On October 9th, 2006, Google bought a small startup called YouTube for $1.65 billion.
Today, YouTube is a $180 billion behemoth. (mannhowie)
But how?
Here are 6 principles YouTube uses to kill distractions and supercharge growth:
The Two-Pager
Every employee writes down what they accomplished in the last 6 months and what they want to focus on for the next 6 months.
- 3 things you want to be sure your boss knows
- 3 things that would make you move faster
- Chart/picture that you are obsessed with
Kill Adhoc Meetings
They never allowed them because:
- Each one requires special scheduling, which encourages delays and roadblocks.
- No structure leads to no meaning and no prep before the meeting.
Big Rock Framework
Big Rock: “If we do nothing else, we do this.”
- If you want to fill a jar, you first put the big rocks in.
- Then you have room for small rocks and sand to fill in.
- When you start with sand or small tasks, you end up without Big Rocks in the jar.
How to Pick Your Big Rocks:
“If you have a fake $100 to spread between each Big Rock option, how do you do it?”
For a team, everyone chooses alone, and you tally the results.
4. Bullpen Meeting
- A meeting with no agenda or structure.
- Everyone who goes to the meeting must stay.
- If you don’t have anyone to talk to, you can work.
- But you must hang out in case unexpected topics come up.
Created spontaneity across marketing, product, legal, and sales.
5. Ask Eigenquestions
A question that, when answered, also answers the next questions.
Example:
Some scientists invent teleportation. They need your help to go to market, but you can only ask 2 questions. What do you ask?
This forces you to find Eigenquestions.
6. Consistent vs. Comprehensive
Should YouTube allow search results to link out from the platform?
- It was the wrong question.
- Instead, was YouTube comprehensive or consistent?
- Link out: Comprehensive options
- Don’t link out: Consistent experience
Consistent win!
Read more:
