lean category design

rapid resolution for category design dilemmas

why Lean?

why Lean?

You want to be categorically different, escape price competition, and change how the market thinks.

But Category Design is hard to solve on your own, and most consultancies take months and charge $100k or more.

But Category Design is hard to solve on your own, and most consultancies take months and charge $100k or more.

You need a Category Design process that's rapid, efficient, and testable.

You need a Category Design process that's rapid, efficient, and testable.

Welcome to LEAN Category Design

Read more

You want to be categorically different, escape price competition, and change how the market thinks.

But Category Design is hard to solve on your own, and most consultancies take months and charge $100k or more.

You need a Category Design process that's rapid, efficient, and testable.

Welcome to LEAN Category Design

Read more

CRACK YOUR CATEGORY In 2-3 Weeks

This unique method applies the 80-20 rule to create a testable category prototype, in just a few sessions, for just a few grand.

HOW IT WORKS

HOW IT WORKS

The category prototype METHOD

The category prototype METHOD

A proven process

Most category design efforts fail because they jump straight to choosing a category name.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Over 8 years of practice, I've learned that the category name is an expression of your unique insights and point of view.

Together we work through why you do what you do and why you are different, then the category names itself.

We output a messaging grid that resolves how to language your category, which product superpowers to feature, and crucially, what not to say.

Iceberg visual of Lean Category Design process. Adapted from https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/iceberg-illustration-infographic-template_8536174.htm
Iceberg visual of Lean Category Design process. Adapted from https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/iceberg-illustration-infographic-template_8536174.htm
Iceberg visual of Lean Category Design process. Adapted from https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/iceberg-illustration-infographic-template_8536174.htm

(1)

PURPOSE

We discover and synthesize your vision, mission, founding anecdote, and founding insights - problem, customer, and technological.

(2)

3P ANALYSIS

We dive deeper into your problem, persona, and product insights. We extract first-principle insights and technical truths.

(3)

POint of View

The most important part - we distill everything into a single contrarian POV and accompanying narrative that underpins differentiation.

(1)

PURPOSE

We discover and synthesize your vision, mission, founding anecdote, and founding insights - problem, customer, and technological.

(2)

3P ANALYSIS

We dive deeper into your problem, persona, and product insights. We extract first-principle insights and technical truths.

(3)

POint of View

The most important part - we distill everything into a single contrarian POV and accompanying narrative that underpins differentiation.

(1)

PURPOSE

Craft intuitive navigation that makes features accessible. Choose layouts and graphics that fit your personality.

(2)

3P ANALYSIS

We dive deeper into your problem, persona, and product insights. We extract first-principle insights and technical truths.

(3)

POint of View

The most important part - we distill everything into a single contrarian POV and accompanying narrative that underpins differentiation.

(4)

CATEGORY BISECTION

The POV bisects the entire market into just 2 categories of solution: Those that prove they agree with your POV (your category) and those that prove they don't. (Anti-Category)

(5)

MESSAGING HIERARCHY

We transpose all decisions, languaging, and narratives into a messaging grid that ties everything together. We decide what we don't say, as well as what we do.

(4)

CATEGORY BISECTION

The POV bisects the entire market into just 2 categories of solution: Those that prove they agree with your POV (your category) and those that prove they don't. (Anti-Category)

(5)

MESSAGING HIERARCHY

We transpose all decisions, languaging, and narratives into a messaging grid that ties everything together. We decide what we don't say, as well as what we do.

(4)

CATEGORY
BISECTION

The POV bisects the entire market into just 2 categories of solution: Those that prove they agree with your POV (your category) and those that prove they don't. (Anti-Category)

(5)

MESSAGING
HIERARCHY

We transpose all decisions, languaging, and narratives into a messaging grid that ties everything together. We decide what we don't say, as well as what we do.

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE

Fixed-price modules allow you to go further and apply your category strategy to key deliverables, test, iterate and launch.

Fixed-price modules allow you to go further and apply your category strategy to key deliverables, test, iterate and launch.

CATEGORY PROTOTYPE

as described above

As above

As above

A rapid, non-consensus pass-through category design to discover your category with about 80% accuracy.

CUSTOMER PROTOTYPE

Web landing page, PH tagline, PR Blurb

Applies your category strategy to example customer-facing touchpoints to help you experience it as a customer would

investor prototype

Pitch deck slides, cover email

Executes category strategy as investor-facing deliverables to uplift fundraising storytelling

testing & validation

Guidance in quant / qual testing

Deconstructs category strategy into underlying assumptions, provides strategy to validate hypotheses & prototypes

lightning strike launch

launch campaign strategy

Plan how to launch the category POV at the scale you need and start bending the market to your vision

8 years category design experience

  • Bryte Logo
  • Bryte Logo

Sam Hatoum

Founder & CEO, Narrative

"Chris was able to help create structure around something that is otherwise elusive and amorphous. As a founder navigating uncharted terrain, the Lean Category Design method is a solid process and lead us to a great outcome."

Mehul Patel

Co-Founder, Clairify AI

"This is exactly the outcome we wanted."


"Before, everything was so jumbled in our minds. We couldn't even say what Clairify was, so now, yeah, I would recommend, 100%"

Adam Matyja

Founder, SoilFlo

"Thank you again for all of your help in working with us. We are extremely happy with the results thus far on our category design journey!"

Book a Free
OFFICE HOURS CONSULT

Pick my brain about your ideas and challenges.
Free and no obligation.

Book a Free
OFFICE HOURS CONSULT

Pick my brain about your ideas and challenges.
Free and no obligation.

Book a Free
OFFICE HOURS CONSULT

Pick my brain about your ideas and challenges.
Free and no obligation.

DIY lean category design

DIY lean category design

DIY lean category design

Lead your own Lean Category Design Prototype project with this free email course

Lead your own Lean Category Design Prototype project with this free email course

FREE LEAN CATEGORY DESIGN EMAIL COURSE

Coming Soon

As above

As above

Drop your name and email address here to receive a free Lean Category Design course by email as soon as it is available