Libraries are NOT startups - we all know that; however, startups use approaches that might be worth emulating in more traditional organizations like libraries. This presentation provides a high-level summary of startup thinking, using nine key concepts with examples. Helen Kula & M.J. D'Elia delivered this talk at Internet Librarian 2014 in Monterey, California (October 27).

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

2. welcome

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

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

5. Helen Kula M.J. D’Elia
@helenkula @mjdelia
U of Toronto Mississauga University of Guelph

6. libraries startups

8. compare contrast

9. mindset
value
observations build

10. mindset
1 2 3

11. test the
problem
test the
product
1

12. library
catalog
1
example

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

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

15. user services
review
2
example

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

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

18. digital
humanities
3
example

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

20. build
4 5 6

21. build for
the few
build for
the many
4

22. faculty
outreach
4
example

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

24. build
then
learn
learn
then
build
5

25. maker
space
5
example

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

27. iterative
design
pilot
projects
6

28. streaming
video service
6
example

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

30. value
7 8 9

31. use
key data
collect
all data
7

32. reference
statistics
7
example

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

34. adjust
the model
execute
the plan
8

35. e-book
service
8
example

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

37. focus on
value
focus on
features
9

38. instruction
workshops
9
example

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

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!
Helen Kula M.J. D’Elia
@helenkula @mjdelia

46. references
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.