Metrics
Shmetrics
         #theBLN #balsamiq




Giacomo ‘Peldi’ Guilizzoni - April 2012
WARNING!
Rookie Speaking
Small Company
Bring a little
balance to the
 Force
I do not know
• regional sales
• renewal rates
• split between product versions
• how long it takes us to reply to customers
• # of total users
I do not know
• # of downloads
• # of website visitors
• # of total customers
• what a funnel is
• ...
$489,282




chart made with DigMyData.com
What metrics
are good for
Breaking arguments
    at Google
http://contrast.ie/blog/faster-horses/
use in moderation




Motivating employees
Fancy!
Verifying SaaS
 build health
I suspect...



   Trying to stay in touch
     with your business
Optimizing!
The problems
with metrics
They are FUN!
They’re GREAT
for introverts!
They are a crystal ball
They suck you
  into fractal
 rabbit-holes
They tell you what to
   work on next

but it’s often wrong
A different approach
http://freehugscampaign.org
JUST


LISTEN
On all channels
• Email     • Twitter • Alerts
• Forums • Facebook • RSS
• Telephone • Google+
• Blogs
Not saying enough?
Get the ball rolling!
Do User Tests!
• your dad!
• your old coworkers!
• your friends on Facebook!
• strangers at the coffee shop!
• pay them if you have to!
Give give give!
• to bloggers in exchange of a review
• give them one to give away!
• give it free for demos!
• give it to do-gooders!
Get out there!
• conferences
• meetups
• events
Cultivate a
community
Be where they are
Reply to
EVERYTHING
Include them at every step
• Feature ideation
• Feature design discussion
• Validation
• Testing
• Release
• Support
Listen
               for ideas
 Learn
together
                            Build in
                           the open


                            Test it
Feedback                   together
           Listen

                            http://lean.st/principles/build-measure-learn
Be a Good Person
• Honest
• Respectful
• Firm (up to a point)
• Explain your vision
• Be forthcoming with your limitations
Deliver!
Put your face on it!
Apologize when
 you screw up
To sum it up
</rant>


peldi@balsamiq.com   @balsamiq

Metrics shmetrics