No.5, January 2, 2012
"Anything that won't sell I don't want to invent. Its sale is proof of utlity, and utlity is success."
-Thomas Edison
Founder, General Electric
Developers debate whether to talk to customers and if so, how. But one thing is certain. A product has to be used and be profitable to succeed. So it's best to try to be sure it will even as you develop it.
No.4, November 16, 2011
"We reversed the traditional development process: design, build, and sell. We sell, design, and build and that has saved us from innumerable problems."
-C. Scott Holt
Formerly VP Marketing, Seagate
When the product clay is still wet there is a fine line between sales and design because many customer objections can still be incorporated into the design.
No.3, October 03, 2011
"93% of all innovations that ultimately become successful started off in the wrong direction."
-Clayton Christianson
To succeed with a new product or business you may need to pivot, i.e., alter the problem you solve and your target customers, value propositions, product, revenue model, etc. until you get pointed in the right direction.
No.2, August 20, 2011
"If you want to invent a lawnmower, hire two engineers, give them scissors, and have them go cut the grass."
-Unknown
The point is to put engineers, and those who can allocate more or different engineers, on site with customers and their problems until a solution is at hand.
No.1, July 27, 2011
"Nail it then scale it."
-Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO
-Ken Fine, CMO
Financial Engines, Inc.
Smart companies do dumb things. Coca Cola with New Coke, Apple with the Newton, Google with Wave, and WebVan with a shop-from-home grocery service. They all scaled their business before they nailed their product and business model.
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