Vidya Dinamani

Whenever folks complain to me about our collective inability to solve a particular technological problem, I usually jokingly say something like, “Yeah, there’s a reason calendaring is the second hardest problem in tech.” Folks usually respond, “What’s the first one, cache invalidation, haha?” And then I say, “No, it’s getting people to agree on which hard problems are worth solving.” It tickled me to see someone else think about this: https://lnkd.in/ggpDNfSF #decisions #deliberation #organizations #collaboration #progress

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🚀 The Paradox of Success: A Lesson in Leadership and Technical Innovation 🚀 Allow me to share a story from my own entrepreneurial journey—a cautionary tale about the dual challenge of leadership development and technical experimentation in the pursuit of product-market fit. Years ago, I co-founded a startup that garnered significant attention, raising a substantial $30 million in funding. On the surface, it seemed like we had all the ingredients for success: a visionary idea, an exprienced team, and ample financial resources. However, there was one crucial element missing from the equation—leadership development. As the company grew and evolved, it became increasingly clear that our Achilles' heel lay not in our capabilities with tech or product, but in our leadership shortcomings. Despite the flurry of activity and apparent progress, the company failed to recognize the fundamental role that effective leadership plays in driving sustainable growth. Confirmation bias clouded the story, leading us to believe that we were doing everything possible to achieve our goals. In reality, however, the lack of focus on good leadership practices stifled creativity and hindered our ability to adapt to changing market dynamics. No one stopped to ask: "What is good leadership?" Experienced tech and product professionals require an environment that fosters innovation and encourages collaboration. Without strong leadership guiding the way, even the most talented individuals can struggle to reach their full potential. In the end, when the company achieved basic success, the leaders that contributed the least but had all the power were quick to take all the credit and rewards. They failed to acknowledge their own role in perpetuating a culture that prioritized short-term gains over long-term sustainability. This experience taught me a valuable lesson: never settle for second best when it comes to leadership and workplace culture. Success is not just about achieving financial milestones—it's about creating an environment where every individual can thrive and contribute to meaningful innovation. As entrepreneurs and leaders, let's remain vigilant about the environments we cultivate and the values we uphold. Only then can we truly unleash the full potential of our teams and pave the way for lasting success. #ProductMarketFit #EntrepreneurshipJourney #LeadershipDevelopment

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I clearly have a startup obsession!😍 EVERYTHING feels like a startup lesson or comparison to me.🤔 I realized I had a problem this past weekend when I ran the San Jose Rock & Roll half marathon. Everywhere I looked, I saw something that felt startup related.  Even when looked at the long lines waiting to use the Port-o-Potties, all I could think of was "Clearly they have Product/Market fit".  Then I thought about the fact that the people in line were the users, not actually the customers...  and  it spiraled from there. But when I was actually running, I thought of some things to share with the founders who follow me... Before I became a distance runner, the idea of becoming a distance runner had never crossed my mind. ✖️ I was old(ish) ✖️ I was overweight ✖️ I had never been any type of athlete ✖️ I was not able to run 2 miles without needing a serious nap ✖️ It didn't strike me as something I would succeed at because I didn't have whatever it was that runners have It's not that I didn't have any interest in the benefits of running. I was just content to dwell on the reasons that I either: a) Shouldn't try b) Was not likely to succeed c) The excuses I could use if I didn't succeed Then one year I committed to trying, and ran my first 26.2 mile marathon 4 months later (with the help of a coach and training community) So what's the startup connection? I see founders doing what I did... ➡️ They focus on reasons why things won't work (e.g. validation interviews, fundraising) ➡️ They think there are things they can't overcome that are to blame for their inability to get funding ➡️ They think they might be too old ➡️ They compare themselves to others and come up short (usually comparing themselves to the visible examples of success) If I didn't ignore my excuses, I would not have become a distance runner. If founders hang on to reasons they might fail, they will likely double their chances of actually failing. ❗We drive where we look❗ Focus on what can be, not on "why it's not worth your full commitment." Launching a startup means doing things without a guarantee, but taking a chance.  It's about doing things where you might fail. Commit anyway. Don't half-ass it! If, like me, you decide the effort might go faster with a coach and support, you know where to reach me. Even it you don't, stop giving explanations for failure as a reason why you shouldn't try. When you do, the results will surprise you (in a good way) If it doesn't succeed, you've learned something useful.👍 What challenges have you taken on after letting go of your excuses? Drop a victory below!👇 #EarlyStage #StartupLife #Founders #LeanStartup #TheFoundersForge

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Curious about the major shifts unveiled at the inaugural Intuit Connect 2024? In our latest episode, we, Hector Garcia and Alicia Katz Pollock, break down Sasan Goodarzi's keynote on embracing change and Intuit's transformation from a product-focused company to a comprehensive business platform. We delve into upcoming features like the reimagined banking experience and AI-powered improvements, and explore what these changes mean for accounting professionals adapting to an AI-driven future. Don't miss this essential conversation on how these developments will impact your work. Sponsors Fishbowl - https://uqb.promo/fishbowl Coefficient - https://lnkd.in/gT8PwzZY https://uqb.show/63

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Want to talk GTM? Join us on October 2nd at Gasworks Brewing for another round of Seattle Founders GTM. #founders #entrepreneurs #startups #gtm Sign up with the link below.

