Growth Tactics Newsletter #105

If you know where to look, you can find hidden opportunities that can turn your startup into the next big thing. One of the coolest strategies out there is decoupling—basically breaking apart traditional business models to create something better. Here’s how you can do it in four easy steps

Map out the customer journey

First things first: you need to get inside your customer’s head. What do they go through from start to finish when they’re buying or using a product? For example, if someone wants to open a bank account, they might compare banks, visit a branch, fill out forms, and finally get their account set up. Each of these steps is part of the customer journey.

Why it matters: Mapping out this journey helps you spot where things get annoying or time-consuming for customers. These pain points are your goldmine for disruption.

Spot the annoying bits

Once you’ve mapped out the customer journey, it’s time to break it down. There are three types of activities customers go through:

• Value-creating: The stuff customers actually care about, like playing a game.

• Value-eroding: The necessary but annoying tasks, like going to a store to buy the game.

• Value-capturing: The money-making part for businesses, like selling the game.

Why it matters: Once you figure out what’s bugging your customers, you can focus on making those parts easier or getting rid of them altogether. That’s where the magic of decoupling happens.

Break it down and build it up

Now comes the fun part—decoupling. This is where you take those annoying or outdated parts of the customer journey and do them better. Take Uber, for example. They saw how frustrating it was to hail a cab and used technology to match drivers with riders, making the whole process smoother and faster.

Why it matters: When you fix these pain points, customers will flock to you, leaving the old-school companies behind. It’s your ticket to standing out and

winning big in the market.

Stay one step ahead

Finally, be ready for the competition to notice what you’re doing. They might try to copy you or fight back to keep their customers. But, as we’ve seen with companies like PillPack (who shook up the pharmacy world), big players often struggle to move quickly.

Why it matters: If you can anticipate how the big guys will react, you can plan ahead and keep growing.

🔥 New brand shoutout

Bloom Rugs is a stylish and contemporary home decor brand specializing in high-quality, affordable rugs designed to elevate any living space. Their collection features a wide range of patterns, colors, and textures, catering to diverse tastes and interior styles, from modern to traditional. With a focus on both aesthetics and functionality, Bloom Rugs offers customers an easy way to enhance their homes with beautiful, durable rugs that combine comfort and elegance.

🔥 Influencer shoutout

Jay and J Travels is a lively and inspiring Instagram account that chronicles the adventures of a couple as they explore stunning destinations around the globe. Their feed is filled with breathtaking landscapes, cultural experiences, and candid moments that capture the essence of their journeys. Whether it's a serene beach, a bustling city, or a hidden gem, they bring their followers along for the ride, offering a glimpse into the diverse and beautiful world they traverse together.