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The episode "Lead Gen Businesses, Islamic Finance & COVID-19 Virality" from the My First Million podcast, released on March 10, 2020, discusses several topics:

  1. Sequoia's Survival Memo: Shaan and Sam discuss the advisory memos from Sequoia Capital, one of the top venture capital firms. These memos warned startups about tight financial times ahead due to economic crises like the 2008 financial collapse and the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The recent memo advises companies to conserve cash and prepare for tough times, emphasizing the importance of readiness for economic downturns. 1

  2. Viral Marketing: They explore how viral growth works, using examples from their experiences with promotions and campaigns. Shaan provides insights into the unexpected and exponential nature of viral marketing, which is relevant both to products and global issues like the coronavirus spread. 2

  3. Rebranding Concepts: The power of rebranding and manipulation of words was discussed, highlighting how terms like MSG and aioli have been transformed to influence consumer perception. This segment underscores the significance of language in marketing and product positioning. 3

    Sequoia's Survival Memo

    Shaan discusses Sequoia's famous "Rip Good Times" presentation from 2008, and how they recently released a new memo advising startups to prepare for a potential financial crisis due to the impact of the Coronavirus. They advise startups to tighten up their spending habits, raise money, and go into survival mode. Sam shares his thoughts on the memo and how his company is already in a good position due to their tight spending habits.

    My First Million

    Lead Gen Businesses, Islamic Finance & COVID-19 Virality | My First Million Podcast 03-10-2020
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  4. Islamic Finance: The conversation also covers Islamic finance, which avoids traditional interest-based lending to comply with Islamic law. This segment highlights the adaptability and potential of alternative financial systems that align with cultural and religious practices. 4

  5. Innovation in Finance: They touch on innovative business models over banking infrastructures, similar to fintech startups that offer new consumer interfaces while utilizing established bank back-ends. 5

This episode encapsulates a mix of finance, crisis management, marketing strategies, and cultural insights, providing a comprehensive view of various business strategies and societal impacts.

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