10 Powerful Tips To Ace Your Startup Job

Sep 13, 2023

∙ Paid

Starting a new role as a Customer Success Manager (CSM) at a startup can be an awesome but daunting experience.

In a dynamic environment where there might be no established processes or guidelines, you're often thrown into the deep end.

You're expected to quickly learn the product, understand client needs, and ensure their success.

Here are 10 tips to help you succeed in those crucial first few months:

1. Be Curious and Ask "Why"

One of the most effective ways to learn about both the product and your clients is relentless curiosity.

Whenever a client discusses how they use the product, ask them why.

Dig deep to understand the root of their usage patterns.

As you uncover the "why" behind their actions, you'll get important insights into their needs and objectives.

If your startup has a support team, consider shadowing them for a period.

This immersive experience will provide you with a real-world understanding of common client issues, pain points, and questions.

You'll learn how to troubleshoot and address client concerns.

This knowledge is invaluable when assisting clients during onboarding and ongoing support.

In a startup environment, information is power.

Take notes during meetings, training sessions, and client interactions.

Document your observations, questions, and insights.

These notes will serve as a valuable resource for reference and sharing knowledge with your team.

To truly help your clients succeed, you need to understand their business inside and out.

Here are some questions you should ask yourself: