It’s clear that Lean Startup is shifting from startups to the enterprise. There’s still a lot to learn amongst early stage entrepreneurs, and a lot of discussion that’s needed around implementing Lean Startup, but attention has definitely shifted to applying the framework in large organizations. Alistair and I have been looking at how Lean Startup […]
Lean Startup Versus Raising Capital
Lean Startup is about experimentation and learning. It’s about being intellectually honest and methodical in your approach. It’s about going slow before going fast. It’s about moving backward before moving forward. Investing on the other hand is about storytelling and big vision. It’s also about proof and hockey stick traction. So when raising money how […]
6 Things You Need to Pivot Successfully
Pivot. We’re all familiar with the word — and many people now roll their eyes when they hear it. The word has been bastardized, overused, and taken out of context. But it doesn’t mean pivots aren’t important. Dont hate the word, hate the people that use it incorrectly and ignore its importance. Pivot. Say it […]
Don’t Sell Solutions to Universal Problems
“Would you like to make more money?” “Is hiring people hard?” “Are you overwhelmed by email?” “Do you wish you were healthier and more fit?” For most people the only answer to these questions is “yes”. They’re truisms. Universal truths. Universal problems. And they’re unsolvable. Too many startups confuse big vision and trying to solve […]
The Difference Between Stealth Mode and Quiet Mode
A lot of companies still talk about being in stealth mode and aiming for a big hoorah type launch. It doesn’t usually work. Worse still, startups that are in stealth mode rarely talk to customers, prospects, users, partners or anyone else before their big reveal, which means they have little to no validation for what […]
I’m Writing a Book with Alistair Croll: Lean Analytics (to be published by O’Reilly)
Often when giving presentations I have an introductory slide about myself that shows a timeline of my experience. Here’s an example: (Some presenters don’t need this sort of thing, I’m not quite that famous!) What’s most interesting to me about this slide is right at the very beginning in 1996. It says, “started writing online.” […]
Lean Startup, Startup Recruiting, Financing and Startup Accelerators
I’ve never found a great system for bubbling up older content on a blog. It’s so transient. Posts last a week at most and then they disappear into the archive. I’ve tried a few things, and here’s my latest attempt to collect and organize some of my posts on key topics of interest. In the […]
Analysis Paralysis (and Blaming Lean Startup)
Lately, I’m getting more and more feedback from entrepreneurs that Lean Startup is holding them back. I’m seeing this in action as well; startups that are “stuck” in a permanent mode of analysis with little to no action. Entrepreneurs blame the Lean Startup process. They point out that the need to validate everything before moving […]
Running Lean by Ash Maurya
Seems these days I start almost every blog post talking about Lean Canvas. I’ve seen the Lean Canvas work effectively – as a planning, strategy and communication tool – and encourage any startup I’m working with to give it a try. Ultimately it’s about focus. Focus is incredibly elusive in a startup. A lack of […]
Why There’s No Space for Competition on a Lean Canvas
Why isn’t there a box for Competition on the Lean Canvas? Someone asked me this question recently, and it’s a good one. Understanding your competition is important, but ultimately it should have very little impact on what you do. For starters, your biggest competitor is likely not another company, but in fact the most difficult […]
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