Testa Pulse * August 2024
Hey! World Builders!
I'm thrilled to see you here. This is your monthly dose of inspiration and guidance to help you break through to the next level. Each month, I share valuable insights, strategies, and recommendations on a variety of topics including technology, economy, geopolitics, and well-being.
My goal is to assist you in realizing your full potential, whether it be through building world-changing ventures, achieving your wildest dreams, or simply materializing your breakthrough potential.
Take advantage of this opportunity to overcome any limiting beliefs and pursue your true purpose. Trust in your crazy ideas, dare to dream big, and act boldly. YES, it’s possible to materialize your wildest dreams, build a breakthrough business, and change the world!!
Are you ready to become the architect of your own life?
Be inspired by reading my bestseller book Super-Entrepreneurship Decoded.
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How to Hire the Best People You've Ever Worked With: A Guide Based on Marc Andreessen's Hiring Philosophy
Hiring the right people is one of the most critical challenges any organization faces. Marc Andreessen, a prominent entrepreneur and venture capitalist, provides valuable insights into hiring the best talent. His approach emphasizes three core attributes: Drive, Curiosity, and Ethics. These principles, when applied effectively, can significantly enhance the quality of hires and contribute to building a strong, successful team. Below is a detailed exploration of Andreessen’s hiring philosophy and its practical applications.
1. Focus on Three Key Criteria: Drive, Curiosity, and Ethics
Drive
Drive refers to the intrinsic motivation that propels an individual to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. When assessing candidates, it’s crucial to look for evidence of this quality in their past experiences. Driven individuals are often self-motivated and do not shy away from obstacles; instead, they push through them.
Key Considerations:
• Self-motivation: Look for candidates who have consistently demonstrated the ability to motivate themselves, especially in challenging situations.
• Achievement-Oriented Background: Seek evidence of past achievements, which indicate a strong inner drive. This might be in the form of successful projects, career advancements, or notable personal accomplishments.
• Opportunity-Seeking: Favor candidates for whom the job represents a significant opportunity to succeed, as they are more likely to be highly motivated.
• Caution with Highly Successful Companies: Be cautious when hiring from highly successful companies, as candidates from these environments might be accustomed to abundant resources and less adversity.
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Curiosity
Curiosity drives individuals to constantly learn, grow, and stay informed about their field. This trait is particularly valuable in a rapidly changing world where staying curious is essential for maintaining a competitive edge.
Key Considerations:
• Passion for the Field: Curiosity is often a sign of deep passion. Candidates who are genuinely curious about their field are more likely to be engaged and innovative.
• Informed Opinions: Look for candidates who stay curious and have informed opinions about their industry. This shows they are not only curious but also proactive in keeping their knowledge up to date.
• Avoid Staleness: Be wary of candidates whose skills have become stale, as this may indicate a lack of curiosity and willingness to adapt to new developments.
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Ethics
Ethics are non-negotiable when it comes to hiring. A candidate’s integrity is crucial for building a trustworthy and dependable team.
Key Considerations:
• Avoid Questionable Ethics: Steer clear of candidates with any hint of questionable ethics. Even the most talented individuals can cause significant harm if they lack integrity.
• Test for Honesty: One effective way to gauge a candidate’s ethics is by observing how they react when faced with something they don’t know. Honest individuals will admit their lack of knowledge, while others might attempt to cover it up.
2. Structuring the Hiring Process
A well-structured hiring process is essential for effectively evaluating candidates against these criteria.
Key Steps:
• Written Process: Document your hiring process to ensure consistency and fairness. A written process also helps in refining the approach over time.
• Skills Tests: Conduct basic skills tests that are relevant to the position. This not only assesses a candidate’s technical ability but also their approach to problem-solving.
• Prepared Interviews: Plan and write down interview questions in advance. This ensures that the interview covers all necessary areas and that every candidate is evaluated on the same criteria.
• Behavioral Cues: Pay attention to small behavioral cues during interviews. Non-verbal communication can often provide insights into a candidate’s true character and motivations.
• Reference Checks: Listen carefully during reference calls for subtle indicators of the candidate’s drive, curiosity, and ethics. References can provide valuable context that might not come up during interviews.
3. Post-Hiring Practices
The work doesn’t end once the hiring decision is made. Effective post-hiring practices are crucial for integrating new hires into the team and ensuring long-term success.
Key Considerations:
• Success Rate Expectations: Realize that hiring is not an exact science. A 70% success rate for individual contributors and a 50% success rate for executives is a realistic expectation. Not every hire will work out, and that’s okay.
