The Challenge Of Scale

Why do some products, companies, and social programs thrive as they grow while others peter out? 

There are five causes:

1) False positives, or inaccurately interpreting a piece of evidence or data;

2) Biased representativeness of population, or not making sure your samples reflect the larger population at scale;

3) Non-negotiables that can’t grow or be replicated;

4) Negative spillovers, or unintended outcomes; and

5) Cost traps.