Reflecting on Eight Successful Years of UFR
By Universal Field Robots Founder and Managing Director, Jeff Sterling
Reflecting on my eight years in the startup world, I’ve distilled eight essential tips to help navigate this challenging journey. While they may not be in any particular order or exhaustive, they’ve been forged through hard work and road-tested experience.
1. Hustle
Immerse yourself in the ecosystem. Attend meetings and events, meet people, and then nurture those connections – LinkedIn is amazing here. Seek out like-minded individuals to exchange ideas and collaborate.
2. Perseverance
Expect setbacks and rejection as part of the process. Counterbalance this by always keeping multiple opportunities in motion. Learn from your losses, and if something isn’t working, pivot and try something new.
3. Bias for Action
When faced with uncertainty, trust your instincts and make a decision. If it turns out to be the wrong one, course-correct swiftly. Don’t be afraid to iterate and explore new paths.
4. Commit to Lifelong Learning
Develop a passion for learning and seek out models and insights that shed light on how the world operates. Join the Geoffrey Moore fan club and take recommendations from knowledgeable peers on books to read and ideas to apply.
5. Embrace Enjoyment
Each day is unique; make the most of it. Embrace the excitement that comes with the journey. If enthusiasm wanes, push your boundaries and discover what’s achievable. Share your excitement to ignite a broader movement.
6. Celebrate People
Cultivate a knack for recognising exceptional individuals and build a network around them. Assess their strengths and weaknesses, entrust them with responsibilities, and foster their growth where needed. This creates a win-win environment.
7. Pay It Forward
Strengthen your professional network by helping others within your ecosystem. Share opportunities, connect startups with suppliers, and assist people in finding job placements. Offering advice and mentorship pays dividends in the long run.
8. Stay Humble
While self-belief is crucial, remember your humble beginnings when it was just you and your idea. Maintain a sense of humility as you navigate the challenges and successes on your entrepreneurial journey.
As we continue to shape our entrepreneurial paths, let’s keep these principles in mind to inspire growth, innovation, and collaboration within our community.
Together, we can achieve remarkable things!
