This document summarizes a presentation by Helen Kula and M.J. Delia comparing the mindsets and approaches of startups and libraries. It outlines several key stages in the startup process, including customer discovery, customer validation, company creation, segmentation, minimum viable product, pivot, and value proposition. Examples are provided for how libraries can apply these startup concepts, such as using the library catalog for customer discovery or a reference statistics dashboard for metrics. The presentation argues that while libraries are not startups, they can adopt startup thinking to be more innovative and entrepreneurial.

1. startup thinking + libraries
Helen kula & M.J. Delia
Internet Librarian Conference 2014

2. welcome

3. Think like a startup
A white paper to inspire library entrepreneurialism
Brian Mathews
Virginia Tech

4. building a platform
framework for action
a culture
condition us for change
Mathews, 2012

5. M.J. D’EliaHelen Kula
@helenkula @mjdelia
University of GuelphU of Toronto Mississauga

6. startupslibraries

8. contrastcompare

9. buildobservations
mindset
value

10. mindset
2 31

11. test the
problem
test the
product
1

12. 1
library
catalog
example

13. 1
customer discovery
Identifying a product that will solve a problem
for an identified group of users
Blank, 2012
key term

14. get out of
the building
stay in the
building
2

15. 2
user services
review
example

16. 2
customer validation
Confirming that the market is large enough to embrace
the product and build a viable business
Blank, 2012
key term

17. build it
when they
come
build it
and they
will come
3

18. 3
digital
humanities
example

19. 3
company creation
The product, service or business is scalable
based on repeatable sales
Blank, 2012
key term

20. build
5 64

21. build for
the few
build for
the many
4

22. 4
faculty
outreach
example

23. 4
segmentation
Breaking down a larger market into smaller
indentifiable groups of users who share specific needs
Cooper & Vlaskovits, 2010
key term

24. build
then
learn
learn
then
build
5

25. 5
maker
space
example

26. 5
build-measure-learn
A three-step feedback loop that enables rapid
development and constant adjustments
Ries, 2011
key term

27. iterative
design
pilot
projects
6

28. 6
streaming
video service
example

29. 6
minimum viable product
A product/service with just enough features
that allow it to reach the market
Ries, 2011
key term

30. value
8 97

31. use
key data
collect
all data
7

32. 7
reference
statistics
example

33. 7
dashboarding
Regularly monitoring key metrics to track
core elements of the business
Komisar & Mullins, 2009
key term

34. adjust
the model
execute
the plan
8

35. 8
e-book
service
example

36. 8
pivot
A fundamental change in strategy based on
validated learning; a course correction
Ries, 2011
key term

37. focus on
value
focus on
features
9

38. 9
instruction
workshops
example

39. value proposition
9
The bundle of products and services that create
value for a specific customer segment
Osterwalder & Pigneur, 2010
key term

40. summary

41. libraries are not startups

42. pitch
A concise and convincing summary which communicates
value and concludes with a call to action

43. pitch
Understand the problem
Validate the solution
Communicate the value proposition
Compell the listener

44. questions

45. thank you!
M.J. D’EliaHelen Kula
@helenkula @mjdelia

46. Blank, S. (2014). Steve Blank [blog]. Retrieved from http://steveblank.com
Blank, S. & Dorf, B. (2012). The Startup Owner’s Manual. Pescadero, CA: K&S Ranch
Cooper, B. & Vlaskovits, P. (2010). The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Customer Development. Newport
Beach, CA: Cooper-Vlaskovits
Komisar,J. & Mullins, R. (2009). Getting to Plan B. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business.
MaRS. Entrepreneur’s Toolkit. Retrieved from http://www.marsdd.com/entrepreneurs-toolkit/
Mathews, B. (2012,April). Think like a Startup [white paper]. Retrieved from
http://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/18649
Osterwalder,A. & Pigneur,Y. (2010). Business Model Generation. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley
Ries, E. (2011). The Lean Startup. New York: Crown.
references