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.< /p>
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
"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.)
Slinger of code. Eater of sushi.
"Great book, fascinating ideas"
Really enjoyed the content of the book. Exciting stuff. Can't wait to put what I learned here to use. The author (and narrator) was very good as well. Very well read.I ended up having to buy the book as well. While listening was nice, it was the sort of content that I really needed to think about and ponder. While I thought and pondered (ok, maybe daydreamed...), the book played on. I found myself having to stop, back up, and play stuff again a number of times. For content like this, I find that reading the book is necessary for it to sink in. Your mileage may vary. :)
"The simple and efficient way to get on the market!"
To me, the Lean Startup is about starting a business without having a complete product. I simply loved it even if for entrepreneurs like me, it's something hard to do. I always want it to be perfect but find out that I had problems in the past working too long on something that wasn't wanted.
Definitely cut corners and launch as soon as you can! Then, iterate often.
I listened to an interview on Mixergy and think it was also really interesting.
No
"A great read!"
Every entrepreneur should read this. If you are in the product development field this is a must read for you. Eric Ries explains the best practices of how to discover customers for your ideas, how to plan/test/release your products to market and when to pivot. A must read for every startup organization.
"Must read for any one contemplating a startup."
So many minor but significant tips and tricks, it's hard to get it all in on the first listen.
Listen to this after reading Getting Real by 37 Signals
The concepts outlined works best, if you operate in large markets where it take short amount of time to get a descent sample for your experiments.
I love Audiobooks. I listen to roughly 50-100 hours a month. It's a good thing I work for Audible!
"Required reading for anyone who makes products"
I have a strong preference to Audiobooks, so I'm biased. They both have advantages, I'm sure. It helps that Ries performs his own words. Less gets lost in translation.
Not that kind of book. My favorite Anecdote is in the beginning where the executive team is actually spending time prototyping the business in the field to test their thinking. So much time gets wasted in meetings and 'brainstorming' when you can just go and ask people/test your ideas.
No
Not really - this is the kind of book that you need to mull over. Listening to more than 30 minutes at a stretch makes it hard to digest all that's being said.
Its going to be a modern classic in terms of business books.
"A must for anyone starting a business"
I strongly recommend this book for anyone who's running a business, starting a business, or in business school.
"Great book, listening to it again!"
Yes. The advice is practical and it is an engaging audiobook
N/A
no
How to be successful as an entrepreneur or intrapreneur
LivingSuperhuman blog
"Some helpful tips, nothing mindblowing."
I don't think I would recommend this book to a friend. It's not bad, but its not groundbreaking or anything.
The most interesting aspect was the great tips Ries presents and even though they involve a tech company, they can be applied to any company. The least interesting part is the slow stories of his boring tech company.
I have not even heard of Eric Ries's before listening to his book. I have read
Produce in small batches, test often using the right metrics, and make timely adjustments.
"Great Content, pretty good story"
Definitely higher in terms of how I will use the content. Keeps me thinking lean.
The story line was pretty good, but could have been more compelling.
optional
"What really counts in startup product development"
This book makes you think about what is the minimum viable product you need to get your product started.
We waste so much effort on so many features but what is the absolute minimum and how do you validate it against your assumptions.
Makes you think about all the things you did in the past, was it really necessary to build all that ... hmmm...