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462 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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#62 The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
4 maart 2019 · 1 uur 7 min
What I learned from reading The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin.
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[0:01] Why Ben Franklin wrote an autobiography
[4:50] Ben Franklin's early education and first job
[7:30] starting out in the printing business
[11:00] Writing had been of great use to me in the course of my life, and was a principal means of my advancement
[16:45] his humble arrival in Philadelphia
[25:00] Ben Franklin's time in London
[29:00] how the mind of Benjamin Franklin worked
[34:30] the opportunity to start your his own business
[41:15] industry is virtuous
[46:20] Ben understood branding
[48:15] Ben Franklin creates the first subscription library
[54:30] Ben Franklin's 13 virtues Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
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#61 Malcom McLean: The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger
25 februari 2019 · 1 uur 30 min
What I learned from reading The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger.
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Such was the beginning of a revolution [0:01]
The economic benefits arise not from innovation itself, but from the entrepreneurs who eventually discover ways to put innovations to practical use. [15:30]
the basic idea was around for decades [17:30]
Malcom's early life and first business [23:00]
McLean had an obsessive focus on cutting costs [33:00]
the beginning of Malcom McLean's idea [37:00]
McLean's definition of total commitment [41:00]
McLean's fundamental insight [48:00]
fixing the business by focusing on the customer's real problem [53:40]
the surprising reason containers are standardized [1:00:00]
Daniel K. Ludwig and Malcom McLean [1:07:00]
Malcom McLean sells his business [1:13:00]
Starting another business [1:21:00] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#60 Yvon Chouinard: What We've Learned from Patagonia's First 40 Years
18 februari 2019 · 1 uur 12 min
What I learned from reading The Responsible Company: What We've Learned From Patagonia's First 40 Years by Yvon Chouinard and Vincent Stanley.
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When I die and go to hell, the devil is going to make me the marketing director for a cola company. I’ll be in charge of trying to sell a product that no one needs, is identical to its competition, and can’t be sold on its merits. (0:01)
What Patagonia was meant to be (8:25)
Everyone wants to feel useful (11:00)
a short history of companies (14:30)
the definition of meaningful work (26:00)
more human, less corporate (40:30)
Yvon's ancestors and their working conditions (46:00)
the benefits of long term thinking (49:00)
build something useful and don't bullshit (57:00)
Don't do things that have no useful purpose / being bold can lead to new discoveries / we need more small businesses (1:04:00) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#59 Howard Hughes: The Definitive Biography of the First American Billionaire
11 februari 2019 · 1 uur 51 min
What I learned from reading Hughes: The Private Diaries, Memos and Letters; The Definitive Biography of the First American Billionaire.
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He was a film director, a producer, a test pilot, inventor, investor, and entrepreneur [0:01]
the start of Hughes Tool Company [13:00]
during a gold rush sell pickaxe's / great idea about leasing drill bits [19:00]
Howard Hughes Jr is on his own at 18 years old [26:00]
starting out in the movie business [32:00]
his first plane crash/divorce [38:00]
Howard Hughes goes broke [48:00]
Howard Hughes breaks the world record for the fastest flight around the world / Hitler was always an asshole [56:00]
Henry Kaiser and the birth of The Hercules [1:05:00]
his 4th plane crash and descent into madness [1:14:00]
Howard Hughe's M.O. on corruption and bribes [1:26:00]
I am not really interested in people. I am interested in science. –Howard Hughes [1:29:00] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#58 John Bogle: Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life
4 februari 2019 · 58 min
What I learned from reading Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life by John Bogle
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Gentlemen, cut your costs. [4:00]
the benefits of being forced to work early on in life [7:00]
I'll never forget the inspiration when I read this quote: The force of his mind overcame his every impediment. [9:30]
the traits he needed to found Vanguard [12:00]
what John thinks we should be doing better [13:30]
create things that help other people/Charlie Munger [17:30]
When a business fails people want to know their revenue. I want to know their costs [19:30]
the past is not a prologue in the financial markets... please, please, please don't count on it. [23:00]
Einstein well understood the limits of quantification / the way we act and the way we measure are in conflict [26:00]
Show me the incentive and I will show you the outcome. –Charlie Munger / If you get the incentives right when you start the company you will grow. [35:00]
A rule of life: Press On, Regardless [39:00]
10 reasons why I bother to battle [44:00] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#57 John Bogle: Stay the Course: The Story of Vanguard and the Index Revolution
28 januari 2019 · 1 uur 30 min
What I learned from reading Stay the Course: The Story of Vanguard and the Index Revolution.
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This is a story of a revolution [0:01]
what Vanguard does and why? [7:00]
the seed of the idea that eventually becomes Vanguard [10:00]
switching from conservative investing to speculation / when humans are scared they copy the behavior of those around them [17:00]
John gets fired. He decides to fight back. [31:00]
if you know why you are doing what you are doing you are less likely to quit [41:00]
staying the course gives you a massive advantage because most humans quit [53:00]
We must never underrate the power of compounding investment returns, and always avoid the tyranny of compounding investment costs.– John Bogle [59:00]
eliminating the 50-year tradition of sales commission [1:01:00]
a failure caused by focusing on competition and not learning from the past [1:06:00]
the Founders Mentality [1:07:30]
personal reflections and a memoir of sorts [1:11:00] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#56 The Biography of Herb Kelleher
22 januari 2019 · 1 uur 10 min
What I learned from reading Nuts!: Southwest Airlines' Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success
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Reality is chaotic; planning is ordered [0:01]
Vince Lombardi is the Steve Jobs of coaches [3:48]
how Southwest Airlines is different [11:31]
the beginning of Southwest [16:00]
fighting anticompetitive practice [24:30]
finding a new market by doing the opposite of your competition [29:00]
missionaries make the best products [31:00]
being forced to innovate leads to questioning assumptions which leads to finding new markets [34:00]
how Southwest became the largest liquor distributor in Texas [38:00]
remember your fundamental reason for being and don't deviate from that [40:45]
optimize for profits, not market share [42:30]
know what you are competing with - not who [44:15]
how having only one type of airplane gives Southwest an advantage [46:30]
how keeping it simple saved Southwest $2 million [51:30]
know what you do best - have the discipline to stick to it [53:00]
if you are going to be small you have to be fast [1:01:19]
the benefits of curiosity are unpredictable [1:03:45] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#55 Tycoon's War: How Cornelius Vanderbilt Invaded a Country to Overthrow America's Most Famous Military Adventurer
14 januari 2019 · 1 uur 23 min
What I learned from reading Tycoon's War: How Cornelius Vanderbilt Invaded a Country to Overthrow America's Most Famous Military Adventurer by Stephen Dando-Collins
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Unlike Vanderbilt's other adversaries William Walker was not afraid of Cornelius when he should have been [0:01]
Setting up the war between Cornelius Vanderbilt and William Walker [7:32]
William Walker's impressive resume [16:44]
Betrayal: "Gentlemen, You have undertaken to cheat me. I won't sue you, for the law is too slow. I'll ruin you." [27:04]
Walker takes Vanderbilt's property. Walker thinks the law protects him. Vanderbilt doesn't care about the law [39:27]
Garrison's counter move against Cornelius Vanderbilt [44:36]
Vanderbilt funds several Central American governments to destroy William Walker [52:51]
The power of having a singular focus on a goal but remaining flexible on the tactics to get there [1:02:10] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#54 The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt
8 januari 2019 · 1 uur 30 min
What I learned by reading The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt by TJ Stiles.
