How I Succeeded is a regular series on Lifehacker where we ask business leaders for the secrets and tactics behind their success. Today: Andrew Powell, founder and head of growth at of Rimini Street.
Current gig: Managing Director, Rimini Street, APAC
Location: Sydney, Australia
Current mobile device: iPhone 6 (not sure I love it, but it does the job)
Current computer: Dell. Standard corporate issue.
One word that best describes how you work: Efficient. (We need to manage our time carefully at Rimini Street because we are managing a lot of growth.)
What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?
My phone. I try to actually talk to people as much as possible. Less email.
What social network do you find the most useful?
LinkedIn. I recently did a blog that was read 2,000 times in 1 week. It can be powerful when used well.
What were the most important lessons you learned while growing your business?
Be resilient. Despite setbacks keep moving forward and stay positive. That’s how we’ve managed to grow Rimini Street, in APAC, at a compound rate of over 40% per annum for the last 5 years.
What has been the most surprising part of your business journey?
Rimini Street is a fast growing disruptive company. I think everyone should work for a true market disruptor at least once in their career. What I have learned is that an alternative business model can really threaten the established market gorillas like SAP and Oracle.
What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else?
Admitting that I’m probably not better than anyone else and admitting my mistakes.
What’s your sleep routine like?
10pm lights out!
What advice would you offer to other businesses on how to succeed?
The most important element of success is deciding on the right product or service to offer in the first place. If the fundamentals of your business model and offering are truly strong then you have a great chance of success. If you’re simply trying to do what many others can do and you don’t have any real differentiations then you are setting yourself up to fail. Build a business offering that can almost sell itself.
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