It seems like a lot of Steve Blank's articles don't get many comments here. I know that I usually read them and think "Wow, that's insightful" and I can't think of anything to add or refute. Maybe that's just me, but I'm glad they keep getting submitted here even if they don't generate discussion.

I would love to see more discussion of his ideas - especially from people who have really tried to follow his principles. Customer Development makes a lot of sense. But other than Steve's own companies, who has used his method and benefited from it? Who has tried and failed?

For what it's worth, I'm at the beginning stages of taking two stalled startups through the Customer Development process. I'll post my success or failure in 6-9 months. :)

There is a Google Group http://groups.google.com/group/lean-startup-circle that is devoted to discussing customer development and lean startup techniques. It's open to anyone to join.

Cool, thanks. Just joined.

make sure you read the comments on steve's blog, there are some good nuggets there.

Right. After I read them, I think, "Sure, that's just common sense."

Except that we all know that common sense isn't all that common. This guy's domain (sales & marketing) isn't the same domain as most readers here. After years of experience and a few times around the block, he seems to have a pretty good hack of his process.

Any shortcuts to sales & marketing expertise always appreciated here. Keep 'em coming.

thanks. always nice to hear.

steve

steve, you should submit your own blog posts to hn... ;)

How would you sell a new lake to a foreign country?

for those who modded this down: it is a DEAD serious question.

You're seriously missing the point. Lean startup is not about selling X to Y, it's about figuring who is Y and what kind product they might need, using X as a starting point.

I get to him by his Silicon Valley histories, and read ALL of his blog in a couple of days. Besides him being a great storyteller, he has something valuable to tell, even if its not your field.