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
How To Pick An Investment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:53
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Investing is more than just picking stocks or real estate—it’s about making smart decisions with your time and money. In this episode, Sharran Srivatsaa reveals his powerful Inves…
Instagram Viral System [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:21
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Instagram is constantly evolving, but are you keeping up with the changes? In this episode, Sharran dives into the 10 secrets to Instagram growth, compiled from the latest insider…
Influencer Email Machine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:46
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Imagine waking up tomorrow to find that your entire social media following has vanished! What’s your backup plan? In this episode, Sharran reveals why your email list is the only…
5 Fixable Mistakes Leaders Make [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:53
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!What if you could drastically improve your leadership with just a few changes? Sharran reveals five fixable mistakes leaders commonly make and shows you exactly how to correct the…
The Father-Son MBA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:00
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!What can you learn in just 24 hours? More than you think. In this episode, Sharran takes you behind the scenes on a weekend trip to Las Vegas with his son 13-year-old son, Neal, s…
How to Beat the Rigged Social Media Game [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:58
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Social media is rigged, and the smartest people use it to their advantage. Today, you'll learn how to beat the system with polarizing predictions and hot takes that get results.In…
$0 Lead Engine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:29
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Generating quality leads can be expensive and time-consuming. But what if you could generate high-quality leads on autopilot without spending a dime? Sharran reveals four game-cha…
Wealth Leverage Formula [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:42
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Making more money won’t make you free–learning how to leverage it will. In this episode, Sharran shares the Wealth Leverage Formula–the mindset, strategies, and tools you need to…
Social Proof Secrets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:08
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Everyone chases reviews, but few know how to use them strategically. Sharran reveals the tactical secrets of social proof–how to turn reviews into leads, sales, and authority with…
The Action Filter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:13
Click Here to Get All Podcast Show Notes!Most people don’t fail because they’re lazy. They fail because they don’t know what to do next. In this episode, Sharran tackles the biggest problem holding people back: useless a…