🧠 What Is “The Grid”?
The Grid is more than just another business book. It’s a decision-making framework that helps you evaluate your business from multiple perspectives — identifying the strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots that often get overlooked.
Watkinson outlines 9 interdependent factors that, together, determine your success. The key lesson?
No single factor guarantees growth — it’s about how they all connect.
🧩 The 9 Factors of The Grid
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the most valuable principles from the book and how they apply to startup life 👇
1. Everything’s Connected
Every decision affects another part of your business. You can’t optimise in isolation — balance is key.
2. Desirability
Your product or service must solve a real customer need. Features are meaningless if they don’t connect to desire.
3. Viability
The financial model needs to make sense. Even the most innovative ideas collapse if they can’t sustain profit.
4. Feasibility
Execution matters. Can you deliver your vision with the resources, systems, and team you currently have?
5. External Forces
Markets shift. Tech evolves. Regulations change. The best founders stay alert and adapt before they’re forced to.
6. Alignment Wins
When your strategy, operations, and customer experience reinforce each other — you create unstoppable momentum.
7. Adaptability
Test, learn, and refine. The Grid acts as a lens to identify where you need to evolve next.
8. Simplicity > Complexity
Complexity kills execution. The most effective systems are often the simplest — clear, measurable, and easy to communicate.
💡 Why Founders Should Read This Book
What makes The Grid a standout read for founders is its ability to bridge the gap between vision and structure. It gives you a bird’s-eye view of your business — helping you identify whether your challenges are rooted in desirability (product-market fit), viability (finances), or feasibility (operations).
It’s also a fantastic tool for strategic planning. Whether you’re gearing up for investment, launching a new product, or refining your business model — The Grid helps you make decisions that are balanced, data-informed, and aligned with your mission.
🧭 Jonny’s Takeaway
“The Grid reminds us that everything in business is connected. You can’t just focus on one pillar and expect success — you have to master the balance between what’s desirable, viable, and feasible. It’s one of the few books that helps you see your entire business ecosystem clearly.”
🚀 In Summary
If you’re a founder ready to take a step back from the chaos and really understand how your business works, The Grid is a must-read.
It’s not about quick wins or hacks — it’s about building something that lasts.