Lean Startup

A must-read for anyone building or marketing new products, "Lean Startup" teaches you how to validate ideas and adapt quickly. Its lean methodology applies to startups and established businesses looking to innovate and reduce risk.

Why you should read it

Introduces the concept of validated learning and rapid experimentation in marketing.

Encourages an iterative approach to product development and marketing strategies.

Helps in building a sustainable business model by focusing on customer feedback and analytics.

Introduction

"The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries is a groundbreaking book that has reshaped the way entrepreneurs and businesses approach product development and growth. Emphasising the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and customer feedback, the book introduces the concept of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop.

These principles have become foundational in the startup world, encouraging innovators to test their ideas quickly, learn from real-world feedback, and iterate rapidly. For many, including myself, "The Lean Startup" has been a guidebook for navigating the complex and uncertain terrain of launching new products and businesses. It's not just about building products but building products that people want, and doing so in a way that is efficient, effective, and responsive to ever-changing market demands.

Key Themes and Concepts

  • The Lean Startup methodology emphasises a Build-Measure-Learn cycle, focusing on creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to test hypotheses and gather feedback.
  • It encourages entrepreneurs to be lean and agile, adapting to customer needs and iterating on products quickly.
  • The approach can be applied to both B2C and B2B contexts, though there may be challenges in gathering data in B2B settings.

Practical Applications

  • The Lean Startup principles have been instrumental in shaping my career as a growth marketer.
  • I've applied the Build-Measure-Learn cycle and the concept of MVP in various projects, including setting up conversion rate optimisation for major websites.
  • The methodology has influenced how I approach entrepreneurship, emphasising the importance of building products that people want and continuously iterating based on feedback.

Personal Reflection

  • Reading "Lean Startup" marked a significant shift in my career, moving from digital marketing into growth hacking.
  • The principles of Lean Startup have become foundational in my work, guiding how I approach experimentation, product development, and customer feedback.
  • I've found value in the concepts of MVP and Build-Measure-Learn, but I also recognise the need to balance these with a strategic approach to ensure quality and meet customer needs.
  • While Lean Startup is essential for startups, its application may vary in more established businesses or in B2B contexts.

Key Takeaways

  • Lean Startup is not an excuse to build subpar products; it's about creating valuable products that meet customer needs.
  • The methodology encourages agility and continuous learning, fostering a culture of experimentation and adaptation.
  • It's applicable across various business models and stages, though there may be unique challenges and considerations in different contexts.
  • The concept of MVP is central to Lean Startup, guiding the development of products that are just enough to meet customer needs and gather valuable feedback.
  • Lean Startup principles can be applied in B2B settings, though it may require more qualitative research and careful data storage.
  • The methodology promotes a deliberate and intentional approach to growth, avoiding growth for growth's sake and focusing on what truly matters.

Further Reading

  • For those interested in the intersection of strategy and lean principles, "Good Strategy Bad Strategy" may provide complementary insights.

Book summary

Lean Startup

My review & thoughts

Ecommerce Growth Strategy

Ecommerce Growth Strategy

Double your revenue without doubling the work, and save your team from burning out.

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Identify e-commerce bottlenecks

Identify e-commerce bottlenecks

Find and solve issues that limit your growth to improve sales and performance.

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Post-purchase experience

Post-purchase experience

Build loyal customers and increase repeat purchases for steady revenue.

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Improving the checkout process

Improving the checkout process

Streamline checkout to reduce cart abandonment and close more sales.

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Sub-topics

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B2B marketing automation

The marketing automation tools I use to nurture leads and turn prospects into loyal B2B customers.

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B2B marketing automation

Workflow automations

The workflow automation tools I use to streamline operations, reduce manual work, and boost productivity.

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Workflow automations

Website and landing pages

The website and landing page tools I rely on to build high-converting experiences that drive growth.

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Website and landing pages

Team productivity

The team productivity tools I use to collaborate more efficiently and reduce unnecessary meetings.

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Team productivity

Task Management

The task management tools I use to stay on top of individual responsibilities and prioritise effectively.

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Task Management

Sales CRM

The best sales CRM tools for B2B, designed to support pipeline management and scalable growth.

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Sales CRM

Project management

The project management tools I use to keep teams aligned, organised, and focused on growth objectives.

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Project management

Lead Generation

The go-to tools I use for generating quality leads and driving inbound B2B traffic.

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Lead Generation

Must-have growth tools

A list of must-have growth tools, tried and tested to support scalable, effective growth strategies.

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Must-have growth tools

Productivity must-have tools

A list of must-have productivity tools I rely on to stay organised, efficient, and focused.

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Productivity must-have tools

B2B must-have tools

A list of must-have tools for every B2B marketer, tried and tested to drive consistent growth.

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B2B must-have tools

Ecommerce must-have tools

A list of must-have tools for every e-commerce business, covering essentials for driving traffic, increasing conversions, and boosting engagement.

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Ecommerce must-have tools

B2B advanced toolstack

A curated selection of advanced tools for experienced B2B marketers ready to level up their strategies.

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B2B advanced toolstack

Ecommerce advanced toolstack

A curated selection of advanced e-commerce tools for scaling growth, optimising customer journeys, and refining strategies.

