Unicorn Tears

Unicorn Tears

by Jamie Pride
Released January 2018
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9780730348696

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Book description

The real-world secrets to startup success

Unicorn Tears is the smart entrepreneur’s guide to startups. A full 92% of startups fail in the first three years — but failure is not inevitable. Most of these companies self-sabotage, unconsciously eliminating any chance at success before they even get started. It’s not the economy, it’s not politics, it’s not external factors; failure comes from within. This book shows you how to be one of the unicorns — one of the 8% who make it. Be prepared to un-learn everything you thought you knew about startups, as author Jamie Pride busts the harmful myths that lead so many companies to failure. Drawing upon his history as a venture capitalist, he reveals what investors want to see and hear, and what final factor puts your venture firmly into the “yes” column.

Pride understands what matters in startups, and what gets in the way; his Hollywood Method for start-up success gives you a proven formula based on the tried-and-true framework Hollywood uses to make movies that succeed around the globe. Case studies illustrate what success looks like on the ground, and brings a global perspective to successful entrepreneurship and the strategies that help your business grow.

  • Learn the truth behind the eight myths of startups
  • Adopt a proven formula for success based on Hollywood blockbusters
  • Craft a winning pitch to bring investors — and capital — over to your side
  • Gain real-world perspective on startups and future trends

Everyone wants their business to succeed, but wanting means nothing without a solid plan and the means to implement it. Unicorn Tears helps you set yourself up for success, and gives you the tools to forge your path to the top.

Table of contents

  1. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
  2. INTRODUCTION THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY!
  3. CHAPTER 1 COUNTING THE COST
    1. THE CULT OF FAILURE
    2. SELF-HARM: GOOD FAILURE VS BAD FAILURE
    3. PLACE YOUR BETS: THE VENTURE CAPITALIST APPROACH TO FAILURE
    4. THE SLOT-MACHINE EFFECT
    5. UNICORN TEARS: THE REAL IMPACT OF FAILURE
    6. LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
    7. ARE YOU STARING FAILURE IN THE FACE?
    8. RECAP
    9. WHAT’S NEXT?
  4. CHAPTER 2 F IS FOR FAILURE
    1. THE 3 FS OF FAILURE
    2. THE 10 MAIN REASONS WHY STARTUPS FAIL
    3. FOUNDER-DRIVEN FAILURES
    4. FUNDING-DRIVEN FAILURES
    5. FLAWED BUSINESS MODELS
    6. LEARN FROM HISTORY
    7. DON’T BELIEVE THE MYTHS
    8. DON’T BE A WANTREPRENEUR
    9. RECAP
    10. WHAT’S NEXT
  5. CHAPTER 3 THE FOUNDER MYTH
    1. FOUNDER DNA
    2. YOUR OWN WORST ENEMY
    3. WHAT MAKES A BAD FOUNDER?
    4. WHAT MAKES A GREAT FOUNDER?
    5. ARE TWO HEADS BETTER THAN ONE?
    6. THE HUSTLER, THE HIPSTER AND THE HACKER
    7. THINK OF THE END BEFORE YOU BEGIN
    8. CHOOSE YOUR BOARD WISELY
    9. AVOID THE SNAKE OIL
    10. RECAP
    11. WHAT’S NEXT
  6. CHAPTER 4 IDEAS ARE CHEAP!
    1. IDEAS VS VALUE PROPOSITIONS VS BUSINESS MODELS
    2. THE FOUR ESSENTIALS OF AN INVESTABLE IDEA
    3. PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE: CATAGRAM — INSTAGRAM FOR CATS
    4. RECAP
    5. WHAT’S NEXT?
  7. CHAPTER 5 CASH IS KING
    1. REALITY CHECK: FINANCIALS MATTER
    2. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
    3. BUILDING A FINANCIAL MODEL
    4. STARTUP CASH: ARE YOU DEFAULT DEAD OR DEFAULT ALIVE?
    5. HOW MUCH CASH DO YOU HAVE AND HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED?
    6. HOW FAST ARE YOU BURNING CASH AND WHEN WILL YOU RUN OUT?
    7. OVERFUNDING: GIVING THE STARVING MAN A FEAST
    8. MANAGING FOUNDER/INVESTOR HARMONY
    9. RECAP
    10. WHAT’S NEXT
  8. CHAPTER 6 FOUNDER FITNESS
    1. THE STAKES ARE HIGH
    2. FOUNDER FATIGUE: THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
    3. EXTERNAL PRESSURE
    4. BE PREPARED
    5. CAPACITY + CAPABILITY = FOUNDER FITNESS
    6. LET’S GET PHYSICAL
    7. EMPATHY IS THE NEW BLACK: MENTAL FITNESS
    8. FEAR IS THE MIND KILLER: EMOTIONAL FITNESS
    9. A FITNESS TEST
    10. RECAP
    11. WHAT’S NEXT
  9. CHAPTER 7 HOLLYWOOD GOT IT RIGHT
    1. IT AIN’T SHOW FRIENDS, IT’S SHOW BUSINESS
    2. DEVELOPMENT
    3. PRE-PRODUCTION
    4. PRODUCTION
    5. POST-PRODUCTION
    6. SHOW ME THE MONEY!
    7. BE TOM CRUISE, NOT CLINT EASTWOOD
    8. ROLL THE CREDITS
    9. HOLLYWOOD VS SILICON VALLEY
    10. DESIGN THINKING VS THE HOLLYWOOD METHOD
    11. IT’S ABOUT MARKET FIT, NOT PRODUCT
    12. RECAP
    13. WHAT’S NEXT
  10. CHAPTER 8 THE HOLLYWOOD METHOD
    1. THERE IS NO FOUNDER MANUAL
    2. EMPATHY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TECHNOLOGY (FOR NOW)
    3. THE HOLLYWOOD METHODTM
    4. 1. DEVELOPMENT
    5. 2. PRE-PRODUCTION
    6. 3. PRODUCTION
    7. 4. POST-PRODUCTION
  11. CHAPTER 9 FUNDING FITNESS
    1. WHAT IS INVESTOR-CENTRED DESIGN?
    2. BUILDING INVESTOR EMPATHY
    3. REFINE AND ITERATE
    4. PERSONA: WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN INVESTOR
    5. PROOF: WHAT INVESTORS LOOK FOR
    6. PREPARATION: START BEFORE YOU START
    7. PITCH: YOUR INVESTOR VALUE PROPOSITION
    8. PROCESS: OWN IT!
    9. DOING THE DEAL
    10. RECAP
  12. FINAL THOUGHTS
  13. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
  14. INDEX
  15. EULA

Product information

  • Title: Unicorn Tears
  • Author(s): Jamie Pride
  • Release date: January 2018
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9780730348696