the startups.com platform about startups.comCheck out the new Startups.com - A Comprehensive Startup University
Education
Planning
Mentors
Funding
Customers
Assistants
Clarity
Categories
Business
Sales & Marketing
Funding
Product & Design
Technology
Skills & Management
Industries
Other
Business
Career Advice
Branding
Financial Consulting
Customer Engagement
Strategy
Sectors
Getting Started
Human Resources
Business Development
Legal
Other
Sales & Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Search Engine Optimization
Public Relations
Branding
Publishing
Inbound Marketing
Email Marketing
Copywriting
Growth Strategy
Search Engine Marketing
Sales & Lead Generation
Advertising
Other
Funding
Crowdfunding
Kickstarter
Venture Capital
Finance
Bootstrapping
Nonprofit
Other
Product & Design
Identity
User Experience
Lean Startup
Product Management
Metrics & Analytics
Other
Technology
WordPress
Software Development
Mobile
Ruby
CRM
Innovation
Cloud
Other
Skills & Management
Productivity
Entrepreneurship
Public Speaking
Leadership
Coaching
Other
Industries
SaaS
E-commerce
Education
Real Estate
Restaurant & Retail
Marketplaces
Nonprofit
Other
Dashboard
Browse Search
Answers
Calls
Inbox
Sign Up Log In

Loading...

Share Answer

Menu
Start-ups: When should you pivot your business model? After how many month / customer interviews?
GJ
GJ
Govindh Jayaraman, Entrepreneur. Change-maker. Leader. Learner. answered:

Hello ... I've pivoted a few times and can tell you that the answer to your question is not binary. There is no answer to your question based on time, quantity of customer interviews, or even a sales figure.

Sorry to say this, but I don't think that this question will really get you the answers you're looking for.

If your challenge is that you feel that you've put in enough "time" and, hence, think you can start to pivot your model to the next phase - you're looking at it the wrong way.

If you've managed to start-up and align the company along your mission, vision and values ... then the key is to hone in on the sweet spot. That 20% of your customers, contacts, employees, etc that drive 80% of your results. You need to refine your model to a sustainable competitive advantage that is a beacon to the customers you want, the employees you need, and the resources to bring them all together.

You turn on the light and become that beacon when you start to build organizational alignment around mission, vision, and values. The key is then based around getting the Right People in the Right seats and working on the Right things. Suggest you read the Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harnish if you haven't already.

You can focus on your BHAG, but keep the focus on the next step. You can focus on innovation and marketing in that space and that's where the company needs you.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, you need to bring people with you ...

When you've built the systems and structure around alignment you're ready to pivot and scale.

I have lots of blog posts on this subject, just follow this link: http://wisenapkin.com/tag/growth/

Make it a great day!

Talk to Govindh Upvote • Share
•••
Share Report

Answer URL

Share Question

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
  • Share by email
About
  • How it Works
  • Success Stories
Experts
  • Become an Expert
  • Find an Expert
Answers
  • Ask a Question
  • Recent Answers
Support
  • Help
  • Terms of Service
Follow

the startups.com platform

Startups Education
Startup Planning
Access Mentors
Secure Funding
Reach Customers
Virtual Assistants

Copyright © 2025 Startups.com. All rights reserved.