Pivot
Changing strategy while keeping the goal
It's changing a fundamental part of your business model when you discover the current direction isn't working. It's not giving up, it's adjusting course with what you learned.
How to communicate a pivot without looking like you failed?
Say: 'We pivoted based on data. We validated that X doesn't work, but Y has traction. It's not failure, it's learning. Successful startups like Instagram and Slack pivoted. Now we're better positioned.'
Real examples
Your B2C product has no traction, but companies contact you
“Instead of: 'We're changing everything.' Better: 'We pivot from B2C to B2B. Consumers don't pay, but 5 companies offered us contracts. The problem we solve is the same, the customer changes.'”
Investor questions the direction change
“Instead of: 'The previous thing didn't work.' Better: 'Pivot based on 3 months of data: 5% retention in B2C vs. 80% in B2B. We keep the vision, we adjust the model. That's what a smart startup does.'”
Team demoralized by the change
“Instead of: 'We start from scratch.' Better: 'The pivot keeps 70% of code and learning. We only change the target. It's like adjusting GPS: the destination is the same, but we found a better route.'”
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