Google's Larry Page: Will Your Product Pass The Toothbrush Test?

The fastest way to expand your business is to buy another company.

It's a risky move involving piles of documents and a horde of well-compensated bankers and lawyers.

The former is digestible, the latter will cost you an arm and a leg.

That’s why when Google founder Larry Page looks at a potential company to acquire, to judge whether it’s worth his time and money or not, he asks a simple question:

Is it something you will use once or twice a day and does it make your life better?

That's it.

He calls it The Toothbrush Test.

Instead of diving into the nitty-gritty of financials, he cares about long-term value.

It rules out a plethora of companies.

The sentiment of the test remains valid for me and should also be for you.

If your product or service solves a problem so well that the people you want to serve can’t go a day without it, then your company becomes part of their lifestyle and you have the potential of owning a billion-dollar company.

Next time you’re thinking about building a business, start with the toothbrush test.

I know, you're no Larry Page.

Neither am I.

But who better to emulate?

P.S. Like what you’re reading here? Well, you have three choices really.

1. Get more stories straight to your inbox. Subscribe in the page footer below.

2. Read another piece.

3. When you are ready to level up, hire me.