A simple entrepreneurial problem posed as an exercise on achieving goals. This presentation contains an easy example of two cases to illustrate the simple route as well as the complicated route to success.

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Can you solve
25 * 4 = ?

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So, you think I’m kidding?
Let me ask you again:
What is the result of 25 * 4 ?

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The Answer is obvious…
25 * 4 = 100

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Now, how about solving
this one?
(12.5*2) * (8/2) = ?

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The Answer is …
(12.5*2) * (8/2) = 100

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There is A set of Entrepreneurs
who try to solve
25 * 4 = 100

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There is B set of Entrepreneurs
who try and solve
(12.50*2) * (8/2) = 100

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Confused? Let me explain!
100
100 IS THE
DESIRED
OUTCOME

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The PATH to the desired outcome
can be
25 * 4 = 100
(12.50*2) * (8/2) = 100
Path 1 to
outcome
Path 2 to Outcome

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Let’s take an example
• Say that Entrepreneurs Alok and Arun
independently start up, to set up an
Electric Car Rental business
• Both determine that the minimum
viability of their biz would be 100
Electric Car Rental orders per day

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The difference between them?
• Alok wants to achieve a 100 rentals a day
as his only goal.
• Arun wants to achieve 100 rentals a day
AND MAXIMISE his revenues as his goal.

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The Approach Alok follows:
25 * 4 = 100
No. of
rental
orders
per day
No. of
exclusive
Corporates
signed up
TOTAL
Rentals
per day

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Alok’s Rentals
• Are typically quick turnaround
and city-centric that yield
average revenues per trip.

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The Approach Arun follows:
(12.50*2) * (8/2) = 100
1 way
drop to
airport
(so half
trips)
2
Airports
in the
city
8
Corporates
signed up
2 vendors
of the
Corporates
Total
trips

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Arun’s Rentals
• Are focused on Airport Drops that
are complex to manage but are high
revenue yielding.

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In his startup, Alok has to deal with 2
variables:
25 * 4 = 100
1.Managing
the orders
per day
2. Servicing the
exclusive
Corporates
signed up

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Arun has to deal with 4 variables:
(12.50*2) * (8/2) = 100
1. Timely
Drop /
Pickups
from
Airport
2. Managing
Airport rules
and
regulations
3.
Managing
Corporate
clients
4. Managing
competition
serving the
Corporates

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Variable Mitigation
Alok
1. Make sure that the cars
for the city trips are
comfortable and in
order
1. Make sure that the 4
Corporate Clients are
fully satisfied – meet
each of them everyday
in rotation.
Arun
1. Make sure that the airport
drops are on time; each time
2. Keep track of the 2 Airport
rules and regulations
3. Manage the 8 Corporate
relationships
4. Make sure that the
competition serving the
Corporates are not getting
ahead.

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Takeaway?
• Sometimes, entrepreneurs land up
choosing highly complex and difficult
to manage paths to achieve their
FIRST GOAL.

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Approach?
SET THE GOAL first, THEN the path to the
goal
The GOAL IS 100 Trips
• Path ?
25*4 or (12.5*2) * (8/2)

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My humble advice
Startups and Entrepreneurs
should focus on achieving their
goals with the MINIMUM
number of variables they have
to deal with.

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Real Life Case Examples
EARLY DAYS OF Variable 1 Variable 2 Variable 3
Google Get best search
algorithm out
Get best UX/UI X
Twitter Get easy UX/UI Get Star Users X
Instagram Get the best picture
sharing service out
X X
Whatsapp Get the best personal
messaging service out
X X
Amazon Make people shop
online
Make consumer
experience GOD
X
Microsoft Make good consumer
products (NOT the
BEST)
Maximise revenues Stop
Competition
MySpace Make social discovery
for music lovers
Make MONEY

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Homework
• If you are starting up, can you
write your GOAL with the least
number of variables?

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Liked this presentation?
Go through some more!
• Basic Funding Concepts for Entrepreneurs
• How to Price what you Sell
• How to write effective e-mail proposals
• How to make an engaging PPT
• PR for Startups – a reference guide!

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Connect with me!
e-mail - alok@rodinhood.com
Facebook - facebook.com/rodinhood
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