• Addressing Hiring Mistakes: Be prepared to fix hiring mistakes quickly, but don’t act too hastily. It’s important to give new hires a fair chance to adapt and succeed.
• Firing Underperformers: Understand that firing underperformers often benefits both the company and the individual. Sometimes, it’s the best course of action for everyone involved.
• Appreciation: Value and appreciate the great people on your team. Positive reinforcement can go a long way in maintaining high morale and motivation.
• Balanced Perspective on Intelligence: Remember that intelligence alone is overrated. A balanced focus on drive, curiosity, and ethics is what truly contributes to long-term success.
Conclusion
Marc Andreessen’s approach to hiring provides a clear framework for selecting the best candidates. By focusing on drive, curiosity, and ethics, companies can build teams that are not only skilled but also motivated, innovative, and trustworthy. A structured hiring process, combined with thoughtful post-hiring practices, ensures that these criteria are effectively evaluated and that new hires are set up for success. Ultimately, this approach helps organizations fill positions and cultivate a culture of excellence that drives long-term growth and achievement.
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How to Beat the LinkedIn Algorithm: The Ultimate Guide to LinkedIn Growth
LinkedIn has become a powerhouse for professionals looking to expand their networks, build their personal brands, and grow their businesses. However, the platform’s algorithm can often feel like a mysterious gatekeeper, determining which content gets seen and by whom. To effectively leverage LinkedIn for growth, it’s essential to understand how to work with the algorithm, not against it. This guide breaks down strategies and tactics that can help you beat the LinkedIn algorithm and maximize your reach.
Post Types Ranked for Follower Growth
LinkedIn offers various post formats, each with its strengths in terms of engagement and follower growth. Here’s a breakdown of the most effective post types:
1. Infographics
• Why They Work: Infographics are visual and packed with valuable information, making them easy to consume and share. The more dense and resourceful, the better.
• Best Practices: Create guides, cheat sheets, and visual resources that are directly relevant to your audience’s needs.
2. Carousels
• Why They Work: Carousels allow for deep engagement as users swipe through multiple slides. They are perfect for storytelling or delivering a series of related insights.
• Best Practices: Ensure the design is clean, the information is engaging, and each slide encourages the viewer to continue to the next.
3. Text and Photo
• Why They Work: Combining personal stories or experiences with relevant photos can create a strong emotional connection with your audience.
• Best Practices: Use text to tell your story and complement it with a compelling image that enhances the narrative.
4. Text Only
• Why They Work: Text-only posts need to be highly engaging and well-written to perform well. They are straightforward and can deliver a powerful message without distractions.
• Best Practices: Focus on crafting a compelling headline and clear, concise content that resonates with your audience.
5. Videos
• Why They Work: Videos have the potential to go viral and can be personalized to create a stronger connection with your audience.
Recommended by LinkedIn
• Best Practices: Keep videos short, engaging, and relevant to your audience’s interests. Use them to tell stories, provide value, or showcase your expertise.
Crafting the Perfect LinkedIn Post
To maximize engagement and follower growth on LinkedIn, it’s crucial to optimize every aspect of your posts. Here’s how to create the perfect LinkedIn post:
• Consistency Wins: Train your audience to expect your posts at a specific time. Regular posting builds familiarity and anticipation.
• Hook: Start your post with a strong hook. Use elements like controversy, mystery, urgency, scarcity, or emotion to grab attention.
• Visual: Incorporate visuals in your posts, such as images, infographics, or viral memes, to make your content more eye-catching and shareable.
• Easy to Read: Structure your post so that it’s easy to scan and digest. Break up text with bullet points, headers, or short paragraphs.
• Size Matters: Longer posts tend to perform better as they keep the audience engaged longer, increasing the likelihood of a follow.
• Call to Action: Encourage engagement by asking for a follow, a repost, or another form of interaction. Clear calls to action are essential for driving engagement.
Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile
Your LinkedIn profile is your personal brand’s landing page. Optimizing it is key to converting profile visitors into followers and connections.
• Headline: Your headline should clearly convey who you are and what you offer. It’s one of the first things people see, so make it count.
• Banner: Use your banner to visually drive your audience to where you want them to go. This could be a link to your website, a call to action, or a highlight of your expertise.
• Hashtags: Include 3-5 relevant hashtags in your profile to increase discoverability within your industry or area of expertise.
• Featured Section: Use this section to showcase your best content or important credentials. It’s a powerful way to demonstrate credibility and value.
• Profile Picture: Choose a professional photo that presents you in the manner you wish to be perceived. Your photo should be clear and inviting.
