achieving product simplicity is not simple
Every product starts out a bit complicated as the founders are still trying to find product-market fit, loaded with features trying to please every customer.
A few weeks ago, I tweeted, "achieving product simplicity is not simple." It’s a straightforward statement, but it carries the weight of ongoing struggle and experimentation. Every product starts out a bit complicated as the founders are still trying to find product-market fit, loaded with features trying to please every customer. This is exactly where I find myself now.
Right now, with BAG, we're in a constant battle against complexity. We began with a vision to address youth unemployment in Africa, but as we’ve grown, so have the features and functionalities of our platform. We offer everything from front-end development simulations to hosting sales and marketing workshops, trying to cover all bases and appeal to everyone. But the more we add, the more we risk losing our core focus.
Users are telling us they're overwhelmed, and our platform is becoming cluttered. It's frustrating to see our core value proposition getting lost in the noise. One user, told me, "I love what you’re doing, but it’s too much. I don’t know where to start, and it’s frustrating." Their words have stuck with me, a constant reminder that we might be missing the mark.
We're trying different things to simplify. It’s not easy. We've had to make tough calls, cutting features we poured our hearts into and letting go of ideas we believed in. It feels like we’re in a continuous cycle of trial and error, trying to find what truly matters and what doesn’t.
One experiment we’ve implemented is having all staff members complete a random task from our platform each week. This has been eye-opening. Navigating our own platform’s complexity firsthand has highlighted just how much clutter we’ve accumulated. It’s a humbling experience and a powerful motivator to streamline our offerings.
We’re revisiting everything—from our user journey to our interface design to the courses we offer. We've introduced the Market Readiness Score Assessor (MRS-A) to give users a clear, actionable self-assessment of their job readiness. These are steps in the right direction, but the process is far from over.
Simplifying our product isn’t just about removing features; it’s about finding clarity amidst the chaos. It’s about focusing on what really matters and understanding that trying to be everything to everyone is a path to mediocrity. It’s a constant balancing act, and honestly, we’re still figuring it out.
So, when I say "achieving product simplicity is not simple," it’s not a statement of wisdom but an acknowledgment of the ongoing struggle. It’s a reminder that this journey is filled with tough decisions, feedback loops, and constant iteration. We don’t have all the answers yet, but we’re committed to finding them.
In the end, it’s about creating something that truly resonates with users, something that makes their lives easier, not more complicated. And that’s a journey worth every bit of the effort and uncertainty.
Yussouf Ntwali