How can you determine if you need to pivot your idea?
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— The LinkedIn Team
Pivoting your idea means changing some key aspects of your business model, product, or market to adapt to new challenges or opportunities. It can be a crucial decision for entrepreneurs who want to survive and thrive in a competitive and dynamic environment. But how can you tell if you need to pivot your idea or stick to your original plan? Here are some tips to help you make an informed and strategic choice.
Before you pivot, you need to evaluate your assumptions about your customers, their problems, your solution, and your value proposition. You can use tools like the lean canvas or the business model canvas to map out your hypotheses and test them with experiments, interviews, surveys, or prototypes. If you find that your assumptions are invalid or outdated, you may need to pivot to a different problem, solution, or customer segment.
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Steve Suarez 웃
LinkedIn Top Voice, Bain External Advisor @ Bain & Company | Founder & CEO | Board Member | Harvard & MIT Alumnus | Ex-HSBC | Guest Speaker, University of Oxford
As a business owner, I've discovered the term "pivot" to be incredibly freeing. In my youth, I believed that a flawless concept was a prerequisite for any endeavor and that unwavering adherence to that initial idea was essential. However, the introduction of pivoting transformed my perspective, revealing the myriad of opportunities available and eliminating the pressure to achieve perfection before taking action. Entrepreneurs should consistently evaluate their value proposition, be willing to implement minor adjustments as necessary, and possess the courage to undertake significant shifts when customer feedback indicates it's time for a change.
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Alexandre Miyahara A. Silva
Founder, CEO | Smart Cities | Mobility | Energy | Revenue Ops, Leadership & Strategy | Palestrante | Mentor | TOP300 Open Talent Executive | LinkedIn Creator
Observar o seu negócio e onde ele está inserido é o que dirá se ele será uma organização infinita. O mercado é dinâmico e o famoso ICP (Ideal Customer Profile) muta. Ah, além disso, concorrentes e inovações de hoje não serão os mesmos de amanhã. 5 dicas para monitorar o melhor momento de pivotar. 1. Foco no usuário: entenda se seu produto realmente entrega o que você vende; 2. Preço estratégico: Ser consequente em relação a rentabilidade é crucial. Não se pega negócios a qualquer custo; 3. Caixa: tenha; 4. Produto: consiga mudar rápido e sempre, de acordo com o item 1; 5. Observe os sinais diretos e indiretos do mercado (concorrentes fora do seu segmento surgem da noite para o dia); ...senão pivote!
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Alexandre Covello
Pivoting is an integral part of the early-day life of building a start-up (think "Lean Startup" by Eric Ries). Here are 10 reasons why you should consider pivoting from your initial idea. 1. The market has shifted 2. You haven't find product-market fit yet 3. You have received clear feedback from your customers 4. New tech advancements are disrupting the landscape 5. Competition intensifies 6. New regulatory changes pose challenges 7. Your monetization strategy falls short 8. As a founder, your vision has evolved 9. Resource constraints affect execution 10 . Global events demand adaptability
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Another way to determine if you need to pivot is to measure your progress towards your goals and milestones. You can use key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track your customer acquisition, retention, revenue, growth, and satisfaction. If you see that your numbers are stagnating, declining, or below your expectations, you may need to pivot to a different strategy, channel, or revenue model.
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Daniel Santos
TOP VOICE | SA Ford Pro Segment Chief | Ford Motor Company | Automotive Professional | Speaker | University Cooperation
In my experience, seek for more efficiency and is a never ending process! The key question is… when? But if you want to excel and set a new bar, your assessment to pivot is crucial. In my career it has happened a couple times, not because of any failure, but to seek a complete new standard! Be brave to change but risk managing the chances of success!
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Adrien TOUATI
Co-Founder @ manager.one I Fintech
Il est indispensable d'avoir des objectifs. Le premier et probablement le plus sain : l'atteinte d'un équilibre. Il est bon de rappeler que construire un projet entrepreneurial c'est avant tout arriver à réaliser des marges suffisantes pour faire tourner une entreprise.
