A Minimum Viable Product Helps You “Get in the Game”
Sometimes you need to leave the sideline and just “GET IN THE GAME!”
A Minimum Viable Product helps you do just that.
It offers an incredibly powerful strategy to help you “Get in the Game”. Quickly and efficiently.
Even when not fully prepared or completely ready.
Whether contemplating a new product, a new website or jumping into eCommerce for the first time, preparation is extremely important.
Yet, launching is essential.
Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn famously declared, “If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.”
Related Article: 19 Tips for Curing “I Hate Change” (Plus a Healthy Dose of eCommerce)
Minimum Viable Product to Most Valuable Player
How do you convert a Minimum Viable Product into a Most Valuable Player?
First, you must “Get in the Game”.
For example, when launching a new eCommerce website, you hope and pray that it immediately reaches Most Valuable Player status.
However, you should be focusing on the Minimum Viable Product when just starting out.
What does it take to push the ball into the end zone with a dream, a business or project?
Persistence. Stamina. Determination. Relentlessness. Consistency. A positive attitude.
You do not need to wait until you have the perfect product.
As the famous line goes, “done is better than perfect.”
In other words, just put it out there.
Especially when it comes to launching a new eCommerce website.
When a project seems too massive to accomplish, the risk sets in of “I’m overwhelmed”.
Trying to eat the elephant comes to mind.
Therefore, nothing happens.
Over-analysis causes paralysis.
That’s where creating a Minimum Viable Product kicks in, allowing you to “Get in the Game”.
Eric Ries, author of the New York Times Bestseller, “The Lean Startup” describes developing a Minimum Viable Product as the following:
A core component of Lean Startup methodology is the build-measure-learn feedback loop. The first step is figuring out the problem that needs to be solved and then developing a minimum viable product (MVP) to begin the process of learning as quickly as possible. Once the MVP is established, a startup can work on tuning the engine. This will involve measurement and learning and must include actionable metrics that can demonstrate cause and effect question.
Get in the Game with eCommerce
My shtick is preaching the benefits of eCommerce for manufacturers.
A major benefit of launching a new eCommerce website includes the incredible opportunities available with exploring new markets. Especially with the low cost of doing so.
Manufacturing eCommerce Strategies delivers powerful results including the following benefits:
- Open 24/7 = round the clock customer service, sales tool
- Find Soulmates
- Eliminate the cumbersome RFQ process
- No Accounts Receivable
- Low cost marketing and sales strategy
- Market Research
- Stay in Your Wheelhouse
- Open doors that you never knew existed
- International opportunities
- Scale your Proprietary Process
Yet, even with all of the incredible benefits available, many companies find reasons to put off or delay an eCommerce project.
Tomorrow or maybe next week works better.
Next week becomes next month or next quarter.
Sound familiar?
Related article: eCommerce Checklist: Manufacturing eCommerce Strategies
When is the Perfect Time to Get in the Game?
So often a company is looking for the perfect window to launch its eCommerce website.
However, waiting for the perfect time to launch a business venture such as a new website or eCommerce store is similar to waiting for the perfect time to get married.
What if your significant other tires of waiting and decides to move on?
Another example includes waiting for that perfect day to start a family.
When such and such happens, then I can finally……….
For example, when I am settled. Secure a good job. Save more money. Create more financial stability.
What if that perfect day never comes and you completely miss the opportunity.
Waiting for the ideal time to make a major life decision may force that opportunity to vanish.
Launching a new business venture or an eCommerce website is certainly exciting.
Timing means everything, even survival.
However, you simply cannot wait too long.
Snooze you lose.
You might find yourself standing at the altar all alone.
Another item on the list of “would have, could have, should have’s”.
Windows of opportunity close quickly.
Sometimes you need to rip off the band-aid.
Take the plunge.
Gain the confidence to show that you know what you are doing.
Take a leap of faith.
Have confidence in yourself as well as your idea and abilities.
Trust yourself.
JUST GET IN THE GAME!
Remember, if you are not embarrassed by the first attempt, you waited too long.
Get in the game!
Get on the field. Go out and get dirty. Throw a block. Get knocked down. Learn. Adjust. Keep fighting.
Figure things out.
Create and explore new techniques.
Find weaknesses in your opponent.
Tackle problems.
Get the first down.
Figure out how to find your way into the end zone.
(Don’t you just love all my lame football cliches?)
Partnering with a business coach or an accountability partner who can help you get over the hump.
Furthermore, when launching a new eCommerce website, team up with an incredible eCommerce expert or outstanding web designer.
Find someone who will challenge you. Someone that you trust impeccably.
Put yourself out of your comfort zone.
No one ever reached Most Valuable Player by watching the game on the sidelines.
Set specific goals.
Get on the field and enjoy each moment of playing the game.
A Quick Story on “Get in the Game”
My best friend’s son played his first year of football at the age of 11.
He had an excellent season and made the Allstar team.
Unfortunately, they played another team in Atlanta and suffered defeat. The score was not close.
The opponent was far superior. More organized. Had played together much longer. Played in a league that faced much stiffer competition.
Yet, my buddy’s son got in the game. He stuck it out. Fought hard. He gave 100%.
My buddy said he could not have been more proud.
His son displayed stamina, determination and a competitive spirit to keep pushing.
Most importantly, he gave everything he had to just “Get in the Game”.
Success is found on the field not on the sidelines.
Even when the scoreboard does not agree with your efforts.
Let’s all do the same and push each other to just “Get in the Game”.
Wrapping It Up
Thanks so much for reading this post.
For additional information, please check out these helpful posts:
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!