HP Tips for Entrepreneurs: Peter Vesterbacka - "Don't Think, Do!"

Rovio Mobile Ltd. is the startup behind worldwide mobile gaming phenomenon Angry Birds. The Finland-based company was founded in 2003 as a mobile game development studio and has since enticed more than 300 million downloads around the world. Rovio's "Mighty Eagle" (yes, that's his official title) Peter Vesterbacka was recently named to the 2011 TIME list of the world's 100 most influential people. Vesterbacka shares his advice on getting ahead in this HP Startup Central Tips for Entrepreneurs episode titled, "Don't Think, Do!."

Vesterbacka believes in optimizing the workplace for efficiency; he recommends a "More leadership, less management" approach that focuses on getting more things done and making decisions, even if some turn out to be wrong. You can sit, analyze, and rehash different scenarios but to be successful, Vesterbacka urges entrepreneurs, "don't think, do!"

Rovio made 51 games and was on the verge of bankruptcy when they released Angry Birds so to be a successful entrepreneur, Vesterbacka says have to believe in what you're doing and even be "a bit crazy." He advises that it's very important to know you're making an impact and recommends trying to find a way to be #1 in a particular category or country, even if it's a relatively small one (Angry Birds began it's growth by first becoming the #1 app in Finland). This technique will help a startup differentiate and stand out from the crowd.




Vesterbacka is often approached for advice and while he enjoys sharing some of his personal tips and experiences, he encourages listeners to take suggestions with a grain of salt. "In the end, you have to do your own thing," he says. The key is to keep an open mind and learn from other people's mistakes so that you can avoid making them yourself.

HP Startup Central is a collaborative business ecosystem for entrepreneurs and early stage companies. HP is building new relationships with talented innovators and connecting them with the tools, technology, and expertise that powers their commercial success.

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Category:

Science & Technology

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• HP
• startups
• Angry Birds
• Peter Vesterbacka
• entrepreneur
• Rovio
• interview
• HP Startup Central
• Hewlett-Packard
• business
• tips bird success