Entrepreneurial Lessons from Instagram CEO

There was a huge outcry within the business community after the recent announcement by Facebook that it was acquiring Instagram for $1 billion.

There are hundreds of startup businesses in the Silicon Valley that dream of being acquired for hundreds of thousands of dollars, yet are still far away from achieving this dream. So, how does a business enterprise with 13 people on its payroll and virtually no revenue be worth that much?

Regardless of whether Instagram is worth $1 million or $1 billion, there are a few lessons which budding entrepreneurs can learn. As an aspiring entrepreneur, there are a couple of things which you need to acquaint yourself with before you can position your startup business for acquisition by market leading corporations like Microsoft, Google, Apple and Facebook.

According to Instagram CEO, Kevin Systrom, founders of startup businesses need to jealously protect their ideas. If you cannot patent your idea, then other people will be inspired by it and eventually run away with it.

Listed herein, are entrepreneurial lessons from Instaram CEO, Kevin Systrom which technology companies need to learn before they start searching for acquisition:

1. 1.      Start Small but Think Globally

From the beginning, Kevin Systrom was not timid about thinking globally in spite of starting small. While being interviewed by Time Magazine in December 2011, Kevin Systrom, who is now believed to be worth more than $400 million, stated that his desire was to create a “social tool for social life”. By doing so, he believed that people could change the way in which they communicate with one another in addition to sharing things in the real world.

If you are not confident in your own abilities and talents, then there is no way through which you can manage a company which will one day be taken over by a leading corporate organization. Perhaps the only thing that Kevin Systrom was quite timid about was expanding his business operations.

In contrast to most aggressive startup businesses, Kevin Systrom ensured that his company was not only lean, but efficient. At the current market rate, it means that each employee at Instagram is worth roughly $77 million. Instead of hiring up to 45 people as engineers, marketers, web designers and marketers, Kevin opted to keep 13 people on his payroll.

Did the number of employees play a major role in the valuation of the company? Would Facebook have paid more had the company hired 45 people or more? The likelihoods that Instagram would have been acquired for more than $1 billion if it had hired more employees are less. The secret to success is focusing more on your core message rather than the workforce that you have.

1. 2.      Focus Less on Your Revenues and More on Your Users

This can be pretty difficult to imagine, especially if you do not have enough funds to manage your operations. Regardless of whether or not you have enough funds to manage your business operations, your goals and objective remain the same.

In spite of which type of business you are operating, you need to focus more on the number of users or followers that you have. Customer loyalty is of critical importance when building a business empire. You may have the best mobile sharing app in the world, but if you lack customer loyalty, you will not be able to achieve the kind of revenue you were initially hoping for.

Instagram had the opportunity to make millions of dollars by charging its subscribers for the download and use of its iPhone app. However, it chose not to do so. By focusing more on its customer base and less on its revenue collection, the company made the decision to give away its mobile app for free.

According to Kevin Systrom, the amount of revenue that the company lost cannot be compared to the incremental value it gained as a result of adding new subscribers with every download of its iPhone App. Without its 30 million subscribers base, Instagram would not have grabbed the attention of Facebook and as such would have missed on the $1 billion assessment.

Note that, corporate organizations are constantly looking for ways to expand their markets. But they cannot do so if there is competition. Therefore, rather than compete with the 30 million subscriber base that Instagram had, Facebook opted to buy it out.

1. 3.      Establish and Emotional Link with Your Customers

One of the reasons why Instagram managed to build a huge subscriber base in a short period of time is because it has an emotional connection with its customers. Facebook could afford to pay up to $1 billion for such a small startup business it lacked the emotional connection which Instagram has.

The only way through which you can gain an edge over your competitors is by building an emotional link with your customers. For example, millions of people visit Disneyland every year because they feel an emotional connection with the place. On the other hand, McDonald has not managed to lose its customer base in spite of increased competition because of the emotional connection it has with its customers.

1. 4.      Protect Your Invention

Corporate organizations like Facebook, Microsoft and Apple are only interested in startup businesses that have a unique product which has been tested and proven. However, you need to protect your invention. This is because an acquiring company will not want to invest in a business idea which can easily be copied.

Whereas not everyone has the ability and talent to grow a business from scratch to a point where it is valued for more than $1 billion as is the case with Instagram, there are a few things which you can learn from Kevin Systrom:

–          Do not be afraid of being ambitious.

