Inc 5000 List Unreliable

Shaan and Sam discuss their skepticism about the Inc 5000 list's credibility, highlighting how it's becoming less reliable as a measure of business success.

Key Points:

• List Credibility Issues:

  • BlockFi ranked #1 despite going out of business 3 months prior
  • Shows disconnect between published rankings and business reality
  • List appears outdated and not properly maintained

• Historical Significance:

  • Used to be one of the only lists that "kinda matters"
  • Previously served as legitimate measure of business growth
  • Now viewed with increasing skepticism

• Publication Process Problems:

  • Lists appear to be created far in advance
  • No updates made when companies fail or have major issues
  • Staff seemingly unwilling to make necessary changes

• Impact on Business Community:

  • Companies still promote being "3-time Inc 5000 winner"
  • Achievement becoming less meaningful
  • Random digital agencies with nothing special making the list

• Humor in the Situation:

  • Compare to sports magazines listing deceased athletes as "greatest active players"
  • Staff attitude of "seems like a lot of work" to update rankings
  • Likened to office happy hour where bad news becomes less important

The speakers conclude that while the Inc 5000 used to be a respected measure of business success, it has become increasingly unreliable and should be viewed with skepticism.