Founder's User Manual:
Practical Strategies for the Startup Leader

The Founder’s User Manual is a must-read for any leader, not just those at the helm of a startup. Andrew Plato, a seasoned founder, draws upon his 26 years of experience to deliver practical strategies and insights into the multifaceted world of leadership. This book goes beyond typical leadership advice, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and self-awareness as the foundation for effective leadership. Plato candidly shares his own failures, offering invaluable lessons learned from navigating the “schizophrenic nature” of being a founder.

This book is more than a guide; it is a roadmap to building a successful company through cultivating exceptional leadership skills. Plato emphasizes the significance of establishing a clear vision and values, building trust with your team, and prioritizing effective communication. He provides actionable advice on crucial aspects of running a business, including:

  • Developing a compelling vision and values that resonate with employees and customers.
  • Building a strong company culture based on trust, accountability, and compassion.
  • Creating a sales strategy focused on understanding and addressing customer pain points.
  • Establishing clear HR policies and procedures to attract and retain top talent.
  • Navigating the complexities of fundraising and investor relations.
  • Getting paid, all the time, every time. 

The Founder’s User Manual” is a practical and insightful resource that provides leaders with the tools and strategies they need to navigate the challenges of building and scaling a successful company.

Founder's User Manual Deep Dive Summary

Listen to this 13 minute AI generated discussion about The Founder’s User Manual. Audio provided from Google’s new NotebookLM.

What will you learn?

Leadership & Management

  • Supercharge your leadership with personal values.
  • Navigate the ambiguous line between friendliness and professionalism with employees.
  • Foster engagement and productivity among remote team members.

Sales & Client Relations

  • Cultivate more leads, close more deals, and grow recurring revenue.
  • Employ effective strategies to win over challenging customers.
  • Tactfully steer customers away from obsessing over contract details.

Risk Management

  • Recognize the risks of “faking it until you make it.”
  • Implement proactive measures to avoid lawsuits.
  • Get paid, all the time, every time.

Testimonials

Reviews & honest perspectives from readers of The Founder’s User Manual.
Zsolt Nemeth

Chairman & Founder | R6 Security

Andrew’s reputation as the head of Anitian preceded him, and his expertise in cybersecurity was well-known before we even met. I was fortunate to proof read his insightful new book on the cybersecurity ecosystem. Unlike theoretical texts, his draws on real-world experience, offering practical wisdom you won’t find elsewhere. Andrew isn’t just an author, he’s a seasoned practitioner who’s built a successful company in the field.
Richard Stiennon

Chief Research Analyst | IT-Harvest

Andrew first attracted my attention with his writing. It is rare for a tech founder to be a writer first, and a good one at that. More importantly, he has something to say! I always pay attention when he posts. You should too!