Is it better to scale fast and break things, or play it safe and grow steadily?

Question

Simon🍋 · Accepted Answer

Depends on your market and funding. "Move fast, break things" works for some, but steady growth's safer for bootstrappers. Know your risk tolerance.

Veeresh Devireddy · Answer

My strategy has been go-fast, fix quickly and prepare for the risks. In shorts, it's a "Fail-Fast" model.  Market always run faster than we do, so execute everything in "fast" mode.

Ethan Matthew Brooks · Answer

It really depends on your risk tolerance and funding situation. If you're VC backed and in a fast-moving market, the 'move fast and break things' approach could help you gain market share quickly. But if you're bootstrapped, controlled growth may be safer to avoid costly missteps. Know thyself.

Pooja Jayasri · Answer

@simonas_kauzonas True. Some ideas do need quick execution but in most other cases, steady growth should work better.

Naomi Febriska Yuberthina Tahapary · Answer

my strategy has always been to play it safe and grow steadily. Because we could be better to scale up quickly and destroy things but we have to remain cautious

Sacha Dumay · Answer

Go fast at first, and slower later.

At first, meaning until you find product-market fit.

Janak Patel · Answer

It often depends on the market; rapid scaling can lead to innovation but may risk stability, while steady growth fosters sustainability and long-term success.

Wendy Huang · Answer

For startups, I’d lean toward scaling fast and breaking things-grab market share quickly, gather real user feedback, and iterate on the product. In my experience, user testing often provides more actionable insights than extensive pre-launch research. Being agile and responsive to user needs can make all the difference!

Yolanda Zul Imatufarikh · Answer

It really depends on the context and your goals.

Scaling fast and breaking things can lead to rapid innovation and market capture, which is essential in fast-paced industries like tech. It allows you to learn quickly from mistakes and adapt.

On the other hand, playing it safe and growing steadily often leads to more sustainable success, reduced risks, and a solid foundation. This approach is valuable in industries where stability and customer trust are paramount.

Ultimately, the best strategy might involve a balance between the two: being aggressive in certain areas while maintaining careful oversight in others.

Sydney C. Hogan · Answer

Scaling fast can drive rapid growth but comes with risks like mistakes and instability, making it ideal for fast-paced industries. In contrast, steady growth builds a solid foundation with less risk, but it may mean slower progress. The best approach depends on balancing your ambition with the need for stability, considering your industry and goals.

Pooja Jayasri · Answer

@veeresh_devireddy Yeah. I'm a fan of fast execution and iteration as well.

MeelounEducation · Answer

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Answer

Depends on stage & goals. Early on, taking risks to learn & grow can accelerate progress. Later, steady scaling is safer. Gauge your market, team & funding to find the right pace.

Answer

Steady growth builds customer loyalty and trust. Scaling too fast could lead to quality issues.

Is it better to scale fast and break things, or play it safe and grow steadily?

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