alex preefer

Living in NYC area 🏠. Adventuring with my pitty/lab mix Breck 🐶. Mostly pics of Breck and ideas from ~10 years driving revenue.

[Hemant Mohapatra @MohapatraHemant]

The curse of discipline is that every day looks the same. The curse of indiscipline is that every year does.

[John Collison @collision]

As you become an adult, you realize that things around you weren't just always there; people made them happen. But only recently have I started to internalize how much tenacity *everything* requires. That hotel, that park, that railway. The world is a museum of passion projects.

[alex preefer @alexpreefer]

@BowTiedSalesGuy Hope you heal up soon!

[aether @bluewdrift]

This line from Atomic Habits isn't ready to leave my head:

"It doesn't make sense to continue wanting something if you're not willing to do what it takes to get it. If you don't want to live the lifestyle, then release yourself from the desire. To crave the result but not the process is to guarantee disappointment."

[BuccoCapital Bloke @buccocapital]

I’ve worked for a few companies now from start-up through IPO and beyond. Here’s five lessons I’ve carried with me as an investor. None of them show up in a spreadsheet.

1. Culture is a company’s second product: Companies have two products - The one they sell to their customers and the one they sell to their employees. I have worked at companies who are deliberate about culture, and companies that aren’t - Companies that are as intentional about their culture as they are about their products are very appealing to be as an investor. This doesn’t mean they build playgrounds for their employees. Amazon, for example, is very deliberate about their culture. It’s not for everyone, but it works. Danaher is another famous example

2. No company has the “right” to a second act: Building a successful single-product business is difficult. Becoming a multi-product business is staggeringly complex. You need to keep the core business scaling in order to fund the second act. Your customers don’t owe you success in your new area. Cultural tension runs high between employees in the new, hot venture and the “old” company. Also, it’s so damn hard the second act needs to be bigger than the first act to really be worth it.

3. Execution beats strategy: Anyone can craft an elegant strategy. A track record of successful execution is what matters. Everyone who becomes CEO of a company can talk a big game. They can all tell a compelling story on why they will win. Give me dogged execution over beautifully-designed strategy every time.

4. I like the “odds” on Founders-led businesses: At some point your company is going to hit a crisis. You will have to “bet the business” to come out on the other side. This takes conviction, both from management and from employees. I’ve seen founders do it and I’ve seen professional managers do it. Again, give me the founder every time.

5. Avoid companies suffering from indigestion: David Packard once famously said “More businesses die from indigestion than starvation.” A company can only do 2-3 things really well at one time. Avoid companies trying to do too many things. They will fail

[James Lucas @JamesLucasIT]

Places on Earth that don't look real - thread 🧵

1. The hills of Tuscany, Italy

[alex preefer @alexpreefer]

@nikitabier Taco Bell does this if I’m not mistaken. Ahead of the curve.

[alex preefer @alexpreefer]

@AdamSinger Awesome. When do you typically write your essays each week?

[Joe Pompliano @JoePompliano]

This might be the most aesthetically pleasing Olympic venue of all time 🤯

[Gokul ⚡️ @gokulns]

(What I consider good) Career advice that no one asked me for: Over the past few weeks, I've been trying to crystallize some of my thoughts around winning in a job/career. Thought of putting this out there, in case it helps someone.

[alex preefer @alexpreefer]

@gokulns Great post 🤌🏼

[Bill D'Alessandro @BillDA]

Literally all of America right now

[alex preefer @alexpreefer]

@caffeined__ @anothercohen I’ve only been using it for groceries. Really like the restaurants to try and places to go. Will incorporate after our next performance review.

[alex preefer @alexpreefer]

@packyM Crazy. Why even do it when you’re worth hundreds of millions?

[alex preefer @alexpreefer]

@austin_rief Same. Helps that the iOS app is solid.

[alex preefer @alexpreefer]

@sweatystartup Many other beautiful courses nearby. Lodging is very reasonably on or off course. And you’re right by the beach.

[alex preefer @alexpreefer]

@sweatystartup Easy. Myrtle Beach. Play the PGA course at Dunes Golf & Beach Club

[alex preefer @alexpreefer]

@willnitze Makes a lot of sense. Maybe better to acquire.

[alex preefer @alexpreefer]

@climatepaige @willnitze Think this misses the point. Coke/Pepsi are much bigger than just those brands. Coke has AHA sparkling waters, gold peak teas, ayataka green tea, etc. Adding a pro/pre biotic drink to their portfolio creates value for the business and potentially reaches new customers.

[alex preefer @alexpreefer]

@TurnerNovak So many brokers out there. What a way to stand out. Hats off