• Settings: Ensure your Public Visibility and Creator Mode are on, and customize your URL to make it easier for people to find you.
• About Section: Keep this section concise and structured. A good format is to include a hook, a brief story, your value proposition, and a call to action.
• Experience Section: Highlight your key skills and experiences, making sure they align with your current professional goals.
Posting 101: Practical Tips for Content Strategy
Here are some additional tips to maximize your content’s reach and effectiveness:
• Links: Use LinkedIn’s short links (LN.K) for external content. Links are allowed and can be positively received when used correctly.
• Hashtags: Don’t overuse hashtags—3 to 5 per post is ideal. Excessive hashtags can dilute your message and decrease engagement.
• Repurpose Content: Give new life to high-performing content by repurposing it with a fresh hook and a rewrite. This can save time and keep your audience engaged.
• Timing: Post at the same time every day. Consistency in timing helps train your audience to expect and look forward to your content.
• Frequency: Don’t post more than once a day to avoid overwhelming your audience. Instead, focus on quality over quantity.
• High-Impact Posts: Stack high-impression posts during peak times for maximum visibility.
• Reposts: Repost 8-12 hours later for additional visibility. Limited views can be expanded by strategically reposting your content.
Tools for LinkedIn Success
Leverage these tools to enhance your LinkedIn content creation and engagement:
• Ideation: ChatGPT can help you generate content ideas and refine your messaging.
• Writing & Visuals: Use Grammarly for writing and Canva for designing visuals.
Content Strategy for Sustained Growth
Developing a consistent content strategy is essential for LinkedIn's growth. Here’s how to structure your approach:
• Post Ideation: Focus on areas where you can add value or unique perspectives.
• Engagement: Apply the 30/30/30/10 rule—30% of your content should target clients, 30% should appeal to your peers, 10% should focus on smaller creators and friends, and the remaining 30% should cover other relevant topics.
• Comment Strategy: Engage with others’ content 30 minutes before posting to boost visibility. Always reply to comments and reposts within the first hour to maintain engagement.
• Scheduling: Use scheduling tools to plan and post consistently. This helps avoid chaotic posting times and ensures your content is delivered when your audience is most active.
Conclusion
Beating the LinkedIn algorithm isn’t about gaming the system; it’s about understanding how the platform works and tailoring your content strategy accordingly. By focusing on the right post types, optimizing your profile, and consistently delivering value, you can significantly grow your LinkedIn presence and achieve your professional goals. Use the tools and strategies outlined in this guide to craft compelling content, engage with your audience, and ultimately, become a LinkedIn powerhouse.
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The Crazy Sprint Workshop
Feel like the pace of the entrepreneurship and technology revolution is leaving your business in the dust? I've developed a half-day awake session, a one-day workshop, and a two-day mini-sprint for executive leaders and board members to demystify buzzwords like exponential technologies or business transformation preparing you to steer your organization into a confident future.
AWAKE SESSION
This is aimed at teams eager to prepare for the Age of Exponential Acceleration. Participants will learn why a linear mindset is not working anymore. They are invited to embrace exponential thinking and discover the latest emerging technologies to create novel products and services. At the end of this session, teams walk away with the foundational elements to make their business future–proof.
EXPONENTIAL WORKSHOP
It starts with the half-day awake session. Then, during the second half-day, participants are actively working on defining their Massive Transformative Purpose, designing a few moonshots for the entire organization or their department, and discovering in more detail several exponential technologies to use for creating a radical transformation of their organization.
CRAZY SPRINT
It starts with the full-day exponential workshop. Then, during the second day, participants are coached on how to use the Crazy Method™ to build concrete, radical, and transformative projects within their organization. Teams are pushed to catapult their ambition to heights they could not imagine and to build a rock-solid plan to materialize such amazing projects. They will also learn how to capture the zeitgeist and adopt a Yamakasi mindset to overcome any obstacles.
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Listen to My Investor Talk
I'm thrilled to about my recent "The Investor Talk" session with EquityMatch! I discussed with Max Sulpizi about investing to transform ideas into game-changing ventures. Enjoy it!
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Quotes To Reflect On
“It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.” -- Bill Gates
“Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” -- Gloria Steinem
“The question I ask myself almost every day is, ‘Am I doing the most important thing I could be doing?’” -- Mark Zuckerberg
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That concludes today's edition. I hope you found it valuable and informative. If you did, please consider sharing it with your network and colleagues. By sharing this newsletter on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, or via email, you can help spread the word and make a difference. Moreover, please invite your friends and colleagues to subscribe to my newsletter by sharing the registration link.
Until next time, build the world you love!
Fabrice
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