Ideas are plentiful, good execution is harder to come by, finding the right product market fit is rare. However we should be thankful to Steve Blank, Eric Ries, and others from the lean start up movement for decoding some of the mysteries surrounding product market fit. Another tool that can be incorporated into your customer development toolbox is the business model canvas. The business model canvas comes from a book I highly recommend for any entrepreneur. Business Model Generation by Alex Osterwalder. Once you come up with an idea it’s a great tool to determine viability and start putting some rigor around whether or not you are on the right track. It also comes in handy as you pivot. You can keep updating the canvas as your idea evolves and grows. It will also help you clarify what business you are really in. There are some great examples in Steve Blank’s SXSW presentation of his students using the canvas as they iterate on their ideas. There is also an iPad app available. A little pricey at 30 dollars. This shouldn’t get in your way. You can easily print the canvas out and use post its. Or take the digital version and update with Photoshop or Fireworks.

Ideas are plentiful, good execution is harder to come by, finding the right product market fit is rare. However we should be thankful to Steve Blank, Eric Ries, and others from the lean start up movement for decoding some of the mysteries surrounding product market fit. Another tool that can be incorporated into your customer development toolbox is the business model canvas. The business model canvas comes from a book I highly recommend for any entrepreneur. Business Model Generation by Alex Osterwalder.

Once you come up with an idea it’s a great tool to determine viability and start putting some rigor around whether or not you are on the right track. It also comes in handy as you pivot. You can keep updating the canvas as your idea evolves and grows. It will also help you clarify what business you are really in.

There are some great examples in Steve Blank’s SXSW presentation of his students using the canvas as they iterate on their ideas.

There is also an iPad app available. A little pricey at 30 dollars. This shouldn’t get in your way. You can easily print the canvas out and use post its. Or take the digital version and update with Photoshop or Fireworks.

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  1. viktorbezic posted this