Start Before You’re Ready

BusinessStart Before You’re ReadyByBill Holmes,Forbes Books Author.for Forbes BooksAUTHOR POSTExpertise and opinions of authors published by ForbesBooks. Imprint operated under license. | Paid ProgramMay 21, 2026, 11:43am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.In business, the ability to start before you're ready can make all the difference.gettyTypical Big Company MethodologyThe ability to start before you’re ready is one of the biggest differentiators of success between a fast-moving entrepreneurial business and an aging, large corporation. Older companies become obsessed with research, planning, modeling, and process design as they try to develop what they think is the perfect product for a new market or geography. I think of this as “chasing nirvana” and believe it wastes enormous amounts of money and time. A more “learning-on-the-job” approach is a cleverer way to launch something new. Another drawback is that, after a significant time investment and expenditure, it is very difficult for employees to return to senior management after only a few weeks or months to say they got it wrong and now need to make expensive changes and scrap loads of work they developed. This results in either their project limping on unsuccessfully or coming to a complete stop.Entrepreneurial MindsetIt is difficult to understand all the dynamics and factors involved in launching a new venture when you are about to set out. It’s very likely that you will have to alter nearly every element of your plan once it is up and running. This might mean changing your design, the market sector you have tried to attack, the best supplier, your pricing strategy, marketing message, or one of many other elements. As my business launched new divisions and entered into new geographical markets, we have moved to a more trial-and-error approach, in which we know from the start that many things probably won’t work perfe...