https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-boutaoui-phd-mba/ (Nadia Boutaoui) of https://www.facebook.com/NanoNaresforpreclinicaltesting/ (NanoNares) likes to zag while everyone else zigs. Starting with a Minimal Viable Product (“MVP”) is the conventional wisdom in the startup world.  An MVP is a launch version of a product with the elementary set of features to learn about customer needs and gain customers with least effort. Nadia advocates starting with a “problem first design thinking” approach prior to working on your MVP.  She argues you spend more time defining the problem statement based on talking to stakeholders that makeup the market ecosystem including buyers, influencers, gatekeepers, and saboteurs.  This allows you to contextualize the problem and evaluate the need for your solution and justify the need to solve the problem before you develop an MVP.  Nadia observes that design-driven companies have outperformed the S&P Index by 219% over 10 years. She provides a 4 step process to implement a design first approach.  Listen to the end where Nadia offers a special gift to our listeners. Show highlights 03:44  Improve your MVP by starting with a problem first design thinking approach. 05:11  Use observations on how the customers experience the problem to inform building your MVP. 07:40  Complexities in large ecosystems where your solution fits drives the need for observation before MVP. 11:14  Starting with a problem first design approach can reduce the risk of your MVP and shorten your time to market. 13:07  The benefits from adopting a problem first design approach in advance of your MVP. 15:34  What you need to do to implement a problem first design approach. 18:55   Learn about Nadia.  Email Nadia at nadia.boutaoui@nanonares.org. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingley/ (Connect with Jay) Email Jay at jay.kingley@centricityb2b.com https://centricity.ewebinar.com/webinar/corporate-to-consultant-getting-the-right-clients-right-now-4421 (Sign up) for a free one hour workshop called Fast Track Your Way To A Thriving Consulting Practice. The workshop will show you how to replace the income you left behind in your last corporate job and then 5X it, get fully booked with clients at premium prices, and to have prospects chasing you so you can pick the clients and projects you want to work on while maintaining your revenues.