Fractional Product Leader | Founder's Product Strategy Partner | Transforming Market Noise into Notable Products
Figuring out what makes you [business/product] unique is a process that requires deep thinking, time, and post its. (Heads up!: Some slightly "woo woo" truths ahead on differentiation and positioning). Reality: There are a lot of people working on the same (or similar) idea as you. But, don’t let that statement be discouraging; it is meant to underscore the importance of establishing a clear differentiator. There are three concepts I feel are not talked about enough when going through this process: ? Creating Space ?? Deep Thinking ?? Integration We all have experiences inside and outside of our professional lives that give us wisdom and perspective. Yet, because our daily lives are so hectic, we often don't give ourselves the chance to reflect and get clear on our secret sauce. For founders and leaders, I see that habit and way of being spill over into the building and nurturing of their companies and ideas. Creating space, Deep thinking, and Integration is the way for true differentiation to arise. 1?? Creating space: It is very natural to think that you have to work on your idea 24/7. I am offering the contrary: sometimes, you have to put the pencil down for a minute. Go for a walk, hit the sauna (infrared ftw), get dinner with the friend you've been playing phone tag with for a few weeks. This could look like a couple of hours to longer - do what's right for you. 2?? Deep thinking: You've created some space and maybe you have even had an idea or two come to you. This is the time to ponder on questions that can help you put the picture together. I would start with: ? Define: How would I describe and define my [idea/product]? ? Differentiate: What secret sauce do [I/idea/business] bring that other players in the space don't? ? Discover: How does my customer perceive my [idea/product] as well as ones adjacent to me? Once you answer those questions, look for gaps & synchronicities. You now have somewhere to start. 3?? Integration: This step is equal parts sitting with the information and taking the new insights you gathered to test out what sticks with your audience. When we do this, we allow our customers to articulate things we couldn't, making us one step closer to crisp differentiation/positioning. Joni Goldbach & I have joined forces & did the same exercise below. We love supporting and partnering with Founders, and this exercise gave us clarity in how to do that better. As always, thank you for Fabrik for providing a space where we could run free with the sticky notes! ------ I'm Ashley. I guide founders through the art and science of product differentiation, helping them uncover their unique value in crowded markets. By creating space for deep thinking and structured discovery, we build products that truly stand out. DM's are open - would love to chat! https://lnkd.in/gYkJSYKj