5 startup-tested ways to work smarter (that we actually use)

We say it often: we love using proven start-up methods. But what do we actually mean by that? When you’re running a business, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. Between meetings, deadlines, and decisions, it can be hard to step back and think about whether you’re focusing on the right things or finding new, smarter ways to move forward.

The good news is that large companies (that were once start-ups too) like Google, YouTube, and Dell have already figured out practical ways to handle these kinds of challenges. At Google, Jake Knapp worked with John Zeratsky and Braden Kowitz from Google Ventures to come up with what’s now known as the Design Sprint. Together with different teams, they shaped a clear, practical process to help people work through tough questions and make quicker choices. Over time, they applied and improved the process again and again. Their work later became the book Sprint, which people everywhere still use to try new ideas and make progress faster.

Clearly, anyone running a business doesn’t have the time to come up with an approach and fine-tune it over and over again. So, our solution? Learn from the best.

Here are the 5 startup-tested methods we use to bring focus, clarity, and progress.

For finding your purpose – The Golden Circle

Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle is a simple but powerful model built around three questions: Why, How, and What. Most people and companies start with what they do and how they do it — but Sinek argues you should start with why: your reason for existing. It helps you uncover what drives you and makes decision-making much clearer. We love using this method because it helps teams reconnect with their purpose and communicate it in a way that feels natural and honest. It’s one of the most accessible business frameworks for finding direction.

For coming up with a business idea – The Business Model Canvas

Created by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur and introduced in their book Business Model Generation, the Business Model Canvas helps you map out how your business creates, delivers, and captures value (all on a single page). It’s divided into nine building blocks, from key partners to revenue streams, making it easy to see the bigger picture and spot opportunities. To go a step further, we often add the Value Proposition Canvas, a great tool to match what you offer with what your customers actually need. Together, they’re among the most practical innovation methods for early-stage ideas.

For solving product issues – Design Sprint

The Design Sprint was born at Google Ventures, developed by Jake Knapp together with John Zeratsky and Braden Kowitz. It’s a focused, four-day process that helps teams move from challenge to tested solution fast. You start by defining the problem, sketching possible solutions, choosing one to prototype, and testing it with real users (all within a week). It’s one of the most effective startup methods for making progress quickly, cutting through uncertainty, and learning what works before investing time or money.

For setting clear goals + actions – OKRs

OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) were first introduced at Intel by Andy Grove and later made famous at Google by John Doerr. The idea is simple: set clear, inspiring objectives and define measurable key results that show whether you’re getting there. OKRs help teams stay focused on what matters most and make progress visible. We use them to turn big ideas into practical, trackable goals that everyone can get behind. Among all startup strategy tools, OKRs are the most effective for keeping teams on track and moving in the same direction.

For setting strategy – Strategy Sprint

For our own approach to setting strategy, we took the best of all of the above. We use elements of a Sprint to make the most of a single, focused day. We bring in the Golden Circle and other exercises to define a clear direction, and we wrap it all up with OKRs that turn strategy into action. The result is a hands-on session that helps teams make clear decisions and leave with a concrete roadmap they can start using right away. The Strategy Sprint combines the best innovation methods in one simple format. Perfect for anyone who wants to make faster, smarter decisions.

Want to put these methods into practice?

These startup methods aren’t just theories, they’re simple, structured ways to get clarity, solve real problems, and make progress faster. Whether you’re refining your product, setting your goals, or shaping your strategy, these tools help you work smarter, not harder.

Curious to see how these methods can help your team? Have a look at our Strategy Sprint, OKR Bootcamp or Design Sprint.