The Mom Test
The Mom Test is a short and easy-to-follow program that will save you time, money, and heartbreak. The book focuses on entrepreneurs with large business ideas. However, this also applies to product managers. Having early and frequent talks about product ideas, features, and how customers and users are not just using your product but also solving their problems and accomplishing their business is crucial for you. Perhaps it will not immediately relate to your business, but it may provide you with the insight you require for the next great thing.
Fitzpatrick used the example of an entrepreneur who was having difficulty getting consumer interviews with cafe owners in his book. He was having difficulty setting up formal talks. So, while they were seated in a café, Fitzpatrick simply asked to speak with the cafe's owner or manager, and they had a quick chat right there. There will be no pitch, only information collecting, and a nice chat.
They say you shouldn't ask your mother if starting your own business is a smart idea since she loves you and will lie to you. Although technically correct, this misses the purpose. You should not ask anyone if your venture is a good one. It's a bad question because everyone will lie to you to some extent. In fact, it is not their obligation to tell you the truth. It is your obligation to find it, and it is worthwhile to do it correctly.
Speaking with customers is a fundamental ability in both Customer Development and Lean Startup. We all know we should do it, but no one seems willing to recognize that it's easy to mess up and difficult to do right. This book will teach you how customer discussions go wrong and how to improve them.
While the book is about asking the appropriate questions to potential clients, it is also packed with life lessons that are applicable to any situation in which you must ask (a lot of) questions (think job interviews, salary negotiations, buying a house, etc).
Author: Rob Fitzpatrick
Link to by: https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Test-customers-business-everyone/dp/1492180742
