好的 founder 都懂的道理：taste 才是 AI 创业最大的壁垒

Core Viewpoint - In the AI era, taste is becoming a new scarce resource, as production is no longer limited. Companies must focus on creating products that convey a unique philosophy rather than just functionality [2][4]. Group 1: Importance of Taste - Taste is difficult to quantify and process, yet it is essential for creating products that resonate with users [2][3]. - Taste is not merely about aesthetics; it involves thousands of consistent decisions that create a compound effect [4][12]. - Top founders understand that taste is a competitive advantage that permeates design, code, corporate culture, and even equity structure [5][6]. Group 2: Challenges in Defining Taste - Many companies confuse taste with aesthetics, believing that hiring a design firm or choosing a nice font is sufficient [7]. - True taste requires sacrifices, such as rejecting features that could expand market size or spending time optimizing details that users may not notice [8][9]. Group 3: Taste and Rapid Iteration - Taste is not the opposite of speed; rather, it is a prerequisite for sustainable speed in product development [9][10]. - A clear understanding of what to build and why can reduce rework and speed up decision-making processes [11]. Group 4: The Compound Effect of Taste - Taste transforms chaos into clarity, allowing teams to navigate numerous small decisions intuitively [11]. - A product that feels well-considered leads users to trust its infrastructure, security, and future planning [12]. Group 5: Sales with Taste - Early sales hires should view sales as a craft, ensuring they understand the company's vision and can empathize with users [13][14]. - High-quality sales interactions teach potential customers how to understand the product, reinforcing the company's values [15]. Group 6: Scaling Taste - Scaling taste requires systematic approaches, starting with founder oversight on user-facing decisions to ensure consistency [18]. - Hiring talent that bridges vision and execution is crucial for maintaining taste [19]. Group 7: The Nature of Taste - Taste cannot be directly taught; it is developed through practice and experience [21]. - Founders can clarify their taste by explaining their choices and establishing shared quality standards [21]. Group 8: Limitations of Taste - Taste does not dominate all markets; companies can succeed even with less appealing designs if they solve urgent problems [23]. - Understanding the competitive environment is key; taste becomes critical when alternatives are available [23]. Group 9: Long-term Benefits of Taste - Taste resists commoditization as it integrates into a philosophy of decision-making [24]. - The rewards of taste are immediate and accumulate over time, leading to user forgiveness for missing features and attracting top talent [24][25].