⚙️ Operators Playbook #23

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Good Morning Operators ⚙️

The launch of the Bottleneck+ went as well as I could have hoped! We have 50 members already enjoying tools, community, and templates in the past week.

Since we launched last week, we’ve already built:

• A Business Leader Lessons Directory to get inspo

• A Notion Workspace to organize your operations

• A website feedback widget. This is our first tool that is being built out that will be free to all members.

If you are interested in getting access to these tools, then upgrade here.

While you dig through that template, here’s the topics for today:

• 4 cringe data mistakes you make

• Don’t think you’re bothering your customer

• Learn 2 lessons when facing an obstacle

Let’s hop in. 

^{Together With SuperTalent}
Confused on How to Hire Talent Abroad?

Have you heard from a friend that you can hire talent abroad for 80% cheaper than in the US?

But you’re unsure what the right process is?

SuperTalent’s got you (Don’t you worry).

SuperTalent helps companies like yours hire talent every day.

With a little convincing (wink wink), SuperTalent has been kind enough to give away their hiring checklist.

Check it out below.

1. The Four Cringe-Worthy Mistakes Too Many Startups Make with Data

Insight from Amanda Richardson

At Uber Freight, I lived in data tables. I always tried to discover new insights I could bring to the team. This is where I learned the right way to bring data into my decision-making.

In building The Bottleneck, I've been bringing the same mentality.

Before getting too in the weeds with data, I wanted to refresh myself on best practices.

I stumbled upon Amanda Richardsons essay about the four key mistakes to avoid in data management:

As the Chief Data and Strategy Officer at HotelTonight, Amanda Richardson manages hundreds of data interactions for an app millions use monthly. She sees patterns and data-handling mistakes that are common and costly, leading to missed chances for companies.

The four key mistakes are:

1. Start with a Clear Goal: It's essential to have a specific aim, like boosting user conversion or revenue per user, right from the start. This ensures you stay focused on what you initially set out to achieve, even as new data comes in. You need to create the scorecard by which you’ll judge success

2. Be Cautious with Personalization: Personalizing user experience sounds great but isn't always necessary, especially for new startups with little data. You need a lot of data to personalize effectively, so think carefully about whether it's the right move for your stage and goals.

3. Everyone Can Be a Data Analyst: You don't need to rush to hire a data scientist. Startups can benefit from utilizing the diverse skills within their current team. Promoting a culture where everyone feels able to contribute to analysis and strategy might be more effective than assigning the role to a single person.

4. Choose Your Tools Thoughtfully: Focus on what's truly important: clear and consistent use of data. Having a central dashboard for your main metrics, making data easily accessible to the team, and using tools wisely, no matter how simple, are key to a solid data strategy.

2. You’re Not “Bothering the Customer"

Insight from Wes Kao

Customers don't just come to you for stuff—they need your advice too.

Customers want you to guide the way to a solution.

You are the expert, not your customer.

If you just sit back and wait for them to tell you what they need, you'll miss a big chance to show off what you know and how well you get their needs.

Every chat could lead to something totally new or a big change, so jumping in to lead the talk is super important.

Being ready to jump in isn't just about being helpful; it helps your business grow.

This means ensuring your team is on the lookout for hints, guessing what customers need before they even ask, and feeling okay about stepping up to share what they know and push the conversation in the right direction.

Don't feel like you are bugging your customers when you jump in to help. But there's a big difference between being annoying and being helpful.

In Wes Kao's article, being assertive—basically, stepping up and speaking out—when you do it the right way isn't about bugging people. It's about being there with the right help at the right time.

Trying to avoid being a sleazy salesman is top of mind for most executives (I see you, Mr. CRO, who chuckled at this).

Whenever you talk to a customer, ask yourself:

• How does my suggestion benefit the customer?

• How does this help me help them?

• How is what I’m doing in service of them?

Every time you talk to a customer is a chance to teach them something, offer them something valuable, and make your relationship stronger.

