OWLworks Resource Hub
This resource hub has been created to support OWLworks mentees in their own time, alongside and beyond live sessions. It brings together recommended content across key themes, allowing you to explore topics in more depth, build confidence, and apply learning at your own pace. Resources will continue to evolve throughout the programme in response to participant needs and feedback.
Confidence, Leadership & Communication
How to Communication with confidence – Charisma on Command (YouTube and Podcast):
– 6 Simple Conversation Habits to Build Deeper Connections with Anyone (YouTube) – https://youtu.be/BfUEDvrD1Y4?si=NFk6Aw2_Mqx48YsU
– Communicate with Confidence: The Blueprint for Mastering Every Conversation by Mel Robinson and Jefferson Fisher (YouTube) – https://youtu.be/ZUCB3M_1Qp4?si=O4tbnMRyT1nuDkhF
– How to Captivate a Room Even if You are Shy (Podcast) – https://open.spotify.com/episode/5njdKtbAiHnR4i3kw34TGX?si=MdfRmgRhSoWulSIYHBjXPA
Harvard Business Review – Leadership & decision-making (Articles):
– Great Leaders Empower Strategic Decision-Making Across the Organization by Bill Flynn – https://hbr.org/2025/11/great-leaders-empower-strategic-decision-making-across-the-organization
– How to Make a Seemingly Impossible Leadership Decision by Daisy Auger-Domínguez – https://hbr.org/2025/11/how-to-make-a-seemingly-impossible-leadership-decision
– Identify Your Core Values to Make Better Leadership Decisions by Robert Glazer – https://hbr.org/2025/09/identify-your-core-values-to-make-better-leadership-decisions
Simon Sinek (YouTube/TED) – Purpose-driven leadership:
– Why good leaders make you feel safe | Simon Sinek – https://youtu.be/lmyZMtPVodo?si=YrbrljK-sMja-KcF
– Start with why – how great leaders inspire action | Simon Sinek – https://youtu.be/u4ZoJKF_VuA?si=ITf4bm_NSbsoUZw8
Book Recommendation: Dare to Lead – Brené Brown
Amazon Kindle – https://amzn.eu/d/47a5NgN
Podcast Recommendation: The Diary of a CEO – Leadership & mindset Podcast
Assignment:
Write and share a 500 words reflective article on at least 2 of the above content. Do make sure to site which of the content your reflections are based on stating:
– What limitations you learned about yourself,
– What changes you intend to make, and
– Next steps – Action plans to achieve those changes.
Discuss these reflections with a mentor in a 1:1 call.
Entrepreneurship & Founder Foundations
– How to Start a Startup (Sam Altman, Dustin Moskovitz) – https://youtu.be/CBYhVcO4WgI?si=SRa_rDKUZAZM8kme
– Starting A Company? The Key Terms You Should Know | Startup School – https://youtu.be/wH3TKpALlw4?si=WSgpXY2_In_YMi5O
– How to Get and Evaluate Startup Ideas | Startup School – https://youtu.be/Th8JoIan4dg?si=r1DB8ZA2X7JLXhiz
Pitching & Startup Finance:
– How Startup Fundraising Works | Startup School – https://youtu.be/zBUhQPPS9AY?si=9fzhR25LlMmiRdZt
– How to Make a Pitch Deck for Investors – Startups 101 – https://youtu.be/SB16xgtFmco?si=dGc22mGCPdKP23Ic
– Startup Funding Explained – Incorporation and First Investor (Part 1) – https://youtu.be/Rho9S_Nn7YI?si=oGdQTUUL5KU7e3bc
Podcast Recommendation: How I Built This – https://open.spotify.com/show/6E709HRH7XaiZrMfgtNCun?si=d80a01aa6ac5450a
Book Recommendation: The Lean Startup – Eric Ries
Audiobook: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Lean-Startup-Audiobook/B07HRXJBGM?source_code=OGC30DFT1Bk115060321903Z
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.eu/d/doKqfgq
Assignment: Based on the lessons from the resources above, create a Pitch Deck for your startup idea following the startup pitch deck outline and stating the funding ask for your start up idea.
Product Development, Strategy & Innovation
Product Development:
– Intro to Product Management by Forbes Director of Product – https://youtu.be/4yQtEx7-NQs?si=wQuSa9NMGwLboKiq
– Webinar: How to Create a Product Vision by Dropbox PM, Tansik Koyuncu – https://youtu.be/rYd2PN4EUOY?si=4WJ4xtpJMWRPKSj4
Strategy: Business models & value proposition:
Value Proposition – https://www.strategyzer.com/value-proposition
Value Proposition Canvas – https://www.strategyzer.com/library/the-value-proposition-canvas
Business Model – https://www.strategyzer.com/business-models-the-toolkit-to-design-a-disruptive-company
Innovation using Design Thinking:
– What Is Design Thinking? An Overview – https://youtu.be/gHGN6hs2gZY?si=v8WRIozKuNaBLlGi
– What is Design Thinking? | IDEO U – https://youtu.be/ldYzbV0NDp8?si=pzcpVn7CSzs-TpXV
– The Design Thinking Process – https://youtu.be/_r0VX-aU_T8?si=ZQz7ZULoVga9kbU9
Podcast Recommendation: Masters of Scale – https://open.spotify.com/show/1bJRgaFZHuzifad4IAApFR?si=1de07361785c4e8e
Book Recommendation: Inspired – Marty Cagan
Audiobook: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Inspired-2nd-Edition-Audiobook/B0F4Z8WLZN
Amazon Kindle: https://a.co/d/0p9ddLq
Assignment: Download the Value Proposition and Business Model Canva templates from Strategyzer and Complete and discuss each of the sections with a mentor on a 1:1 call
Marketing, Branding & Sales
– Neil Patel – SEO & digital marketing (4 hours+): https://youtu.be/Q_lySNxCag0?si=scngRG0p6FHlCR91
– HubSpot Academy – Inbound marketing & sales: https://youtu.be/n2NFDogO_gw?si=nAuAq6YAeoBK9aeq
– Alex Hormozi – Sales & offers:
– Podcast: Everyone Hates Marketers
– Audiobook: Building a StoryBrand – Donald Miller