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I use speed to telegraph how serious I am. Building a chasm between GrapplApp and my first competitor is critical in my plan to establish product-market fit. This applies to humans, not tech. Mike Moyer, author of Slicing Pie, told me, “You don’t have a tech idea, you have a marketing idea, and it’s two-sided…very tough.” VERY TOUGH. I was ALL-IN. People who do not have the will to communicate will not succeed with GrapplApp. If you are reading this and thinking, “Ew, no,” then this is your sign to stay in line and be a good boy like everyone else. Think Tom Hanks in Joe Versus the Volcano. Your bad, not mine. YOU HAVE TO BE FASTER THAN THE BULLS. If you absolutely 🤢 everytime you see another “happy to share I’m a slave at B-F Agency” then text 3214774504. I’m not going to sell you, I’m going to talk to you and help you find what you can make money at as a small business. Like, actually start a company, not start a course on how to find a company to buy. Save your thousands of dollars and text 3214774504. In 4 years don’t be like “shoulda texted that weirdo in the robe.” #smallbiz #entrepreneur #marine #military #jiujitsu

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Huge News...today, Contractor Commerce launched AI within the platform. That's right. We've been working behind the scenes for months to harness the power of AI to help contractors get EVEN MORE value from their online stores. Today we rolled out the first of several major AI enhancements with 5 awesome customers who wanted to pioneer this new layer of technology alongside us. Ecommerce for contractors is already working - turning website visitors into $$. But we're never satisfied. We wake up every day, listen to our customers, and invest in our platform to help contractors make more money and build thriving companies. We won't stop until every contractor has an online store....now powered by AI. If you want to learn more or supercharge your company website with AI-powered ecommerce, message me. https://lnkd.in/g2YzpAuc #AI #HVAC #ecommerce #contractors

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Super thoughtful approach to org design highlighted in this week's First Round Capital Review. When I read it, I realized that simplistic advice is a poor shortcut to the more complex but useful advice, "structure follows strategy". “When you read management books about org design, they always show you these perfectly balanced charts. Symmetrical tree diagrams and curated grids that fill up to the margins. But creating a pretty looking chart is not a KPI,” says Linear’s Head of Product Nan Yu. Yu unpacks why conventional thinking around org design is slowing startups down. Instead, he pulls from Conway’s Law and lays out the three key pieces to constructing the asymmetrical “heirloom tomato” org chart. https://lnkd.in/gASyChQC

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It was an awesome time in Portland representing MintPass with Melissa Leventhal at TravelCon! 🙌 Here are a few takeaways after 3 days of chatting with travel creators of all kinds ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ 1️⃣ Making it as a startup travel creator is TOUGH 😓 And why wouldn’t it be? Getting paid to travel the world is the dream. The reality is that platforms are now saturated with this content vertical, and it’s becoming more and more difficult to separate oneself such to break through the noise and grow a following. 2️⃣ The game is skewed toward those who have already made it 🏆 The travel creator landscape is quite top-heavy heavy where those who were there early to build an audience continue to do well with guaranteed brand deals. Smaller creators long for unique, alternative tools to even the playing field and aid in community growth outside of the usual social platform algo hacking. 3️⃣ The new way to get attention is to niche down 🔎 Less is more in community growth when your community is hyper-focused on a particular niche. As the landscape becomes more and more competitive, travel creators are focusing more on finding their unique content vertical to differentiate themselves. We talked some cool ones across areas of geography, wellness, budget, luxury, family, solo, and so many others. 4️⃣ Web3 doesn't matter 🤷‍♂️ This one was obvious, but I’m reminded again that our means for delivering value is arbitrary and rather the value itself is what matters. Most of those with whom we chatted were not web3 users, but they were intrigued by the value that our web3 platform can deliver. Value = Adoption. Go figure.‍ As we aim to build MintPass into a tool for travel tastemakers, it was awesome to chat with and get direct feedback from the creator persona who often has the best recs to share, but lacks the proper tools for sharing and building a brand off of that credibility. 🤝 Thank you to all who provided insights for us. ❤️ Back to work. 👷‍♂️ #traveltech #startups #creatortools‍‍‍

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We just wrapped up an incredible Offsite in Lake Tahoe with the GroundForce Capital team. We’ve got a high-performing group that’s comfortable operating independently, which is great. But in-person, nonwork connections build the kind of relationships that make us more productive and happier in what we do. An unexpected takeaway? The distinction between process and content. A new associate, Summer Farren, raised a powerful question during one in-depth session: “Do we need to take a step back and think about process here?” My response? Absolutely we do. Most people, most businesses, confuse process and content. It’s as simple as having an agenda in advance of every meeting with clear objectives. Setting the context for a meta-conversation versus an in-the-weeds conversation is essential. If it’s all content, we need to make sure we step back and talk about the process. The reality? Most people operate in the business, not on the business. Seemingly minor moments like these are the reason we’re better together. A quick question can spark a massive shift in how you operate. Roles, titles, and seniority don’t matter. Everyone on the team has a unique skill set, and these Offsites are invaluable reminders of what those are. I’m excited for more meaningful moments with GroundForce Capital in 2025 and beyond!

