The Fail-Safe Startup

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

The Survival Guide for Entrepreneurial Success from Harvard Professor, Tom Eisenmann

90% of all startups fail. But why?

For the past decade, this is a question that Tom Eisenmann has tried to answer. Focusing his research and his MBA class at Harvard University on the mistakes and missteps of entrepreneurs, for the first time, he reveals his findings, and - most importantly - how you can avoid them.

Eisenmann's fascinating, often counter-intuitive, advice debunks common Silicon Valley mythology including:

The False Promise: How early success, often based on extenuating factors, gives founders the misplaced confidence to expand.
The False Start: That the 'fail fast' mentality of many founders can mean launching before they're ready - wasting time and money.
The Audacity of Goals: Silicon Valley scoffs at moderatea mbitions but the more audacious your goals, the more can go wrong.

Drawing on case studies from startups around the world, in all shapes and sizes, The Fail-Safe Startup will show you how to analyse others' failure to ensure your success.

© Tom Eisenmann 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Critics Review

  • Eisenmann’s book about failure, an inherent part of startup life, is actually a book about how to succeed. The stories and voices of entrepreneurs at all stages and of all stripes bring his frameworks and playbooks to life. Whether you’re a first-time founder or looking to bring innovation into a corporate environment, Why Startups Fail is essential reading. As Tom says, creating something from nothing is a daring act. His wisdom and encouragement will give any reader the confidence to take the leap.

    Eric Ries, CEO of LTSE and bestselling author of The Lean Startup
  • Launching and scaling a startup is like a game of chess: it requires laser focus, relentless prioritization and contingency strategies galore. I always wished there was a guidebook to help entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls–on our way to wherever we’re headed. Eisenmann has truly helped illuminate a path to success by shining a spotlight on common startup failure patterns. His insights are invaluable, whether you’re just getting started, or you’re eyeing your endgame.

    Jenn Hyman, co-founder/CEO of Rent the Runway
  • It’s no secret that having a great idea isn’t enough to guarantee your success as an entrepreneur. I see it all the time on Shark Tank: even the brightest, most driven founders with the most innovative ideas sometimes find themselves going down the wrong path and facing the decision of whether or not to close their business. The Fail-Safe Startup is the perfect roadmap that each entrepreneur needs to have in their back pocket to help them avoid those heartbreaking choices and continue to grow their business.

    Daymond John, star of ABC's Shark Tank and bestselling author of The Power of Broke
  • Once you start reading this book, you won’t be able to put it down. Eisenman has masterfully explained why startups fail in a clear, thoughtful way. This is a must read for any entrepreneur, investor, or startup team member. By avoiding the biggest reasons companies fail, we will see more entrepreneurial success – which is something society needs more than ever.

    Michelle Zatlyn, co-founder/CEO of Cloudfare

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