Jeremy Tan Says that Quitting Is Not Always Bad

This counterintuitive advice is for investors...
 
👉 Sometimes, Quitting can be the best thing you can do.
 
Cut your losses.
Throw in the towel.
Wave the white flag. 🏳️
 
I know it sounds strange, but it might be what you need to hear.
As humans, we all get emotional (and sometimes irrational).
Even the best investors do too.
 
But if you’re like me and in the business of investing,
You need to be resolute and objective with your bets.
 
3 signs it might be time to give up on an investment:
 
❌ When the Market Offers Consistent Feedback

The market leaves clues.
How customers behave, how transactions flow.
If the feedback loop consistently signals a mismatch, listen.
Ignoring it might lead to a dead end.
If you’re early - pivot. If you’re too late - it might be better to stop.

 
❌ When It's Not Working Despite Smart Minds

Investors back brilliant founders. Period. It’s one of our criteria too.
If you have some of the most intelligent people in the room, BUT it’s still not working…
Have the humility to accept there are larger forces at work that are beyond us.

 
❌ When the Environment Has Irreversibly Changed

If the business landscape has evolved irreversibly (tech, policy etc.)
You have two choices. Brute force an outcome, or adapt.
The former doesn’t always work and the latter requires time and money.
Recognise when your thesis is invalidated and ask yourself if it’s still worth doing.
 
Not every “bet” (idea/ product feature) blossoms into success. Failure is natural.
 
Desktop analysis has its limitations and can’t tell you enough about Product-Market-Fit (PMF)
 
Finding PMF requires consistent testing.
You need a process to quickly and cost-efficiently assess “bets”
With every experiment, cut your losses and double down on clear signals.
 
In the real world, you won’t be lauded for going down with the ship.
 
Know when to pivot or make a graceful exit.