Answers are Cheap, but the Right Questions are Priceless · YC "crash-test"
In the age of AI, answers have become cheap. What really matters today is the ability to ask the right questions and have the right mindset to do so. In business, especially in startups, this shift is even more pronounced. The quality of the questions you ask can define the path your company takes.
Y Combinator, offers a simple yet powerful framework for this. They’ve crafted a set of 40 key questions to help founders "crash-test" their startups. These questions don’t have simple or automatic answers, but that’s the point—they force you to think deeply about your business, your customers, and your product.
Let’s connect this idea of asking the right questions with some of YC’s most important ones:
What problem are you solving? A basic question, but one that many founders overlook. It’s easy to get lost in product development or marketing without returning to the core issue: does your product solve a real problem? If you can’t clearly answer this, you’re building in the wrong direction.
Who is your customer? Knowing your customer is more valuable than knowing how to build a product. You can create a great tool, but if it’s not for the right people, it won’t succeed. Understanding who will use your product and why is the foundation of everything.
What are you measuring to understand your product’s performance? In a world where data is abundant, not all metrics are equal. Choosing the right metrics can guide your focus, product development, and customer acquisition strategies. The right question is not “what is happening?” but “what are the numbers that truly matter?”
Are you talking to your users? AI can give you answers, but your users will give you the insights that matter. Regular conversations with customers can reveal needs you never thought of, and opportunities that can shift your entire approach.
What’s your top KPI (Key Performance Indicator)? If you ask the right question about what your business is working towards, the answer can direct everything else. A good KPI sharpens focus across the team, clarifies what matters, and keeps you aligned with your vision.
The Power of Mindset
Having the right mindset means being open to the possibility that you don’t know everything—and that’s where growth happens. Being able to question your assumptions and reevaluate your direction when necessary is key. AI can give you information, but only your mindset can determine what to do with it.
In a startup, your ability to ask tough, insightful questions—and act on them—is what will set you apart. Take a deep breath, revisit these questions, and remember: the value is in asking, not just in answering. Thanks for reading!
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