Building the right thing

Tadas LabudisProduct Manager @Labudis

Building the right thing

My product journey

• 2008 - started studies in Scotland

• 2009 - launched an online drum shop

• 2011 - created a student social network

• 2012 - pivoted into event recommendations

• 2014 - doing product stuff at Kotikan

Kotikan

Customer Problem Solution

Basis of a business idea

???

Customer Problem Solution

Startups start with…

?

Customer Problem Solution

Startups often do this

Customer Problem Solution

Startups often do this

wtf?

Customer Problem Solution

But should do thisgimme da cookie!

Build

MeasureLearn

ideas product

data

vision

Build

MeasureLearn

ideas product

data

assumptions

speed!

vision

The goal

• Maximise value

• Minimise waste

… or creating more value for customers with fewer resources

Customer Development

Customers are experts in their own problems

Do you enjoy doing customer interviews?

(raise your hand if you do)

Interviews are hard

Get intros

Offer incentives

Keep it informal

Avoid “pitch mode”

Ask about specifics

Deflect compliments

Signs you did well

• Permission to contact again

• Clear next meeting

• Introduction to decision-maker

• Commitment to run a trial

• Pre-purchase

• NOT compliments

What if they hate your idea? :(

Build

MeasureLearn

ideas product

data

vision

Books

• The Lean Startup (book)

• The Four Steps to the Epiphany (book)

• The Mom Test (book)

Thanks!

Hit me up on Twitter @Labudis

deliver the cookies!