The great big mystery of tech startups

The great big mystery of tech startups

1. Build a product that solves a real and embarrassingly narrow problem
2. Put it in front of the right users
3. Learn and iterate
4. Rinse and repeat

That's it.

The faster and more efficiently you do that, the better.

Ignore the noise. Set aside your ego. Avoid the bright shiny lights. And keep a keen eye on opportunity cost. They will all sink you before you even get to step 2.

But here are the real questions...

1. What is a product?

2. What is a real, embarrassingly narrow problem?

3. How do you solve only a narrow problem when you know the real issues are so big and complicated?

4. How do you put the product in front of users?

5. How do you know those users are the RIGHT users?

6. How do you learn?

7. How do you make sure you learn the RIGHT lessons?

8. How do you know exactly HOW to iterate such that the changes are as surgical and effective as possible?

This is what makes the simple 4 step dance of startups so hard. It's the definition of terms and the methodologies for effective and efficient action at each step.

The trick?

Find people with experience, intuition, taste, and talent. Bring them into your process. Put them in positions of authority. Hold onto them for dear life.