Rainer Sternfeld: setting an objective is like selecting a good book to read

CDL-Estonia invited ten startups, attendees of Latitude, to an exclusive breakfast with CDL-Estonia Mentors Rainer Sternfeld and Kalev Kaarna. Both mentors said that CDL is something totally different compared to other mentor programs. It is intensive, and the main idea is that ventures will get really honest feedback from top mentors: “it is super valuable, and you cannot get it elsewhere.”

On setting objectives, Rainer Sternfeld said to the attending startups that the importance of the objectives is hard to overestimate. “Objectives have the power to lead your life. Even if you are not thinking about them, they still unconsciously influence your decisions”. Setting the right objectives is most important. Rainer said that setting an objective is like selecting a good book to read. “If your time is limited, [ Sometimes, selecting the right book takes longer than reading. With objectives, it is the same – setting the right objective takes time and is harder than executing it later”. 

Kalev Kaarna brought an example that some years ago one startup came with four pages of different objectives. One week later, they understood that they had no objective at all – they had only four pages of activities. The CDL program is, therefore, valuable as it helps startups to set the right objectives and further their progress as a company.

CDL is an objectives-based program for massively scalable, seed-stage, science- and technology-based companies. Apply here! Applications close July 31.