After a busy day yesterday coaching teams at Startup Weekend Utrecht I only managed to get the 2nd Salestips.io issue out. Not to mention the overwhelming bummer vibe from the news in Paris and around the world that had me thinking deep.
In fact, the BBC just wrote an interesting piece about how millions are sharing attack stories that aren't about Paris. I've said it before, I'll say it again:
"riding fixes everything". Ok, not everything but almost....✌️
Cycling
Man bikes grand piano to attacked Paris concert hall, plays Lennon's Imagine
A German musician showed his sympathy to Paris on Saturday by biking his portable grand piano close to the attacked concert hall and playing John Lennon's famous peace anthem Imagine. Full song here. Image via twitter
In defense of Surly
Freeride hardtails? 29ers? Fat bikes? Offroad touring bikes? Bikepacking setups? Plus bikes? Cargo bikes? Yup, Surly was there. They weren’t always the first, they weren’t always the best, but they had a HUGE role in making all of those types of bike something that normal people could find out about and actually go buy and ride. Hell yeah.
Photographer captures classic bikes in vintage scenes around the world
There’s something hypnotic and compelling to Dutch amateur photographer Rob van Driel’s portraits of bicycles arranged in scenes around the world. I'm a sucker for classic rando builds too!
Startups
Startup Playbook
Written by Sam Altman · Illustrated by Gregory Koberger
Based on time advising startups mostly via 1:1, they thought it might help us scale Y Combinator if they could distill the most generalizable parts of this advice into a sort of playbook for YC and YC Fellowship companies.
Then we thought they should just give it to everyone. Yay!
Innovation vs. Execution Culture
- Is an innovation culture in any way inherently at odds with an execution culture?
- Does a strong execution culture lead to a stressful (or worse) work environment?
- What types of people, including leaders, are attracted to, and needed, for each type of culture?
Want Your Startup to Grow? Hire a Generalist | Inc.com
In the past, startups tended to hire either an engineer or an accountant as their first employee. Today they want something very different. Speaking of Instagram, Tiny Spark shared a recent post about the initial 5 years of Instagram.
Sales
How a Mutually Agreed Action Plan (MAAP) will help you take control of the Sales Process
I've been lauding this approach since picking up at Highroove Studios in 2012. Now ask yourself these questions:
- Are you (or the customer) usually in control of the Sales Process?
- Do your customers think you are helping them to make a decision or selling to them?
- Have you ever thought about presenting your Sales Process to a customer?
Top pitching tips from creative agencies
Ever wondered how creative agencies pitch their clients creative work? Make ‘em sick, make ‘em well ; )
Salestips.io Noº2
A step by step guides for sales maps and how to dial your ideal customer profile. This 2nd issue of Saletips.io's weekly revue also covers improving listening skills, key takeaways from #SalesStack2015 and the news that 2016 will be the year of the sales stack.
Radness
I got out Friday and pre-rode the Rapha Sintercross route. I haven't had a chance to race CX yet this year so I was stoked to rip a bit on my 611. This route will be brutal for everyone riding! Thanks to Frank for the snap!