Lean Innovator Logo for Dark Backgrounds.

The Lean Innovator Process

…is a mashup of Lean Startup & Design Thinking strategies, rolled up into one tactical sequence that produces an evidence-based value proposition, aka a Game-Changer.

Lean Innovator Logo for Dark Backgrounds.

1

Identify Customers First

Answers the questions: Who are your customers? What are they trying to do? What problems do they have? How do they feel about that?

Creates a baseline understanding

  • An initial set of assumptions
  • Guides customer interview

3

Watch how they behave in groups

Helps us determine the language our customers use, the communities in which they congregate, the content they consume, and their price-point sensitivities.

We discover our niche

  • We collect evidence of SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market)
  • Sheds light on multiple market opportunities

2

Find customers to talk to

(It's not as hard as you think!)

4 lines of inquiry: Which type of customer are you? What has been your experience? Why was that hard? How do you fix this right now?

Helps us adjust our baseline

  • Uncovers Golden Nuggets of Insight
  • We use our customers' answers to look for deeper clues online

4

Value Proposition Design

(That killer thing your customers love)

The thing of value for which our customers will exchange currency (money, time, attention, etc).

Our Evidence-Based Value Proposition

  • A list of features and benefits that are derived from our previous research
  • Produces an 11-second sentence that summarizes our startup

1. Identify Customers First

Answers the questions: Who are your customers? What are they trying to do? What problems do they have? How do they feel about that?

Creates a baseline understanding

  • An initial set of assumptions
  • Guides customer interview

2. Find customers to talk to

(It's not as hard as you think!)

4 lines of inquiry: Which type of customer are you? What has been your experience? Why was that hard? How do you fix this right now?

Helps us adjust our baseline

  • Uncovers Golden Nuggets of Insight
  • We use our customers' answers to look for deeper clues online

3. Watch how they behave in groups

Helps us determine the language our customers use, the communities in which they congregate, the content they consume, and their price-point sensitivities.

We discover our niche

  • We collect evidence of SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market)
  • Sheds light on multiple market opportunities

4. Value Proposition Design

(That killer thing your customers love)

The thing of value for which our customers will exchange currency (money, time, attention, etc).

Our Evidence-Based Value Proposition

  • A list of features and benefits that are derived from our previous research
  • Produces an 11-second sentence that summarizes our startup

Hitting the Target Icon

Why does this work?

Because it’s not about having awesome ideas. It’s about taking educated guesses and adjusting your approach based on customer feedback. When you practice the Lean Innovator process, you won’t have to convince customers – they’ll get it right away. And that’s how you start creating that Game-Changer.

Hitting the Target Icon
No-Cost Ways to Get Started Icon showing a hand clicking

WORKSHOPS

Group of people working in groups.

Coming Soon

10 different workshops to help you learn the “Way of Lean.”

COHORT SERIES

A group of people collaborating on a project.

The next 7-week cohort starts on
June 2nd, 2022. 

1:1 CONSULTING

A one-on-one zoom call

Powered by the Metro Business Center and free if you’re in Sac County.

COMMUNITY

Social Media Connection Portal

Connect with the people in the Sacramento’s Startup Community.

WORKSHOPS

Group of people working in groups.

Coming Soon

10 different workshops to help you learn the “Way of Lean.”

COHORT SERIES

A group of people collaborating on a project.

The next 7-week cohort starts on
June 2nd, 2022. 

1:1 CONSULTING

A one-on-one zoom call

Powered by the Metro Business Center and free if you’re in Sac County.

COMMUNITY

Social Media Connection Portal

Connect with the people in the Sacramento’s Startup Community.

   SO HERE’S THE CATCH:

The Lean Innovator currently provides its services at no cost to founders because it’s funded through partners who want to create successful startups in Sacramento, California.

The Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship logo
A Lean Innovator Partner: The Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
GIVE BACK WHEN IT’S YOUR TURN.  SHARE WHEN YOU’RE SUCCESSFUL. Value Proposition Design Icon

Mentor others, help them grow, and share your journey with the community.