Operating Principles
Exodus — Operating Principles
Last updated: 2026-04-01
Every action in the playbook must cite at least one principle and state its connection to the move or to revenue generation through case studies.
Execution Principles
E1. Revenue first, move second — but the clock is ticking. The move has a hard deadline (~Sep 1, 2026). Revenue must show positive growth by end of April to trigger W2 exit. Don’t let move logistics distract from DocProof and Automator growth — April is the prove-it month. But unlike before, the timeline is committed. Plan accordingly.
E2. Document everything as you go. Every automation built for the move is a case study. Every decision is content. If you’re not documenting it, you’re leaving value on the table. The move is both a life event and a marketing asset.
E3. Automate before you manual. When faced with any move task (research, comparison, booking, tracking), ask first: “Can this be automated?” If yes, build the automation AND document it. That’s two wins from one task.
E4. Decide together, execute in parallel. Big decisions (destination, timing, budget) are joint with Adam’s wife. Execution tasks (research automation, logistics, financial setup) can be divided and run in parallel.
Strategic Principles
S1. The move is content. “I automated our entire international relocation” is a blog post, a YouTube video, and an agency case study. Treat the move as a content production pipeline, not just a logistics project.
S2. Cloud-native or it doesn’t come. Every system — business, personal, communication — must work from anywhere with an internet connection. If it requires a US physical presence, replace it before the move.
S3. Protect the optionality. Ninghai is locked as destination #1, but the multi-stop plan (China → TBD → Raleigh-Durham) means every decision should preserve flexibility. Don’t sign long contracts, don’t ship things you can rebuy. Yun’s green card must be maintained — that’s the ultimate optionality.
The Three-Question Test
Before any action enters the playbook, it must answer:
- Which principle(s) does this action serve? (cite by number)
- What’s the connection? (to the move logistics OR to revenue via case studies)
- What does “done” look like? (observable outcome, not activity)
Principles Log
| Date | Principle | What Taught Us |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-31 | Initial principles established | Strategic conversation — the move is both a life goal and a business asset. Document everything. |
| 2026-04-01 | E1 updated (hard deadline), S3 updated (destination locked, protect green card) | Ninghai confirmed, timeline accelerated, optionality now means green card + flexibility, not destination shopping. |