"Sputnik, the Balkans... but what about me?"

I would like to share with you my latest article published in a French Telecoms magazine: “Sputnik, the Balkans… but what about me?” I hope it may be relevant to you. Beyond a few references to the telecom’s world, I wrote it in a way which applies to all B2B tech startups.

The article gives a few hints on how a start-up can navigate the current geopolitical environment. Of course, the changes in the geopolitical scene are going so fast these days that some of the examples might soon be obsolete, but I believe that any tech founder should sit down and analyze the impact of these enormous changes.

If I take the “From Tech To Growth” framework as a reference, there are three steps of the framework where this reflection is particularly relevant. I highlight those in the article:

1. The startup’s “Market Pinpoint” by definition considers and defines its addressable market. Its market niche must be able to scale. This means that the Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) should be accessible without geopolitical threats.

2. The startup’s internationalization strategy and “Winning Routes” are not only about customers. Its Go-To-Market channels (distributors, accelerators, integrators) should also have access to the target market to allow scaling up.

3. Finally, in your “Launch Pad”, how to manage your supply chain in the upheavals of the world?

The good news is that there are also business opportunities to identify and pursue in the current environment. I mention the agility of the startup against bigger competitors as an example in the article. I’ll come back in the next edition on the way to practicing judo with bigger competitors.

Something to reflect upon: when is the last time that you and your co-founders took a few hours out of the craziness of the startup’s development to analyze how the craziness of the surrounding geopolitics could impact it?

Thank you

Philippe

P.S.1. You may take the “From Tech To Growth” self-assessment scorecard. It is free, it only takes two minutes. It offers some reflective questions on your business growth and provides some tips based on your score.

P.S.2. Whenever you are ready, you can take a short, complementary appointment with me to discuss your business growth issues at hand. Go to the “From Tech To Growth” Recognition Call.

 Philippe Poggianti, CEO, Poggianti Insights

[email protected]

+33-6-6404-3802