"Talking to customers is a superpower."

But nobody actually teaches how to do it.

The Mom Test by @robfitz is a priceless guide for how to talk to (and actually learn from!) customers.

Here's the blueprint to take to your next interview:

First rule of thumb: customer conversations are bad by default.

It's your job to fix them.

Use The Mom Test to make customer interviews better.

The Mom Test is a set of simple rules for crafting good questions that even your mom can't lie to you about.

For customer conversations to really matter, you need to ask questions that matter.

You need to search out the world-rocking scary questions you've been unintentionally shrinking from.

More specifically, make sure every meeting counts by planning your list of 3 big questions.

1/

Let's talk strategy.

In this thread, I'll share with you the primary lessons from Richard Rumelt's book "Good Strategy / Bad Strategy."

If you lead strategy or product and haven't read Rumelt's book, this thread will be well worth your time.

2/

There's a big difference between "good" and "bad" strategy.

Good strategy takes many forms, but always includes at least 3 components:

• A diagnosis of the challenge
• A guiding policy to deal with the challenge
• A set of actions to enact the guiding policy

3/

Bad strategy is not simply the absence of good strategy.

Bad Strategy tends to skip over pesky details such as problems.

It ignores the power of choice and focus, trying instead to accommodate a multitude of conflicting demands and interests.

4/

Good strategy is unexpected.

The first natural advantage of good strategy arises because other organizations often don't have one.

And because they don't expect you to have one, either.

5/

Bad strategy usually comes with one or more of four major hallmarks:

• Fluff
• Failure to face the challenge
• Mistaking goals for strategy
• Bad strategic objectives