Forget about your passion; think about market dynamics.
- A THREAD
In 2011, I was advising a Kenyan startup that wanted to create locally relevant games for the African market.
After reviewing their business model, I told them it would not work.
I asked them to pivot to an enterprise business model.
Why?
Why?
1. Data penetration was low in 2011. 2. The payment ecosystem did not exist to monetize the games. 3. The market for paid games was not big enough. 4. Poverty.
Their response:
We are passionate about games and will make it work.
The business sputtered for a few years and died despite their intense passion for gaming; their amazing technical skills; and the intense love/admiration of their diehard fans.
The key driver of business success is not passion; it is market dynamics.
Start with the market as you explore business models for 2021.
Your passion will come as you build competence, attain mastery, and make money from your idea.
The key difference is "underlying value".
The key difference is "underlying value".
The key difference is "underlying value".
The key difference is "underlying value".
Let me explain.
Moderna is a pioneer in mRNA technology.
mRNA will be the biggest medical innovation of the next few years.
I remembered you today and thought I should write to say, "Thank You."
You were always a light during my darkest days at Mizzou and have always been my reference point for the kindness and generosity of Americans
I remember you for good and have always remembered you for good. I have traveled the world and done many things since leaving Mizzou but I am still immensely grateful for your kindness to me at Mizzou.
Thank you for everything.
Regards,
Tayo
It's important to have an older, more accomplished person who will speak for you in rooms to which you're not invited.
I am totally mystified when I talk to young people about working hard and they reply that it's about working SMART, not working HARD.
I fundamentally disagree.
You can work hard strategically but hard work is not negotiable.
I have been lucky and blessed but I can also say that I have also worked harder than many of the people I grew up with.
I agree that you can work really hard at a bad business model and make no progress but I don't believe it is possible to make any progress without hard work.