Better Quote by Guy Kawasaki
“People are forgiving of v 1.0 of a product if it's truly innovative and useful. Then you can get away with a lot. But if you're merely marginally improving the status quo, then you better be rock solid.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of the Start, Guy Kawasaki, 2004
Innovative products can tolerate early flaws, but incremental updates must be flawless to win trust.
In simple terms: New ideas get leeway; small tweaks need perfection.
Key Takeaway
Ensure quality when only marginally improving.
Themes
innovation
product development
trust
quality
risk management
Mood
cautious
optimistic
strategic
Type
advice
business
marketing
When to use this quote
- launching a startup
- updating software
- introducing a new feature
- marketing a redesign
- managing user expectations
Key Concepts
diffusion of innovation
minimum viable product
consumer expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide if a change is truly innovative?
- What metrics prove a product is “rock solid”?
A Different Perspective
If the product is not truly innovative, users may reject even minor flaws.
