Thots on High-Performance Startups

by Coach Davender on May 29, 2013

I’m spending a lot of time lately exploring how to take the Lean Startup and Business Model Canvas methodologies from the tech startup world and into the wider arena of what I call “high-performance startups” – entrepreneurial projects that offer a significant value-added solution to an important problem. The developing matrix of ideas is based on a  mashup of concepts from Eric Ries, Steve Blank, Ash Mauriya, Alexander Osterwalder, Renée Mauborgne, Clayton Christensen et al, with some “davenderisms” thrown in.

Recently I led a workshop on Coaching High-Performance Startups, the fifth one I’ve delivered so far this year. Each time I give this workshop the concepts get clearer. However, these workshops have all been in French and I want to test them now in English. By the way, the workshop notes (in French) are here. To get your opinion, here is a rough translation/adaptation of my core ideas on High-Performance Startups.

What do you think?

 

The High-Performance Startup

A High-Performance Startup is an idea searching for a duplicatable and scalable business model.

A business model describes how you create, deliver and receive value.
(In French I use the word “harvest” instead of “receive” to put more emphasis on the added value.)

A High-Performance Startup tackles an important problem by offering a solution which generates a significant added value for all stakeholders, with the goal of becoming the “go-to” solution for its target market.

A High-Performance Startup uses business innovation as a lever for exponential growth:

- Offer Innovation (the “what”) – a new product or service that has not existed until now
- Process Innovation (the “how”) – making an existing product or service cheaper, faster, higher quality
- Market Innovation (the “who”) – taking an existing product or service and applying it to a heretofore underserved or ignored market
- Value Innovation (the “why”) - finding a value proposition that is underserved by competitors in the market and making that the core proposition, thereby shifting the competitive landscape.

The primary strategy of the High-Performance Startup is to provoke a “disrupt” : to boldly interrupt the status-quo of the market by offering a solution that is distinctly more valuable for the user/client than what currently exists, based on the user’s/client’s perspective.

A High-Performance Startup executes a strategy of identifying hypothesis about its business model, and iterating through continuous validation until reaching a decision to either continue, iterate or pivot. A pivot is a major change of the business model, the offer or a perspective of the problem, to create a greater value-added that is recognized and appreciated by the user/client.

A High-Performance Startup aims to satisfy the 1% of its target market that recognizes the value of the solution and who is ready to commit.

Only when a High-Performance Startup has defined, tested, and validated a demonstratable way to create, deliver, and harvest value, can it evolve into a High-Performance Business.

 

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The Art Of The Pitch (#startupchats)

by Coach Davender on May 21, 2013

On May 15, I participated in a #startupchats hosted by Startup Canada, on the topic: “The Art Of The Pitch“.

The highlights of the Twitter conversation are on Startup Canada’s Storify page, and duplicated below.

Join Startup Canada for inspiring and informative #startupchats on Twitter every Wednesday and Friday from 12pm – 1pm EST.

Each week features a special guest entrepreneur or organization available to answer questions. Follow the conversation using the hashtag #startupchats on Twitter! If you are new to Twitter, check out this tutorial video on how to participate in our #startupchats sessions.

Check out the archive of #startupchats, and view upcoming events.

 

The Art of the Pitch

 

On May 15, we chatted with Coach Davender Gupta, Venture Catalyst – Accélérateur d’entrepreneuriat, Startup-Académie to discuss why pitching is important and share some do’s and don’ts of crafting a perfect pitch.

An entrepreneur’s pitch can be as important as their business plan. It’s the piece that sets you up for meetings, investment, partnerships, and new opportunities. Join us for a chat that explores why pitching is important and shares some do’s and don’ts of crafting a perfect pitch.

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Ageism and the Startup World

by Coach Davender on April 12, 2013

“People under 35 are the people who make change happen. People over 45 basically die in terms of new ideas.” -- VC Vinod Khosla

BULLCRAP!

Ageism in the startup world is a problem. A big one.

Actually, I prefer working with founders 35 and up. They have more maturity, wisdom, education, discipline and resources. They have a reputation on which you can build a company, and the network to get the resources and the people. They also have patience, definitely an underrated skill.

The downside for some VCs is that they have to treat older startup entrepreneurs as peers, not peons. We won’t put up with the “Ramen and RedBull” attitude of a typical accelerator program. Founders 35+ are also less likely to be swayed by the personality cult around some investors. They know that their loyalty is first and foremost to their business. This, in my opinion, is good.

Besides, I’m 50 and I think I have a few more good ideas left in me!

For more information

“What’s the best age to launch a startup?” (VentureBeat)
http://venturebeat.com/2013/04/09/whats-the-best-age-to-launch-a-startup-founders-young-and-old-tell-us/

Image credit: Adam Baker (AlphaTangoBravo) on Flickr
Direct link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/atbaker/447122802/
Used under Creative Commons licence

 

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