In the very early stages of a startup, the magnitude of the cadence David Sacks describes for scaling companies is not directly applicable. However, the underlying principles can be distilled to form a rhythm for smaller teams, fostering discipline and collaboration.
1. Start Simple, But Start:
Early-stage startups might not have sales teams, marketing budgets, or even multiple products. However, adopting a rhythm is essential. Even if you're just mapping out product development milestones and setting a cadence for team check-ins, it's vital.
2. Quarterly Overviews, Monthly Focus:
While Sacks promotes the importance of a quarterly cadence, in a small team, a lot can change in three months. Therefore, adopt a monthly focus within a quarterly overview. Set objectives for every month that align with the broader goals for the quarter.
3. Integrate Feedback Loops:
Early-stage startups are all about learning. Use monthly check-ins to iterate based on customer feedback, team insights, and market changes.
4. Set Clear Milestones, Even If They're Small:
You might not be planning big launch events, but you can set tangible milestones. Whether it's achieving a user number, releasing a feature, or conducting user interviews, make it clear, and celebrate when you hit them.
5. Internal Communication is Key:
Without the various departments and hierarchies, early-stage startups might think they're immune to communication breakdowns. This is a myth. As the founder, make it a point to maintain open channels and ensure everyone is aligned.
6. Use Public Commitments:
Even if you're not ready for big launch events, leverage smaller platforms like newsletters, blog updates, or community forums. Sharing upcoming features or milestones publicly can act as a motivating factor.
7. Review and Refine:
Finally, at the end of each quarter, take a step back. Analyze what went right, what went wrong, and set the tone for the next quarter.
Early-stage startups might not have the complexities of scaling companies, but the challenges they face are just as real. Adopting a cadence, even a simple one, can transform chaos into direction, align the team, and accelerate the journey towards success. Remember, it's not about the scale of your cadence but the rhythm it brings to your startup's heart.
