Several people I’ve talked with recently have quoted from Eric Ries’s The Lean Start Up with almost the same religious fervor people espouse Guy Kawasaki or Steve Jobs.

I haven’t read it yet, but after reading a brief column in WSJ’s About Tech Europe and watching the video I realized that Ries probably doesn’t appreciate that kind of blind devotion any more than Kawasaki or Jobs and is quick to say so.

Much of what he says is common sense,

“If 10 people in a row hate my product is that statistically significant? It is not conclusive evidence, but it is certainly telling you something.”

If you have 100 customers you can already say what percentage are paying. If it is zero then I can already start to be a bit worried about the model.”

which is often the easiest to rationalize or ignore.

Of course, you ignore it at your peril.

If you have read The Lean Startup please share your thoughts below; I’ll share mine after I’ve read it.

Image credit: Wall Street Journal

Now check out my other WW Evelyn Y. Davis says “don’t be shy”

Image credit: gregveen on flickr

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