Randy S. Fisher
for UX / User Researchers
Why should I watch the Customer Discovery videos?
Because they are an introduction to the Customer Discovery Method. It is proven to be successful and has been used with thousands of companies and organizations. A pioneer in the development of Customer Discovery is Steve Blank, an entrepreneurship professor at Stanford University in California.
You can always read articles about Customer Discovery. However, I have found that when teaching and coaching people, they ‘get it’ much quicker when learning by video.
Because they are an introduction to the Customer Discovery Method. It is proven to be successful and has been used with thousands of companies and organizations. A pioneer in the development of Customer Discovery is Steve Blank, an entrepreneurship professor at Stanford University in California.
You can always read articles about Customer Discovery. However, I have found that when teaching and coaching people, they ‘get it’ much quicker when learning by video.
What should I observe / look for?
I want you to see and experience how people are at ease when they feel valued and heard. If they do, they will share MUCH more about their lives and professional situations. This includes needs and pain points, challenges and future aspirations.
It is important to you, and for our work together. After receiving the information, comments and feedback from the interview (i.e., raw data) we can analyze their comments and information to come up with creative and innovative solutions to address their pain points, challenges and future aspirations.
I want you to see and experience how people are at ease when they feel valued and heard. If they do, they will share MUCH more about their lives and professional situations. This includes needs and pain points, challenges and future aspirations.
It is important to you, and for our work together. After receiving the information, comments and feedback from the interview (i.e., raw data) we can analyze their comments and information to come up with creative and innovative solutions to address their pain points, challenges and future aspirations.
Be curious and empathetic
Customer Discovery is about really putting yourself in another person's shoes and learning about their challenges from their perspective. The key is to be curious and empathetic, and let the conversation develop in a natural, organic way : Always show genuine interest + Never Interrupt!
Customer Discovery is about really putting yourself in another person's shoes and learning about their challenges from their perspective. The key is to be curious and empathetic, and let the conversation develop in a natural, organic way : Always show genuine interest + Never Interrupt!
Why should I practice Customer Discovery interviews?
Because the interviews will help you to feel comfortable with the Customer Discovery Interviewing. It can be uncomfortable at first, so by interviewing someone you know - a colleague, friend or a family member, it reduces the anxiety or discomfort you may have. Also, you don’t have to worry about “blowing / messing up” a professional interview.
It is also a way to see your curiosity and empathy in action, and resolve to improve the next time around. In the beginning, people typically worry about what questions to ask - instead, I want you to be ‘in the flow’ of the conversation - letting it happen naturally, and observing what they are saying or not saying. Then the ‘magic’ happens - for both people!
Because the interviews will help you to feel comfortable with the Customer Discovery Interviewing. It can be uncomfortable at first, so by interviewing someone you know - a colleague, friend or a family member, it reduces the anxiety or discomfort you may have. Also, you don’t have to worry about “blowing / messing up” a professional interview.
It is also a way to see your curiosity and empathy in action, and resolve to improve the next time around. In the beginning, people typically worry about what questions to ask - instead, I want you to be ‘in the flow’ of the conversation - letting it happen naturally, and observing what they are saying or not saying. Then the ‘magic’ happens - for both people!
Distinction: Empathy on a Personal vs. Professional Level
Personally, you might care deeply about a person and their situation. However, in a professional setting, you want to empathize with their experience, pain points and challenges in using a product or service.
Personally, you might care deeply about a person and their situation. However, in a professional setting, you want to empathize with their experience, pain points and challenges in using a product or service.
The Most Important Question
The most important question is: “HOW?". You want to find out HOW THE PERSON DID SOMETHING - and then have them explain Their Organization's Process.
When you ask a HOW question, it naturally leads to a deeper conversation, as you will want more information and clarification. This is quite different than asking “What software / tool or system do you use?" (Note: this is important too.)
The most important question is: “HOW?". You want to find out HOW THE PERSON DID SOMETHING - and then have them explain Their Organization's Process.