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His life spanned from the days of George Washington to John D. Rockefeller [0:01]
$1 out of $20 in circulation [4:35]
an overview of his life [5:35]
the environment Vanderbilt was raised in [14:10]
love of competition / dislike of school / first jobs [18:00]
action for actions sake [22:00]
an entrepreneur from the beginning [23:06]
expansion fueled by aggressiveness, action, and constraints [30:00]
partnering with the rich and powerful Thomas Gibbons [35:00]
the solo founder [46:34]
starting up with an eye on getting acquired [50:00]
frugality wins [56:20]
entrepreneurs vs large companies [1:03:45]
more frugality and decentralized company structure [1:12:00]
the size of his ambition was difficult for others to comprehend [1:19:25] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#53 Who Is Michael Ovitz?
1 januari 2019 · 1 uur 47 min
What I learned from reading Who Is Michael Ovitz? by Michael Ovitz.
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Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first give a gift [0:01]
Michael's first jobs + finding his first love [7:02]
the foul-mouthed magnates [19:49]
starting at the bottom / being hungry for knowledge [24:50]
I don't want to be standard in any way [32:30]
the revolt begins and the founding of CAA [36:05]
know the history of the industry you are in [46:30]
a warning for all entrepreneurs [53:44]
what influenced CAA's culture [59:27]
becoming the thing you hate [1:02:10]
a typical day's schedule [1:07:00]
problems with co-founders [1:11:30]
the fastest animal on the field [1:15:13]
I was tired / The end of Michael Ovitz's time at CAA [1:19:15]
Ron is gone [1:25:07]
a new beginning / meeting Marc Andreessen [1:32:00]
reconciliation [1:38:00] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#52 The Republic of Tea: The Story of the Creation of a Business, as Told Through the Personal Letters of Its Founders
25 december 2018 · 1 uur 31 min
What I learned from reading The Republic of Tea: The Story of the Creation of a Business, as Told Through the Personal Letters of Its Founders.
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A business is born (0:01)
don't start a business unless you are the first customer (22:49)
what it is like to fall in love with an idea (25:31)
starting a business is like making a movie (27:15)
on slowing down (32:32)
the problem with being able to argue both sides of an idea (37:00)
editing & narrowing your focus (46:51)
ideas in the form of action (51:39)
history doesn't repeat, human nature does (57:00)
the doubts of nascent entrepreneurship (59:51)
Steve Jobs had one speed: Go (1:07:39)
be the customer, not the seller (1:16:21)
Bill finally gets it (1:22:00) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#51 Wild Company: The Untold Story of Banana Republic
17 december 2018 · 1 uur 27 min
What I learned from reading Wild Company: The Untold Story of Banana Republic by Mel and Patricia Ziegler
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For every business, there is an appropriate scale [0:01]
Fundamentally Unemployable [5:18]
the prehistory of Banana Republic [10:02]
"We didn't have any money, we didn't have any technology, and we didn't have a plan." –Jack Ma [14:30]
A republic is born [18:13]
when something is not selling, increase the price [20:45]
relentlessly resourceful [25:45]
finding assets hiding in liabilities [28:30]
the catalog! [30:33]
Eddie Murphy on why you shouldn't have a backup plan [36:40]
media was the initial distribution strategy [42:15]
Understanding the internet before the internet existed. A lesson on publicity/attention [45:22]
when all else fails, expand [51:05]
selling the company [56:24]
the end of freedom [1:04:40]
Misfits, quotes from Steve Jobs and what this has to do with the podcast industry [1:08:00] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#50 Marc Andreessen's Blog Archive
11 december 2018 · 1 uur 5 min
What I learned from reading The Pmarca Blog Archive Ebook by Marc Andreessen.
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[0:01] In this series of posts I will walk through some of my accumulated knowledge and experience in building high-tech startups.
[3:15] Great things about doing a startups:
Most fundamentally, the opportunity to be in control of your own destiny — you get to succeed or fail on your own, and you don’t have some bozo telling you what to do. For a certain kind of personality, this alone is reason enough to do a startup.
The opportunity to create something new — the proverbial blank sheet of paper. You have the ability — actually, the obligation— to imagine a product that does not yet exist and bring it into existence, without any of the constraints normally faced by larger companies.
The opportunity to have an impact on the world — to give people a new way to communicate, a new way to share information, a new way to work together, or anything else you can think of that would make the world a better place.
The ability to create your ideal culture and work with a dream team of people you get to assemble yourself. Want your culture to be based on people who have fun every day and enjoy working together? Or, are hyper-competitive both in work and play? Or, are super-focused on creating innovative new rocket science.
And finally, money —startups done right can of course be highly lucrative. This is not just an issue of personal greed — when things go right, your team and employees will themselves do very well and will be able to support their families, send their kids to college, and realize their dreams, and that’s really cool. And if you’re really lucky, you as the entrepreneur can ultimately make profound philanthropic gifts that change society for the better.
[5:15] However, there are many more reasons to not do a startup.
[5:28] First, and most importantly, realize that a startup puts you on an emotional rollercoaster unlike anything you have ever experienced. You will flip rapidly fr… Lees meer -
#49 Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life by Richard Branson
3 december 2018 · 41 min
What I learned from reading Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life by Richard Branson.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#48 Finding My Virginity: The New Autobiography by Richard Branson
26 november 2018 · 1 uur 16 min
What I learned from reading Finding My Virginity: The New Autobiography by Richard Branson. Lees meer
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Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#47 Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way
19 november 2018 · 1 uur 13 min
What I learned from reading Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Wayby Richard Branson
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Business is a fluid, changing substance. A mutating, indefinable thing [0:45]
I just pick up the phone and get on with it [7:50]
smart ways to get initial traction [9:51]
to understand the entrepreneur, study the juvenile delinquent [14:19]
Richard Branson's early business philosophy [14:49]
the beginning of Virgin [19:00]
what he learned from going to jail [23:01]
the scope of Richard's ambition at 21 [24:44]
a model of compatible businesses [27:00]
how Richard Branson made his first fortune [29:00]
how Richard Branson gets Necker Island and the idea for Virgin Airways [34:45]
protecting the downside risk [38:40]
Richard Branson's view on public companies [46:12]
taking Virgin private, funding secured [52:00]
questioning the direction of his life at 40 years old [59:54] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#46 I Love Capitalism: An American Story
13 november 2018 · 1 uur 11 min
What I learned from reading I Love Capitalism: An American Story by Ken Langone.
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His early life: there was never much money (3:30)
Ken's first jobs (5:35)
[At school] I didn't apply myself at all . I did the absolute minimum . I was too busy having fun and working at all my various jobs (12:05)
further adventures in entrepreneurship (13:24)
Looking for work / finding excitement (17:00)
stepping out into the void / getting creative to get a job (23:50)
how he starts growing a business within the firm (26:33)
his first big break (28:50)
You treat a customer right and you never have to worry (32:00)
A lesson about human nature and developing trust (34:45)
Getting rich is one skill. Staying rich is a different skill altogether(43:10)
moral of the story: who wants it the most? (48:25)
Hubris and Redemption: Starting over (50:25)
how he started his own business (54:00)
learning about the opportunity for home depot from other founders and some early tactics to get traction for their stores (59:00)
leave more on the table for the other guy than he thinks he should get (1:03:32) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#45 Built From Scratch: How A Couple of Regular Guys Grew The Home Depot from Nothing to $30 Billion
5 november 2018 · 1 uur 20 min
What I learned from reading Built From Scratch: How A Couple of Regular Guys Grew The Home Depot from Nothing to $30 Billion by Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank.
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The creation of The Home Depot began with two words: "You're fired!" [0:01]
Blinders on focus on the customer [5:45]
Learning how not to manage people from Ming the Merciless [8:37]
Meeting Ken Langone / the prehistory of Home Depot [11:00]
81% private / 19% public partnerships [18:40]
Ken sells to Ming. Predicts Ming will fire Bernie [28:30]
Getting fired was the best thing that ever happened [35:00]
Bernie Marcus at 49 years old: little cash and a ruined reputation [38:15]
How Bernie Marcus walks away from Ross Perot [38:50]
The importance of equity [49:19]
Do not work with people who don't know how to care about other people [51:00]
How they got the money to open The Home Depot [55:30]
The critical importance of selling at the right price [58:32]
Knowing the right way to do something by seeing it done the wrong way [1:08:54]
Mistakes can teach us we're never as smart as we think we are [1:11:25] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#44 A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft
30 oktober 2018 · 1 uur 23 min
What I learned from reading Idea Man: A Memoir by the Cofounder of Microsoft by Paul Allen
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I was 21 years old and at loose ends (0:01)
how Paul Allen works (4:09)
coming up with the idea for Microsoft (4:48)
admiring Bill Gates' bravado (7:56)
advice from his father: do something you love (12:30)
"Paul is an 'enthusiast' and when in the grip of an enthusiasm is almost totally irresponsible in other areas. How can one help such a student to see the error of his ways ? I don't know. He could even be more right than we, who knows ?" (18:30)
Going deep on subjects that interested him (20:56)
Paul's first jobs (24:14)
Paul Allen and Bill Gates first business (26:44)
New Mexico and the start of Microsoft (31:37)
We were certain that the tech establishment was wrong and we were right (34:40)
Unequal cofounders (37:29)
Starting to grow Microsoft (39:00)
Unequal cofounders part two (41:00)
Early Microsoft culture: When I talk about the early days at Microsoft, it's hard to explain to people how much fun it was.( 46:43)
Turning down a millions of dollars from Ross Perot (53:37)
Unequal cofounders part 3 (56:54)
The deal that led to Microsoft becoming the largest tech company of its day (58:00)
Health crisis and Paul Allen leaves Microsoft (1:05:30)
His most important realization (1:09:27)
How Paul makes $75 million from AOL (1:13:00)
I start from a different place , from the love of ideas and the urge to put them into motion and see where they might lead (1:18:10) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books feat… -
#43 Ray Dalio: Principles: Life and Work
22 oktober 2018 · 1 uur 3 min
What I learned from reading Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio
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Whatever success I've had in life has had more to do with my knowing how to deal with my not knowing than anything I know [0:01]
Ray's first principle and why [5:35]
Ray's key to success [8:07]
The similarities between investors and entrepreneurs [9:27]
Shift your mindset from I know I am right to How do I know I am right? [13:05]
Systemize your decision making [14:09]
Ray on his life story [17:30]
the quality of your decisions determine the quality of your life [19:50]
Like a lot of Founders, Ray was bad at school [21:45]
More about his personality: stubborn and determined + his first jobs [22:45]
Hungry for knowledge he could actually use [24:28]
Terrible is better than mediocre [25:03]
What we think to be true that is not: The future is a slightly modified version of the present [25:30]
Steve Jobs [26:30]
A pivotal lesson for Ray: The same things happen over and over again [28:02]
the founding of Bridgewater [32:33]
the humble beginning of Bridgewater [35:15]
If you know your business A to Z there is no problem you can't solve – Sam Zemurray [36:06]
Watching the richest man in the world go broke [38:00]
Ray loses everything and has to start all over again [40:30]
Successful people change in ways that allow them to continue to take advantage of their strengths while compensating for their weaknesses and unsuccessful people don't [45:10]
The new Bridgewater: Systematizing his decision making process [47:35]
Developing more products and out teaching his competition [48:11]
The results of systematized thinking guided by principles that are written down and adhered to [53:30]
Counterintuitive thoughts on public success [55:19] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and loo… -
#42 One From Many: VISA and the Rise of Chaordic Organization
16 oktober 2018 · 1 uur 27 min
What I learned from reading One From Many: VISA and the Rise of Chaordic Organization by Dee Hock
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Walking away at the pinnacle of success was the hardest thing I have ever done (0:01)
Through the years, I have greatly feared and sought to keep at bay the four beasts that inevitably devour their keeper – Ego, Envy, Avarice, and Ambition. In 1984, I severed all connections with business for a life of isolation and anonymity, convinced I was making a great bargain by trading money for time, position for liberty, and ego for contentment – that the beasts were securely caged. –Dee Hock (4:14)
Visa was little more than a set of unorthodox convictions about organization slowly growing in the mind of a young corporate rebel (9:03)
Dee's first jobs (21:44)
Learning how mechanistic, Industrial Age organizations really function (28:17)
Useful questions to ask in your organization (34:30)
A failure at 36 years old (38:33)
The environment from which Visa emerged (46:41)
Healthy vs Unhealthy Organizations (55:19)
Focus on how your product or company "ought to be" and nothing else. (57:30)
I had held fast to the notion that until someone has repeatedly said "no!" and adamantly refuses another word on the subject, they are in the process of saying "yes" and don't know it yet. –Dee Hock (1:03:55)
His biggest regret: The fight against duality (monopoly) (1:04:35)
How Dee Hock dealt with stress (1:07:00)
His biggest regret: The fight against duality (monopoly) continued (1:09:52)
Dee's surprising conclusion about his work (1:16:50) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffer… -
#41 The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers
8 oktober 2018 · 1 uur
What I learned from reading The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz.
