In 2011 I was introduced to the lean startup concept. It helped me figure out how to quickly validate the riskiest parts of an idea that I was working on. In only three months I was able to validate my assumed customer segment and the problem they faced. Guess what? My assumptions were completely wrong! I was able to learn this without ever launching an actual product or writing a line of code. I could have wasted a lot of time and money building my idea, and then finding out that my assumptions were incorrect.
In the past 3 years I have suggested the lean startup methodology to my friends who were starting their own businesses, or working on product releases. I always hear "I am not building a startup, so why would this help me?" The name 'lean startup' is confusing because people think it must only apply to startups. The fact is that the lean startup methodology can be applied to any business or product idea. It can be used to validate a business like Reading Glue, or a lemonade stand my son wants to launch this summer. By following the lean startup methodology, you make business / product iterations based on actual data and feedback rather than guesses and assumptions. You validate before building.
This Spring, I will be teaching an eight week class at the Elgin Technology Center called Building a Lean Business. You will learn about the lean startup methodology, and apply what you learn weekly in the development of your own business, product, or idea. You will learn how to "get out of the building" in order to validate the problem you want to solve, your solution, customer base, and revenue model with the least amount of risk. By the end of this class you will have the knowledge needed to launch and evolve a business, while giving yourself the best chance of achieving success.
Classes will meet on Wednesdays 6-8PM from April 2 through May 21. Registration is open, and there are only a limited amount of spots remaining. Head over to http://www.elgintech.org/classes to sign up.
