The Principles of Yaroslav Vedmed: How to Build a Successful Business

On the birthday of Yaroslav Vedmed, the visionary founder of the communications agency Postmen, we take a moment to remember the core principles that he applied in both his professional and personal life. These principles not only define the trajectory of the projects that continue to flourish after his death but also provide essential guidelines for building a successful business.

The first principle that Yaroslav consistently emphasized was his commitment to cultivating a team that sets ambitious goals for itself. He often stated, 'Without greatness inside each of us, within our employees, it is impossible to move towards such goals for the company.' This belief drove him to invest in attracting individuals who thought outside the box. Yaroslav firmly believed that a strong value platform would eventually unite those who found it significant.

The second principle highlights the importance of not postponing life to moments outside the office. 'Where you are is where you need to build that life,' he would say. Yaroslav actively invested in creating an office environment that was vibrant and comfortable for everyone. 'I want the office to be alive, for people to feel good as it goes, rather than only feeling good after they escape from it,' he emphasized.

The third principle that guided Yaroslav was what he termed the 'freeride strategy.' He believed it was essential to venture into areas where there were no existing footprints, as success in highly competitive zones is often elusive. 'A much more interesting idea might be to turn in the opposite direction and go where it feels scary to look,' he remarked.

The fourth principle, which Yaroslav lived by, was the 'going far strategy.' He always aimed for lofty goals, regardless of his pursuits. 'If I start engaging in sports, it’s Ironman. If I switch to running, it’s UTMB,' he shared. For Yaroslav, effectiveness was the ultimate goal, and he consistently moved towards it.

The fifth principle acknowledges that the path to success can often be fraught with challenges. 'A path taken with sharp, large movements is often the path to injury,' he noted. Yaroslav believed in a sustainable strategy, advocating for small steps but constant forward movement without regression.

The sixth principle pertains to business objectives. Yaroslav contended that many start working for money, but these are weak goals. 'The best situation is when you understand what helps you grow, your colleagues, and your clients,' he stressed. This growth, which is worth pursuing in business, is far more important than focusing solely on financial metrics.

The seventh principle deals with the attitude towards luck. 'When you bet on luck, it’s not a serious bet,' Yaroslav believed. He felt it was crucial to maintain a long-term perspective and not to fixate on immediate successes.

The eighth principle revolves around self-improvement. 'If you sharpen yourself, if you build your muscles in your field, it leads you upward,' he emphasized. Yaroslav was a proponent of the 10,000-hour principle, which pertains to achieving mastery in any craft.

The ninth principle states that the journey is never a straight line. 'It’s always a bit up and down,' he stressed. Yaroslav recognized the importance of alternating between intense work periods and recovery.

Finally, the tenth principle is: 'When things don’t go according to plan for you, most likely, they aren’t going according to plan for others either.' Yaroslav believed it was crucial to understand that tough times are not unique.

In conclusion, Yaroslav left behind three pieces of advice: Be free. Go far. Have fun along the way. For him, the journey itself was everything, and nothing was more important than what happens during the pursuit of a goal.