The Myth of Exponential Hypergrowth: How Companies *Really* Grow
This article challenges the common assumption of exponential growth in tech startups. By analyzing real-world data from companies like Facebook, Slack, and Dropbox, the author argues that high-growth companies actually follow a quadratic growth model, not exponential. A new model, the 'Elephant Curve,' is introduced to explain the lifecycle of marketing campaigns and their impact on overall revenue growth. This model suggests that multiple campaigns, when layered, result in quadratic growth. The article also explores the impact of virality, word-of-mouth, and hot trends on product growth, offering corresponding models like the logistic growth curve. Finally, actionable advice is provided for marketing teams and product managers to better understand and manage company growth.