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There's no recipe for complicated, dynamic situations [0:01]
Meeting Marc Andreessen [8:30]
The co-founder relationship between Marc and Ben [11:00]
How they came up with the idea for Loudcloud (Opsware) / A business is just an idea that will make someone's life better. —Richard Branson [13:45]
Ben finds value by asking the question: What would I do if we went bankrupt? [21:05]
Sell the wrong product to find the right one [22:30]
Saving a $20 million a year customer by buying a $10 million company [23:16]
Do not play the odds [27:27]
Discount praise. Focus on what can be fixed [28:32]
Why training is so important (compounding effect) [31:20]
Difference between large company executives and founders [32:00]
Why it is a good idea to collect good ideas [34:00]
Determination is more important than intelligence [35:30]
Your culture should be unique / Using shock to create behavioral change [38:24]
There is no founder school [40:30]
Perseverance is more important than intelligence [41:01]
Copy from great founders [46:50] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#40 Insisting On The Impossible: The Life of Edwin Land and Instant: The Story of Polaroid
2 oktober 2018 · 1 uur 9 min
What I learned from reading Insisting On The Impossible: The Life of Edwin Land and Instant: The Story of Polaroid
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If you dream of something worth doing and then simply go to work on it, and don’t think anything of personalities, or emotional conflicts, or of money, or of family distractions; if you just think of, detail by detail, what you have to do next, it is a wonderful dream. [0:01]
Edwin Land was a pioneer whose inventions were dismissed, and yet he created a great company by dint of pure stubbornness. [2:33]
He [Steve Jobs] didn't yet have the skills to build a great company, but he admired those who had pulled it off and he would go to great lengths to meet them and learn from them. [3:03]
Steve admired many things about Land: his obsessive commitment to creating products of style, practicality, and great consumer appeal. His reliance on gut instinct rather than consumer research and the restless obsession and invention he brought to the company he founded. [4:07]
Recounting his life is a meditation on the nature of innovation. [5:15]
We use bull’s eye empiricism. We try everything but we try the right things first. [6:06] Land clearly did not wish to waste his powers on me too innovations [6:34]
Don’t do anything that someone else can do. Don’t undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible. [6:55]
He held that the business of business was something different, making things that people didn’t know they wanted until they were available. [7:26]
He thought and acted on a large stage. [8:34]
Over and over he talked about his obsessions: autonomy, learning, education, vision, perception, the mind, and the mining of exhausted veins of knowledge for new gold. [9:14]
Land on the problem with formal education: A student would get a message that a secret dream of greatness is a pipe dream. That it would be a long time before he makes a significant contribution, if ever. [13:18]
From this day forward, until the day you are buried, do… Lees meer -
#39 Walt Disney: An American Original
24 september 2018 · 1 uur 36 min
What I learned from reading Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas
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He seemed eager to sum up the lessons he had learned and tell people how he applied them in his life. [0:01]
He worked long hours over drawings in his room. Never revealing a project until he completed it. [5:32]
Walt Disney's first business: Iwerks-Disney Commercial Artists [9:34]
Walt Disney's second business: Laugh-O-Gram Films [13:30]
Walt Disney's third business: The Walt Disney Company [17:03]
"Should the idea or name be exploited in any other way, such as toys or merchandise we shall share equally." / Jeff Bezos on the importance of sleep [21:08]
Committees throttle creativity [25:31]
It is normal to doubt yourself when you are creating something. Walt Disney doubted the quality of Steamboat Willie. What would go on to be one of the most famous cartoons ever created. [33:28]
People don't know what is good until the public tells them/Or how to get film distributors to come to you [37:10]
The power of licensing Disney characters [42:06]
Advice from Charlie Chaplin [47:17]
You can't top pigs with pigs [52:29]
A most unusual response to financial calamity [57:42]
The Army takes over Disney's studio [1:00:53]
An amazing meeting with the founder of Bank of America [1:04:00]
Coming up with the idea for Disneyland [1:09:30]
Maniacal focus on the customer [1:18:00]
Disneyland prints money [1:22:30] Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#38 The Space Barons: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the Quest to Colonize the Cosmos
17 september 2018 · 1 uur 30 min
What I learned from reading The Space Barons: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the Quest to Colonize the Cosmos by Christian Davenport.
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[0:54] Musk and Bezos were the leaders of this resurrection of the American space program, a pair of billionaires with vastly different styles and temperaments. Always audacious, Musk had plowed far ahead, his triumphs and failures commanding center stage. Bezos remained quiet and clandestine, his mysterious rocket venture kept hidden behind the curtain.
[1:36] Musk, the brash hare, was blazing a trail for others to follow, while Bezos, the secretive and slow tortoise, who was content to take it step by step in a race that was only just beginning.
[13:46] “How is the situation in the year 2000 different from 1960? What has changed?” he said. “The engines can be somewhat better, but they’re still chemical rocket engines. What’s different is computer sensors, cameras, software. Being able to land vertically is the kind of problem that can be addressed by those technologies that existed in 2000 that didn’t exist in 1960.”
[17:33] He started a company called Zip2 that would help print newspapers get their content online, and it immediately had customers lining up, from the New York Times to Hearst. Musk sold the company to Compaq in 1999 for about $300 million. His next venture was called X.com, an online bank that merged with PayPal. The online financial payment system grew fast, gaining a million customers within two years. eBay bought PayPal for $1.5 billion, netting Musk $180 million. He was thirty-one years old.
[20:27] Musk, a ravenous reader of science fiction, had expected that by this point in his life there’d be a base on the moon and trips to Mars powered by the robust space program built on the Apollo lunar missions. If in the 1960s, the United States could send a man to the moon in less than a decade, surely there were more great things to come. He was overcome with what he called a “feeling of dismay.” “I just did not want … Lees meer -
#37 The Fish That Ate The Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King
9 september 2018 · 1 uur 21 min
What I learned from reading The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King by Rich Cohen.
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When he arrived in America in 1891 at age fourteen, Zemurray was tall, gangly, and penniless. When he died in the grandest house in New Orleans sixty-nine years later, he was among the richest, most powerful men in the world. In between he worked as a fruit peddler, a banana hauler, a dockside hustler, and the owner of plantations on the Central American isthmus. He batted and conquered United Fruit, which was one of the first truly global corporations. [0:01]
Zemurray’s life is a parable of the American dream. It told me that the life of the nation was not written only by speech-making grandees in funny hats but also by street-corner boys, immigrant strivers, crazed and driven, some with one good idea, some with thousands, willing to go to the ends of the earth to make their vision real. [0:31]
How Sam Zemurray started: He’d arrived on the docks at the start of the last century with nothing. In the early years, he’d had to make his way in the lowest precincts of the fruit business, peddling ripes, bananas other traders dumped into the sea. He worked like a dog and defied the most powerful people in the country. [2:26]
He was driven by the same raw energy that has always attracted the most ambitious to America. You did not need to be a Rockefeller to know the basics of the dream: Start at the bottom, fight your way to the top. [3:35]
He believed in staying close to the action—in the fields with the workers, in the dives with the banana cowboys. You drink with a man, you learn what he knows. There is no problem you can’t solve if you understand your business from A to Z. [4:33]
His real life began when he saw that first banana. He devised a plan soon after: he would travel to where the fruit boats arrived from Central America, purchase a supply of his own, carry them back to Selma, and go into business. [6:24]
See opportunity where others see nothi… Lees meer -
#36 Finding The Next Steve Jobs: How to Find, Keep, and Nurture Talent
3 september 2018 · 45 min
What I learned from reading Finding The Next Steve Jobs: How to Find, Keep, and Nurture Talent by Nolan Bushnell.
