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Steven Ritchie 🧋
@staticsteven
Tangent: I’m still torn on the idea that product is the key to success. I think we are hot in the middle of a “product rules supreme” era a la product-led growth which is a way for people to focus on product instead of distribution.
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Cedric Chin
@ejames_c
Something that's always bothered me: product validation frameworks (Lean Startup, etc, but mostly Lean Startup) usually talk about the methodology like the methodology is the thing. But I've often found that product taste is just as important. commoncog.com/blog/product-v
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Steven Ritchie 🧋
@staticsteven
It’s easy to get caught up in the belief that a “better product” is all it takes. Of all people, this is one of the things I’m most likely to believe and push! It’s practically my job. But I wonder if we are just coming off a “better not best” wave.
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Steven Ritchie 🧋
@staticsteven
The latest generation of marketplace winners are better for most but not the “best” by standards of the startups attempting to push out incumbents. I don’t think you can win with product alone.
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Steven Ritchie 🧋
@staticsteven
It might be the wedge to get you in—we are a better X, but you soon need to move to things like distribution, platform, service to continue to grow. Sure, maybe that’s what people mean by “product rules”, but at that point just substitute product for business.
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Steven Ritchie 🧋
@staticsteven
You end up with “a better business is key to success”. Products are indeed systems and the product _experience_ is only one piece of the puzzle, but one we are all fixated on right now. I think? This is me trying to convince myself that maybe product isn’t everything.
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Steven Ritchie 🧋
@staticsteven
I think what I’m trying to say is..people outside the tech world don’t use products because they are what you would describe as “the best”. That quality is subjective to them.
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Cedric Chin
@ejames_c
Replying to
@staticsteven
Oh, I'm 100% in the 'products are not the most important thing' camp. One of my favourite things now is keeping a collection of 'when a PLG company goes up against a company with a sales force, the company with the sales force tends to win'. Anecdotal, but fun.
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