–          Recognize the value of the product you are building.

–          Keep a lean and productive workforce.

–          Find a means of connecting with your consumers.

Kevin Systrom managed to accomplish all of these things. This is why in spite of what you may think in regards to the valuation of his company, he was able to achieve something that a majority of startup companies only dream of.

What Is a Prolapse?

Definition

In a layman’s term, prolapse is a health disorder characterized by displacement of either an organ or tissue. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), prolapse manifests in different forms. Uterine, rectal and mitral valve are some of the common forms of prolapse.

While there are different types of treatment available that can be used to manage this medical condition, more than often surgery is needed in order to rectify the slipped organ or tissue. Discussed herein, are the different types of prolapse.

Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral Valve Prolapse, also commonly referred to as MVP is triggered when the valve separating the left atrium (i.e. left upper chamber) and left ventricle (i.e. left lower chamber) isn’t closing properly.

Mitral Valve Prolapse causes the valve to bulge either upwards or backwards inside the left chamber of the heart. The condition can at times cause the blood to seep backwards inside the left chamber of the heart.

According to several medical studies published online, mitral valve prolapse is not fatal. As a matter of fact, a majority of people diagnosed with the condition do not need medication or radical changes to their lifestyles. Still, there are people who need treatment in order to manage the symptoms triggered by the condition.

Mitral Valve Prolapse Symptoms

Even though mitral valve prolapse is categorized as a lifelong condition, a majority of people suffering from this disorder do not display symptoms. Upon being diagnosed with MVP, majorities of people are astonished to realize that they are suffering from a heart disorder.

The appearance of mitral valve prolapse symptoms is an indication of blood seeping backwards into the left chamber. The signs and symptoms of this condition may differ from one patient to the other. At the beginning, the symptoms are mild. But with time, you may notice the indicators getting worse. Listed below, are some of the common signs and symptoms associated with mitral valve symptoms:

–          Unexplained fatigue.

–          Pain in the chest. More than often, people experiencing this sign think that they are getting a heart attack.

–          Irregular heartbeat. At times, you may feel as if your heart is racing.

–          Lightheadedness. Due to dizziness, there are people who experience blackouts.

–          Difficulty in breathing. Normally, shortness of breath occurs when you are lying down or doing a strenuous physical activity.

When Is the Right Time to Consult a Heart Specialist?

Should you experience any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above, it is important that you consult a heart specialist. There are several other medical conditions that may trigger symptoms similar to mitral valve prolapse. Only a doctor will be able to determine whether the symptoms you are experiencing are related to heart valve prolapse.

If you are feeling pains in the chest and are not certain if it is a progressing cardiac arrest, you need to immediately seek medical assistance. On the other hand, if your doctor has already determined that you are suffering from mitral valve prolapse and the symptoms seem to be worsening, make an appointment with a doctor immediately.

Uterine Prolapse

Uterine Prolapse is characterized by stretching and weakening of the pelvic base muscles as well as ligaments. This in turn causes the uterus to lack the proper support it requires, thereby causing it to slip down inside the vagina. Supportive tissues can be damaged either during the delivery process or pregnancy. Loss of estrogen, recurrent straining and gravity are also some of the other factors that can cause stretching and weakening of the pelvic floor muscles.

Whereas Uterine Prolapse can affect women of all ages, women who are in postmenopausal stage are more prone to the condition especially if they have had multiple vaginal deliveries.

Most women who suffer from slight uterine prolapse do not require treatment. But, if the condition causes to experience pains and discomforts, thereby preventing you from going about your normal chores, it is important that you seek medical assistance.

Uterine Prolapse Symptoms

The severity of uterine prolapse may differ from one person to the other. Most women suffering from slight uterine prolapse hardly display signs and symptoms. Listed below, are some of the common signs and symptoms that people suffering from either slight or acute uterine prolapse may display:

–          Lower back aches.

–          Feeling of heavy weight in the pelvic area.

–          Issues with normal bowel movements.

–          Problems with urinary, for example, leakage of urine.

Unless the condition is severe, treatment is not necessary. Nonetheless, if the signs and symptoms deteriorate, thus affecting your daily chores, seek medical assistance.