Entrepreneur's Perspective 2015Wellesley High School Career Seminars - The Entrepreneur's Perspective 2015
Wellesley High School Career Seminars - The Entrepreneur's Perspective 2015
 
Introduction to New Product Development
Introduction to New Product DevelopmentIntroduction to New Product Development
Introduction to New Product Development
 
Where Is My Mind? – Risking Security & Finding Sanity by Leaving Big Business...
Where Is My Mind? – Risking Security & Finding Sanity by Leaving Big Business...Where Is My Mind? – Risking Security & Finding Sanity by Leaving Big Business...
Where Is My Mind? – Risking Security & Finding Sanity by Leaving Big Business...
 

Dernier

Transcript: New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024
Transcript: New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024Transcript: New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024
Transcript: New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024BookNet Canada
 
The State of Passkeys with FIDO Alliance.pptx
The State of Passkeys with FIDO Alliance.pptxThe State of Passkeys with FIDO Alliance.pptx
The State of Passkeys with FIDO Alliance.pptxLoriGlavin3
 
unit 4 immunoblotting technique complete.pptx
unit 4 immunoblotting technique complete.pptxunit 4 immunoblotting technique complete.pptx
unit 4 immunoblotting technique complete.pptxBkGupta21
 
"ML in Production",Oleksandr Bagan
"ML in Production",Oleksandr Bagan"ML in Production",Oleksandr Bagan
"ML in Production",Oleksandr BaganFwdays
 
TrustArc Webinar - How to Build Consumer Trust Through Data Privacy
TrustArc Webinar - How to Build Consumer Trust Through Data PrivacyTrustArc Webinar - How to Build Consumer Trust Through Data Privacy
TrustArc Webinar - How to Build Consumer Trust Through Data PrivacyTrustArc
 
Advanced Computer Architecture – An Introduction
Advanced Computer Architecture – An IntroductionAdvanced Computer Architecture – An Introduction
Advanced Computer Architecture – An IntroductionDilum Bandara
 
SALESFORCE EDUCATION CLOUD | FEXLE SERVICES
SALESFORCE EDUCATION CLOUD | FEXLE SERVICESSALESFORCE EDUCATION CLOUD | FEXLE SERVICES
SALESFORCE EDUCATION CLOUD | FEXLE SERVICESmohitsingh558521
 
TeamStation AI System Report LATAM IT Salaries 2024
TeamStation AI System Report LATAM IT Salaries 2024TeamStation AI System Report LATAM IT Salaries 2024
TeamStation AI System Report LATAM IT Salaries 2024Lonnie McRorey
 
Time Series Foundation Models - current state and future directions
Time Series Foundation Models - current state and future directionsTime Series Foundation Models - current state and future directions
Time Series Foundation Models - current state and future directionsNathaniel Shimoni
 
Merck Moving Beyond Passwords: FIDO Paris Seminar.pptx
Merck Moving Beyond Passwords: FIDO Paris Seminar.pptxMerck Moving Beyond Passwords: FIDO Paris Seminar.pptx
Merck Moving Beyond Passwords: FIDO Paris Seminar.pptxLoriGlavin3
 
Gen AI in Business - Global Trends Report 2024.pdf
Gen AI in Business - Global Trends Report 2024.pdfGen AI in Business - Global Trends Report 2024.pdf
Gen AI in Business - Global Trends Report 2024.pdfAddepto
 
New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024
New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024
New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024BookNet Canada
 
Nell’iperspazio con Rocket: il Framework Web di Rust!
Nell’iperspazio con Rocket: il Framework Web di Rust!Nell’iperspazio con Rocket: il Framework Web di Rust!
Nell’iperspazio con Rocket: il Framework Web di Rust!Commit University
 
What is DBT - The Ultimate Data Build Tool.pdf
What is DBT - The Ultimate Data Build Tool.pdfWhat is DBT - The Ultimate Data Build Tool.pdf
What is DBT - The Ultimate Data Build Tool.pdfMounikaPolabathina
 
What's New in Teams Calling, Meetings and Devices March 2024
What's New in Teams Calling, Meetings and Devices March 2024What's New in Teams Calling, Meetings and Devices March 2024
What's New in Teams Calling, Meetings and Devices March 2024Stephanie Beckett
 
Unraveling Multimodality with Large Language Models.pdf
Unraveling Multimodality with Large Language Models.pdfUnraveling Multimodality with Large Language Models.pdf
Unraveling Multimodality with Large Language Models.pdfAlex Barbosa Coqueiro
 
Artificial intelligence in cctv survelliance.pptx
Artificial intelligence in cctv survelliance.pptxArtificial intelligence in cctv survelliance.pptx
Artificial intelligence in cctv survelliance.pptxhariprasad279825
 
"Debugging python applications inside k8s environment", Andrii Soldatenko
"Debugging python applications inside k8s environment", Andrii Soldatenko"Debugging python applications inside k8s environment", Andrii Soldatenko
"Debugging python applications inside k8s environment", Andrii SoldatenkoFwdays
 
