Jeff Zigman, “The Business CTO”’s Post

People don’t have the time or patience to figure out complex products. They want something that’s simple, intuitive, and easy to use. This is one of the most common mistakes I see startups make. In an effort to impress users, they load their product with features, thinking more is better. So how do you avoid this? ✔️ Focus on what really matters. Instead of trying to do it all, build a product that’s Simple, Lovable, and Complete (SLC). It’s about solving a problem in the most user-friendly way possible. ❌ What NOT to do: Don’t clutter your product with features just to make it seem more robust. Don’t overlook user feedback—it’s the best insight into what works and what doesn’t. Take a moment to explore the steps outlined below—they're filled with practical tips to help you apply the SLC approach and create a product your users will truly love and connect with. #StartupSuccess #ProductDevelopment #GrowthStrategy #SLCApproach

Part 4: The MVP Magic Formula: Validating Your Idea and Finding Product-Market Fit Conviction is key, but even the most passionate belief needs validation. That's where the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) comes in. An MVP is a stripped-down version of your product with just enough features to effectively test your core hypothesis and gather valuable user feedback. Here's why building an MVP and going to market early is crucial: - Validate your idea: The market is the ultimate judge. An MVP lets you see if your idea resonates with real users and solves a genuine problem. - Save time and resources: Developing a full-fledged product can be expensive and time-consuming. An MVP allows you to test core assumptions before committing significant resources. - Learn and iterate: The data and feedback you get from MVP users is invaluable. It helps you identify what works, what doesn't, and allows you to iterate quickly and improve your product. Finding Product-Market Fit (PMF) is the holy grail for startups. PMF is that sweet spot where your product perfectly meets a strong market demand. The MVP is your tool to discover PMF: - Focus on the core problem: With an MVP, you can prioritize the features that address the core problem you're solving. This allows you to gather targeted feedback and determine if you're on the right track. - Gather user feedback: Actively seek feedback from your MVP users. Use surveys, interviews, and analytics tools to understand their experience and identify areas for improvement. - Be data-driven: Don't rely on gut instinct. Use the data from your MVP to make informed decisions about product development and future iterations. Building an MVP and going to market early might seem counterintuitive, but it's the most efficient way to move from idea to a successful startup. Remember, your MVP is a springboard for learning, not a finished product. Embrace the iterative process, be data-driven, and use feedback to continuously refine your offering until you achieve that magical product-market fit. About me (Rajeev K.): I work at MeritSquad as a Chief Technology Officer. I work with startups in finding their PMF through a structured approach of understanding the business and building MVPs that align with business objectives and market needs. Reach out to me to get started.

𝗪𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲. Almost poetic, isn't it? After pouring our hearts, souls, and budgets into crafting the perfect solution, a ridiculously simple solution takes it all. If you ask me, there's no better metaphor for half the startups in #SiliconValley than this. On the left: a sleek, multi-leveled cat tree that probably cost more than your first car. On the right: a cardboard box. Which one does the cat really want? When we add more features, we think we're making a better product. There are times, though, when the simplest solution is exactly what our users need. 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲. The lesson here? 👉🏼 Listen to your users. Observe their behavior. Understand their core needs. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗶𝘁: 1. Identify your product's 'cardboard box' — the simplest form that meets core user needs. 2. Strip away unnecessary complexities. 3. Test with real users and iterate based on their feedback. Find it, build it, ship it. Don't just build a feature-rich product. Build one that solves the problems of your users. (Image source: @_yes_but on Instagram) #UserCentricDesign #ProductDevelopment #Simplicity #InnovationChallenge

Building a prototype? Don't spend more than 4 weeks. It’s a common misstep: pouring excessive time and money into building that MVP without thorough testing of the idea. I’ve worked with one too many founders who dedicated years and millions of $$$ to develop something that hasn't hit the market. The heartbreaking result? A launched product that falls flat because it doesn't resonate with users. Here's the scoop for early-stage founders: Don't spend more than four weeks on your initial prototype. Test your idea rigorously and early. You don't need a fully coded product; a design prototype will suffice. Share it, gather feedback, showcase it to potential investors, refine, and then proceed with development. This approach minimizes the risk of investing heavily in something the market might not want. #StartupLife #UXDesign #PrototypingStrategy

42% of startups fail because they build a product that people don’t want to pay for. The get tunnel vision, and get obsessed with building a good product, without validating the problem itself. Their understanding of customers comes from assumptions and not real data. And as a result, they have to shut down their operations in less than 5 years. Here are 5 tips to help you avoid just that: - Spend at least 50% of your time deeply understanding your TG’s problems. - Design and develop a product according to their needs. - Gather real time feedback by talking to your customers. - Find out what they like about your product and what they don’t. - Pivot according to customer feedback and improve your product. The difference between a good product and a great one is relentless iteration and genuine user connection. Start small, prioritize your customer’s needs and make an impact. #productdevelopment #productmarketfit #productbuilding

Complexity Kills Startups!! Over Engineering is a silent killer, choking startups with code before they can take flight. Simple solutions elevate products, complex ones kill them. Keep it real, founders and engineers! Here's the deal: Business First: Remember the Goal is to make money, not win coding awards. Prioritize business needs over fancy tech. Simple is Sexy: Keep it lean! Focus on building a product users love, not an architectural masterpiece. Question Everything: Don't blindly follow the "more services = better" myth. Challenge complexity and fight for simple, effective solutions. Always remember the golden rule: Business > Product > Engineering

"Has this ever happened to you, or is it just me? Recently, I was working on a design concept for a fictional tech and innovation brand. My goal was to create a promotional piece highlighting software development, tech startups, or digital tools for productivity. But midway through, I hit a creative block—completely stuck, especially when it came to text placement and layout. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t figure out the next steps. The frustration got the better of me, and I had to abandon the project. Have you ever experienced something similar? How do you push through creative roadblocks? I’d love to hear your suggestions!" #GraphicDesign #CreativeProcess #TechDesign #Innovation #DesignThinking #CreativeBlock #SoftwareDevelopment #TechStartups #DigitalProductivity #DesignInspiration

What if the software you use didn't just work well but made your experience better? In the world of #software #startups, a great interface is crucial. It’s the core of your product, shaping how users feel, connect, and stay loyal. Your interface should do more than function! It should spark emotions, turning interactions into conversations, not just commands. Imagine a design that knows what you need before you do, guiding you with insight and intuition. But there's more: your software should welcome everyone. It’s about designing with empathy, making sure it’s accessible and enjoyable for people of all backgrounds and abilities. Is your interface just doing its job, or is it transforming experiences? It's time for innovation, to create something that truly stands out.

As tech professionals, we often focus heavily on technical aspects and coding, sometimes overlooking the importance of customer interaction and the business side of the company.I believe it's crucial for us to bridge this gap. By participating in customer calls where real business discussions happen, we gain invaluable insights. This not only helps us understand the gaps in our products but also allows us to see things from the customer’s perspective, driving us to build better solutions. I make it a point to join customer calls regularly to gather this feedback and improve our offerings. For those of us working in small startups, I highly recommend taking an active role in discussions with end customers. It’s a game-changer for both personal growth and product development. #Tech #CustomerEngagement #ProductDevelopment #StartupLife

3 Questions that create over a $1,000,000 startup Figure out if people will buy your product before you build it. Learn which research methods are best for early validation. Understand user pain in order to build a more compelling product.