---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A company can set off in one direction…"
description: "\"A company can set off in one direction, figures out that it's not the right way to go, and then go in an entirely new direction. Over time, the product..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/533/andrew-yang-3669_better_a-company-can-set-off-in-one-direction-f_54843.jpg"
---

#  A company can set off in one direction, figures out that…

![“A company can set off in one direction, figures out that it's not the right way to go, and then go in an entirely new direction. Over time, the product or service improves, and the company gets better at executing and delivering.” quote by Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/533/andrew-yang-3669_better_a-company-can-set-off-in-one-direction-f_54843.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/533/andrew-yang-3669_better_a-company-can-set-off-in-one-direction-f_54843.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/533/andrew-yang-3669_better_a-company-can-set-off-in-one-direction-f_54843.jpg)

> “A company can set off in one direction, figures out that it's not the right way to go, and then go in an entirely new direction. Over time, the product or service improves, and the company gets better at executing and delivering.”

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Iterative pivots let firms discover superior markets, refining execution as they learn.

**In simple terms:** Strategic flexibility drives growth

Key Takeaway

Adaptation improves performance

Themes

Adaptability Learning Strategic pivot Execution Innovation Growth

Mood

Optimistic Determined

Type

Observational Strategic

When to use this quote

- Early-stage startup
- Mature firm facing market shift
- Company launching new product line

Key Concepts

Product-market fit Organizational learning Agile strategy

Practical Applications

- Business model redesign
- Continuous improvement processes

Questions to Reflect On

- How can a company institutionalize learning from pivots?
- What metrics indicate a successful direction change?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Company Gets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company-gets-767192/) [Company Set](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company-set-767193/) [Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direction/) [Improves Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improves-company-767191/) [New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new/) [New Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-direction-357155/) [Right way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-way/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [It has always been clear that The Washington Post is a company that is set up for the purpose of protecting the long-term interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-grayer/it-has-always-been-clear-that-the-washington-post-is-a-company-that/)

[Jonathan Grayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-grayer/)

> [A company can be an amazing company, but they can set their valuation of their company so high to where they price themselves out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-wagner/a-company-can-be-an-amazing-company-but-they-can-set-their-valuation/)

[Bobby Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-wagner/)

> [I think every company is set by who founded it and who's in charge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-schafer/i-think-every-company-is-set-by-who-founded-it-and-who-s-in-charge/)

[Tim Schafer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-schafer/)

> [Every now and then I love to invest in a company that may not set the world on fire, but has the chance to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/every-now-and-then-i-love-to-invest-in-a-company-that-may-not-set-the/)

[Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/)

> [Napster has pointed the way for a new direction for music distribution, and we believe it will form the basis of important and exciting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-diller/napster-has-pointed-the-way-for-a-new-direction-for-music/)

[Barry Diller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-diller/)

> [You have to always be ready, always be alive, and always be willing to move in a new direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-spacey/you-have-to-always-be-ready-always-be-alive-and-always-be-willing-to/)

[Kevin Spacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-spacey/)

> [It is time for a New Direction for our nation's energy policies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-capps/it-is-time-for-a-new-direction-for-our-nation-s-energy-policies/)

[Lois Capps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-capps/)

> [“sometimes you had to be brave enough to “point your life in a new direction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liane-moriarty/sometimes-you-had-to-be-brave-enough-to-point-your-life-in-a-new/)

[Liane Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liane-moriarty/)

> [An exceptional company is the one that gets all the little details right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/an-exceptional-company-is-the-one-that-gets-all-the-little-details-2/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [When a company gets bigger, when it begins to bring on employees, it naturally goes through this tendency of wanting to control, of wanting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-randolph/when-a-company-gets-bigger-when-it-begins-to-bring-on-employees-it/)

[Marc Randolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-randolph/)

> [The best thing that happens to us is when a great company gets into temporary trouble...We want to buy them when they're on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/the-best-thing-that-happens-to-us-is-when-a-great-company-gets-into/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [An exceptional company is the one that gets all the little details right. And the people out on the front line, they know when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/an-exceptional-company-is-the-one-that-gets-all-the-little-details/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Quality isn't about where the money came from or which company gets to put their name on the thing. What matters is who made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gordon-levitt/quality-isn-t-about-where-the-money-came-from-or-which-company-gets/)

[Joseph Gordon-Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gordon-levitt/)

> [When you have a programmer-founded company it often gets really techy, if you have a producer or a business-person, it all really sets the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-schafer/when-you-have-a-programmer-founded-company-it-often-gets-really-techy/)

[Tim Schafer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-schafer/)

> [Unfortunately, whoever brings the most money for the company gets all the chances, it's not about who's the best anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-anderson/unfortunately-whoever-brings-the-most-money-for-the-company-gets-all/)

[Corey Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-anderson/)