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A pong is a piece of advice designed to help enhance creativity. It applies to only where the advice is helpful. Unlike a rule which thinks itself applicable to every situation. (4:36)
Cherish the pink-haired. (16:53)
Hire the obnoxious: Steve Jobs believed he was always right and was willing to push harder and longer than other people who might have had equally good ideas but caved under pressure. (19:07)
Expect to be criticized. Everyone said Atari was nuts. When I explained Chuck E Cheese they laughed. "The horse is here to stay, but the automobile is only a novelty - a fad." President of Michigan Savings Bank, advising Henry Ford’s lawyer not to invest in Ford Motor Company, 1903 (20:23)
One of the best ways to find creative people is to ask a simple question: What books do you like? (24:15)
When your company establishes that anyone can and should contribute, you will end up hearing some very good suggestions coming from unlikely places. (26:03)
I strongly believe that everyone who wants to be creative must find a place where their mind can be alone and untouched any the insanity of complexity. (30:20)
Champion bad ideas: WD-40 is called that because the first 39 versions of the product failed. WD-40 stands for “Water Displacement, 40th formula.” (32:11)
Any idiot can say no. There’s no mental process there. If you don’t like something, the trick is to think of something better. (37:04)
Invent haphazard holidays. Unplanned days off for the entire company (38:00)
Everyone who has ever taken a shower has had a good idea. The thing that matters is what you do with the idea once you get out of the shower. So if there’s only one thing you take from this book, it’s this: You must act! Do something! (41:29) Lees meer----
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#35 George Lucas: A Life
26 augustus 2018 · 1 uur 22 min
What I learned from reading George Lucas: A Life by Brian Jay Jones.
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Lucas unapologetically invested in what he believed in the most: himself.“What we’re striving for is total freedom, where we can finance our pictures, make them our way, release them where we want them released, and be completely free to express ourselves,” explained Lucas. “That’s very hard to do in the world of business. In this country, the only thing that speaks is money and you have to have the money in order to have the power to be free.”George looked at it like a businessman, saying, ‘Wait a minute. The studios borrowed money, took a 35 percent distribution fee off the top. This is crazy. Why don’t we borrow the money ourselves?' Some of the bravest and/or most reckless acts were not aesthetic, but financial.My thing about art is that I don’t like the word art because it means pretension and bullshit, and I equate those two directly. I don’t think of myself as an artist, and I don’t think I ever will. I’m a craftsman. I don’t make a work of art; I make a movie. You couldn’t pay me enough money to go through what you have to go through to make a movie. It’s excruciating. It’s horrible. You get physically sick. I get a very bad cough and a cold whenever I direct. I don’t know whether it’s psychosomatic or not. You feel terrible. There is an immense amount of pressure, and emotional pain. But I do it anyway, and I really love to do it. It’s like climbing mountains.I was seriously, seriously depressed at that point because nothing had gone right. Everything was screwed up. I was desperately unhappy. That was a very dark period for me. We were in dire financial straits. I was in debt to my parents, in debt to Francis Coppola, in debt to my agent; I was so far in debt I thought I’d never get out.He was fascinated not only by Scrooge McDuck’s exploits but also by his conniving capitalist ways. “Work smarter, not harder,” was Scrooge’s motto, and his stories were full of inventive schemes that,… Lees meer -
#34 Creativity Inc: The Autobiography of the founder of Pixar
20 augustus 2018 · 1 uur 28 min
What I learned from reading Creativity Inc: Overcoming The Unseen Forces That Stand In The Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull.
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Lead with a light touch (18:59)
Anchor yourself with your why (23:35)
Bet on yourself (39:54)
Decentralize problem-solving (52:56)
People are more important than ideas (1:00:45)
Analyze ways to improve your process after a project is complete (1:24:10)
Keep a startup mentality (1:26:36) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#33 Levi Strauss: The Man Who Gave Blue Jeans to the World
12 augustus 2018 · 1 uur 20 min
What I learned from reading Levi Strauss: The Man Who Gave Blue Jeans to the World by Lynn Downey
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[0:01] Levi was one of the men who set that firm foundation
[17:35] I do not have at this time a specific occupation...I will share the fate that has been assigned to me
[22:29] Enduring hardship for the ultimate goal
[29:24] A hole in the market
[42:00] Levi starts his business cold
[54:18] The dangers of shipping by sea
[1:04:42] Inventing Jeans by accident
[1:10:00] Overnight success 20 years in the making
[1:17:40] How Levi was able to serve customers who were illiterate or spoke another language Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#32 Alibaba: The House That Jack Ma Built
9 augustus 2018 · 1 uur 48 min
What I learned from reading Alibaba: The House That Jack Ma Built by Duncan Clark.
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Crazy Jack (0:01)
The internet is filling the void created by state planning (6:59)
Jack has made a career out of being underestimated: “I am a very simple guy. I am not smart. I might have a smart face but I’ve got very stupid brains.” (20:35)
Jack’s early life / Discipline and Curiosity (24:43)
Jack Magic: “ Nobody saw the opportunity in this business. We didn’t make much money at first, but Jack persevered…I respect him tremendously for he has a a great ability to motivate people and he can invest things that seem hopeless with exciting possibility. He can make those around him get excited about life.” (40:00)
Jack’s first time on the Internet (47:06)
Another lucky break: Meeting Yahoo Founder Jerry Yang (55:45)
Making money from shrimp (57:02)
The worst deal he ever made (1:00:43)
Masayoshi Son: Founder of Softbank (1:04:45)
Be the last man standing (1:10:16)
Ebay vs Alibaba: A case study in what not to do (1:13:32)
Yahoo’s billion-dollar bet (1:23:00)
Jack’s unique reaction to the financial crisis (1:27:00)
Alipay’s ownership changes / One of the craziest stories I’ve read (1:33:12)
If I had another life, I would keep my company private (1:46:10) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#31 Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue and Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
2 augustus 2018 · 2 uur 38 min
What I learned from reading Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue and Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
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Culture Eats Strategy [1:45]
Conspiracy as a metaphor for a company [3:56]
It is a story of poetic justice on a grand scale plotted silently for nearly a decade [6:02]
Something in these pages planted itself deep into Thiel's mind when he first read it long ago [15:25]
It was ruthless efficiency and hyper-competence. [21:40]
You were driven to entrepreneurship because it was a safe space from consensus and from convention. [34:36]
What if I do something about this? What might happen? What might happen if I do nothing? Which is riskier, to act or to ignore? [38:52]
Sometimes these books teach us what not to do. [59:06]
Unknown unknowns > known knowns [1:11:10]
How you do one thing is how you do all things. [1:25:47]
He had always been aggressive. He wouldn't have gotten where he was in life if he wasn't. [1:30:35]
Companies routinely focus on silly things. [1:32:38]
The greatest sin of a leader.[1:37:17]
How resourceful is Peter Thiel?[1:41:37]
Just keep asking why.[1:47:29]
Gentlemen: You have undertaken to cheat me. I won't sue you for the laws too slow. I'll ruin you. Yours truly, Cornelius Vanderbilt. [1:53:37]
Brilliant thinking is rare but courage is even in shorter supply [1:58:50]
The business version of our contrarian question is: What valuable company is nobody building? [2:01:39]
This Twisted logic is part of human nature, but it's disastrous in business. If you can recognize competition as a destructive force instead of a sign of value, you're already saner than most. [2:16:11]
Steve Jobs saw that you can change the world through careful planning. Not by listening to focus groups feedback or copying others success. [2:19:53]
You can have agency not just over your own life, but over a small and important part of the world. It begins by rejecting the unjust tyranny of chance. [2:21:05] Lees meer----…
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#30 Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future
9 juli 2018 · 38 min
What I learned from reading Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance.