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Ecommerce advanced toolstack

Ecommerce Marketing Automation

The marketing automation tools I use to boost e-commerce conversions and engage customers effectively.

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Ecommerce Marketing Automation

Ecommerce CMS

The e-commerce CMS platforms I use to build scalable, high-performing online stores.

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Ecommerce CMS

Distraction blockers

The distraction-blocking tools I use to stay focused and cut out interruptions during deep work.

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Distraction blockers

Digital workspace

The digital workspace tools I use to streamline workflows, collaborate, and keep everything in one place.

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Digital workspace

Database tools

The database tools I use to organise and manage information for growth, tailored for marketers.

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Database tools

Customer Insights

The customer insights tools I use to understand audiences, personalise campaigns, and drive engagement.

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Customer Insights

B2B website and landing page builders

Discover the essential tools I use to build effective B2B websites and high-converting landing pages.

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B2B website and landing page builders

Analytics & Data

The analytics and data tools I use to measure, track, and optimise every stage of the growth journey.

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Analytics & Data

AI tools

The essential AI tools I rely on to automate tasks, streamline workflows, and boost growth productivity.

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AI tools

A/B Testing

Elevate your A/B testing game with proven tools I’ve used to drive real growth. Streamline experimentation, track results, and boost your impact.

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A/B Testing

Marketing automation

The marketing automation tools I use to nurture leads, engage customers, and streamline growth.

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Marketing automation

Productivity

The productivity strategies and tools I rely on to stay focused, efficient, and growth-oriented.

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Productivity

Growth General

A collection of growth strategies and tools that I use to accelerate and sustain business growth.

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Growth General

Ecommerce

The e-commerce growth strategies and tools I use to drive traffic, increase conversions, and boost lifetime value.

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Ecommerce

B2B Growth

Strategies and tools I use to drive impactful B2B growth, from lead generation to conversion.

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B2B Growth
ChatGPT

ChatGPT

Gain valuable insights and assistance in decision-making and content creation with ChatGPT, your digital marketing assistant.

Airtable

Airtable

Collaborate seamlessly and organise data-driven projects with ease using Airtable, enhancing productivity for marketers.

Wordpress

Wordpress

Best for marketers looking for flexibility and customisation. With a large ecosystem of plugins, WordPress can be adapted to fit any B2B business model, but it requires more setup and maintenance compared to other tools.

CookieYes

CookieYes

CookieYes is a Google-certified CMP designed to automate consent management and make work easy for you.

Ecommerce

E-Commerce Growth Fundamentals

Want to get started with e-commerce growth but don’t know where to begin? This free fundamentals course is your entry point. Learn the basic principles of optimising your store and improving performance in a practical, step-by-step format.

Learn the core principles of e-commerce growth.

Understand how to analyse your current funnel and identify weak points.

Take actionable steps to improve performance across key metrics.

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Free course
Productivity

Productivity for Marketers

This course will help you take control of your workload, prioritise key tasks, and develop a structure that allows you to focus on growth initiatives without burning out.

Take control of your workload

Prioritise key tasks when you are overwhelmed

Learn to structure your week to get things done without feeling overwhelmed

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Free course

Wiki articles

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A/B testing

Gauge the performance of two variants in your campaign to optimise user response.

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Activation

Learn to convert an interested party into an active user through effective engagement strategies.

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Ad Spend

Ad spend is the total amount of money spent on paid advertising.

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Articles

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Breakthrough Advertising

Breakthrough Advertising

A timeless guide to understanding customer psychology and the marketing funnel, "Breakthrough Advertising" introduces core principles that form the basis for modern funnel thinking.

Work The System

Work The System

Scaling requires systems. "Work the System" teaches you how to document and refine your processes, making it essential for marketers who aim to build a scalable, repeatable foundation for growth and operational success.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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Ewoud's Growth Hacking sessions were invaluable, providing inspiration and practical tools that kickstarted my career. The tips were highly applicable to my job as a Growth Hacker. Even years later, I still consult Ewoud on this topic. I really enjoy working with him.

Joël Monté
Joël Monté
Strategiefabriek
Growth Markteer

The Growth Session with Ewoud was a confirmation for our marketing team about the direction we're taking. Next to that, Ewoud gave the team an outsider perspective that was sharpening our focus and execution.

Peter-Paul de Leeuw
Peter-Paul de Leeuw
Amberscript
CEO

Ewoud has helped me well in identifying the biggest challenges of my business. By listening carefully and asking the right questions, I realized that the biggest 'problems' I thought were hindering growth are not the issue.

Max Savonije
Max Savonije
Nestmanager
Founder

Great course for those who want to start optimizing their webshop and online marketing but don't know where to begin. During this course, you'll receive tools with which you can immediately get to work!

Noor Jansen
Noor Jansen
Yaya
Junior Online Marketeer

Further reading

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Lean Startup

A must-read for anyone building or marketing new products, "Lean Startup" teaches you how to validate ideas and adapt quickly. Its lean methodology applies to startups and established businesses looking to innovate and reduce risk.

Coming Soon
Free course

Growth General

A collection of growth strategies and tools that I use to accelerate and sustain business growth.

See parent category
Growth Guides
See GuideSee Wizard