Testing Business Ideas

SYNOPSIS

Improving Business Models

Language

Leaders who are improving existing business models need to be aware of their language and tone. Chances are you have evolved into a leader over time because you are an expert with knowledge and experience.

As you lead teams through experimenting on a known business model, be mindful of the fact that overuse of your words can unintentionally disempower the teams. They may feel as though their decision-making authority is taken away, even if you are merely giving your opinion. They’ll simply wait for you to assign them experiments, which is not ideal.

Accountability

Accountability often has a negative connotation in today’s organizations, but it doesn’t need to. Teams do not always need to be “held accountable” to hitting dates and releasing features. While features are important, they are outputs, not outcomes. Remember to focus on business outcomes, not just the features and dates.

Your teams need the opportunity to give an account on how they are experimenting and making progress toward business outcomes. As a leader, it’s your job to create an environment for these opportunities to occur.

Facilitation

How you interact with teams while improving business models is also important. As you grow into a leader at higher levels of the organization, you’ll realize that facilitation skills are imperative.

We recommend taking courses on ...