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I don't want to be the person who ever has to compete with Elon (0:47)
Musk expects you to keep up (2:45)
Short of building an actual money-crushing machine, Musk could not have picked a faster way to destroy his fortune. He became a one-man, ultra-risk-taking venture capital shop (4:41)
Revisit old ideas (5:22)
It was not unusual for him to read ten hours a day (7:49)
His approach to dating mirrors his approach to work (9:32)
Humans are deeply mimetic (10:59)
Thinking from first principles (14:37)
What it is like to work with Elon Musk (17:40)
He would place this urgency that he expected the revenue in ten years to be ten million dollars a day and that every day we were slower to achieve our goals was a day of missing out on that money (19:28)
What he went through in 2008 would have broken anyone else. He didn't just survive. He kept working and stayed focused (23:29)
A tenet of Elon's companies: make as many things yourself as possible (25:39)
The power of the individual in an age of infinite leverage (27:31)
The Internet taught me nearly everything I know. It is the modern day equivalent to the library of Alexandria, except it's much harder to burn to the ground. It is indispensable for realizing human rights, combating inequality, accelerating development, and quickening the pace of human progress (29:37)
Focusing on the endpoint (30:19)
Grand Theft Life (32:00) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: … -
#29 The HP Way: How Bill Hewlett and I Built Our Company
2 juli 2018 · 39 min
What I learned from reading The HP Way: How Bill Hewlett and I Built Our Company by David Packard.
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[0:01] How Steve Jobs was inspired by David Packard
[1:00] Books are the original hyperlinks
[4:30] Profit is the measure of how well we work together
[9:00] HP's first product
[11:00] Podcasts before podcasts
[14:00] Many of the things I learned in this process were invaluable, and not available in business schools
[15:00] More businesses die from indigestion than starvation
[16:30] The importance of maintaining a narrow focus
[20:00] Growth from profit
[21:00] Lessons from the Great Depression = No long term debt
[26:30] A Maverick's persistence
[29:00] How to avoid layoffs in a recession
[30:20] Employees should outgrow you
[31:00] The perils of centralization
[35:00] Closing with optimism Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#28 The Wright Brothers
25 juni 2018 · 42 min
What I learned from reading The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
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Unyielding determination (2:30)
Jocko's concept of GOOD (4:00)
The ability to focus on an idea for a long time is the antidote to short bursts of dopamine we get from checking social feeds all day. (6:30)
The beginning of their side business (13:00)
The importance of heroes (16:00)
Rereading / revisiting old ideas (18:30)
Books transformed idle curiosity into the active zeal of workers (22:00)
Wilbur Wright on risk: “The man who wishes to keep at the problem long enough to really learn anything positively must not take dangerous risks. Carelessness and overconfidence are usually more dangerous than deliberately accepted risks.” (24:30)
Jeff Bezos on stress (25:00)
Discover things for yourself (28:00)
"Success it most certainly was." (31:00)
Profitability of flying machines (33:30)
The distribution channel of flying machines (35:00)
Wilbur Wright on the idea of flight: "In the enthusiasm being shown around me, I see not merely an outburst intended to glorify a person, but a tribute to an idea that has always impassioned mankind. I sometimes think that the desire to fly after the fashion of birds is an ideal handed down to us by our ancestors who, in their grueling travels across trackless lands in prehistoric times, looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space, at full speed, above all obstacles, on the infinite highway of the air." (38:00) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#27 A Truck Full of Money: Coding, Mania, Love, Genius: The Life of an American Entrepreneur
15 juni 2018 · 1 uur 25 min
What I learned from reading A Truck Full of Money: Coding, Mania, Love, Genius: The Life of an American Entrepreneurby Tracy Kidder
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[7:00] Kayak sells for $1.8 billion
[12:00] "I'm paying attention. I want meetings of three people, not ten."
[15:00] "Someday this boy's going to get hit by a truck full of money, and I'm going to be standing beside him."
[22:30] A description of Paul's bipolar disorder
[31:00] The economics of games
[36:30] Learning how to negotiate from his Dad
[43:00] "The Internet has massively broadened the possible space of careers. Most people haven't figured this out yet."
[50:00] Leaving a $1,000,000 behind
[55:00] Applying the lessons he learned from watching his Dad negotiate
[58:30] The entrepreneur of ice
[1:01:00] "Consistency doesn't matter. Only invention matters." Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#26 My Life and Work: The Autobiography of Henry Ford
2 mei 2018 · 53 min
What I learned from My Life and Work: The Autobiography of Henry Ford.
