market validation

Bon Voyage! Here Are Two Business Ideas that Need to Die

Bon Voyage! Here Are Two Business Ideas that Need to Die

I nearly scrapped this column, because they’re not bad ideas per se. Both are still in fashion today, especially in the startup-o-sphere, and like many popular ideas there's more than a grain of truth to them. But these two ideas have run themselves ragged, and I see them doing more harm than good when I encounter them. 

Lingerie, a Camel Burger, and the Moment of Inspiration

Lingerie, a Camel Burger, and the Moment of Inspiration

This week, it gives me great pleasure to direct you to two pieces I published last week in Fast Company and Elite Daily about seizing on moments of inspiration in business. I wanted to describe a few of the most formative experiences in my career that ultimately led me to start my latest venture, UserMuse.

Can't Agree on Strategy? Settle It Outside with Fast Market Validation

Can't Agree on Strategy? Settle It Outside with Fast Market Validation

It doesn’t matter how strong a company’s brand is or how smart the executives, product managers, engineers, or consultants are. Whenever an organization relies on untested assumptions about whether a customer will value a product enough to use it or buy it, they crank up the risk of a project failing