Sarah Blake’s Post

Ever heard of the "death by pilot" trap? It's a common pitfall with early stage construction tech startups. Drawing from my experience, I've been sketching out a concept I've labelled 'Crossing The Chasm Twice', exploring the unique go-to-market hurdles faced by companies in our industry. The construction industry, with its distinct project delivery systems and fragmentation, requires a specialized approach to crossing the user chasm not once, but twice—internally within a company and then externally to the broader market. At its core, the idea is that the short duration and isolated nature of construction projects complicates the ability to establish a strong, company-wide adoption. This scenario often leads startups into a "death by pilot" trap where initial successes don't translate into broader acceptance. The article explains Geoffrey Moore's concept of "The Chasm" and its relevance to technology adoption, emphasizing the need for startups to transition from early adopters to the mainstream market. For startups in construction, this journey is a two-step process. Often, it begins with securing pilots with initial construction companies. However, navigating the intricacies of the project delivery system and user turnover presents its own 'Chasm' for those initial companies. After being successful crossing that first 'Chasm', the young company then needs to cross the final 'Chasm' into the early majority of the industry at large. This requires adapting to diverse client needs and their bespoke project requirements, often ensnaring the young company in additional pilots and a continuation of the "death by pilot" cycle. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g4ynKvhR The article provides 12 detailed pieces of actionable advice for startups and construction companies alike, including strategies for navigating protracted sales cycles, focusing on scalable solutions, and harnessing key roles within construction organizations to propel adoption. Construction firms are advised to understand 'internal market fit', incorporate multiple projects in pilots, provide financial sustainability for startups, and leverage key roles on project teams to help scale adoption. By understanding the nuances of construction project delivery and crafting tailored go-to-market strategies, innovative construction firms can better partner and startups can better defy the odds in our industry's transformation. #construction #buildingconstruction #gotomarket #digitaltransformation #constructiontechnology #constructiontech #technologyexcellence #builtenvironment

Ever heard of the "death by pilot" trap? It's a common pitfall with early stage construction tech startups. Drawing from my experience, I've been sketching out a concept I've labelled 'Crossing The Chasm Twice', exploring the unique go-to-market hurdles faced by companies in our industry. The construction industry, with its distinct project delivery systems and fragmentation, requires a specialized approach to crossing the user chasm not once, but twice—internally within a company and then externally to the broader market. At its core, the idea is that the short duration and isolated nature of construction projects complicates the ability to establish a strong, company-wide adoption. This scenario often leads startups into a "death by pilot" trap where initial successes don't translate into broader acceptance. The article explains Geoffrey Moore's concept of "The Chasm" and its relevance to technology adoption, emphasizing the need for startups to transition from early adopters to the mainstream market. For startups in construction, this journey is a two-step process. Often, it begins with securing pilots with initial construction companies. However, navigating the intricacies of the project delivery system and user turnover presents its own 'Chasm' for those initial companies. After being successful crossing that first 'Chasm', the young company then needs to cross the final 'Chasm' into the early majority of the industry at large. This requires adapting to diverse client needs and their bespoke project requirements, often ensnaring the young company in additional pilots and a continuation of the "death by pilot" cycle. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g4ynKvhR The article provides 12 detailed pieces of actionable advice for startups and construction companies alike, including strategies for navigating protracted sales cycles, focusing on scalable solutions, and harnessing key roles within construction organizations to propel adoption. Construction firms are advised to understand 'internal market fit', incorporate multiple projects in pilots, provide financial sustainability for startups, and leverage key roles on project teams to help scale adoption. By understanding the nuances of construction project delivery and crafting tailored go-to-market strategies, innovative construction firms can better partner and startups can better defy the odds in our industry's transformation. #construction #buildingconstruction #gotomarket #digitaltransformation #constructiontechnology #constructiontech #technologyexcellence #builtenvironment

Ever heard of the "death by pilot" trap? It's a common pitfall with early stage construction tech startups. Drawing from my experience, I've been sketching out a concept I've labelled 'Crossing The Chasm Twice', exploring the unique go-to-market hurdles faced by companies in our industry. The construction industry, with its distinct project delivery systems and fragmentation, requires a specialized approach to crossing the user chasm not once, but twice—internally within a company and then externally to the broader market. At its core, the idea is that the short duration and isolated nature of construction projects complicates the ability to establish a strong, company-wide adoption. This scenario often leads startups into a "death by pilot" trap where initial successes don't translate into broader acceptance. The article explains Geoffrey Moore's concept of "The Chasm" and its relevance to technology adoption, emphasizing the need for startups to transition from early adopters to the mainstream market. For startups in construction, this journey is a two-step process. Often, it begins with securing pilots with initial construction companies. However, navigating the intricacies of the project delivery system and user turnover presents its own 'Chasm' for those initial companies. After being successful crossing that first 'Chasm', the young company then needs to cross the final 'Chasm' into the early majority of the industry at large. This requires adapting to diverse client needs and their bespoke project requirements, often ensnaring the young company in additional pilots and a continuation of the "death by pilot" cycle. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g4ynKvhR The article provides 12 detailed pieces of actionable advice for startups and construction companies alike, including strategies for navigating protracted sales cycles, focusing on scalable solutions, and harnessing key roles within construction organizations to propel adoption. Construction firms are advised to understand 'internal market fit', incorporate multiple projects in pilots, provide financial sustainability for startups, and leverage key roles on project teams to help scale adoption. By understanding the nuances of construction project delivery and crafting tailored go-to-market strategies, innovative construction firms can better partner and startups can better defy the odds in our industry's transformation. #construction #buildingconstruction #gotomarket #digitaltransformation #constructiontechnology #constructiontech #technologyexcellence #builtenvironment

