87. How Hyper-Focusing on Customers Will Change the World, Interview with David Chadwick

The Dirt

David Chadwick, Founder and CEO at RealResponse, is passionate about making a difference in athletics, but not in the normal sense of what you might think of as winning in sports. Instead, David has created a tool where athletes and staff can give anonymous feedback in a way that everyone in collegiate institutions and athletic organizations has a chance to be heard.

Join Jim and David as they explore how David is helping create a much safer environment in sports and institutions across the country, while also scaling his business.

3 Key Takeaways

• Cash Management and Funding Decisions: In the early stages, it's crucial to control expenses and scrutinize every cost. Decisions on funding, whether through raising money from friends, family, angels, or VCs, will have a long term impact on the control and expectations around the business. David highlights the importance of staying true to his mission and controlling his destiny by being mindful of where funding comes from.
• Technology and Scalability: Ensure that technology choices are future-proof and scalable. There is a significant focus on getting the User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) right from the start. Mistakes in technology choices can be costly and pivoting might require substantial resources
• “Customers, customers, customers”: This is what David often tells his staff is the most important part of their business. Never have a whiteboard session with your team to workshop what you think your customers want and need. Until you get in front of your customers, it's just impossible to know what they’re thinking and feeling.

Resources

David Chadwick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-chadwick-862570173/

RealResponse: http://www.realresponse.com

About Our Guest

While studying and playing Division 1 basketball at Rice University and Valparaiso University, David Chadwick recognized that positive student-athlete experiences had everything to do with culture, support services, academic integrity, and the relationships formed with coaches and teammates. This insight led him to launch RealResponse in 2016.

RealResponse elevates voices by offering a safe, anonymous platform for two-way communications, ensuring everyone in collegiate institutions and athletic organizations has a chance to be heard. The RealResponse community consists of more than two million athletes, coaches, administrators, and staff, and reaches across college and professional sports, governing bodies, and integrity units.

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