Can churn be good?

Churn is inherently a bad thing for any startup. You don't want to lose customers or revenue. At least not in the 99% of the cases. But churn can also be spun into a good thing. Churn is an opportunity for you to learn, what you can improve and do better. Because by churning, customers… Continue reading Can churn be good?

Who are you selling to?

Let me admit it straight from the bat: I have an overwhelming fondness for business models that addresses the users wallet directly. Not in terms of forcing them to splash the cash but in terms of delivering products, services and experiences that solve meaningful problems and challenges to people, which they are both willing an… Continue reading Who are you selling to?

Dealing with lost outcome

A couple of years ago I had the great pleasure of helping an interesting startup in the data management and analytics space get off the ground. Part of that was to help them pitch to early angel investors in order to get the first funding. And one of the international investors we talked to had… Continue reading Dealing with lost outcome

Saboteurs

We’re so used to innovating and building products and businesses for people, who have a need for what we are looking to go to market with that we completely forget about the other people. The saboteurs. While I totally understand why we never think about those, who don’t wish us well - it’s not the… Continue reading Saboteurs

The power of a (new) story

Back when I took the Prof G Strategy Sprint with Section4, one of the things that stayed with me was just how powerful a great story is in shaping entire companies. I was reminded the other day, when I had a meeting with a seasoned communications professional, where we talked about what great people with… Continue reading The power of a (new) story

The negative value proposition

Is creating value as a startup with something new always inherently positive for everybody concerned? Maybe not. What if part of the value creation you offer is to help take away the uncomfortable pain of someone having to confront someone else with a problem, the first one really just want to be rid off? Is… Continue reading The negative value proposition

Cakes, taxes and value

I come from a small town in the Western part of Jutland and aside from red sausages (don't ask) I was brought up on really good, traditional bakers bread (and it showed). For the same reason, I have always found Lagkagehuset to be almost a profanity. I mean: How can someone set up a chain… Continue reading Cakes, taxes and value

Get value from values

What does it mean to have something of real economic value that customers want? Is it to have the best product within a category worth an extra charge, or is it to have a product that sits so well with the belief system of the customer that they are willing to pay a premium price… Continue reading Get value from values