
How To Be Wrong
Rowan Simpson
Sometimes the only way to be right is to get comfortable with being wrong.
Most startup advice is dangerously misguided. The mythology of the lone genius founder, the obsession with capital raising and the theatre of startup ecosystems lead countless...
Location:
United States
Description:
Sometimes the only way to be right is to get comfortable with being wrong. Most startup advice is dangerously misguided. The mythology of the lone genius founder, the obsession with capital raising and the theatre of startup ecosystems lead countless ventures astray. Drawing on two decades at the heart of New Zealand's most successful technology companies – Trade Me, Xero, Vend and Timely – Rowan Simpson unravels the messy reality behind familiar glossy success stories. With raw honesty and sharp analysis, he challenges conventional wisdom by sharing compelling firsthand lessons about focused execution, team building and genuine ecosystem growth. This myth-busting guide is essential listening for founders, investors and policymakers alike. Simpson demonstrates that embracing uncertainty, recognising patterns and learning quickly from mistakes are not just steps on the path to success – they are the path itself. --- "Every upcoming entrepreneur needs to listen to this immediately." – Derek Sivers, author and founder of CD Baby "There’s wisdom in these stories that could only come from someone who has seen startups from every angle – founder, employee, investor and advisor." – Ana Wight, former CEO of Vend "A remarkably honest and enjoyable tale of how to take risks – and why it’s worth the effort." – Sir Bill English, former Prime Minister of New Zealand "Rowan is one of the smartest thinkers I have met on the unique potential Kiwi founders have to create globally significant businesses." – Tim Brown, co-founder of Allbirds "Exactly the sort of typical boring business-y drivel we’ve come to expect from you over the years, Dad." – Alice Simpson Duration - 10h 57m. Author - Rowan Simpson. Narrator - Rowan Simpson. Published Date - Sunday, 26 January 2025. Copyright - © 2025 Electric Fence Limited ©.
Language:
English
Title
Duration:00:00:09
Introduction - Chapter 1: The plunge
Duration:00:16:48
Chapter 2: Polished rocks
Duration:00:09:58
Part 1 - Chapter 3: Once upon a time
Duration:00:18:02
Chapter 4: Survival of the fittest
Duration:00:11:43
Chapter 5: The seat of our pants
Duration:00:11:59
Chapter 6: The pit of success
Duration:00:11:58
Chapter 7: Hello, world?
Duration:00:15:59
Chapter 8: On a wet Wednesday in Slough
Duration:00:08:23
Chapter 9: The company we keep
Duration:00:12:48
Chapter 10: Flailing
Duration:00:20:16
Chapter 11: Measure everything
Duration:00:17:39
Chapter 12: The server runs the business
Duration:00:11:30
Chapter 13: Going once, going twice ... sold
Duration:00:16:08
Chapter 14: Baa Camp
Duration:00:13:59
Chapter 15: Perception vs Reality
Duration:00:12:58
Chapter 16: Honestly?
Duration:00:09:35
Chapter 17: Aluminium Man
Duration:00:07:11
Chapter 18: Overnight success
Duration:00:06:09
Chapter 19: Getting lucky
Duration:00:09:12
Chapter 20: The triple threat
Duration:00:06:47
Part 2 - Chapter 21: Nothing
Duration:00:13:42
Chapter 22: Leap of faith
Duration:00:12:16
Chapter 23: How to scale
Duration:00:12:55
Chapter 24: Decaffinated
Duration:00:16:25
Chapter 25: Show me the money
Duration:00:14:00
Chapter 26: Being founder-centric
Duration:00:07:39
Chapter 27: How to pitch
Duration:00:08:00
Chapter 28: Rocket fuel
Duration:00:12:20
Chapter 29: Singapore Ya La
Duration:00:09:07
Chapter 30: How we win
Duration:00:14:13
Chapter 31: Break points
Duration:00:11:42
Chapter 32: A blessing and a curse
Duration:00:12:19
Chapter 33: Inconvenient values
Duration:00:10:28
Chapter 34: Feedback loops
Duration:00:18:12
Chapter 35: The roller coaster
Duration:00:13:59
Chapter 36: Long enough
Duration:00:14:07
Part 3 - Chapter 37: Callaghan, revisited
Duration:00:21:07
Chapter 38: The dust cloud
Duration:00:19:09
Chapter 39: Growing an ecosystem
Duration:00:11:49
Chapter 40: Intensive care
Duration:00:09:09
Chapter 41: Make it rain
Duration:00:14:37
Chapter 42: The engine and the tender
Duration:00:24:40
Chapter 43: Startup theatre
Duration:00:15:45
Chapter 44: Diworsification
Duration:00:11:44
Chapter 45: Flounders' Club
Duration:00:10:03
Chapter 46: Small island
Duration:00:11:13
Chapter 47: The best time to plant a tree
Duration:00:05:07
Chapter 48: Fast forward
Duration:00:06:21
Chapter 49: Descending Everest
Duration:00:16:32
Chapter 50: Hugh, from Timaru
Duration:00:10:25
Chapter 51: The silver bullet
Duration:00:08:26
Epilogue - Chapter 52: All that glitters
Duration:00:08:09
Chapter 53: Ka mua, ka muri
Duration:00:02:08
Credits
Duration:00:00:16