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Vivek Kumar
CEO & Co-Founder at Teamforce AI
Look at your growth rate! "The best thing to measure the growth rate of is revenue. The next best, for startups that aren't charging initially, is active users," says Paul Graham of Y Combinator. http://www.paulgraham.com/growth.html
A third way to determine if you need to pivot is to listen to your feedback from your customers, partners, mentors, and peers. You can collect feedback through reviews, ratings, testimonials, referrals, complaints, suggestions, or questions. If you notice that your feedback is negative, inconsistent, or irrelevant, you may need to pivot to a different feature, benefit, or message.
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Hussam BAGHDADI
Senior Director @ Arabian Automobiles | STANFORD GSB |LinkedIn TOP VOICE 13 skills | Visionary leader | We rise by empowering others
Another approach is to foster collaborations and partnerships within your industry. By networking with other professionals, attending conferences or trade shows, and participating in industry events, you can gain valuable perspectives and insights from experts in your field. These interactions can provide you with fresh ideas and alternative viewpoints that may inspire a pivot in your business strategy. Ultimately, by actively seeking feedback, conducting thorough market research, and engaging with industry peers, you can gather valuable information to determine if a pivot is necessary.
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Jacson Tiola
Inovação | Startups | Venture Capital | Novos Negócios
Na minha experiência, o feedback é uma das ferramentas mais valiosas no arsenal de um empreendedor. Trabalhando com startups, percebi que, muitas vezes, os insights mais reveladores vêm não dos elogios, mas das críticas e sugestões dos usuários. Em uma startup que assessorava, uma série de feedbacks semelhantes nos levou a repensar uma funcionalidade-chave do produto, resultando em maior satisfação do cliente. Portanto, é essencial não apenas coletar feedback, mas também agir com base nele, usando-o como um guia para ajustar e refinar sua proposta de valor.
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Sameer Karulkar
Strategy & Corporate Development | M&A | Venture Capital - Investment Management, Portfolio Growth & Exits | Private Equity & Secondaries | Board Advisor
As a founder we know what we want to build, sometimes the market starts to give feedback and we think more feature, more time, might improve outcomes. At some stage, you see the choices reducing for you and you become more open to acknowledging what market has been saying. And then you ACT. Thats pivot. Such choices could be if you are trying to do multiple things - often B2B or B2C or versions of these, or mutiple markets claiming some adjacency theory, or acquiring a customer base that you thought would keep coming back more frequently, or being forced to choose being a software company/domain platform play. Many times pivot also emanate from external situations including market, funding, regulations and also situations. Be Aware and Act.
A fourth way to determine if you need to pivot is to analyze your market and your competitors. You can use tools like the SWOT analysis or the Porter's five forces analysis to identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. If you discover that your market is saturated, shrinking, or changing, or that your competitors are outperforming, outinnovating, or outpricing you, you may need to pivot to a different niche, segment, or differentiation.
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Rob Dance
Serial entrepreneur and inspirational writer - Showing you how to reach the top 1%
Absolutely, market and competitive analysis are crucial. Tools like SWOT and Porter's Five Forces can serve as a business health check. If you find you're being outpaced, it's not a sign of failure but an indication to adapt. Pivoting under such circumstances can be a proactive strategy to reposition your business. Essentially, it's about turning challenges into stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks, letting you carve out a more sustainable, competitive niche.
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Nokuthula Kubeka
Resourceful Virtual Assistant | Recruitment Specialist | Social Media Management | Basic Payroll Administrator | Empowering Organizations with Top-Notch Administrative and Marketing Solutions"
In my experience, analyzing the market has been a compass for deciding whether to pivot. Regular market assessments, competitor analysis, and staying attuned to industry trends provide crucial context. If shifts in consumer behavior or emerging technologies impact the landscape, it's a cue for adaptation. Monitoring competitors' successes or failures often unveils opportunities or gaps in the market. This strategic evaluation has guided my decisions to pivot, ensuring my ideas align with current demands. A proactive market analysis has proven invaluable in navigating the dynamic business terrain and steering towards sustainable growth.
