Gareth Burrows, the mind behind Breathe HR, shares the essence of maintaining focus for startups.
- Emphasising the need to avoid falling in love with the product, Burrows highlights the risks it poses to core mission focus.
- The significance of a balanced work-life dynamic is underscored as essential by Burrows.
- Building a robust partner program is hailed as a key growth driver with over 900 trusted HR consultants involved.
- Core missions and unique strengths are central to thriving startups, says Burrows.
Gareth Burrows, co-founder and COO of Breathe HR, emphasises the critical importance for startups to stay focused on their core mission. He warns against the common pitfall of becoming too attached to a product, which can lead a company away from its original objectives. In his experience, maintaining clarity about the company’s goals is vital for sustainable growth.
Burrows reflects on the early days of Breathe HR, identifying the hiring of Louise, their head of partnerships, as a pivotal moment. Louise’s customer-focused approach has been instrumental in developing what has become the UK’s largest HR partner program. Today, this program includes over 900 HR consultants who actively promote Breathe HR to their clients, establishing it as the company’s second-largest growth channel.
In addition to business strategies, Burrows stresses the importance of fostering a healthy balance between work and life. He points out that creating space for personal life can be as crucial as professional accomplishments, contributing to overall well-being and productivity.
According to Burrows, it is essential for startups to recognise their unique strengths and commit to them. This self-awareness allows them to harness their core competencies effectively, leading to greater success in a competitive market. By doing so, they can not only survive but thrive.
In summary, Gareth Burrows’ insights emphasise that focus, strategic partnerships, and balancing life are essential elements for startup success.