Steve Blank

Principles are our summary of their public statements.

• Use relevant data for problems

  Strategy

  Entrepreneurs must ensure the data they use to solve a problem is directly relevant to the specific process they are trying to model.

  1 more supporting quote is in the member records.

  Source Entrepreneurs Are Everywhere Show No 32 Evangelos Simoudis And Ashok Srivastava, 2016  (opens in a new tab)

• Distinguish Pivot from Impulsiveness

  Strategy

  A pivot must be a substantive change to the business model based on verified patterns, not just a reaction to the latest customer meeting.

  1 more supporting quote is in the member records.

  Source Vision Versus Hallucination Founders And Pivots, 2012  (opens in a new tab)

• Gather evidence instead of arguing

  Management

  Instead of trying to convince superiors to adopt a methodology, use that methodology to gather data that proves your point.

  Supporting quotes

  • “Having real data turns conversations from faith-based to evidence-based.”

  2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

• Bridge the gap with tools

  Product

  Identify gaps between official manuals and real-world struggles to create tools that simplify complex processes.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source Careers Start By Peeling Potatoes, 2012  (opens in a new tab)

• Maintain Seamless Agility

  Strategy

  An entrepreneur must be ready to pivot instantly when circumstances change rather than sticking rigidly to a pre-set plan.

  Supporting quotes

  • “One of the key distinctions between an entrepreneur and an operating executive is an entrepreneur's almost seamless agility in the face of changing circumstances versus an operating executive's intense execution focus on a plan.”

  2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

• Avoid the Luxury Trap

  Leadership

  Upgrading to a professional or luxury office can signal to employees that the struggle is over, leading to a decline in startup agility and work ethic.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source Supermac War Story 11 The Curse Of A New Building, 2009  (opens in a new tab)

• Cross-Functional Innovation Seeding

  Management

  To change a large organization's culture, select participants from diverse departments to act as change agents within their respective groups.

  2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source Innovating Government Culture, 2014  (opens in a new tab)

• Omit Core Intellectual Property

  Strategy

  Keep trade secrets, proprietary algorithms, and patentable technology off slides while still sharing enough to engage partners.

  Supporting quotes

  • “If you present slides publicly, assume everyone including your competitors will have them. If you present slides privately, assume a high probability that your competitors will acquire them”

    “Do not put your trade secrets, proprietary algorithms, patentable technology, secret sauce, etc. on presentation slides - ever.”

  1 more supporting quote is in the member records.

• Define your business by utility

  Strategy

  A company should define itself by the problem it solves for customers rather than the specific craft or technology it currently uses.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source Blind To Disruption The Ceos Who Missed The Future, 2025  (opens in a new tab)

• Focus on output over attendance

  Productivity

  In creative and white-collar roles, productivity should be measured by effectiveness and results rather than the number of hours logged.

  Supporting quotes

  • “The number of hours worked is not the same as how effective they (and you) are.”

  1 more supporting quote is in the member records.