Listening for Growth is now available!

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Growth. Exceptional growth. Rapid growth. Only recently, however, in the age of lean startups and growth hacks, have we begun to think that there might be a formula for achieving it.

And yet, the failure rate for startups is unprecedented. Our world is littered with broken businesses and burnt out entrepreneurs. With all of our data and our SaaS and our algorithms, what are we missing? Why do some startups succeed while most fail? What separates the entrepreneurs who thrive from the many who stumble?

“Listening for Growth'' confronts the fallacies of prevailing startup methods while offering an alternative wherein entrepreneurs and their startups grow healthy, together. Unsurprisingly, there is no shortcut to growth. No magical hack. No unicorn’s path. But there is a practice that will work for any founder and any organization willing to listen.

Entrepreneurs all want the same thing.

  • If “growth at all costs” costs too much, this is the guide for healthy growth — for startups, their founders, their people, and their products.

    Sam Decker, Co-Founder Mass Relevance & Founding CMO BazaarVoice

  • With “Listening for Growth”, Matty shares a masterclass-worthy set of principles and practices vital to building businesses in the modern era. Required reading for founders and leaders of all levels!

    Michael Ventura, Entrepreneur and Author of Applied Empathy

  • In Listening for Growth, Matty Wishnow helps you master the most important skill in entrepreneurship that too often we overlook or forget—the skill of listening. Doing so is harder & more important than you think. Reading this book will pay enormous dividends in the growth of any entrepreneurial venture.

    Danny Warshay, Executive Director of the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship at Brown University & author of SEE SOLVE SCALE.

  • "Listening for Growth" is required reading for entrepreneurs at any stage in their journey. It delivers actionable insights on sustainable business and interpersonal growth."

    Adrian Covey, CEO at Beam, Former Chief Growth & Strategy Officer at Accenture Song

  • In today’s world, running a nonprofit isn’t all that different from running a startup, which is why “Listening for Growth” was profoundly helpful to me! As I think about leadership, data-driven decision-making, intentional and strategic growth, I am so grateful for the perspective and knowledge this book offers.

    sharon maidenberg, Executive Director at The Contemporary Austin

  • I first met Matty when our respective companies -- mine SaaS, his services -- were forging a close knit partnership, one which was different from every other relationship we had. I realize now after reading Listening for Growth why that was: deep discovery, methodical engagement, and an approach that focused on shared desires and outcomes. Matty shares exceptional detail for how to apply this to your organization, regardless of position or size.

    Travis Bryant, Operating Partner at Redpoint Ventures & Designer at Saleshuman

New & Notable

New Article

The Heavy Weight of Lean Startups
On LinkedIn

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Free Download

“Listening for Growth”
Introduction & Chapter 1

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New Podcast

Analytics Power Hour
Great Discussion & Book Feature

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New Podcast

Author Hour
Interview & Book Feature

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At Past Prime, we search for meaning the meaning of life in the careers of middle-aged rock stars (and occasionally ballplayers). Sometimes, we find sadness. Sometimes we find desperation. But, every now and then, wisdom is revealed. And so, we keep on searching.

Topics range from Tom Waits’ second half masterpiece “Bone Machine” to Genesis’ career snuffing “Calling All Stations” to that time Royals’ legend George Brett had an accident at the Bellagio.

Essays arrive weekly. Podcasts monthly. And the Past Prime shop is stocked with cassettes, tape players, baseball oddities and the poetry of Dan Quisenberry.

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If you have a question or feedback about “Listening for Growth,” if you’re interested in booking me as a speaker or if you’re looking for startup advice, this is the form for you. All serious inquiries will receive an equally serious and prompt reply.