One needs to think of a PhD like doing a startup. Your output needs to align with the “market”. In academia, the market is the scientific landscape and the cus

One needs to think of a PhD like doing a startup. Your output needs to align with the “market”. In academia, the market is the scientific landscape and the customers are other academics who read papers (market place of ideas). You have lots of customers when your ideas are well received and people want to hear and read your work (success in academia). Just like in startup, you have to iterate until you get the right product fit. You also need to market your ideas by writing and speaking well. Finally you need to build a brand so people can recognise your work as part of an overarching research program.