[zenXusa] -[Kobayashi Maru ] - 0040
This week in Silicon Valley and Beyond
What to Know Selling into the US Market - Week of October 27th, 2024
Good morning zenXusa 🪷,
"You of all people should know, Cadet Kirk, a captain cannot cheat death. … You're supposed to feel fear, fear in the face of certain death."
While entering the US market we do simple calculation that normally infuriates CEOs, scares Boards, and disencourages the team. And we do it every time.
Of all the 2,000 startups I’ve met in 10+ years doing this one of them, not 1, have the correct formula.
The Kobayashi Maru test in Star Trek is a Starfleet training simulation created to confront cadets with a no-win scenario, forcing them to grapple with impossible choices.
In the simulation, the cadet must decide whether to attempt a rescue of the Kobayashi Maru, a civilian vessel stranded in hostile territory, or to abandon it to avoid facing overwhelming enemy forces.
Either choice leads to inevitable defeat—whether by sacrificing their own ship and crew or leaving innocent lives to perish.
This test is intentionally unwinnable and serves to evaluate a cadet’s character under pressure, revealing how they handle fear, accept loss, and approach leadership when faced with an inescapable outcome.
Chris Pine’s Kirk and Spock have opposing views on the Kobayashi Maru test, reflecting their fundamental differences in philosophy. Kirk sees the test as a flawed exercise that teaches submission to an unwinnable fate, something he cannot accept. By reprogramming the simulation to make it possible to win, Kirk challenges the very premise of "no-win" situations, believing that resilience and ingenuity can always create a path to success, even in the most dire circumstances.
In contrast, Spock views the test as a necessary and valuable lesson in facing inevitable loss with courage and grace. To him, the Kobayashi Maru is not about strategy or technical skill but about confronting fear and learning humility in the face of certain defeat. He believes the test teaches cadets to grapple with mortality, to accept that some situations cannot be solved with pure willpower or cleverness. While Kirk defies the system, Spock embraces its purpose, seeing it as a crucial rite of passage for responsible leadership.
So that formula I was telling you about.
Every startup I’ve met doesn’t have enough days to generate enough leads at a realistic conversation rate with enough budget to generate enough pipeline to hit their goals. NOT ONE STARTUP/SCALE UP in 10+.years.
And this is where the fun begins….
Seeing Star Trek and Captain Kirk’s response to the Kobayashi Maru solidified something in me almost 15 years ago.
I always believe there is a solution of some sort. Now not an absolute solution, there always tradeoffs. However
If I believe there is a solution and I haven’t figured it out yet, that leaves room for critical thinking and creativity. And that, is where the fun begins.
Live long and prosper.
Happy Hunting,
Joshua
Our Sales Recommendation of the Week 🎙️📚
It is not a question of IF you are going to miss your sales forecast at a startup/scaleup it is a question of WHEN and HOW MANY Times?
The question them becomes, how do you miss?
Were you proactive in telling your board or CEO BEFORE the meeting?
Did you show leading indicators that you knew this was coming?
Are you tracking the data points to learn from this miss?
Will you miss again? How many times this year?
This Week in US News by Industry 🔑🌀
Dive into this week's essential industry updates from across the US, as well as their implications for foreign founders looking enter the US Market.
Advanced Manufacturing ⛓️🧲
Active Electronic Advancement - A research team at MIT has achieved a significant breakthrough in creating fully 3D-printed active electronic components, which could eventually lead to on-demand manufacturing of complex electronics. This advancement brings the AM industry closer to scalable, customizable electronics, with the potential to transform a wide variety fields, from consumer devices to aerospace applications. (link)
Why is this important to you?
For startups in electronics or manufacturing, this development points to future possibilities for rapid, cost-effective production of custom electronics. For those in the AM industry, filling this growing niche that has the potential to be applied across a wide variety of industries early on could offer the opportunity to revolutionize the space.
AI 🤖🦾
Chatbot Consequences - The family of a teenager who died by suicide in Florida has filed a lawsuit against Character.AI, claiming the chatbot contributed to forming an unhealthy emotional attachment, which ultimately is being blamed at large for his death. Reported by the New York Times, learn more about the case and how it raises questions about the responsibilities of AI companies in protecting vulnerable users. (link)
Why is this important to you?
For startups in AI, especially those creating or implementing AI chatbots, this case highlights the critical need for safeguards in conversational AI, with an emphasis on responsible design to protect user well-being.
Automotive 🏎️⛽️
Software-Driven Diagnostics - Software development is reshaping the automotive industry through notable advancements such as autonomous driving, but is also through real-time diagnostics, personalized user experiences, and more. Reported by Global Trade, read more about how automakers are evolving from hardware-focused production to tech-driven services, and how these practices create new revenue streams and transform vehicle design. (link)
Why is this important to you?
For startups in automotive tech, this shift opens opportunities to innovate in areas like AI integration, connected vehicle systems, and user-focused applications as software redefines the industry's future trajectory.
Financial Services 💰🪙
Inflation Instability - US Treasury yields experienced a series of sharp fluctuations this week as investors reassess US interest-rate expectations and prepare for upcoming economic data and the presidential election, among other factors. Read more about how the bond market's heightened instability indicates potential for continued turbulence, with some investors predicting yields could rise further amid inflation concerns. (link)
Why is this important to you?
Understanding bond market volatility can inform strategies around risk management and investor guidance during periods of economic uncertainty, not only in industries like finance and investment, but to foreign startups across the board.
Healthcare 🏥🩻
The Power of Color - A recent study suggests that color can significantly influence healthcare culture, especially in areas such as patient comfort, staff morale, and communication efficiency. As reported by MedCity News, I read more about how strategically selecting colors in clinical settings can create environments that promote healing, reduce stress, and enhance overall patient and provider experiences. (link)
Why is this important to you?
Understanding the psychology of color can guide innovations for healthcare startups that improve user experiences, making clinical environments more supportive and conducive to health outcomes in the US healthcare industry.
Technology 📡🛰️
Stretched Earnings Settlement - This week, Lyft was hit with a $2.1 million fine from the FTC for allegedly misleading drivers about potential earnings, citing inflated pay estimates that did not reflect typical income. Read more about the settlement, which mandates Lyft to ensure its future pay claims are accurate, requiring evidence-backed disclosures to prospective drivers.(link)
Why is this important to you?
For startups in the ‘gig economy’, this case highlights the importance of transparency in recruitment advertising, as well as the regulatory expectations for truthful earnings claims in a competitive hiring landscape like that of the US market.
US Cultural Events 🏈
Stay in the loop about relevant US cultural events that are shaping consumer attitudes and societal climate.
World Series Lineup - The 2024 World Series kicked off this weekend, which is set to be a close faceoff between the Yankees and Dodgers. In ESPN’s MLB World Series history overview, learn more about past championship winners, notable teams, and significant records that have shaped the sport, and more. (link)
Endorsement Denial - This week, the Washington Post announced it will not endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential race, a move it framed as respecting readers' judgment. This decision, mirroring similar actions from other major newspapers but going against their historical practices, has sparked internal debate and public backlash, with former leaders suggesting it undermines the paper’s democratic role. (link)
Iconic Rock Hall Inductions - Last week, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted iconic artists such as Cher, Foreigner, Mary J. Blige, and Ozzy Osbourne, honoring each artist's enduring influence on music across genres. NPR reports on the event. (link)