After having analysed what constitutes the DNA of a startup and its growth strategy, this third and last article of the Primary Colours of a Startup series looks at how to create an entrepreneurial spirit spurring motivation and innovation.
Red: An Entrepreneurial Spirit built on a resilient mindset, hard work, and passion.
MINDSET: MANAGING UNCERTAINTY...
In a startup, everything needs to be built from scratch, sometimes even the sector it operates in! Having a pragmatic, agile and resilient mindset helps one to evolve in a context of constant uncertainty. To strive in this type of environment, one must embrace uncertainty, enjoy solving problems, and be driven by the desire to always go one step further. Whatever your strategy, the way things unravel will always be different from what you had planned. At BlaBlaCar, we reflect this mindset by simply understanding the fact that nothing is set in stone. Even the seating plan of employees changes constantly, as a result of the ever-evolving structuring of the different teams as we grow.
Principle 9: Embrace uncertainty, as it will always be by your side.
Be pragmatic and agile, and know how to adapt to a context in constant evolution. Accept uncertainty and act on what you can control. You can’t control the weather but you can buy an umbrella.
TAKING THE RISK OF FAILING…
Understanding that failure is really just a part of the learning process is key. At BlaBlaCar, two of our core values reflect that thinking: “Fail. Learn. Succeed.” and “We are passionate, We innovate”. When we were looking for a sound business model, we iterated to find a model which would allow us to create a sustainable economic path whilst creating value for the members of our ridesharing community. BlaBlaCar tested 6 different models including B2B (ridesharing platforms in SAAS for companies or local municipalities); a premium service; advertising; phone bridge; event calendar; and monthly subscription, before settling on today’s transaction fee model. Taking a booking fee on each trip is transparent and fair, and allows us to create value for our activity by making reciprocal engagements between members more reliable. It’s also a model in which remuneration is proportional to the volume of activity, and therefore to the cost of providing that service, making this model scalable.
Principle 10: Dare to fail and learn from your errors in all honesty.
Trial and error is your best friend. In order to successfully innovate, take the risk of failing. The lessons you learn from your mistakes will be powerful in tackling any future challenges. As Thomas Edison, the inventor with a thousand patents, once said, “I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”.
….AND ACCEPTING TO DELEGATE
In the early days of BlaBlaCar, I used to code. I would also do my own photoshop screens and use other design tools. I sold dozens of ridesharing platforms to companies, local municipalities, and festivals. I wrote product design specifications, contracts of all types, ran the accounts, replied to tenders, created and optimised marketing campaigns, recruited, fundraised, wrote business plans, negotiated with banks, wrote press releases, gave conferences and interviews, called hundreds of members to get their feedback on the user experience, and replied to thousands of questions from our first members. With the volume and diversity of our activity, I realised that one is capable of doing almost anything when one is motivated. I therefore decided to focus on transmitting this motivation to all those who joined the adventure at BlaBlaCar. When everyone is motivated, all that is left to do is to decide who does what, and define the missions. Everyone can then take charge of entire aspects of the activity, and complement each other. As a project initiator, an entrepreneur always receives lots of requests but can then delegate them as appropriate.
Principle 11: Share and delegate to grow together
Keeping a problem to yourself is the best way to accumulate stress and generate operational bottlenecks. There is no better way to responsibilize your team than to delegate interesting and strategic projects. If you do so, others will follow your example, and you will create a healthy working environment in which everyone has responsibilities, is driven by realising their projects rather than being opinionated, and ultimately will help each other achieve common goals. Your structure will then be ready to grow.
HARD WORK: RUNNING A MARATHON
When we created BlaBlaCar, no-one believed that people would be able to overcome their apprehensions over travelling with strangers and would share long-distance rides. It took us five years to reach the community size that provided the liquidity for viral growth. Five years during which we tested different business models, product features, and tools. We learnt through iterative processes, not hesitating to test ideas which seemed pertinent, and constantly exchanging with our members. Everyday, we continue to give the best of ourselves to improve the reliability of ridesharing, and democratise its usage.
Principle 12: You’re a marathon runner. If you don’t believe that you will reach your destination, no-one will.
Be passionate, hard working and incredibly persistent. If you want to have real impact, don’t aim for a quick win, but sign up for the long run. It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon high up in the mountains with little oxygen. You can only count on your energy, and how efficiently you’re using it. Half of your success depends on your desire to achieve it. The other half, on hard work.
PASSION: THE ULTIMATE MOTIVATOR
Being truly passionate about your mission will help you when spending countless hours on your project, or staying hopeful when things get rough. It will give you the energy to push back the limits of what is possible. It will inspire others to join you. Loving and believing in your mission is giving a meaning to your efforts and those of others, and receiving an immense satisfaction in return.
You must expect to lead a demanding lifestyle, and embrace facing constant challenges. That’s what the entrepreneurial journey is all about. Beware though, entrepreneurship can create an addiction! After each obstacle crossed, after each new success, however small, you will already be dreaming of the next one… And as Walt Disney put it: “If you can dream it, you can do it!”
