Maryam Agboola-Okeowo’s Post

The Hidden Pitfalls of Product Launches 🚩 You’ve built an incredible product, and now the launch is looming. But here’s the hard truth: many stumble here, despite the best intentions. Product launches are a delicate balancing act, and the pitfalls are often where you least expect. Avoid these common traps: 1️⃣ Rushing and skipping beta testing or pilots: If your product doesn’t adequately address real customer pains, has usability issues, or even scalability challenges, you want to know early—before launch. Skipping this crucial step can lead to missed insights that could’ve made the difference between success and failure, while also increasing the risk of costly post-launch fixes. 2️⃣ Weak positioning: If your value proposition isn’t sharp enough to cut through the noise, it won’t matter how great your product is. 3️⃣ Overpromising: Sometimes, a simpler product that works really well is better than a complex product overloaded with bells and whistles. You only get one shot at a first impression—set realistic expectations to build long-term trust. 4️⃣ Neglecting post-launch efforts: The true journey begins after the launch. Keeping momentum is just as crucial as creating it. Launching is exhilarating, but the details make the difference between a sprint and a marathon. What missteps have you seen or experienced during a product launch? Let’s chat! #ProductLaunch #GTMStrategy #ProductMarketing #Growth #StartupLessons

Where do you start with an idea that just won’t go away? Last week, we spoke with a couple of businesses that are venturing into new territory. They have brilliant ideas. One is looking to diversify their offering, and the other is planning to launch a brand-new product. The common thread? They're busy running their current operations, and the idea of dedicating time to something entirely new feels overwhelming. It’s completely natural to feel unsure about where to start, especially when it’s outside your comfort zone. For many, the concept of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) comes up, but what does an MVP really mean? It’s not about launching something half-baked. It’s about focusing on the core idea, making sure there is a need there and getting it into the hands of real users, and learning from their feedback. If you’ve got an idea that feels like an opportunity too good to pass up but aren’t sure where to begin, let’s chat. Sometimes, all it takes is a clear plan to get things moving. 🚀

🚀 From Idea to Market in 10 Steps 🚀 Turning an idea into a thriving product is no small feat. Here’s a simple roadmap to help you navigate the journey: Validate Concept ✅ – Ensure your idea solves a real problem. Prototype & Test 🔍 – Build a rough version and gather early feedback. Refine & Iterate 🔄 – Use feedback to improve your product. Build MVP 🛠️ – Create a Minimum Viable Product for early users. Craft a Killer Go-To-Market Strategy 🚀 – Strategize for a successful launch. Launch Big 🌟 – Make it count; go bold! Market Fiercely 📢 – Let the world know your solution is here. Gather Feedback 💬 – Listen, learn, and adjust. Scale Fast 📈 – Optimize operations and expand reach. Win Hearts ❤️ – Build lasting relationships with your users. Building a product is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay focused, adapt quickly, and keep pushing forward! 💪 #StartupJourney #ProductDevelopment #EntrepreneurMindset #GoToMarket #MVP #LaunchStrategy #ProductLaunch

Product launches are high-stakes, nerve-wracking moments where everything hangs in the balance. When it all goes off without a hitch, it's like finding a unicorn that’s also your new best friend—pure magic! But let’s be real, how often does that happen? Here’s to those rare moments of perfect launches when the stars align, the code holds strong, and customers love what you’ve worked on for months. A flawless launch means the team didn’t just get lucky—they nailed it with prep, precision, and teamwork. #ProductLaunch #Product #ProductManagement #ProductManagementMemes #ProductMemes #Memes #FunnyFriday #TeamWork #StartupLife #ValueAdd #VAST

🚀 The Product Journey: From Idea to Growth! 🚀 "Ever wonder what it really takes to bring a product from idea to a thriving business? Let's break it down together: First, there’s the Ideation Stage — where it all begins! Here, it’s about asking, What problem are we solving? and Who needs this? Next, we move to Prototype/MVP, where the concept starts taking shape. It’s a lean version, built to test core ideas and get real-world feedback. Once there’s a basic product, it’s Beta Time! This stage brings real users into the mix, helping refine the product based on honest feedback. Then comes the Full Launch — the big reveal! Here, the focus is on capturing attention, building brand awareness, and showcasing value. As traction builds, it’s all about that Early Traction — those first wins that validate your vision. And finally, there’s the Growth Stage: scaling up, expanding reach, and turning momentum into long-term success. Every stage has its challenges, but together, they build the path from idea to impact. Which stage resonates with you right now? 🚀 #ProductJourney #StartupLife #Innovation #Growth"

