Author: Brett Lee
-
When to Ignore Customer Feedback: Staying True to Your Product Vision
Customer feedback is a critical resource for startups. It helps you refine your product, validate your assumptions, and uncover opportunities. But while feedback is invaluable, not all feedback should drive your decisions. As a startup scaling from a proof of concept to an MVP and beyond, knowing when to ignore feedback is as important as…
-
Scaling Without Burnout: Sustainable Work Practices for Startups
As a startup scales from a proof of concept to an MVP and beyond, the pressure to deliver fast and perform consistently can lead to a stressful environment. While the thrill of growth and innovation is exciting, the risk of burnout—both for founders and employees—is real. Scaling a business is not just about building products…
-
How to Optimize Retrospectives for Continuous Improvement in Small Teams
Retrospectives are a cornerstone of Agile practices and an essential tool for small teams aiming to continuously improve. However, not all retrospectives are created equal. Without thoughtful structure and execution, they can become repetitive, unfocused, or unproductive. For startups scaling beyond a proof of concept, optimizing retrospectives ensures your team stays agile, aligned, and driven…
-
Tips for Onboarding New Developers in Small Teams
Onboarding new developers in a small startup is a unique challenge—especially as you scale beyond the proof of concept phase and into full MVP development. A smooth and efficient onboarding process can help new hires become productive quickly, integrate into your team culture, and contribute to your startup’s growth. In a small team, every developer’s…
-
Defining Success: How to Set Measurable KPIs for Scaling Startups
Success in a startup isn’t just about building a great product or securing funding; it’s about achieving measurable progress toward your goals. As your startup scales, defining and tracking the right Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) becomes essential. KPIs help you focus on what matters most, align your team, and measure the impact of your efforts.…
-
How to Plan Engineering Sprints with Startups Scaling Their MVP
For startups scaling their MVP, effective sprint planning is essential to maintain momentum, deliver value, and manage the complexities of growth. The rapid pace of startup environments demands a balance between agility and structure, and well-planned sprints are the backbone of efficient development. Here’s a guide to planning engineering sprints that drive results without stifling…
-
Preparing for Enterprise Customers: Scaling Processes for Larger Deals
Securing an enterprise customer is a pivotal moment for startups transitioning from MVP to scalable business. These larger deals bring significant revenue, credibility, and growth potential. However, they also require robust processes and operational maturity to meet the demands of enterprise clients. Here’s how to prepare your startup for the challenges and opportunities of enterprise…
-
Avoiding Technical Debt When Scaling a Startup
For startups transitioning from proof of concept to MVP and beyond, speed is often the name of the game. The pressure to ship fast and capture market share can tempt teams to cut corners, leading to technical debt. While some debt is inevitable in the early stages, unchecked accumulation can slow innovation, increase costs, and…
-
Building Psychological Safety in Startup Teams: Why It Matters and How to Do It
In a fast-paced startup environment, innovation and risk-taking are the lifeblood of success. But these qualities thrive only when your team feels safe to speak up, make mistakes, and collaborate openly. This is where psychological safety comes in—a concept that is not just a buzzword but a critical component for building a high-performing team. Here’s…
-
Using AI-Assisted Software Development Tools or Vibe Coding to Build Your Startup
Startups face unique pressures to quickly deliver software solutions that demonstrate clear value. Agile methods, rapid prototyping, and continuous integration have long helped teams scale rapidly from proof of concept to minimum viable products (MVPs). Today, there’s another powerful tool in your software engineering toolkit: AI-assisted development, often known as “Vibe Coding.” AI-assisted coding leverages…