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A theory of business (0:01)
If an old idea works then the weight of the evidence is all in its favor. The Lindy Effect. (7:30)
All people are not equal (11:00)
"That is why I never employ an expert in full bloom" (15:00), "I quit my job on August 15th, 1899 and went into the automobile business" (19:30)
Henry Ford's philosophy on constant change (25:00)
Henry Ford's 3 conclusions about business (26:00)
Traits of a prosperous business (29:45)
I cannot discover that anyone knows enough about anything on this earth definitely to say what is and what is not possible. .We get some of our best results from letting fools rush in where angels fear to tread. (34:00)
Fix the problem. Do not think money will be the solution. (40:00)
Overcome fear. Be free. (44:00)
Fuck your feelings (52:30)
Henry Ford's 4 principles of business (56:00) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#25 Against the Odds: An Autobiography by James Dyson
22 april 2018 · 1 uur 26 min
What I learned from reading Against the Odds: An Autobiography by James Dyson
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I am a creator of products, a builder of things. [0:01]
This book is the story of 15 years of struggle to finally invent, own, and sell his own product. [1:35]
This is the exposition of a business philosophy which is very different from anything you might have encountered before. [2:11]
The first 75% to 80% of the book is just struggle after struggle. [2:47]
Dyson had a bunch of people that he looked up to that motivated him as a young man. Thomas Edison is one of those people. [4:51]
Such reverence has been accorded to the miserable wheel —that perhaps that alone can account for the fact it was never improved. Perhaps millions of people in the last few years had ideas for improving it. All I did was take things a little further than just having an idea. [6:10]
The look of the product —the intangible style that sets one thing apart from another—is still closest to my heart. [7:04]
After the idea there is plenty of time to learn the technology. My first cyclonic vacuum cleaner was built out of cereal packets and masking tape long before I understood how it worked. [8:09]
The greatest lesson for aspiring inventors was yet to come. The actual making of money. Paper stuff in thick wads which they finally give to you because you have done something good. [8:40]
The best kind of business is one where you could sell a product at a high price with a good margin and in enormous volumes. That type of investment is long term, high risk, and not very British. Or at least it looks like a high-risk policy. It is not so likely to prove hazardous to one’s financial health as simply following the herd. [9:25]
Difference for the sake of it. In everything. Because is must be better. From the moment the ideas strikes, to the running of the business. Difference, and retention of total control. [10:39]
This is not even a business book. If anything it is a book against business, against the principles that … Lees meer -
#24 No Better Time: The Brief, Remarkable Life of Danny Lewin, the Genius Who Transformed the Internet
15 april 2018 · 1 uur 15 min
What I learnd by reading No Better Time: The Brief, Remarkable Life of Danny Lewin, the Genius Who Transformed the Internet by Molly Knight Raskin.
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When Danny was excited about something, you couldn't help but get excited too (3:00)
Steve Jobs had one speed: GO! (6:00)
Danny joins Israel's special forces (10:00)
"Life is too short to be bored. Only boring people are bored." (19:00)
The idea for Akamai (22:00)
"If he didn't know something, he'd go learn it." (28:00)
Building a company the right way (31:00)
Finding a business model (35:00)
Passion is worth $500,000 (38:30)
The first product (42:00)
"My goal was to express it in layman's terms so that your grandmother could understand it." (44:00)
Finding the right price/model (45:00)
The best salesperson (48:10)
"Hi, this is Steve Jobs, and I want to buy your company." (54:00)
"I have this company of one hundred ten people, headed by one of the biggest businessmen around with lots of money in the bank, and I'm just a graduate student." (57:00)
"In less than one year, a tiny startup out of MIT had grown to a company with a market valuation than that of General Motors" (58:30)
The last day of Danny's life (1:00:00) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#23 The New New Thing: A Silicon Valley Story
7 april 2018 · 1 uur 2 min
What I learned from reading The New New Thing: A Silicon Valley Story by Michael Lewis
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He grew up poor, dropped out of high school, and made himself 3 or 4 billion dollars (0:01), New Growth Theory (8:00), "Growth is just another word for change." (11:15), "The notion of what constituted useful work had broadened." (15:00), "If everyone was patient there'd be no new companies." (18:00), Turning his life around at 38 (21:00), Jim's idea to avoid the Innovator's Dilemma (30:00), The beginning of Netscape (33:00), The fast eat the slow (38:00), The people you don't want (40:00), The difference between a pig and a chicken /"They had wanted to be chickens; Clark forced them to be pigs" (43:00), All chips on 00 / Diversification is for idiots (48:00), Moving the goalposts / "Mama, I'm going to show Plainview." (56:00) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#22 How To Turn Down A Billion Dollars: The Snapchat Story
20 maart 2018 · 1 uur 3 min
What I learned from reading How to Turn Down a Billion Dollars: The Snapchat Story by Billy Gallagher.
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I'm not going to work for someone else (0:01)
Early design decisions of Snapchat (7:45)
Evan idolized Steve Jobs and Edwin Land (10:00)
How Snapchat convinced people to download the app (13:00)
How Facebook created the environment for Snapchat to grow (16:00)
The problem of standard (21:00)
Evan on conforming (23:00)
Mark Zuckerberg's first move on Snapchat (27:00)
A great quote from Jeff Bezos (34:30)
Digital Dualism (36:30)
Snapchat Stories (39:00)
Evan's framework for Snapchat and the Internet Everywhere (44:45)
Learning from messaging apps in Asia (50:00)
Brands are not social. People are. (55:00)
Evan's philosophy on the distinction between privacy and secrecy (59:00) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#21 Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture
1 maart 2018 · 1 uur 29 min
What I learned from reading Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture by David Kushner.
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[0:35] For a new generation, Carmack and Romero personified an American dream: they were self-made individuals who had transformed their personal passions into a big business, a new art form, and a cultural phenomenon.
[1:19] His (John Carmack) game and life aspired to the elegant discipline of computer code.
[1:40] Romero wants an empire. I just want to create good programs.
[3:07] No matter what Romero suffered he could always escape back into games.
[4:55] Romero’s stepdad smashed Romero’s face into the machine as punishment for playing video games.
[5:24] He beat Romero until the boy had a fat lip and a black eye. Romero was grounded for two weeks. The next day he snuck back to the arcade.
[7:40] One afternoon his father left to pick up groceries. Romero wouldn't see him again for two years.
[8:53] Alibaba: The House That Jack Ma Built by Duncan Clark. (Founders #32)
[10:20] Arcade games were bringing in $5 billion a year. Home systems were earning $1 billion. His stepfather did not believe game development to be a proper vocation. You'll never make any money making games he often said.
[11:28] A business is just an idea or service that makes somebody's life better. —Richard Branson
[12:58] Richard Garriott came to fame in the early eighties through his own initiative + Explore/Create: My Life in Pursuit of New Frontiers, Hidden Worlds, and the Creative Spark by Richard Garriott.
[13:20] Ken and Roberta Williams also pioneered the Ziploc distribution method, turning their homemade graphical role-playing games into a $10 million–a–year company.
[14:19] Carmack quickly distinguished himself when he was only seven years old. He scored nearly perfect on every standardized test placing himself at a ninth grade comprehension level.
[15:03] The Cook and The Chef by Tim Urban
[16:05] Carmack had never worked on a computer before but took to the … Lees meer -
#20 Danny Meyer (The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business)
6 februari 2018 · 43 min
What I learned from reading Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny Meyer.
This is not a typical business book (0:30)
Why don't you just do what you've been thinking about doing your whole life? (4:00)
How Danny learned from other founders on what to do and what to avoid (8:00)
The smartest business decision I ever made (18:00)
Optionality as a non-negotiable (20:00)
Inadequate focus on core product (23:30)
The founding of Shake Shack is an example of this great quote from Jeff Bezos: "We know from our past experiences that big things start small. The biggest oak starts from an acorn. If you want to do anything new you’ve got to be willing to let that acorn grow into a little sapling and finally into a small tree and maybe one day it will be a big business on its own." (27:00)
Advice from Stanley Marcus (Neiman Marcus): "The road to success is paved with mistakes well handled." (38:00) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#19 Becoming Steve Jobs
19 januari 2018 · 1 uur 14 min
What I learned from reading Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli.