This means seeing follow-ups not as just trying to sell something but as a way to be helpful.

Whether it's an email with more info on how your thing can fix their specific issue or a quick call to make sure they're happy with what you're offering, every time you reach out, it should be about helping them, not making a sale.

3. Troubleshooting to Double the Learning

Insight from Rameel Sheikh

Picture this.

One second, you're diving into the abyss of financial forecasts.

The next, you're deciphering the enigma of legal agreements, then leaping into a marathon of interviews—all while keeping an eye on that ever-so-critical growth curve that refuses to take care of itself.

It's like you're the maestro of a symphony orchestra, except every musician is hell-bent on playing their own solo.

Welcome to my world at my last startup.

Juggling different responsibilities? Love it.

But here’s the kicker:

This chaos is not just a test of endurance; it’s a stumbling block when trying to scale your company.

This realization didn’t hit me in a rare moment of zen.

Oh no.

It bulldozed into me amidst a relentless barrage of meetings that felt like a never-ending season finale, where every decision was more critical than the last.

Problem-solving isn't just a skill; it's an art, especially for those of us who are early employees.

As an early employee, you've got two actionable takeaways for every challenge you face.

It’s your job to make sure your (future) peers don’t make the same mistakes as you do.  

Fail to do so, and you're either not wrestling with problems big enough to matter or you're letting precious lessons slip through your fingers.

If you keep a long enough list, you'll eventually have a living document that anyone can reference as your company scales.

4. Eight Product Naming Strategies

Insight from Ali Abouelatta

Naming a product is hard.

Ever wondered how some startup names stick like superglue in your brain? It's no fluke

Combining taste, utility, and clarity to symbolize your company's actions is no easy feat.

Thankfully, Ali Abouelatta analyzed the top 100 apps on the App Store. He came up with 8 naming strategies that you can use.

Ever wondered how some startup names stick like superglue in your brain? It's no fluke

Combining taste, utility, and clarity to symbolize your company's actions is no easy feat.

Thankfully, Ali Abouelatta analyzed the top 100 apps on the App Store. He came up with 8 naming strategies that you can use.

Here are the 8 naming strategies you can use to name your next breakout product:

1. Mashups

Mashups merges two words into one.

• Facebook (Face + Book)

• Snapchat (Snap + Chat)

• Doordash (Door + Dash)

• Expedia (Exploration + Speed)

• Netflix (Internet + Flicks)

2. Play on words

Play on words are creatively spelled terms that describe the company's product, service, or value.

• Tiktok: Play on the ticking sound of a clock

• Reddit: Play on the term read it

• Lyft: Play on the word lift

3. Paying tribute

This category includes companies named after someone (or something) significant to the founder.

• Peacock: Tribute to CNBC’s logo

• Starbucks: Tribute to Starbuck, a character in "Moby Dick."

• Apple: Tribute Newton’s apple

• Mcdonald's: named after Ronald Mcdonald

• Roku: means 'six' in Japanese. Roku was the founder's sixth startup

4. Aspiration

Names in this category reflect the company’s mission or goals.

• Uber: from the German word über, meaning "over, above.”

• Target: symbolizing becoming the go-to shopping destination.

• Nike: named after Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.

• Amazon: inspired by the vast South American rainforest, reflecting size and diversity

5. Easy to remember, write and pronounce

Meaningless words that are short and memorable (bonus points if they rhyme or have a .com available)

• Temu

• Hulu

• Tubi

6. Value/service descriptor

Words that directly describe a product or service

• Threads

• Telegram

• Zoom

7. Domain name

Domain names as company names are rare but do exist. Perhaps because of the SEO/search benefits from being known for your domain.

• Character.ai

• Customer.io

8. Abbreviation

When all else fails, use an abbreviation.

• VRBO

• CVS

• ADP

Operators Library

• Looking for a place to hang out with other operators? Check out Ops Spot (Link)*

• Don’t be cheap when creating your operating agreement (Link)

• A list of personal budget tracking to count your stacks of cash (Link)

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