We’ve all been there: that killer idea that keeps you up at night, buzzing with potential. You can practically see it changing the world… or at least your corner of it. But here’s the cold, hard truth and what I have experienced myself: big projects can crash and burn. And the reality is, many do. Whether it’s due to internal struggles, external factors, or just plain bad luck, it often feels like the odds are stacked against you and your team.
Why? Because we often get so caught up in the “making” that we forget the most crucial question: Does anyone actually want this?
That’s why I was so excited to be part of an invite-only preview event for the new book ‘Click,’ which introduces the Foundation Sprint—a proven system for starting projects the right way. It’s all about making better decisions and moving quickly toward a solution.
I’m a big fan of AJ&Smart, who partnered with Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky – product design gurus with serious street cred. They’ve spent years in the trenches at places like Google Ventures, helping countless startups navigate the treacherous waters of launching something new. They’ve seen firsthand what works, what doesn’t, and what separates the winners from the “what were we thinking?” crowd.
We even did a dry run of the new Foundation Sprint. We got to think about how much time, money, and sheer effort gets wasted on products that miss the mark. Are we asking the right questions to make these failures avoidable? We went over:
- 10 Essential Lessons: The core principles that underpin successful product launches.
- The Foundation Sprint Playbook: A practical, actionable guide to running your own sprint.
- Real-World Inspiration: Stories and examples from giants like Nike, Google, Slack, and even the cutting edge of AI research.
My hard copy arrives this week, and I’m eager to apply the Foundation Sprint to ensure that everything we build truly clicks with customers!