I like setting several tasks and dealing with them simultaneously. When you deal with several tasks at once, it helps to reduce working time and accomplish a lot more.
Artem Gladkih is the founder and CEO of test4startup.com. Currently, he lives in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Before moving to Saint Petersburg he lived in Lipetsk where he graduated from Lipetsk State Technological University in 2014 and then founded several startups which were sold later on. At the moment, he is the owner of test4startup.com – a service for startup market analysis.
Where did the idea for test4startup.com come from?
We launched our project in the middle of January of the current year, but we have been working on the algorithm for a while.
It began at the mathematics department of State Technological University, where my partner and a co-founder Evgeny Gaev was working on his thesis in the sphere of artificial intelligent. His developments and my experience with the pervious recommendatory startup allowed us to apply a complex approach to the problem of defining trends and idea relevance.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
At the end of each week, I make a plan for the week ahead. I try to schedule the most difficult tasks for the first work days because by the weekend productivity decreases quite a bit. I do no more than one big task a day – it is a very important condition for my work. My daily plan looks something like this:
1) one big task;
2) 3-4 smaller tasks;
3) 5-10 minor tasks.
It is important to keep track of every task.
How do you bring ideas to life?
To be honest, most of the ideas come to me in much-unexpected places. For example, in public transport or a food shop. I try to write down the most interesting ones in my notepad. A certain amount of time should pass between the idea and its implementation. The idea should “proof”, so to say. Usually, about half of them don’t seem so great after a while.
After “proofing” we try to carry out a small research which helps us to assess its relevance. It is very important to stay on the basic project otherwise, we can stray from the main course too much.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
I really like the development of big data analysis trend. Developments in this sphere will make it possible to greatly increase human efficiency. Predictive analytics and the ability to forecast certain events aren’t extraordinary anymore. It’s hard to imagine what our world will look like if everyone has access to such technologies.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I think it’s paralleling. I like setting several tasks and dealing with them simultaneously. When you deal with several tasks at once, it helps to reduce working time and accomplish a lot more.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
Some time ago I worked as a shop assistant at a clothes shop and earned a little more than $100 a month while my responsibilities included even cleaning the shop and unloading the goods. I think that was when I decided that I don’t want to work for hire. It was my last job, I’ve been an entrepreneur ever since.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I don’t think so. So far I’ve tried a lot of spheres: cleaning, web-site development, analytics, and marketing. I could say that this versatile experience helped me to find the occupation I like and which I’m involved in now.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
In the past, I couldn’t decide what to do in my life and what to devote myself to. At first, it caused a certain degree of concern because living in constant uncertainty can’t lead to any good results. Movement without direction demotivates quite a lot. I recommend all people who face the same problem trying to do everything. Literally. Check out every opportunity that comes your way and when you stop searching for your purpose it will find you itself.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
We always adhere to the user-oriented strategy as much as possible. First of all, we developed the product for ourselves to have the possibility to test as many ideas as possible, but then we thought of turning it into a full-scale service. That is why we are well aware of all the problems our users usually face.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
My very first project was a big failure. I spent quite a lot of time and energy on it. I see the main reason for this failure in my unstoppable desire to do it no matter what. I had no exact parameters, goals or numbers, I didn’t do market research or analyze my competitors. As the result, the product proved to be unwanted. But it was a very valuable experience. Now I approach idea implementation process much thoroughly.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
The sharing economy is becoming more and more popular nowadays. Every day we hear about new Uber or something. I think this trend will continue and spread to other markets. Recently I’ve heard about Uber for cargo transportation and it is a really cool idea!
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I’ve spent my recent $100 on Udemy courses. I think that self-education investments are the most profitable ones. I like learning something new every day.
What software and web services do you use? What do you love about them?
I use Uber for moving around. It is a very flexible and convenient service, low prices for a high level of comfort. I prefer learning about new projects from the Producthunt publications. Each day they talk about rather interesting products. It is a great platform for new ideas search.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
Of the recent books I’ve read the one that’s impressed me most is Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! It is an autobiography of one of the greatest physicists of our time. It is really captivating reading! I like the extraordinary thinking of the author and his curious approach to research.
What people have influenced your thinking and might be of interest to others?
I’m inspired by the method of work and professionality of Juriy Milner, one of the best venture investors from Russia.
Stephen Hawking and his spirit.
Elon Musk is an outstanding person. His ability to look into the far future really amazes. @elonmusk
Connect:
test4startup.com/
Artem Gladkikh on Twitter:
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.