While the word "pivot" has been over-used by the press, the simple, humble action of admitting that your business model might change remains a powerful tool. I should know: my company changed business models several times, much to the amusement of my friends and coworkers.

1. Hi.
• John Manoogian III • @jm3

2. Hi.
An unusual background
Code leadership design CTO* * *

3. TheAwesome
TruthAboutPivots!
@JM3

4. Confession:
I have pivoted more than
anyone I know in my
career and in my startup.

5. Showofhands...
Who here *wants* their startup to fail?
“But… but!”

6. My condolences in advance.

7. ?
$ $
$howofHand$#2Who here wants to build a
billion dollar company?

8. STARTUPSAREARACEAGAINSTBROKE
Since most startups who succeed
undergo pivots, an unhealthy
aversion to pivots can reduce your
chances.

9. MostSuccessfulStartupspivot
Let’s play, “name their original
business model…”

10. Flickr
Heroku
Instagram
Paypal
Twitter
Youtube
Awe$omecompanies
pivot
chat w photos
in-browser coding
location-based checkins
beam money to Palm Pilots
podcast directory
video dating site

11. 140 Proof!

12. Different pivots unlock
different weapons and
abilities, like power-ups.

13. analytics ➤ recommendations
long-tail ➤ mad.ave
self-serve ➤ full-serve
140 Proof’s pivot evolution:

14. Pivotingistough
Admitting we’re wrong is painful.
Doing field surgery on our babies
is terrifying.

15. Wepivotedtoaninvestorfreezone
Pivoting our company’s revenue
mechanism from self-serve to full-
serve coated us in kryptonite.
(luckily, it all worked out in the end ;)

16. A taxonomy of pivot types.
4.
customer
need
5.
zoom in /
zoom out
6.
growth
lever
3.
revenue model
2. market
1.
technology
stack

17. (windingdown)

18. howdoyouknowwhenyou
havemadeagreatpivot?

19. •
Pivots are positive.
Great companies pivot.
You can pivot anything.
Pivot one thing at a time.
Get them beating down your door.
(Get those iPhones out.)
@JM3

20. Billion dollar
founders are no
different from you.
They pivoted.

21. Thanks!
@jm3