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chrisbolman Growth Strategy, Leadership

Strategy: How to Develop, Structure and Shape a Winning System

Hi, welcome, and yes, I realize the title of this is a bit heavy-handed. While it would be inaccurate and egotistical of me to claim this is any sort of authoritative piece on strategy (if such a thing can even be written), my goal here is to pull together a comprehensive, actionable view of strategy, … Continue reading Strategy: How to Develop, Structure and Shape a Winning System

chrisbolman Growth Strategy, Startups, Trends

The Simple $100 Million Dollar Product Strategy

Product strategy is usually hard. Product-market fit is elusive, organizations are complicated, competitors move fast, and culture and technology evolve constantly, forcing strategists to continuously test and refine their work to stay ahead and eke out advantages.   But every once and a while though, a startup comes along that nails product strategy with beautiful, pristine simplicity. … Continue reading The Simple $100 Million Dollar Product Strategy

chrisbolman Growth Strategy, Startups

How to Build a Growth Team: Lessons From the Front Lines

I joined a growth roundtable at First Round Capital last week, which included trategyome really sharp thinkers like Gina Gotthilf from Duolingo and Ashley Berman from Birchbox. It ended up being an enjoyable and illuminating conversation about growth strategy, acquisition and retention tactics, and org design. While it was a closed session -- so I can't share … Continue reading How to Build a Growth Team: Lessons From the Front Lines

chrisbolman Personal Improvement

A Simple Model to Help You Learn Anything Faster

One way to think about life I've always found helpful is to view it as a journey through places, relationships and time in search of meaning and purpose. And, as you'd expect, the meaning you find along with way comes from doing things that feel meaningful -- building important relationships, creating important memories, and accomplishing … Continue reading A Simple Model to Help You Learn Anything Faster

chrisbolman Marketing Strategy, Startups, Trends

Is the ‘Startup Disrupting Big Brands’ Narrative Actually Bullsh*t?

I hear it all the time, from coffee shops and co-working spaces to the office hallways of the world's largest companies. The excitement, anxiety, even mythology of startup brand and business model "disruption." Because it's happening all around us and it's inevitable, right? Pick an industry, any industry, and surely it's about to be unbundled … Continue reading Is the ‘Startup Disrupting Big Brands’ Narrative Actually Bullsh*t?

chrisbolman Marketing Strategy, Social Media Strategy

Influencer Marketing Strategy in the Era of Instagram, the FTC and Trump

There's a window of opportunity that exists today in influencer marketing that won't last long. Instagram organic reach will continue to fall. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will increasingly crack down on influencers who don't properly disclose brand affiliations and sponsorships. Influencers are increasingly acting as cause marketers, activists, and political protestors. And the tactic … Continue reading Influencer Marketing Strategy in the Era of Instagram, the FTC and Trump

chrisbolman Growth Strategy, Marketing Strategy, Social Media Strategy

How to Make a Facebook Messenger Bot with Zero Code: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

As a so-so programmer, I recently looked up how to create a Facebook messenger bot that could automatically share new posts from my blog (as an alternative to someone subscribing via email or RSS). Normally, if I can find a suitable Github library or clear enough tutorial, and the app isn't too complicated, I can … Continue reading How to Make a Facebook Messenger Bot with Zero Code: A Step-by-Step Tutorial