Essay · ~8 min read

Do Pivots Matter? (What's a Pivot?)

Steve Blank · steveblank.com (Steve Blank) Free Intermediate

Blank widens pivot beyond product to any of the nine parts of your business model, which helps you find the one big thing to change instead of thrashing everything. That precision matters when you want to keep one foot planted. Use it to name exactly which lever (customer, problem, channel, pricing) is the one you are moving.

  • A pivot can change customer, channel, pricing, or model, not just the product
  • Change one component and keep the rest as your fixed foot
  • Most large companies pivoted on at least one business model piece

The question it answers

  1. When should I pivot vs. persevere?

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