Anypoint Exchange: It’s Not Just a Repo!
Anypoint Exchange: It’s Not Just a Repo!Anypoint Exchange: It’s Not Just a Repo!
Anypoint Exchange: It’s Not Just a Repo!Manik S Magar
 
Rise of the Machines: Known As Drones...
Rise of the Machines: Known As Drones...Rise of the Machines: Known As Drones...
Rise of the Machines: Known As Drones...Rick Flair
 

Dernier (20)

Transcript: New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024
Transcript: New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024Transcript: New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024
Transcript: New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024
 
The State of Passkeys with FIDO Alliance.pptx
The State of Passkeys with FIDO Alliance.pptxThe State of Passkeys with FIDO Alliance.pptx
The State of Passkeys with FIDO Alliance.pptx
 
unit 4 immunoblotting technique complete.pptx
unit 4 immunoblotting technique complete.pptxunit 4 immunoblotting technique complete.pptx
unit 4 immunoblotting technique complete.pptx
 
"ML in Production",Oleksandr Bagan
"ML in Production",Oleksandr Bagan"ML in Production",Oleksandr Bagan
"ML in Production",Oleksandr Bagan
 
TrustArc Webinar - How to Build Consumer Trust Through Data Privacy
TrustArc Webinar - How to Build Consumer Trust Through Data PrivacyTrustArc Webinar - How to Build Consumer Trust Through Data Privacy
TrustArc Webinar - How to Build Consumer Trust Through Data Privacy
 
Advanced Computer Architecture – An Introduction
Advanced Computer Architecture – An IntroductionAdvanced Computer Architecture – An Introduction
Advanced Computer Architecture – An Introduction
 
SALESFORCE EDUCATION CLOUD | FEXLE SERVICES
SALESFORCE EDUCATION CLOUD | FEXLE SERVICESSALESFORCE EDUCATION CLOUD | FEXLE SERVICES
SALESFORCE EDUCATION CLOUD | FEXLE SERVICES
 
TeamStation AI System Report LATAM IT Salaries 2024
TeamStation AI System Report LATAM IT Salaries 2024TeamStation AI System Report LATAM IT Salaries 2024
TeamStation AI System Report LATAM IT Salaries 2024
 
Time Series Foundation Models - current state and future directions
Time Series Foundation Models - current state and future directionsTime Series Foundation Models - current state and future directions
Time Series Foundation Models - current state and future directions
 
Merck Moving Beyond Passwords: FIDO Paris Seminar.pptx
Merck Moving Beyond Passwords: FIDO Paris Seminar.pptxMerck Moving Beyond Passwords: FIDO Paris Seminar.pptx
Merck Moving Beyond Passwords: FIDO Paris Seminar.pptx
 
Gen AI in Business - Global Trends Report 2024.pdf
Gen AI in Business - Global Trends Report 2024.pdfGen AI in Business - Global Trends Report 2024.pdf
Gen AI in Business - Global Trends Report 2024.pdf
 
New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024
New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024
New from BookNet Canada for 2024: Loan Stars - Tech Forum 2024
 
Nell’iperspazio con Rocket: il Framework Web di Rust!
Nell’iperspazio con Rocket: il Framework Web di Rust!Nell’iperspazio con Rocket: il Framework Web di Rust!
Nell’iperspazio con Rocket: il Framework Web di Rust!
 
What is DBT - The Ultimate Data Build Tool.pdf
What is DBT - The Ultimate Data Build Tool.pdfWhat is DBT - The Ultimate Data Build Tool.pdf
What is DBT - The Ultimate Data Build Tool.pdf
 
What's New in Teams Calling, Meetings and Devices March 2024
What's New in Teams Calling, Meetings and Devices March 2024What's New in Teams Calling, Meetings and Devices March 2024
What's New in Teams Calling, Meetings and Devices March 2024
 
Unraveling Multimodality with Large Language Models.pdf
Unraveling Multimodality with Large Language Models.pdfUnraveling Multimodality with Large Language Models.pdf
Unraveling Multimodality with Large Language Models.pdf
 
Artificial intelligence in cctv survelliance.pptx
Artificial intelligence in cctv survelliance.pptxArtificial intelligence in cctv survelliance.pptx
Artificial intelligence in cctv survelliance.pptx
 
"Debugging python applications inside k8s environment", Andrii Soldatenko
"Debugging python applications inside k8s environment", Andrii Soldatenko"Debugging python applications inside k8s environment", Andrii Soldatenko
"Debugging python applications inside k8s environment", Andrii Soldatenko
 
Anypoint Exchange: It’s Not Just a Repo!
Anypoint Exchange: It’s Not Just a Repo!Anypoint Exchange: It’s Not Just a Repo!
Anypoint Exchange: It’s Not Just a Repo!
 
Rise of the Machines: Known As Drones...
Rise of the Machines: Known As Drones...Rise of the Machines: Known As Drones...
Rise of the Machines: Known As Drones...
 

Failcon Zurich 2013