perfection versus launching your product - stretch goals podcast #005

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Perfection Versus LaunchingEpisode 5

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www.stretchgoals.fm/ep5

Challenge yourself to create ambitious goals as you start and grow your business.

Episode 5 - Perfection versus Launching

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Robert Dickerson

Robert is the Founder and CEO of Mapout a mobile learning platform that uses video courses to educate customers and train employees. He helps companies develop and launch

products.

Scott Davis

Scott Davis is the Founder and CEO of MobX, a mobile development software agency. He has 20 years of experience developing software for Government, Finance, Sports and the

Telecommunications industry.

@RobDickersonJr @The_Scott_Davis



https://mapoutlearning.com/

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Product Perfection

How products exceed customer expectations and solve their problems in a clear and simple fashion.



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“The problem lies in the distinction between how we as founders and leaders, view perfection of our products, and how our customers view it. Sometimes in search of product perfection we continually delay launching.”

- Robert Dickerson



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Identify & solve customer problems

Minimum Viable

Products (MVP)

TEXT



Strategies to Push Through Perfection

Create a minimum viable product (MVP)

Focus on ongoing iterations

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Launching doesn’t necessarily mean your first release. That first release is a lot of times

the hardest.



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Don’t necessarily worry about

fixing every little problem.

Create a solid foundation to

build from.



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“Let's get a product out there that proves a concept, that we can get feedback from, that

shows who we are, and start building the brand, start learning what our customers

really need. . . . Perfection doesn’t need to be a day one goal.”

- Scott Davis



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“Focus on continuously improving each day, and

continuously getting things out there. . . . use feedback

to continuously improve your product.”

- Robert Dickerson



“I try to constantly put out new releases that fix a lot of things from user feedback,

but also from my own roadmap and goals.”

- Scott Davis

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Keys to launching without delay● Launch with a core set of features that work● Build on that foundation● Keep iterating● Don’t worry about perfection

“[As a startup], we need to keep that in mind, we don’t have the time or the money to be perfect. We need to get it out there.”

- Scott Davis



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It’s important to get beta testers.

They will help you smooth out the reception of your product.



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“[Snapchat] defined an interface that was very specific to a very niche amount of people. . . . Completely alienated me, but then went viral.

You can’t hit every target.”

- Scott Davis



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Setting milestones1. Determine what stages and features make up each release2. Have a clear understanding of your launch requirements 3. Set deadlines4. Be flexible5. Launch iterations at a consistent day and time



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Constantly putting out releases is advantageous for search engine optimization.

There is an added benefit to doing iterated releases.



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Create a list of product features● Write your ideas down● Turn them into actionable items● Use them as your roadmap● Get feedback● Start building



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FeedbackTEXT



How do you prioritize new features?

Gut instinct Impact on user base

Marketable features New demographic New revenue stream

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The Epic Strategy1. Create an epic: an overarching concept

a. Example: “Pay people.”2. Break the epic into stories

a. Example: “As a user, I want to send money to my friend Rob.”3. Subdivide the stories into separate, actionable items



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Continuous releases show you are actively working on the product - a positive thing for

your customers.



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Continuously engage your customers1. Communicate problems and discoveries2. Toot your own horn

a. Send out newslettersb. Use push notificationsc. Create detailed software update release notes



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Professionals in your industry



What’s the best way to find your first testers?

People you trust Family & friends

Online communities

Limited list of voluntary users

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“Don't be afraid to put your app on your website. Take signups from people who are potentially interested in your product, for two

reasons. Number one, you now have a potential acquisition list for a customer base, and number two, you've got people . . . who

can jump in as soon as it's ready to be tested.”

- Scott Davis



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“You can get so ingrained in a feature, or how you expect

it to work, that you can overlook things. It's

important to get outsider feedback.”

- Robert Dickerson



“...don't just send it to people who already know what you're doing . . . get it to

people who don't know what the product is.”

- Scott Davis

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How do you develop a thick skin so you don’t take product criticism personally?



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Handling criticism● Recognize how the criticism helps fix the problem● Respond by adding new tasks and pivoting ideas● Disconnect from it being personal● Accept that you cannot fix every problem for every user



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“Really think about the feedback that you're getting, both positive and negative, and use

that to help make your product better.”

- Robert Dickerson



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Product perfection● Focus on getting your product out there● Set milestones● Continuously release products● Solve your customer’s pain● Get beta testers● Use feedback to improve your product● Focus on the positives



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We’d love to take a look at your products. Hit us up on social media.

stretchgoals.fm



@TheScottDavis @RobDickersonJr

https://stretchgoals.fm

https://stretchgoals.fm

Episode # - Title

www.stretchgoals.fm

perfection versus launching your product - stretch goals podcast #005

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