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Hussam BAGHDADI
Senior Director @ Arabian Automobiles | STANFORD GSB |LinkedIn TOP VOICE 13 skills | Visionary leader | We rise by empowering others
Another valuable approach is to gather input from your internal team, including employees and key stakeholders. Encouraging open and honest communication within your organization can provide valuable perspectives and insights. Your team members, who are on the front lines of your business operations, may have unique insights into potential areas for improvement or opportunities for differentiation. By fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, you can tap into the collective intelligence of your team to identify potential pivots.
A fifth way to determine if you need to pivot is to trust your intuition and your vision. You can use your personal experience, passion, and insight to guide your decisions and actions. If you feel that your idea is not aligned with your values, mission, or purpose, or that you are not enjoying or learning from your journey, you may need to pivot to a different direction, goal, or perspective.
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Hussam BAGHDADI
Senior Director @ Arabian Automobiles | STANFORD GSB |LinkedIn TOP VOICE 13 skills | Visionary leader | We rise by empowering others
Trusting your intuition and vision when determining the need for a pivot is crucial. To enhance this process, engage in self-reflection, considering your personal experiences and values. Seek feedback from mentors and peers to gain objective insights and perspectives. Validate your assumptions through market research and audience feedback. Embrace experimentation to test new ideas and approaches. Stay adaptable and open to change, regularly reassessing your progress. By combining personal insights with data-driven decision-making and external validation, you can make more informed decisions when considering a pivot for your business.
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Nathan Hirsch
5k to $12M ARR in 4 yrs (w/ Exit) 🔥 Scaling my 4+ B2B companies in the same way 🚀 Daily advice for entrepreneurs.
Intuition can be great but it can also lead you astray. Sometimes the market wants something completely different than what you think the market wants. Sometimes you are not the ideal customer. So be careful!
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David. Greenberg
Corporate Exec Turned Entrepreneur, Multi-Unit Franchise Owner | Franchise Consultant, Helping Others Do the Same | Own Six Prosperous Franchises | Leveraging Decades of Experience, Guiding People to Franchise Ownership
Trusting your gut is often overlooked, but I've found it invaluable in my own ventures. Business is not just about data and numbers; it's also about human instincts. There are times when the metrics might look great on paper, but something feels off. That's your intuition talking. In my experience, every time I've ignored that gut feeling, I've regretted it. If something doesn't align with your core values or the vision you have for your business, it might be time to pivot. It's not just about making money; it's about building something you're proud of.
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Maheen Amjad
Chairperson Trade Turner | CEO Entrepreneur's Ecole | CEO SHEWURT | Founder and President Women Ascension | Keynote Speaker|
Being an entrepreneur serving a global clientele, it's important to understand when your business idea needs a change. Listen to what your customers are saying and watch for shifts in the market. If people aren't enthusiastic about your product, or if you're facing financial challenges or team issues, it might be time for a pivot. Stay updated on new technologies and rules that could impact your business. Trust your instincts; if something doesn't feel right, investigate further. Remember, being adaptable is key in business. Be open to adjusting your strategy to meet the changing needs of your customers and the market. Stay flexible, keep an eye on what's happening, and be willing to evolve to keep your business thriving.
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Arpit Apoorva
Startup & Business Consulting | Ex-Deloitte | Harvard Business | Insights on Strategy, Leadership and Emerging Technology
Evaluating whether to pivot your idea is crucial for a startup's success. Look for signs like consistent customer feedback indicating a lack of product-market fit or stagnant growth. Consider changes in the competitive landscape and industry trends. If your original vision isn't gaining traction, be open to adjusting your product, target market, or business model. Engage in lean experimentation to validate your assumptions and gather data that can guide your decision. Pivoting can breathe new life into your startup, so it's essential to assess when your current direction isn't yielding the desired results and be willing to adapt.
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Mudassir Mustafa
Hosting VCs and Founders @ Prodcircle | Building a world-class media production studio → Empty Spaces | Angel Investor
Some of the most successful startups, like Slack and Instagram, pivoted from their original concepts to address market demands effectively. Understand this, adapt and be flexible too.