## More by Andrew Yang

> [When I graduated from Brown, I had a very limited conception of jobs, careers, and what I wanted to do. Basically, I figured I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/when-i-graduated-from-brown-i-had-a-very-limited-conception-of-jobs/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [The vast majority of companies don't go public and mint dozens of millionaires. And most companies don't go around doling out stock options; private…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/the-vast-majority-of-companies-don-t-go-public-and-mint-dozens-of/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [I have started or run several companies and spent time with dozens of entrepreneurs over the years. Virtually none of them, in my experience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/i-have-started-or-run-several-companies-and-spent-time-with-dozens-of/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [I've always believed that talking about something is not the same as doing something about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/i-ve-always-believed-that-talking-about-something-is-not-the-same-as/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [Unfortunately, hardworking, academically gifted young people are kind of lazy when it comes to determining direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/unfortunately-hardworking-academically-gifted-young-people-are-kind/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [Silicon Valley is like Wall Street in that it will fill and pursue market opportunities to their logical extremes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/silicon-valley-is-like-wall-street-in-that-it-will-fill-and-pursue/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [If you can't pay your bills, it has a really tough effect on your mental state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/if-you-can-t-pay-your-bills-it-has-a-really-tough-effect-on-your/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [Starting a business is similar to an athletic endeavor, like serving a tennis ball. Telling you how to do it is useless. You actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/starting-a-business-is-similar-to-an-athletic-endeavor-like-serving-a/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [I'm a capitalist, and I believe that universal basic income is necessary for capitalism to continue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/i-m-a-capitalist-and-i-believe-that-universal-basic-income-is/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [Technology companies tend to operate in winner-take-all spaces and thus adopt a very high-commitment culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/technology-companies-tend-to-operate-in-winner-take-all-spaces-and/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [After a couple of years in a professional setting, you'll get used to dressing presentably, preparing for meetings, speaking appropriately, showing up on time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/after-a-couple-of-years-in-a-professional-setting-you-ll-get-used-to/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [I try not to bring my phone to the gym - it's too tempting to play with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/i-try-not-to-bring-my-phone-to-the-gym-it-s-too-tempting-to-play-with/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [Back in 2001, my first start-up was mentioned in the 'New York Times' and 'USA Today.' I figured that would drive thousands of visitors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/back-in-2001-my-first-start-up-was-mentioned-in-the-new-york-times/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [Building a successful business requires a combination of human capital, financial resources, market opportunity, persistence, community support, and even luck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/building-a-successful-business-requires-a-combination-of-human/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

> [People generally think of technology simply as a spur to start new businesses. But the Internet has also made it possible for more businesses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/people-generally-think-of-technology-simply-as-a-spur-to-start-new/)

[Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

[Explore all 125 Andrew Yang quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/)

## More Better quotes

> [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/)

[Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/)

> [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/)

[Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/)

> [You can't force people to feel in a certain way, and the sooner you understand that,the better. I feel everything has its way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidharth-malhotra/you-can-t-force-people-to-feel-in-a-certain-way-and-the-sooner-you/)

[Sidharth Malhotra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidharth-malhotra/)

> [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/)

[Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/)

> [The bigger the canvas, the better I do. I'm not so good at understated, kitchen-sink kinds of parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/the-bigger-the-canvas-the-better-i-do-i-m-not-so-good-at-understated/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

> [The Little you Give !! The Better it Gets !!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-stanyer/the-little-you-give-the-better-it-gets/)

[Mario Stanyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-stanyer/)

> [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/)

[Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/)

> [In my first 100 days as Ontario's Minister of Transportation, I found a willing municipal partner in the City of Toronto that shares our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-mulroney/in-my-first-100-days-as-ontario-s-minister-of-transportation-i-found/)

[Caroline Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-mulroney/)

> [It hasn't been a conscious thing, like, 'I don't want to listen to a bunch of dudes,' but I genuinely like music by women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soccer-mommy/it-hasn-t-been-a-conscious-thing-like-i-don-t-want-to-listen-to-a/)

[Soccer Mommy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soccer-mommy/)

> [Life is going to hit you some line drives, and sometimes you'll have to think fast. However, it's better to think first than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/life-is-going-to-hit-you-some-line-drives-and-sometimes-you-ll-have/)

[John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/)

> [I like to collaborate with other people for studio recordings because I believe collaboration, in any form, makes music better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-like-to-collaborate-with-other-people-for-studio-recordings-because/)

[Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/)

> [Absolutely, you can improve and become better at toughness. It's a talent, but it can be acquired, too. I think of it like building…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harbaugh/absolutely-you-can-improve-and-become-better-at-toughness-it-s-a/)

[Jim Harbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harbaugh/)

> [Not having drops and not taking plays off, if I do that it will make everyone around me better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demaryius-thomas/not-having-drops-and-not-taking-plays-off-if-i-do-that-it-will-make/)

[Demaryius Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demaryius-thomas/)

> [Cara Delevingne and I took an eyebrow selfie. We both have prominent eyebrows, but hers are much better than mine. Maybe we should do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-poulter/cara-delevingne-and-i-took-an-eyebrow-selfie-we-both-have-prominent/)

[Will Poulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-poulter/)

> [I never really look at it past one year. I look at last year and my whole goal is to be a better player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/i-never-really-look-at-it-past-one-year-i-look-at-last-year-and-my/)

[Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/)

[Browse all 17,085 Better quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A company can set off in one direction, figures out that it's not the right way to go, and then go in an entirely new direction. Over time, the product or service improves, and the company gets better at executing and delivering.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Andrew Yang"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/a-company-can-set-off-in-one-direction-figures-out-that-it-s-not-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Better"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/a-company-can-set-off-in-one-direction-figures-out-that-it-s-not-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/533/andrew-yang-3669_better_a-company-can-set-off-in-one-direction-f_54843.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/533/andrew-yang-3669_better_a-company-can-set-off-in-one-direction-f_54843.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/533/andrew-yang-3669_better_a-company-can-set-off-in-one-direction-f_54843.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A company can set off in one direction, figures out that it's not the right way to go, and then go in an…” — Andrew Yang",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Andrew Yang",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A company can set off in...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/a-company-can-set-off-in-one-direction-figures-out-that-it-s-not-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/a-company-can-set-off-in-one-direction-figures-out-that-it-s-not-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
