Why Big Brands Do Dumb Things

Why Big Brands Do Dumb Things

Author: Sharran Srivatsaa February 11, 2025 Duration: 9:24

Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!

Why do top companies like Sonos, Snapchat, and Apple keep making the same costly mistakes? It’s not a lack of talent or resources—it’s something much deeper.


In this episode, Sharran unpacks how some of the biggest brands have fallen victim to avoidable mistakes—and what you can do to ensure your business doesn’t follow the same path. From Sonos' disastrous app update to Snapchat's unpopular redesign and Apple Maps' failed launch, Sharran reveals a recurring pattern that costs companies billions in lost trust, revenue, and reputation. Learn the five critical lessons from these failures and how to apply them to your business for smarter decision-making and long-term success.


If you want to avoid billion-dollar mistakes in your business, tune in to learn from the failures of the biggest brands and apply these lessons to your business.


“If your product isn’t ready, please don’t ship it—your reputation depends on it.”


- Sharran Srivatsaa


Timestamps:

01:15 - Why even smart companies keep making the same mistakes

02:36 - Sonos’ app failure: The update that broke customer trust

03:20 - Snapchat’s disastrous redesign and mass user backlash

04:01 - Apple Maps: The launch that forced a public apology

04:50 - Netflix’s Qwikster debacle and the cost of poor communication

05:51 - Five major lessons to avoid these business pitfalls

07:22 - Here's a big takeaway from the episode


Resources:

- Join the Future Proof Community - https://futureproofsecrets.com/

- The Real Brokerage - https://www.joinreal.com/

- Top Agent Power Pack - https://sharran.activehosted.com/f/121

- The 5am Club - https://sharran.com/5amclub/

- Join the 10K Wisdom Private Partner Podcast, now available to you for free - https://www.highlandprime.com/optin-10k-wisdom

- The Job of a CEO - https://www.highlandprime.com/download-job-of-ceo

- Join Sharran's VIP Community - https://sharran.com/vip/

- ARC Multifamily Real Estate Investing - https://arcmf.com/

- Sharran's Partnership Program - https://www.highlandprime.com/

- Grab Sharran’s 4-Week MBA for Free - https://sharran.com/4weekmba/


Connect with Sharran:

- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/likesharran

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sharransrivatsaa/

- X - https://x.com/sharran

- LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/sharran

- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzpl_gT1bVB1iNZl9yQbWuA?sub_confirmation=1


There's a lot of advice out there about building a business, but much of it feels theoretical or disconnected from the messy reality of day-to-day operations. Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa exists in that gap between theory and execution. Hosted by Sharran Srivatsaa, an entrepreneur and investor who has personally built and exited five companies across different sectors, this podcast is built on a foundation of direct, tactical experience. As the President and Managing Partner at Acquisition.com, Sharran now works closely with other business owners, giving him a unique, ground-level view of the common challenges and opportunities facing founders and operators today. Each episode focuses on stripping away the fluff and noise to discuss the specific strategies, mental frameworks, and practical steps that drive real growth. You'll hear conversations that tackle everything from marketing and management to investing and operational efficiency, all aimed at providing clarity and intentionality for the journey. This isn't about generic inspiration; it's for the underdogs and builders who are focused on measurable results. The insights shared in this podcast come from the front lines, offering a perspective that is both broad from his multi-industry exits and deeply personal from his current work guiding other companies. If you're looking for actionable guidance from someone who has repeatedly navigated the path from startup to successful exit, you'll find a valuable resource here.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa
Podcast Episodes
Why Your Team Isn’t Winning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:51
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!What if the key to realizing your team’s full potential is as simple as giving clearer instructions? In this episode, Sharran reveals the one tactical advantage you can implement…
How To Stop Getting Dumber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:25
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!How can you keep your mind sharp in an environment that's full of distractions and quick fixes? In this episode, Sharran reveals the five key strategies he's using to sharpen his…
There Are No Tax Loopholes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:27
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Tax loopholes sound like shortcuts to avoiding taxes, but the reality is that there are no loopholes. In this episode, Sharran breaks down the true meaning of tax incentives and w…
Predictions for 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:19
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!We’ve all read endless lists of predictions—what’s trending, what’s coming next, and what to watch out for. But what good are these predictions if they don't provide a roadmap for…
What Winners Actually Do [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:38
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!What if the secret to winning wasn't talent or luck, but the habits you practice every day? In this episode, Sharran shares a no-nonsense look at the habits that consistently set…
How I Run Interviews [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:42
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Hiring A-players? Forget the traditional interview playbook. Learn the new way to assess talent and make smarter hiring decisions.In today’s episode, Sharran walks us through the…
How Billionaires Avoid Taxes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:04
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Most people think taxes are unavoidable once their investments grow. But billionaires play a completely different game. In this episode, Sharran breaks down the single strategy th…
What Rich People Do Naturally [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:30
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Everyone wants to be rich, but most people don’t know that the habits of the wealthy are often very different from what society expects. In this episode, Sharran breaks down the f…
The Algorithm Is Lying To You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:08
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Social media has become part of our everyday lives, but that doesn’t make it trustworthy. The most dangerous part isn’t the misinformation itself–it’s how believable it looks.In t…
Followers Are Officially Dead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:47
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Is your follower count lying to you? Sharran reveals why social media followers are officially dead and why that’s actually great news. In this episode, he breaks down how algorit…