The phrase “Cry Havoc! Let Slip the Dogs of War!” is from Act III, Scene I of William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar.

In the play, the phrase is used by Mark Antony in a speech to the Roman citizens, after the assassination of his friend, Julius Caesar.

In the scene, Antony is trying to turn the people of Rome against the conspirators who have killed Caesar.

He uses the phrase to call for chaos and violence, inciting the citizens to take up arms and seek revenge for the death of their leader.

By using the metaphor of dogs of war, Antony is painting a picture of a pack of wild, ferocious beasts that have been unleashed and are ready to wreak havoc.

The phrase has since become a popular expression, often used to evoke the idea of a call to arms or a rallying cry for conflict.

I have seen entrepreneurs adopt this approach in their businesses, where they enter what seems like crowded markets, and just let slip the dogs of war.

Such entrepreneurs take bold, aggressive action in order to achieve their goals or gain a competitive advantage.

Here are a few examples of startups that have embraced a “Cry Havoc Let Slip The Dogs of War” mentality in their approach to business:

1. M-Pesa: M-Pesa is a mobile money transfer and microfinance service that was launched in Kenya in 2007. The company took on the traditional banking sector, offering a more accessible and convenient way for people to manage their finances. M-Pesa’s bold approach to finance has made it one of the most successful mobile money platforms in the world.
2. Uber: When Uber entered the market, it disrupted the traditional taxi industry by offering a more convenient and reliable ride-hailing service. The company adopted an aggressive approach to growth and expansion, quickly expanding to hundreds of cities around the world and challenging established players in the transportation space.
3. Jumia: Jumia is an online marketplace that operates in several African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt. The company took on the traditional retail sector, offering a more convenient and accessible way for consumers to shop for goods online. Jumia’s aggressive approach to growth and expansion has made it one of the largest e-commerce platforms in Africa.
4. SpaceX: SpaceX, the space exploration company founded by Elon Musk, has set its sights on revolutionising space travel. The company has taken an aggressive approach to develop reusable rockets, reducing the cost of launches, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the field of space exploration.
5. Andela: Andela is a talent accelerator that trains and connects software developers with companies around the world. The company is disrupting the traditional model of software development by providing a new way for businesses to access top talent. Andela’s bold approach to talent development has made it a leading player in the tech industry in Africa.
6. Airbnb: Airbnb also took on a well-established industry, this time the hotel industry, with a new model for short-term rentals. They adopted a similar “Cry Havoc Let Slip The Dogs of War” approach, growing rapidly and aggressively expanding into new markets, despite facing opposition and regulatory challenges along the way.

These are just a few examples of startups that have embraced a bold and aggressive approach in order to achieve their goals and make a significant impact in their respective industries.

In the world of entrepreneurship, the willingness to ‘Cry Havoc and Let Slip the Dogs of War’ is often what separates innovative startups from the rest.

It takes a certain boldness and determination to challenge the status quo and create new solutions to old problems.

Whether you’re entering a crowded market or facing a crisis, it’s essential to embrace a ‘Cry Havoc’ mentality and be prepared to take decisive, aggressive action to achieve your goals.

So, let us all embrace the spirit of ‘Cry Havoc,’ and let the dogs of war slip, in our quest for success as entrepreneurs.