Start-up or stay put? Life in a new business

So true, Adam! Brilliant article, good points, well written.

Some common sense bullet points? This article could happily sit on Linkedin, with all the other self published business bollox.

Do people lack smarts and truly have to learn from articles like this?

I wouldnt really call Radium One a start up – Its been a successful brand and company globally for years. Its just selling what is already “set up” to new clients/market?

A great article from a brilliant operator- nice work Ads

Great read Adam.
I learnt a lot from this!

Sorry buddy, but you’ve obviously not worked for the right ‘traditional media companies’ if you think any of the above 7 points aren’t relevant already to any business. What’s point number 8 – you bring the guitar in and sing ‘free love on the free love freeway’??

@ Am I missing something: Maybe they do. Maybe it helps people shape their attitude to work. Just because you might know all this already, doesn’t mean every other Mumbrella reader does. Good Day!

Valid points but $33.5m in funding means Radium One is hardly bootstrapped or a start up really 5 years since being founded.

https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/radiumone

@amimissing, i thought this was a reasonable & honest account of startup life presenting by somebody experiencing it for the first time. if it’s honest and unoriginal well, ok, the guy is just writing what he knows. dishonesty + unoriginality (or even dishonesty + originality) are much worse.

lord knows i whack the mumbrella guest columnists sometimes but i think this one was ok, good read, cheers adam & good luck.

Nice one! Love the brutal honesty around ego. It’s very very true.

Great article Adam . Am right in the midst of my second start up and everything here rings true . Regardless of parent company investment , starting in a new market with a blank canvass is a different ball game , and with the parent putting funds in , in some ways makes the whole thins even more challenging as the desire for immediate results is huge . I shared this article with my very small team today . Thanks again

Good article, however radiumone is not a start up!! Their global CEO was removed last year for assaulting his girlfriend.

Adam, great read and even better advice. It’s always the anon or the hidden alias that has plenty to say, often without qualification. Good for you mate & thanks for sharing, I can relate to your story.

I think we need to clarify what a start up is!! Starting a new office with company money is not a start up! Sure it’s starting a new office…..however it’s not a start up.

In saying that…I enjoyed the read.

What is this self-validation nonsense?
It’s a grab bag of cliche’s spouted as honesty.
And soundbites as wisdom.
And that ‘fail fast’ expression is as sad is it is old. Why not just say ‘keep going’?

More web litter….

So many bitter people out there…..why all the negativity!?

Over the last four 7 years i’ve launched 4 international digital businesses into Australia. A couple from larger international businesses, and a couple that were true start ups.

Adam, i completely agree with everything you have outlined above. Even though you are part of a larger organisation, you are still very much alone in many ways, building your business to suit the needs of the Aussie market which is different from any other market in the world.

I can only take some of the above comments as jealousy from people working in large media organisations who work a 9-5, collect their pay cheques and are happy (or not) with their lot.

Step outside of your comfort zone people! It makes your professional life a whole lot more rewarding!

@ Straight From The Office….

Please tell us more about this traditional media you speak of and how Adam’s article has offended your old school media ethos? Let me guess…. you still have a bottle of scotch in your bottom drawer and are incensed about not being allowed to smoke at your desk?

Good job Adam, keep it up. RadiumOne are solid operators.

What shame all these anons can’t put their names to their comments. You are no expert if I dont know your name, you’re just an annoying bystander that has no real authority to speak. I got bored after the fourth one. Most likely people frustrated with their own careers that dont have the guts to get out there and take a risk.

I think launching a well established business in a new country is a start-up. Your proof of concept is validated, you’ve got funding, you’re expanding. You are starting a new business in a new market. Pretty sure they don’t go getting flashy offices and throwing truckloads of cash at the wrong things. Sure it’s not at seed stage, but it’s more of a start-up than most of these anons have ever gone near.

Totally agree with James.

If Adam is not worring about how or if he is going to get paid, it is not a startup.

@Dr Mumbo, perhaps you should do another article about what it’s like to startup and run a new business?

So true, Adam. Here are a few more tips based on my own experience:
1. Don’t break the law. It will come back to bite you.
2. Don’t trade insolvent. It’s unlikely you will ever dig yourself out of the hole (see point 1).
3. Don’t lie. Pretending you know how to do something that you don’t does not make you clever. It makes you a reckless fool.
4. If you still need financial backing after 3 years you likely always will. Change your approach at this point or quit while you’re ahead.
5. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you & listen to their advice. Especially if they are an accountant & you are not.
6. Appoint a chairman & CEO who are two different people & will hold each other to account.
7. Have fun!!!

Great read Adam – I think the points you make are highly relevant for anyone taking a risk in their career. I really enjoyed and learned from this.