When you ask a HOW question, it naturally leads to a deeper conversation, as you will want more information and clarification. This is quite different than asking “What software / tool or system do you use?" (Note: this is important too.)
1st Customer Discovery interviews (practice)
Make sure to conduct 1-2 with people you know, preferably those who work at a company, organization and/or have business experience. Watch this YouTube Video:
Make sure to conduct 1-2 with people you know, preferably those who work at a company, organization and/or have business experience. Watch this YouTube Video:
Why should I come to the (weekly) Customer Discovery meetings?
Because they are a great source of learning, peer mentoring and networking. You will also strengthen your critical thinking, listening and entrepreneurship skills - critical for success on-the-job and in a side hustle, in 2022 and beyond!
Because they are a great source of learning, peer mentoring and networking. You will also strengthen your critical thinking, listening and entrepreneurship skills - critical for success on-the-job and in a side hustle, in 2022 and beyond!
Why do you (Randy) do the Intake this way?
It is because of my belief, training and experience that everyone (or, most people!) can learn a new skill with an 'experience of success', time, encouragement and self-reflection. Mix in subject matter expertise and no-self-judgment and these are ingredients for a winning recipe.
It is because of my belief, training and experience that everyone (or, most people!) can learn a new skill with an 'experience of success', time, encouragement and self-reflection. Mix in subject matter expertise and no-self-judgment and these are ingredients for a winning recipe.
Gratitude Statement
Thank you for coming along on this journey - it will soon bear fruit.
Thank you for coming along on this journey - it will soon bear fruit.
Benefits of Customer Discovery
What are the benefits of Customer Discovery?
Is Customer Discovery the same as Customer Development?
Yes. It was popularized by serial entrepreneur and Stanford professor Steve Blank. It is also known as: market research, due diligence, customer interviewing, qualitative research. data gathering and analysis.
Is there a Glossary (Definitions of Terms for the Business Model Canvas)?
Yes. Visit the Glossary page.
- Build Better Products + Services
- Go-To-Market Faster
- Attract Investors
- Strengthen Business Case for Angel / 1st Round Funding
- Define Top People Who Will Cut You a Check
- Prioritize Market Entry Activities
- Save Thousands of Dollars + Months of Valuable Time
- Out-Compete Your Competitors
- Get Into Incubators/Accelerators
- Less Dilution (investors)
- Know when (and what) to Iterate & Pivot
- Increase Confidence - Yours, Your Customers & Investors
- Develop Successful Marketing Campaigns - that Convert!
Is Customer Discovery the same as Customer Development?
Yes. It was popularized by serial entrepreneur and Stanford professor Steve Blank. It is also known as: market research, due diligence, customer interviewing, qualitative research. data gathering and analysis.
Is there a Glossary (Definitions of Terms for the Business Model Canvas)?
Yes. Visit the Glossary page.
Why is Customer Discovery Pros approach effective?
Because it was designed by Randy Fisher, who has experience as a serial entrepreneur (private companies, nonprofit & social enterprise). He is a mentor and served as an informal member of the teaching team in the highly-regarded National Science Foundation's Innovation (I-Corps) program.
Is Randy an educator?
Yes. He has worked with Rutgers U, Commonwealth of Learning, OER Foundation / OERu) and has access to a global network of educators. (He built a community of 18,000 educators from 120+ countries for WikiEducator.org. He uses best practices from his experience designing agile and rapid collaboration e-learning; massive open online courses(MOOCs), open education resources (OERs); and international development (known as ICT4D) -
Because it was designed by Randy Fisher, who has experience as a serial entrepreneur (private companies, nonprofit & social enterprise). He is a mentor and served as an informal member of the teaching team in the highly-regarded National Science Foundation's Innovation (I-Corps) program.
Is Randy an educator?
Yes. He has worked with Rutgers U, Commonwealth of Learning, OER Foundation / OERu) and has access to a global network of educators. (He built a community of 18,000 educators from 120+ countries for WikiEducator.org. He uses best practices from his experience designing agile and rapid collaboration e-learning; massive open online courses(MOOCs), open education resources (OERs); and international development (known as ICT4D) -