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Sam Altman

03/18/17

@ Y Combinator

The cost of making a bad early hire is high; many startups never recover from a poor first hire, so take the time to ensure that new hires align with your company's culture and mission.

Video

Team and Execution with Sam Altman (How to Start a Startup 2014: Lecture 2)

@ Y Combinator

Team and Execution with Sam Altman (How to Start a Startup 2014: Lecture 2)

03/18/17

Related Takeaways

Tim Brady

08/30/19

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If you hire the wrong people early on, those mistakes will propagate, making it much harder to correct course and build a coherent company culture later.

Tim Brady

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At the early stage of your startup, it's important to think about culture because the first 20 employees will shape the company's cultural DNA and influence future hiring and training.

Sam Altman

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In the early days of a startup, it's better to lose customers than to hire a sub-optimal employee, as the damage to the company can be significant.

Michael Truell

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Hiring the right first ten employees is critical, as they can significantly influence the company's future success and culture.

Peter Reinhardt

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Investing in HR early on can prevent future challenges and contribute to a healthier company culture as the startup grows.

Harj Taggar

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Hiring someone just because they are available can be a mistake; it’s important to ensure that the hire aligns with the startup's current needs and stage.

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Hiring is a painful process that takes a lot of time and can feel like a low priority for founders, but neglecting it can hinder your startup's growth.

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Hiring the right team is crucial; poor hiring decisions can lead to a startup's failure, while a great team can drive success.

Ben Silbermann

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Hiring a professional recruiter early on can significantly improve the quality of hires and cultural fit within the company.