Startups: 5 commando op rules for extraordinary success

Girish Mathrubootham, founder, Freshdesk spotted a lot of similarities between the functioning of commandos and start-ups. Here's his guide on succeeding in the start-up world.

This post is based on my interactions with a lot of really smart people, who are either working on a start-up or want to be an entrepreneur soon.

After many of these conversations, I feel that for most, the odds of succeeding are really low.

I am by no means a pessimist but I clearly see that many smart people underestimate the efforts of starting up.

The media always portrays successful start-ups as a David vs Goliath story but that story is always enjoyable only in hindsight after the underdog David wins.

In reality successful start-ups have a lot of similarities to a commando operation -- stealth, speed of execution, intelligence and efficiency.

Here is the commando's guide to succeeding in the start-up world...

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While you may be super smart, you also need world class designers, marketers, developers, product managers and sales people.

How are you going to attract and build the commando team?

Either you should have pretty good connections or a really awesome product story that acts as a talent magnet.

Treat everyone as equals.

The team understands and respects each other.

Ego is non-existent or it is sealed and self-contained.

You are in it together watching each other's back. You live or die together.

A commando is not motivated by money but as they are extremely skilled and efficient they are very expensive.

If you can't pay them good salaries, compensate them with generous stock options.

Commandos can survive in extreme conditions (start-up work places) but they still need their guns and knives.

Do not cut corners when it comes to buying the best hardware / software tools to make them effective.

If you are still reading this, then probably you are wondering that you are not ready for a start-up yet.

Don't worry, commando skills can be learned if you are willing to go through the learning curve (There are no shortcuts to the learning curve).

I worked for almost 10 years in a product company before starting Freshdesk.

The phrase "been there, done that" has a lot of value in a start-up -- In my case because I've "been there, done that" -- really smart people wanted to work with me, investors were willing to write big checks and we were able to successfully navigate our way out of the most difficult phase of starting up.

Instead of rushing into starting a start-up, it is not a bad idea to take a slightly longer term approach.

Join a good product company and work for four to five years, pick up valuable skills in understanding what it takes to build, market, sell and support a world class product.

In the process you also build good relationships with other commandos and who knows? -- you may even meet your future co-founders. 

You can't become a successful pilot or a doctor without years of practice.

Why should entrepreneurship be any different?

Go ahead and start your commando training by joining a good product start-up. Good luck for your future.