by Juvoni Beckford@juvoni
Before readingWhy I picked it up
I'm always in search of principle based books. Could early stage businesses, startups have certain principles or patterns that reveal the traits of successful ones from those that go under? I wanted to find out. I came across another on of Steve Blanks startup resources that had a collection of hundreds of free resources startups could use to get off the ground. It was a very exhaustive collection that impressed even me who has a hobby of collecting various resources across the web.
After readingPosted
An in-depth journey around the customer and business development cycle for a new product or company. I found the information to be practical and easy to grasp. I approached the principle oriented teaching style and examples that break down misinformation or bad ways about thinking about building a product. Great for entrepreneurial minded individuals that want raw advice and smart guidance.
Three reasons to read it
- Great lessons on customer development for people starting a business as well as seasoned entrepreneurs.
- To dos and what not to do as different stages of the business and market maturity.
- Insights into what makes some startups successful and why others fail.
Notable quotesMore in Quotes
In the early stages of a startup, focusing on “execution” will put you out of business. Instead, you need a “learning and discovery” process so you can get the company to the point where you know what to execute.
Intellect without will is worthless, will without intellect is dangerous.
Sun TzuHave we identified a problem a customer wants solved? Does our product solve these customer needs? If so, do we have a viable and profitable business model? Have we learned enough to go out and sell? Answering these questions is the purpose of the first step in the Customer Development model, Customer Discovery.
Technology is adopted in phases by distinct groups: technology enthusiasts, visionaries, pragmatists, conservatives, and skeptics.
Build it and they will come,” is not a strategy; it's a prayer.
Notes for this book are still being transcribed.
