logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
37m 47s

First Principles Thinking - Don’t Doom Y...

Yaniv Bernstein, Chris Saad
About this episode

Disrupt or Digitize? The Art of Breaking the Status Quo


Why do some startups revolutionize entire industries while others just digitize legacy processes? Disruption isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a mindset and one that too many founders shy away from. Are you pre-compromising your vision before you even start?


In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down the essence of first-principles thinking and how startups can challenge legacy constraints to create truly disruptive solutions. Drawing on examples from Uber, Netflix, and DocuSign, they discuss how to identify and creatively navigate constraints without sacrificing vision.


In this episode, you will:

  • Understand the difference between incrementalism and true disruption.
  • Learn how to apply first-principles thinking to reimagine industries from scratch.
  • Explore real-world examples of companies like Uber and Netflix that rewrote the rules.
  • Identify which constraints are real, imagined, or worth challenging.
  • Master the art of balancing bold vision with practical constraints.
  • Uncover strategies to creatively layer in constraints while staying true to your goals.
  • Apply an iterative approach to move incrementally toward your ideal outcome without compromising vision.


The Pact

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:


Key links


Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 1:1 with Chris: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://chrissaad.com/advisory/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Chris on Linkedin: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Credits

Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Justin McArthur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/

Intro Voice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeremiah Owyang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Up next
Nov 13
Insiders React: Reviewing Our Tech Predictions From January 2025
Were we wildly wrong, or surprisingly on the money? As 2025 wraps, Chris and Yaniv revisit the bold predictions they made at the start of the year. They reflect on their calls about AI, robotics, VC markets, crypto, and geopolitics. While some were accurate, some were also hilari ... Show More
40m 22s
Nov 6
Insiders React: Is OpenAI Evil? Reacting to Sam Altman's Latest Announcements w/ Jacob Ward
OpenAI may appear to be building the future, but are they leading the tech industry towards collapse?In this episode, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Jacob Ward (journalist, author of The Loop and NBC Technology Correspondent) to break down OpenAI’s latest livestream and what it si ... Show More
1h 9m
Nov 3
Replay: Engaging Young Employees - How to Attract the Best & Brightest Minds w/ Dan Brockwell from Earlywork
What do you need to do to keep employees engaged and committed? What should your position be on remote work? Side hustles? Ping pong tables? Should you offer all employees equity?Bringing Gen Z employees to your workplace is well worth it, but it means a mental pivot from the hir ... Show More
44m 34s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
The Brutal TRUTH About Why You’re Not Winning on Social Media | Tea with GaryVee Ep. 65
<p>🎙️<strong>How to Market Yourself in 2025 (No More Excuses)</strong></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>🚀 The world is wide open—so why do so many entrepreneurs still limit themselves?</strong> Whether you’re a real estate agent, a content creator, or building a product-based brand, ... Show More
23m 35s
Mar 2024
When Scaling Your Start-Up, Don’t Lose What Makes It Special
So, you’ve successfully scaled your start-up and you’re growing into a mature company. What, if anything, should you retain from those early days? Harvard Business School professor Ranjay Gulati says the most successful organizations have one thing in common: a soul. “Soul” goes ... Show More
26m 57s
Mar 2025
Strategies I’m Using for My Startup That Work for ANY Size and Phase of Business
Are you looking for that one miracle step that will multiply your company? Then you need to hear this. Today, I’m sharing winning strategies that keep the needle moving forward, for ANY size and phase of business! I break down the reason why there’s no singular “winning direction ... Show More
9m 55s
Feb 2025
Episode 730: 7 Traits of Highly Successful Online Entrepreneurs: Insights from Our Next Level Coaches
<p dir="ltr">Ever wonder what separates those online entrepreneurs who just seem to skyrocket to success from those who struggle to get off the ground? What hidden traits, habits, or ways of being do they possess? In today's episode, you'll meet some of our amazing Business By De ... Show More
55m 58s
Oct 14
How to Start a $1M Business Using Only AI
Get Greg's AI Million Dollar Idea Generator prompt: https://clickhubspot.com/kgj Ep. 370 Is making a million dollars with AI really that easy? Kipp, Kieran, and Greg Isenberg, Co-founder of Ideabrowser and host of The Startup Ideas Podcast, dive into Greg’s proven frameworks and ... Show More
45m 21s
Apr 2025
Entrepreneur Burnout Prevention with Shulamit Ber Levtov
Send us a textStruggling with entrepreneur burnout? In this powerful conversation, trauma therapist Shulamit Ber Levtov shares game-changing mental health strategies specifically designed for business owners. Discover why traditional self-care advice falls short, how to implement ... Show More
43m 46s
Sep 18
E108 - Disappear (This Winter) If You Want To Improve Your Life | Dan Koe | Dan Koe
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/Website: https://hackyou.media/Dan Koe has built a reputation around deep thin ... Show More
1h 12m
Sep 4
E106 - Will AI Replace You By 2026? What You Need To Do | Daniel Priestley
» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship & cognitive optimisation.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/Website: https://hackyou.media/Daniel Priestley returns to the show for a time ... Show More
1h 38m
Sep 30
The Hospitality Principles That Build Billion-Dollar Startups
Want to start your own million dollar business with less than $1k? Get the guide: https://clickhubspot.com/bgk Episode 751: Sam Parr ( https://x.com/theSamParr ) talks to Will Guidara ( https://x.com/wguidara ) about how startups can use principles of 5-star restaurants to beat t ... Show More
1h 2m