Zayd Ali
execute better, build a stronger product, make more sales.
What’s up, it’s Zayd.
When people join the team at Valley, I share a Startup Guidebook I created with them. It’s a list of the best resources I’ve found on building a startup over the last several years.
14 Resources for Building a Successful Startup
Whether you’re a/an:
founder engaging in founder-led salesAE at a big companySDR at a small company
…understanding the principles behind building a successful company is insanely valuable.
It builds empathy for what other team members are working on and gives a better idea of what you’re working toward.
Few of my favorites:
Product-Market Fit
Understanding the product-market is insanely important in sales. If you’re constantly coming up on resistance, these resources might help you think through the framing of the product and the market you’re pitching it to.
The Secret to Finding PMF is Focus (link)
10 Principles for Finding PMF from the Startup Archive (link)
A Framework for Finding PMF (Lenny’s Podcast) (link)
Execution
Execution is at the core of it all.
Sam Altman’s Guide on Productivity (link)
Framework for Doing Less and Doing Better (podcast) (link)
Insanely Valuable Lecture on How to Operate (link)
^An Article About That Video (if you don’t feel like watching a 45 min video) (link)
How to Amp Up the Pace (link)
Product
The better you understand the product journey, the better you’re able to connect with prospects. While you might not be on the product team, understanding the fundamentals is helpful.
How to Increase Your Retention (link)
Product Management for Early Stage Startups (link)
Designing Your Product Development Process (link)
Engineering
You might not be an engineer, but I think it’s super important for everyone on a team to understand the principles behind building the product.
Always Be Shipping (podcast) (link)
Customer Success
After you’ve closed a prospect, you might hand them off to someone who handles the onboarding and retention aspect of things. Again, understanding how this works is insanely valuable as a salesperson.
Mastering Onboarding with the Head of Growth at Airtable (link)
From Customer to Cohorts - Leading Indicators of Retention (link)
How I Can Help
Let me book sales calls for you while you’re watching football. Seriously.
I built Valley to be your automated SDR and empower AEs.
Book a demo and watch your calendar fill up with qualified leads.
