3 Concepts From Mechanics That Are Useful For Startup Founders

Mechanics is the branch of physics that deals with the behavior of physical objects under the influence of force and motion. While the principles and concepts of dynamics are not directly applicable to startups, they can be used figuratively as mental models to help you think more accurately about the world of business.

This article explores three key concepts in dynamics that serve as mental models for tech startup founders.

1. inertia

“All bodies remain at rest or in uniform linear motion unless a force must be applied to change that state.” – First Law of Mechanics, Principia, Isaac Newton

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in state of rest or motion. This concept is very important for startup founders. Because it helps me understand why it’s hard to change the direction of a business once it’s set in motion.

An object that is moving in a particular direction will continue to move unless there is a large force that changes its course. The greater the mass of an object, the greater the force required to change its course (or speed of movement).

The same applies to business. The bigger the business, the more money, profits, stakeholders, habits, and intertwined structures and procedures that exist in the business, and generally the harder it is to make changes. As such, large companies tend to be very inflexible.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially in good times when the business is creating value. It’s hard to mess them up alone. At the same time, this is lethal in volatile environments where flexibility and adaptability are critical. Flexibility is very important in technology, especially in cutting-edge new technologies.

So when it comes to innovation, small startups have a considerable advantage. It has much less inertia, so you can iterate and pivot much faster and cheaper.

2. Friction

Friction is the force that resists movement between two surfaces in contact. In mechanical systems, friction can cause wear and tear, reduce efficiency, and even cause failure. As such, mechanical systems often have ways to reduce friction. For example, lubricate the gears.

Friction can come in many forms in the startup world, including market competition, regulatory hurdles, and technical issues.

Understanding what causes friction in your startup can help you find effective lubricants. For example, if you face a lot of competition in your market, you may need to focus on developing your own value proposition or finding a niche market. , may need to invest in legal expertise or consider alternative business models.

3. Resonance

Resonance is a physical concept that describes the tendency of a system to vibrate at a particular frequency when stimulated by an external force. This is a property found in many different physical systems, from mechanical systems such as bridges and musical instruments to electrical and electronic circuits.

The concept of resonance has been used figuratively to describe the behavior of social systems and networks. There, it refers to the phenomenon in which an idea or action spreads rapidly among a group of people.

For example, Resonance helps startup founders develop their marketing and branding strategies. Just like instruments can be designed to resonate at specific frequencies, brands can be designed to resonate with specific audiences. By carefully crafting brands her message that conveys the values ​​and aspirations of their target market, founders can create a sense of empathy and connection, which is essential to building a loyal customer base. This may include developing a distinctive brand identity, crafting compelling marketing messages, or leveraging social media to create a sense of community and engagement around your brand.