The Lean Startup

How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses

By: Eric Ries

Narrated by: Eric Ries

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Most startups fail. But many of those failures are preventable. The Lean Startup is a new approach being adopted across the globe, changing the way companies are built and new products are launched.

Eric Ries defines a startup as an organization dedicated to creating something new under conditions of extreme uncertainty. This is just as true for one person in a garage or a group of seasoned professionals in a Fortune 500 boardroom. What they have in common is a mission to penetrate that fog of uncertainty to discover a successful path to a sustainable business.

The Lean Startup approach fosters companies that are both more capital efficient and that leverage human creativity more effectively. Inspired by lessons from lean manufacturing, it relies on “validated learning”, rapid scientific experimentation, as well as a number of counter-intuitive practices that shorten product-development cycles, measure actual progress without resorting to vanity metrics, and learn what customers really want. It enables a company to shift directions with agility, altering plans inch by inch, minute by minute.

Rather than wasting time creating elaborate business plans, The Lean Startup offers entrepreneurs - in companies of all sizes - a way to test their vision continuously, to adapt and adjust before it’s too late. Ries provides a scientific approach to creating and managing successful startups in a age when companies need to innovate more than ever.

©2011 Eric Ries (P)2011 Random House

Critic reviews

"Eric has created a science where previously there was only art. A must read for every serious entrepreneur—and every manager interested in innovation." (Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, Opsware Inc., and Netscape)

"At Asana, we've been lucky to benefit from Eric's advice firsthand; this book will enable him to help many more entrepreneurs answer the tough questions about their business." (Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder of Facebook and Asana)

"In business, a ‘lean’ enterprise is sustainable efficiency in action. Eric Ries’ revolutionary Lean Startup method will help bring your new business idea to an end result that is successful and sustainable. You’ll find innovative steps and strategies for creating and managing your own startup while learning from the real-life successes and collapses of others. This book is a must read for entrepreneurs who are truly ready to start something great!” (Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager and The One Minute Entrepreneur.)

MUST READ for any Entrepreneur - BEFORE you start!

Would you listen to The Lean Startup again? Why?

Eric is constantly questioning the generally accepted ideas about starting up a business. Often when you're in the process it's easy to get lost in what you're doing, and Eric flips all your current ideas on their head (for the better).I've had this book for around 3 weeks - I've listened to it twice and launched my startup that has been stalled for months for financial reasons.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lean Startup?

Listening to Eric's examples of how The Lean StartUp method has actually worked in real life for him and others. It's not just theory!!

What about Eric Ries’s performance did you like?

It was clear and easy to listen to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Lots of laughing at some of the crazy ideas Eric has... which once he explained have turned me into a total convert.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book for any entrepreneur - in the tech-industry or not as these principles are applicable to almost ANY startup. This book showed me everywhere I've gone wrong in the past, and how to get my business future shining brighter. In 3 weeks I've launched my startup (and already have paying customers) with a business concept that had been stalled for MONTHS trying to fund. Eric was right! - he's a genius.

Good content

This book contains great content and explanations around LEAN methodologies. At times a little tedious listening through it. Really enjoyed the real world business examples.

Insightful

Loved it! A must read for any entrepreneur. The perfect guide for the space between design and business.

Practical, Engaging Startup Roadmap

Simple, clear, & compelling strategy, tactics, & storytelling for developing a flexible, smart, and adaptive startup roadmap.

Must read for every startup founder

One of best books on Startup challenges and approach to solutions. Startup journey is a beast if it's own, and Eric offers great insights into these challenges and possible solutions to it. Must read

Great foundational book on innovation

This book is a must read for anyone working on bringing new products to market

Worth buying

Great audio book, validated learning is a great concept. Gives practical examples for all concepts discussed

A must read for all.

Awesome book. This book can completely change the way you grow your startup.

Great thought provoking read

I loved the information provided in this text to guide me in my business journey.

Great audiobook

This is an amazing book with great insights. Super helpful topics to start practicing right away