Start-Ups vs. Corporations: Why They’re Playing Entirely Different Games

There’s a romanticism to start-ups the garage, the chaos, the breakthrough moment. And there’s a sense of superiority in corporates resources, experience, structure. But what The Start-Up Puzzle reveals is that these two species of business are not just at different stages of growth. They are playing fundamentally different games. Start-ups are chaos by design. They are […]

Many entrepreneurs experience imposter syndrome. How can they overcome self-doubt and build confidence in their abilities?

Imposter syndrome is a common challenge for entrepreneurs, and I would argue business leaders at large, even the most successful ones. Although we did not write a psychological self-help book, we do offer practical strategies that you might find helpful to overcome self-doubt and build lasting confidence: – Focus on Progress, Not Perfection. Many founders feel like […]

What are the most essential leadership skills an entrepreneur must develop to succeed in today’s business environment?

Successful entrepreneurs must master a combination of strategic, interpersonal, and executional leadership skills. The most essential ones include: – Visionary Thinking. Great entrepreneurs don’t just identify opportunities, they see what others don’t and articulate a clear, compelling vision. They connect the dots between market trends, customer needs, and business potential, inspiring their team and stakeholders. – […]

From MVP to PMF — Why Go-To-Market Fit Is the Real Make-or-Break

In the startup world, we often celebrate ideas. But ideas are cheap. Execution is everything, and one of the biggest tests of execution is go-to-market (GTM) fit. Many founders obsess over their Minimum Viable Product (MVP). However, the MVP is only the beginning. The real question is: can you evolve that MVP into something people […]

PRINCIPLES USED RESEARCHING AND WRITING THE START-UP PUZZLE

“If you have full clarity and understanding of the pieces of the start-up puzzle, you will be more likely to put the puzzle pieces of your start-up journey successfully together.” – RvP  The Start-Up Puzzle provides a mix of scientific knowledge, practical in-market examples, and interviews with subject matter experts providing balanced insights into creating, managing, […]