Ever heard of the "death by pilot" trap? It's a common pitfall with early stage construction tech startups. Drawing from my experience, I've been sketching out a concept I've labelled 'Crossing The Chasm Twice', exploring the unique go-to-market hurdles faced by companies in our industry. The construction industry, with its distinct project delivery systems and fragmentation, requires a specialized approach to crossing the user chasm not once, but twice—internally within a company and then externally to the broader market. At its core, the idea is that the short duration and isolated nature of construction projects complicates the ability to establish a strong, company-wide adoption. This scenario often leads startups into a "death by pilot" trap where initial successes don't translate into broader acceptance. The article explains Geoffrey Moore's concept of "The Chasm" and its relevance to technology adoption, emphasizing the need for startups to transition from early adopters to the mainstream market. For startups in construction, this journey is a two-step process. Often, it begins with securing pilots with initial construction companies. However, navigating the intricacies of the project delivery system and user turnover presents its own 'Chasm' for those initial companies. After being successful crossing that first 'Chasm', the young company then needs to cross the final 'Chasm' into the early majority of the industry at large. This requires adapting to diverse client needs and their bespoke project requirements, often ensnaring the young company in additional pilots and a continuation of the "death by pilot" cycle. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g4ynKvhR The article provides 12 detailed pieces of actionable advice for startups and construction companies alike, including strategies for navigating protracted sales cycles, focusing on scalable solutions, and harnessing key roles within construction organizations to propel adoption. Construction firms are advised to understand 'internal market fit', incorporate multiple projects in pilots, provide financial sustainability for startups, and leverage key roles on project teams to help scale adoption. By understanding the nuances of construction project delivery and crafting tailored go-to-market strategies, innovative construction firms can better partner and startups can better defy the odds in our industry's transformation. #construction #buildingconstruction #gotomarket #digitaltransformation #constructiontechnology #constructiontech #technologyexcellence #builtenvironment

Skunkworks projects. 🦨 The term might sound obscure or even whimsical, but it's behind some of the most groundbreaking innovations we've seen in the tech world. Take Google X, for instance, launched in 2010 and now known as X Development LLC. This powerhouse of innovation operates under the radar, tackling huge problems and aiming to make monumental strides in technology and society. 🌎   Imagine a place where failure is not just accepted but expected. A place where the impossible becomes possible. That's the essence of a skunkworks project. Google X thrives by living on the edge of innovation, working on everything from self-driving cars to balloon-powered internet. Their success isn’t just in the products they launch but in the daring questions they dare to ask. 🤔   But here's the catch.   Not every company has the resources or the bandwidth to run a skunkworks project like Google X. The reality is, innovation requires a certain level of risk, time, and investment that many businesses can’t afford to shoulder alone. That's where the magic of partnership comes into play.   Enter Catalytic Consulting Inc. ✨   We understand that innovation isn't just for the behemoths of the business world. It's also for the local shop down the street, the mid-sized company looking to break into new markets, and the startups aiming to disrupt the status quo. Our mission is to shoulder the burden of innovation for these companies. We dive deep into the realms of possibility, exploring and executing on skunkworks projects that keep your business not just competitive, but ahead of the curve.   Innovation shouldn't be a luxury. It should be accessible to all. At Catalytic Consulting Inc., we make that a reality. We're your behind-the-scenes partner, turning the daunting into the doable, and transforming the questions of today into the breakthroughs of tomorrow.   Ready to redefine what's possible for your business? Let's innovate together. Reach out to us to start your own skunkworks project. Because the future doesn't wait, and neither should you. #skunkworks #innovation #productinnovation #productdevelopment ---------------------------------- We’re Catalytic Consulting, Inc. We help companies accelerate innovation through strategy, engineering, and financial services … and skunkworks!

We’re excited to partner with the City of Columbus and The Ohio State University on the future of startup innovation space in Central Ohio with a focus on growing the region’s innovation economy. The phased approach includes the creation of new space for software scaleups at The Peninsula in Downtown Columbus, followed by the creation of additional modern wet labs in the Carmenton district. Downtown Columbus, Inc. JobsOhio Learn more about the two phases of this collaboration on our blog -- https://bit.ly/40XrtZj