Why MVP matters: The first step in crossing the chasm to market success. Creating a product for the masses isn't easy. It starts with a minimal viable product (MVP), aiming to satisfy the simplest needs of early adopters. The MVP is NOT about perfection. It's about learning. 🚀 Here's why MVP matters: → Test the waters: Early adopters provide feedback, which is GOLD. They tell you what's missing, what works, and what doesn't. This guides the next steps in development. → Avoid the big leap: Jumping straight to a full-fledged product can be a HUGE mistake. The mass market is cautious. They want proof, case studies, and tested solutions. MVPs help you build this credibility over time. → Build trust: Start small, earn big. By addressing initial pain points, you earn trust, creating a foundation for broader market expansion. The path to market success isn't linear. It's a journey of discovery, adjustment, and scaling. 🌟 What's your experience with launching an MVP? How did it help shape your product? #productmanagement #productmarketing #saasgrowth

I once bet my entire product roadmap on an analytics feature that was supposed to "change everything." Spoiler: It didn't. Meanwhile, our competitor shipped three small but impactful updates and converted some of our customers and leads. Ouch. This experience taught me a lot about balancing moonshots with roofshots in product strategy. It's not about going all-in or playing it too safe. It's about making the right bet for where your company is today. In my latest post on The Product Trench, I dive into: 🚀 Why big bets are thrilling but risky—and how they can easily distract you from your core. 🛠️ How small bets—like reducing friction or fixing bugs—keep your users happy and your product steady. 💡Practical takeaways for companies trying to balance these approaches. If you're struggling to decide where to focus your roadmap—between shooting for the moon or stabilizing the ship—this one's for you. 🔗 Check out the full post in the link below👇

👋 Hey, Product Folks! In Case You Missed It [2-8 Dec, 2024] is here! This week’s roundup is all about tackling challenges, sparking creativity, and mastering product strategy. Let’s dig into three big questions that stood out: 1️⃣ “Imposter Syndrome in Product Management,” by Product Voyagers — A practical guide to overcoming the hidden hurdles of doubt. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eKYT5a6x 2️⃣ “Creativity Is the Only Thing,” by Fabricio Teixeira (UX Collective) — Insights into sparking innovation and thinking differently. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e-WRFpNW 3️⃣ “Mastering Product Strategy,” by Aakash Gupta & Melissa Perri — Lessons from Melissa Perri on creating strategies that stick. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e68-ttMa 4️⃣ “The PLG Myth,” by The Product-Led Geek — Why even product-led companies need a robust sales strategy. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ergqqQJS 5️⃣ “The Duolingo Playbook,” by Sean Ellis & Ethan Garr, Gina Gotthilf — Growth secrets from one of the most successful ed-tech startups. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eMEzbMe6 6️⃣ “Recognizing Failure,” by Steedan Crowe 🇨🇦 — How to spot signs of failure early and pivot effectively. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/en53we8T? 7️⃣ “Growth Newsletter #229,” by Demand Curve — A fresh take on scaling efficiently. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eHvKmeiB 8️⃣ “Navigating the Future of Product Teams,” by a16z — Insights on leveraging team dynamics to build success. 🔗 Need to subscribe to their newsletter: 💭 What stood out for you? Share your thoughts! Let’s keep building smarter, together. 🥂 Cheers,

🫣 Unpopular Opinion: An MVP without a Product Roadmap is called a hobby. And a Product Roadmap doesn't have to be overwhelming or fancy — here's what it needs to do: ✅ Typically, it VISUALLY summarizes the vision and direction of your product offering over a defined period of time. Think colors, columns, arrows, etc. ✅ It's got to be focused on execution. Good Product Roadmaps clearly define WHO is responsible for WHAT. And BY WHEN. ✅ It keeps STRATEGY at the center — and ensures that every feature or enhancement aligns with the overarching business strategy. Looking for a sample of a Product Roadmap? Send me a DM — I've got one in the starting blocks ready to send your way. #productroadmap #gtmstrategy #gtmconsulting #startupmarketing #startupsuccess #femalefounder #femalefounders

#MVP #StartupJourney #ProductDevelopment Hey there! 🚀 I’ve been diving into the whole MVP (Minimum Viable Product) concept and I’m curious about different experiences out there. So, let me ask you this: How long did you actually spend on developing your MVP? I’ve come across a mixed bag of opinions—some folks suggest sticking to a tight 4-8 weeks, while others say you should give yourself a generous 12 months. Personally, I lean towards a timeline of 1 week to 2 months. But, of course, it all boils down to the complexity of your MVP! Here’s why speed is key: ✅ Save Money: The faster you build, the less cash you burn. 🚀 Validation Fast: Quick turns in the process let you validate your idea sooner. A common pitfall? Many people confuse the MVP with the final product. The goal with an MVP is to build quickly and test the waters. Here’s a simple breakdown of what that looks like: Create Your MVP: This should be a basic version that showcases your core idea. Test It Out: Try selling it... What's the Optimal Timeframe to Build Your MVP Successfully? Answers:  https://lnkd.in/gjctaSCd Let's Connect! Have you faced similar challenges? Share your insights and expe...