The MVP is dead, long life to the Minimal Awesome Product (MAP).
The Minimum Viable Product is an essential step in your business strategy. You validate the market with an idea. But how do you win the hearts of your first users?
The MVP is a great way to ask for feedback from trusted users and partners. You refine your understanding of a problem. You can then align the product with a real need and create a game-changing solution. That should occur BEFORE your go-to-market efforts.
Today, you launch with a Minimal Awesome Product (MAP).
Once you understand how to break into an existing market, you must appeal to real human beings. People analyze options with their brains but make critical decisions with their hearts. To convert your first users to brand ambassadors, they MUST fall in love with your product or service.
Don't make the MAP phase a one-off. It needs to be highly iterative and benefits from:
a team with a Product Mindset
A/B testing
individual customization
expert UX design
The TESLA Cybertruck feels like an MVP. The intense polarization at the launch event is revealing. Previous concept renderings had people already in love with what could be an AWESOME re-interpretation of a popular but lackluster product.
An MVP reduces business risks. A MAP makes your go-to-market successful.