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Employee terminations: they're a topic no one wants to discuss but that every company has to navigate. Thankfully, Melanie Naranjo and wonderful Ethena advisor (& Gusto's former People Leader) Jess Yuen are tackling this tricky topic for the next Ethena webinar. Register if you want to learn more about these topics: How to pressure test whether or not termination is the right course of action Best practices for communicating termination decisions How to minimize risk and choose the best course of action when things get tricky Critical pitfalls to avoid

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Google's first CEO, Eric Schmidt offers powerful advice to entrepreneurs on protecting equity and building successful businesses. He stresses the importance of frugality and resourcefulness, reminding us that founders must focus on spending money wisely and efficiently. Many of the best founders, like those of Google, started with no salary and minimal luxuries, using every dollar strategically to grow their venture. His own experience—working in shared office space and using a door as a desk—serves as a reminder that success comes from grit, sacrifice, and smart financial decisions. To all the entrepreneurs trained and mentored by the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, BRAC University, remember that building a sustainable business means being resourceful, protecting your equity, and staying focused on the long game. Your hard work and sacrifices today will shape your success tomorrow. #CED-BRAC University, #Entrepreneurship #Frugality #FoundersJourney #BRAC #BRACUniversity #StartupSuccess #EquityProtection #Leadership #GrowthMindset #FounderSacrifice #BusinessBuilding #Startups

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If you're in tech leadership, you've probably heard and possibly even read Paul Graham's essay about founder versus manager mode. I've participated in quite a few threads debating this essay. Full disclosure: it didn't sit well with me. It felt like Paul was creating a false dichotomy, unnecessary us-versus-them culture. Propelled by our so common tendency to think in either-or terms. This morning, it dawned on me that this whole founder-versus-manager tension is predicated on the assumption that management is disconnected from the company's founding mission. If that’s your situation, then Paul's essay makes much sense! Stop executing blindly, and get yourself and your team realigned with the mission. And stop blaming the managers—it's your job as a leader to create the alignment. (Get help if you don't know how.) #leadership #founder #alignment

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💡💡 Highlighting Insights from The Ready's Latest Newsletter 💡💡 I was struck by a recent newsletter from The Ready that addresses a challenge many of my clients are grappling with: escalating workloads, ever-changing demands, and challenges prioritizing. This quote from the newsletter encapsulates the issue perfectly: "Humans don’t like saying 'No.' In work cultures where being nice and people-pleasing are highly valued, actively declining work can be perceived as rude or combative. In those environments, rejecting even non-critical projects can be taboo. Contrast that psychological low with the high of feeling important and busy ('Five gold stars for Sonya who smashed their to-do list today!') and it’s no wonder we sidestep prioritization work. The buzz of feeling indispensable overrides the emotional labor required to set boundaries, slow down, and decide what’s most important versus what could be fun." This resonates deeply with the struggles I see in many teams today. Prioritization isn’t just about managing tasks; it’s about navigating cultural norms and personal emotions. How are you addressing these challenges in your work and your organization? 💡💡 #WorkCulture #Prioritization #Leadership #TheReady

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Startups can be a grind, and as we move into the holiday season, momentum naturally slows. But this is actually a great time to reach out—without needing anything in return. When was the last time you said thank you to your investors, mentors, accelerator teams, or—most importantly—family and friends? Now’s the perfect moment to connect as a human, not just through an ask or an investor update. Use this season to nurture those relationships that have supported you along the way. Sometimes, a simple “thank you” can go a long way.

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It all about networks and relationships!

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Join me TODAY at 3 pm eastern for Cracking the Promotion Code, some tips that too many of my clients don't understand about advancing to greater levels of leadership, power and authority in their careers. RSVP 👉 👉 https://lnkd.in/eyZyXqUj (Note: This event is exclusively available to StartUp Marketer (SUM) members. Not a member? Click the link above to join.) #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #PromotionStrategies #ExecutiveCoaching

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After taking a bit of a break from listening to podcasts for some time, this episode of Lenny Rachitsky's Podcast was the perfect conversation to get back into listening to podcasts. My regular followers know about my focus on Ikigai, mindset, Purpose on one hand and Product Thinking, Innovation and Entrepreneurship on the other hand. Here is a conversation that is a perfect blend of the two sides. Very powerful lessons on things like Conscious Leadership (which is for everyone and as John Mark Nickels says is taking responsibility for your influence in this world), a very practical approach on how to improve your strategy and vision skills and many more (including emotional awareness).. Highly recommend tuning into this episode...

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Today's 500 Words: Reflecting on Glue Work, the invisible force shaping teams. If you've not heard about glue work, here's the perfect opportunity to learn about it. "Five years ago, Tanya Reilly introduced the concept of "Glue Work" at Lead Dev NYC, illuminating an often overlooked aspect of team dynamics. As I reflect on my career, I realize how profoundly this concept resonates with my experiences and working style." Link in comments! If you like, feel free to subscribe.

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