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Learning from great company-builders (0:30)
Steve Jobs verbal mastery (5:00)
The failed negotiations between NeXT and IBM (10:00)
"But how can he be a turnaround expert when he eats his lunch alone in his office, with food served to him on china that looks like it came from Versailles?" (18:00)
"You can't go to the library and find a book titled The Business Model for Animation. The reason you can't is because there's only one company [Disney] that's ever done it well, and they were not interested in telling the world how lucrative it was." (22:00)
Bill Gates on Steve's simplicity (29:00)
Steve Jobs on being an artist (33:00)
Apple pays half billion dollars to rehire Steve Jobs (34:00)
"The company is one of the most amazing inventions of humans, this abstract construct that is incredibly powerful." (38:00)
Unlocking secrets (42:00)
Who gives a fuck about the channel? (45:00)
"It's not about how fast you do something, it's about doing your level best." (52:00)
Deep Restlessness (55:00)
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle." (59:00)
Bill Gates on the negotiations between Pixar and Disney (1:08:00) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on… -
#18 Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman
8 januari 2018 · 57 min
What I learned from reading Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by Yvon Chouinard.
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I had always avoided thinking of myself as a businessman. I was a climber, a surfer, a kayaker, a skier, and a blacksmith. We simply enjoyed making good tools and functional clothes. [0:01]
One day it dawned on me that I was a businessman and would probably be one for a long time. I knew that I would never be happy playing by the normal rules of business; I wanted to distance myself as far as possible from this pasty-faced corpses in suits I saw in airline magazine ads. If I had to be a businessman, I was going to do it on my own terms. [0:32]
One of my favorite sayings about entrepreneurship is: If you want to understand the entrepreneur, study the juvenile delinquent. The delinquent is saying with his actions, “This sucks. I’m going to do my own thing. [1:00]
Work had to be enjoyable on a daily basis. [1:18]
I’ve always thought of myself as an 80 percent. I like to throw myself passionately into an activity until I reach about an 80 percent proficiency level. To go beyond that requires an obsession and degree of specialization that doesn’t appeal to me. Once I reach that 80 percent level I like to go off and do something totally different. [4:05]
Tom Brokaw on Yvon: It’s been helpful to me to be Yvon’s friend. He makes me think about things in new ways. [5:36]
Can a company that wants to make the best-quality outdoor clothing in the world be the size of Nike? Can a ten-table, three-star French restaurant retain its third star when it adds fifty tables? The question haunted me throughout the 1980s as Patagonia evolved. [7:35]
I continued to practice my MBA theory of management, management by absence, while I wear-tested our clothing and equipment in the most extreme conditions of the Himalayas and South America. [10:13]
Throughout the book he’s has a really beautiful idea of comparing business and organizing human labor, to nature. Part of this ide… Lees meer -
#17 Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon
1 januari 2018 · 1 uur 4 min
What I learned from reading The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon by Brad Stone. Lees meer
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Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#16 Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller
8 december 2017 · 1 uur 4 min
What I learned from reading Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller by Ron Chernow.
[0:01] Rockefeller was a unique hybrid in American business, both the instinctive first-generation entrepreneur who founded the company and the analytical second-generation manager who extends and develops it.
[0:30] Having created an empire of unfathomable complexity, he was smart enough to see that he had to submerge his identity in the organization.
[0:43] Don’t say that I out to do this or that. We ought to do it. Never forget that we are partners. Whatever is done for the general good is done for the good of us all. —John D. Rockefeller.
[0:55] He preferred outspoken colleagues to weak-kneed sycophants.
[1:14] That he created one of the first multinational corporations, selling kerosene around the world and setting a business pattern for the next century, was arguable his greatest feat.
[2:48] The spot chosen for the new refinery tells much about Rockefeller’s approach to business. . . Able to ship by water or over land, Rockefeller gained the critical leverage he needed to secure preferential rates on transportation which was why he agonized over plant locations throughout his career.
[6:02] This is before the invention of the car. Kerosene was the main byproduct of oil. People used it to have lighting in their houses. Before Rockefeller, only rich people were able to do this. After Rockefeller, everyone could do it.
[6:41] There’s a lot of people making money in refining. People hear about other people making money in refining. They follow in like lemmings and this causes refining capacity to be triple the amount that is actually needed. By then 90% of refineries were operating in the red.
[7:46] “So many wells were flowing that the price of oil kept falling, yet they went right on drilling.” — John D. Rockefeller.
[8:08] “Often-times the most difficult competition comes, not from the strong, the intelligent, the conservative competitor, but from the man who is holding on by t… Lees meer -
#15 Leonardo da Vinci: The Biography
17 november 2017 · 47 min
What I learned from reading Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson. Lees meer
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Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#14 The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook: A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal
17 september 2017 · 38 min
What I learned from reading The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook: A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal by Ben Mezrich.
Microsoft had offered Mark between $1 million and $2 million to go work for them. Amazingly, Mark had turned them down (1:25)
Maybe he knew he was about to cross a line. But he had never been very good at staying in the lines. From Mark's history, it was obvious that he didn't like the sandbox. He seemed the type of kid that wanted to kick out all the sand. (8:01)
He didn't care what time it was. To guys like Mark time was another weapon of the establishment. The great engineers and hackers didn't function under the same time constraints as everyone else. (11:23)
Mark wondered: If people want to go online and check out their friends couldn't they build a website that did just that? (14:36)
Mark. Founder. Master and Commander. Enemy of the State. (21:19)
Instead of attacking Baylor head on they made a list of schools within 100 miles of it and dropped Facebook in those schools first. Within days the kids at Baylor begged for Facebook on their campus. (24:20)
Mark Zuckerberg had found his place in the world (32:38) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
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“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast -
#13 Elon Musk and Why SpaceX Will Colonize Mars
27 augustus 2017 · 55 min
What I learned from reading The Elon Musk Blog Series: Wait But Why by Tim Urban.
In the most recent 1% of our species short existence, we have become the first life on earth to know about the situation (4:38)
The total market for satellite manufacturing, the launches that carry them to space, and related equipment and services has ballooned from $60 billion in 2004 to over $200 billion in 2015 (8:41)
Here is what SpaceX does: it takes things to space for people for money. Here is what SpaceX really does: it is an innovation machine trying to solve one big problem. The astronomical cost of space travel (9:13)
For 1% we can buy life insurance (20:35)
Up until 25 years ago there had never been such a thing as a global brain of god like information access and connectivity on this planet (23:26)
Musk has said he doesn't care that much about your degree. Just raw talent, personality, and passion for the SpaceX mission (31:21)
For domestic launches the ULA charges the government and the US taxpayer $380 million per launch. For a similar launch, the US government pays SpaceX $133 million (40:14)
Life has to be about more than just solving problems. There have to be things that inspire you. (45:55) Lees meer----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast