Fast-growing startups are frequently described as “exponential,” especially when the product is “viral.” Turns out, this is incorrect, even for Facebook and Slack. If you have an incorrect model, you don’t understand growth, which means you can’t control it, nor predict it. Here is a different model to understand how companies actually grow.
This is a must-read from Jason Cohen — not just for investors and startups, but business, marketing, and product managers. Well written with lots of great supporting charts. h/t: @dharmesh