3. "Customer Discovery...
...Is not sales
The objective is to develop a repeatable,
scalable sales process"
Steve Blank, godfather of Lean Startup
3
4. 1. Multi-Channel
Customer Discovery
Gather business intelligence (data)
Gather insight (preferences)
Quantify counter-intuitive responses
Cross-reference outlier signals/trends
Test value expression before direct
outreach to prospects
4
5. 2. Hypotheses +
Test Environment(s)
Solicit adjacent use-case responses
Compare response rates eg. A/B test
value propositions
Track interest proxies: open, read,
click-through rates
Align business value expression with C-
level industry concerns
5
7. 3. Success Measures
Network/database value: connection
density + relevance (role in decision)
Engagement metrics = attention value
Use case(s) response rate(s): location,
company, sector?
Business value tailoring: industry
trends, role in purchasing decision
7
12. Value Proposition: Alignment
Industry Trends + Tailoring
▷ Position against industry-wide
flex points (C-level perspective
found in investor relations
materials)
▷ Pre-qualify: stakeholder mental
models, strategic initiatives,
performance metrics BEFORE
reaching out
12
22. Our process is easy
Last
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur
adipiscing elit.
First
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur
adipiscing elit.
Second
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur
adipiscing elit.
22
Lean Startup principles: customized sales playbook for founder teams
Lean startup: Product-market fit validation + use case validation
LI asset-building: purpose-built network, target org chart mapping, prospect database: email nurture
Customer Discovery process: https://youtu.be/xr2zFXblSRM
"Startups search for business models....avoid executing hypotheses as if they are facts"
Goal: "Inform founder's vision"
National Science Foundation, Head of Commercialization on Lean Starup: "Scientific Method for Entrepreneurship"
Steve Blank Fireside Brown University https://youtu.be/I_OGwrSTWT4?t=421
LI platform: relevance for B2B execs, platform integration (Salesforce, MailChimp) = compatible with enterprise acquirer's systems
Functions: Sales Navigator, GDPR, data export, ad targeting
Cross-reference channels eg Value proposition tailoring via response rates: LI posts, nurture campaign subject line (open rates, click-through)
Proxy vs CRM marketing (Marketo, Hubspot, Pardot)
Source of relevant target co. + multiple entry points + prospect contact info (saleable asset: $500/validated contact)
Insight: Organization chart, business unit, role in co. (Sales Navigator)
Case Study: Value Creation Pre-revenue
One Year after Launch
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HYvNv_MdH2MZG-Wzz34xd5ijAOvBkkGrnEuuAp75rE4/edit?usp=sharing
Build MVP resources with potential enterprise acquirer's preferences in mind:
Saas capabilities scaled for today's needs. Market-leading providers integrate with enterprise platforms if acquired
Capture data today. Transfer business intelligence value to acquirer
Matrixed organizations: decision by committee
Eg. 110 contacts, no response indicated lack of organizational readiness
Store format testing announcement later explained lack of response
Competition for resources: people's time + downstream implementation demands. Status quo prevails over sales' need for change
Eg. Wholesaler's retail outlets: resource competition: field operations vs. supplier merchandise budgets