There are numerous quotes about preparation, but one resonates particularly well:
“I believe luck is preparation meeting opportunity. If you hadn’t been prepared when the opportunity came along, you wouldn’t have been lucky.”
— Oprah Winfrey
Reflecting on Oprah's insight, I began to draw parallels between launching the startup I’m building now (I’m on my 3rd) and piloting a small single-engine aircraft. More than a decade ago I followed a passion for aviation and learned how to fly small planes, Cessna 172’s and 182’s. Today, I continue to follow that passion combined with a love of technology and building startups for 20 years. Consider the challenges of inclement weather, navigation hurdles, and the need for quick decision-making; these factors illustrate why I see such a strong connection between the two. Both flying and building startups are inherently dynamic and unpredictable endeavors. In this article, I will explore how the various stages of flight mirror the stages of developing a software startup.
Plan the Flight – Fly the Plan
When embarking on a new venture, entrepreneurs often believe they have a clear understanding of market needs. This insight typically stems from research, including interviews with potential customers and validating the problem they are aiming to solve. However, it's almost certain that the initial plan/product will undergo significant modifications as the company progresses. In the startup world, this is known as a pivot. As development begins, founders must remain vigilant, closely monitoring market conditions, regularly consulting early adopters to ensure they're on the right track, and continuously seeking market validation. Even with a solid pre-flight checklist, you can never be sure what’s going to come at you. What you can’t anticipate is the way you are going to receive pieces of information. For example, rejections, not landing customer meetings and prospects not moving forward can all lead to changes to your flight plan. This process mirrors the way pilots constantly manage their aircraft, making mid-flight adjustments. Entrepreneurs must simultaneously juggle multiple responsibilities, including engineering, product development, finance, marketing, sales, and customer service. In both flying and business, inadequate preparation can lead to failure.
In Flight
With all pre-flight checks completed and clearances obtained, we're ready for takeoff. Both flying and building startups require courage and determination. When embarking on a new venture, there's an exhilarating rush of excitement, often overshadowing the potential challenges ahead. The thrill of launching a product is akin to the adrenaline surge during takeoff. However, both pilots and startup founders inevitably face unforeseen obstacles, be it technical glitches or sudden market shifts. In these critical moments, quick thinking and data-driven decision-making become paramount. What’s important is trusting the balance between instincts and data. When instinct is a reaction or a defense mechanism, be sure to balance that with data as it’s how you perceive it and react that will keep you on your flight route. When complications arise, whether it's an engine malfunction or a product setback, founders and pilots must swiftly isolate the issue using available data and implement solutions promptly. Success in both domains hinges on effective teamwork, rapid analysis of information, and clear communication.
Trusting the instruments
Both pilots and startup founders rely heavily on instruments and data to make informed decisions. In aviation, pilots depend on their instruments when visibility is poor, while in the startup world, founders use key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to guide their strategic choices. Relying solely on instinct can lead to disastrous outcomes in both flying and entrepreneurship.
Consider this illustrative scenario: After implementing telemetry in our early product, our CTO monitored a metric tracking the number of sessions from an initial customer. Alarmed, he urgently contacted me, exclaiming, "This is a disaster! We're receiving no telemetry data from our customer." This absence of data was deeply concerning. Suspecting an issue, we decided to contact the customer directly. To our surprise, they informed us that the product was so stable, they simply left it running continuously, resulting in a single, ongoing session. This unexpected explanation hadn't occurred to us initially. The data itself wasn't incorrect; it merely required proper interpretation.
This experience underscores the importance of not only collecting data but also understanding its context and implications. In both flying and startup management, the ability to accurately interpret and act on available information is crucial for success.
Teamwork
"Aviate, Navigate, Communicate" is a fundamental principle instilled in new pilots to manage high-pressure situations. During my flight training, my instructor consistently emphasized this mantra, which prioritizes tasks in order of importance: first, maintain control of the aircraft; second, determine your position and route; and finally, communicate with relevant parties. This principle applies equally to successful startups and pilot teams. In the business world, founders must first ensure their company's core operations are stable, then focus on strategic direction, and finally maintain clear communication with stakeholders. Effective startups, like well-coordinated cockpit crews, require team members to be in sync regarding objectives and strategies. Founders must foster an environment of frequent, purposeful communication and collaboration, ensuring all team members are aligned in their understanding of the company's goals and tactics.
Landing the plane
When we successfully closed our seed round, a friend congratulated me by saying, "Congratulations on landing the plane." This metaphor aptly compared securing institutional funding to safely touching down on a runway. And remember, even landing the plane means you’re simply going to gas up and take off again. Whether you're guiding an aircraft to its destination or steering a startup towards its ideal customer profile or market, both endeavors demand intense focus, unwavering persistence, strict discipline, and seamless teamwork. Success in either field hinges on having a clear destination and skillfully navigating towards it. However, the journey is rarely straightforward. Just as pilots must adapt to changing weather conditions, entrepreneurs must be prepared to make constant adjustments. Flexibility, meticulous planning, self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses, and the courage to pivot when necessary are crucial. These qualities ensure that you'll eventually reach your own metaphorical airfield, whatever form that success may take for your unique venture.
Key Takeaways
In summary, both flying a plane and building a startup demand preparation, teamwork, data reliance, and the ability to navigate unforeseen challenges while keeping a clear focus on the end goal.