Exploring the Titanic Effect within Your Startup

Description

The Titanic represents the iconic tale of what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. The tragedy is embodied in that instant when The Ship struck The Iceberg, killing over 1,500 passengers and crew—and the hubris of thinking we can build something too big to fail. But while the iceberg may have represented the killing blow, what many do not realize is that the demise of the Titanic was in fact a result of a series of small decisions and missteps across a number of dimensions. Like the Titanic, startup failure is nearly always the result of a series of errors that were not obvious—problems that lurked beneath the surface—that were a consequence of navigating uncertainty in the early stages of development. These errors take the form of hidden non-financial debts that gradually weigh down the budding enterprise. These workshop will help startups identify and limit the damage from decisions they will make early in the ideation stage and formation of their ventures. By making these hidden debts visible, startups can better navigate the uncertainties they will face and improve their odds of success. Workshop participants will learn: how to develop a solid founding team and allocate ownership; what to avoid during a “pivot” to achieve product/market fit; which approaches to product development will limit technical debt. Lunch will be provided. Attendees will also receive a free copy of the book The Titanic Effect: Successfully Navigating the Uncertainties that Sink Most Startups.