Idiot Who Founded DIGITALGUESTLIST.com | Rebel With A Cause | Hired Gun | Analytics Junkie | AntiHero | Serial Envelope Pusher | Optimist/Cynic
Earlier today. I had a ONE MusicFest PR meeting with J Carter (Sol Fusion), Nicole Garner (The Garner Circle), Daniel Dickey (The Garner Circle), and Myleik Teele (ArtofFacts PR), and it was evident (really only to me) that I have been chosen to participate in this event for a reason. Me and this “calling” thing have a funny relationship. The easiest way to explain it is to think about a movie where the main character realizes he must set out on a mission filled with danger and uncertainty in order to save the people/world/etc.
I just had that feeling, and interestingly enough, it came in two forms: (1) using ONE MusicFest as a catalyst to diversify Atlanta and (2) using customer development in startup events.
First, I’ll tackle #onemusicfest. During the meeting, we engaged in a spirited discussion in the role artist selection plays in audience diversity, and how Atlanta is very segregated city from a social entertainment perspective. I remained relatively quiet during the discussion because I know from following Steve Blank (father of Customer Development) that the only things being discussed were opinions.
No facts exist inside of the building.
Put simply, nothing is a fact until you have data to support your position. It is only an assumption. And never ever base your critical strategic/tactical decisions on assumptions. Though many entrepreneurs/event organizers do. Going a little deeper (and using the Lean StartUp Methodology), the speed at which you turn the assumptions into facts, and alter your vision (according to facts this time) is absolutely crucial.
This is a thin line between having a vision and a hallucination.
Ok, so I got into Customer Development a little earlier than I wanted to. But #onemusicfest is still a startup under the definition of “an organization which delivers a product/service under conditions of extreme uncertainty.” That “extreme uncertainty” means that the repeatable profitable business model (or product/market fit) has to be found. And a startup’s sole objective is to find that repeatable and profitable business model.
How #onemusicfest finds the business model is by Customer Development, and we keep track of the progress using the Business Model Canvas.
If I can help #onemusicfest find its’ business model using Customer Development, then I’ll have done my part to help unify Atlanta, and exposed alot of entrepreneurs to the Customer Development methodology – about 99% of whom would have never known about the methodology otherwise.
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