MASTER Risk Model - Learning Resources - Situation

Product Fit

Review your idea description—does it clearly solve a pressing need your target audience feels today?

Ask one early adopter why they liked your prototype—note the clearest benefit they mention.

Compare your most promising idea to the weakest—what differentiator matters most to users?

Identify one user request or complaint you’ve heard twice—does it signal product misalignment?

Write in one sentence: Who is your product not for—and why?

Search for recent reviews of alternatives—what are users praising or criticizing, and how do you compare?

When did your prototype feel like a true fit? What feedback confirmed you solved a real problem?

What assumptions have you made about user pain points—are they still valid today?

How often do you hear, “This is exactly it”? If rarely, why might that be?

Do you build mainly from user input or from vision? How balanced is your approach?

What feedback do you dismiss too quickly—could it reveal fit issues?

When has trying to please everyone diluted the value of your idea?

Interview three potential users about the problem they face and how well your concept could solve it.

Build a customer persona using only insights from three recent discovery interviews.

Map the full journey from discovery to first use—mark every friction point or confusion.

Test one feature idea with a non-target group—see where your product limits appear.

Run a mini-survey: what would make top users recommend your idea more confidently?

Pilot a small tweak in your offer and track how user response shifts.

Ask a beta tester: “When you describe my idea to others, what do you say it does best?”

Pitch your idea to someone unfamiliar and ask what feels unclear or misaligned.

Share two mockups or pitch versions and ask which one best meets their needs.

Ask users: “What objections do you have, and what’s behind them?”

Invite a trusted partner to review your pitch for clarity and real-world relevance.

Ask a user to finish: “This would be perfect if only it also…”

Shift from “I offer many things” to “I solve one urgent problem really well—let’s focus there.”

Reframe weak sign-ups as “signals to listen closer” not “failures of the product.”

Instead of “I can’t serve everyone,” proudly state “I’m perfect for this audience.”

View customer churn not as rejection, but as direction toward better fit.

Change “I need more features” to “I need more value at the pain point.”

Replace “It’s good enough” with “Is it irresistible to the right user?”

Notice what words prospects use to describe your idea—do they match how you pitch it?

Track which testers become repeat users—what traits do they share?

Watch how prospects engage with your pitch—where do they lean in or tune out?

Monitor which support requests reveal usability gaps or mismatched expectations.

Observe what rival products highlight—do they meet needs your idea ignores?

Listen for hesitation in buyer talks—what concerns go unspoken?

Growth Plan

Write down three launch goals—users, revenue, or traction—within a specific timeframe.

Identify one bottleneck slowing progress and brainstorm two immediate, low-cost ways to fix it.

Revisit your last test or pilot—what worked, what didn’t, and why?

Ask a collaborator what growth means to them—see if your visions align or diverge.

Review a competitor’s latest feature—what might they be testing right?

List three assumptions you’ve made about growth—are they still valid for your stage?

What does sustainable growth look like for your venture—traction, revenue, or reach?

When have you resisted a growth push—and what was the deeper reason?

How do your personal ambitions align—or clash—with your venture’s growth direction?

What risk have you avoided that might unlock growth?

Recall when faster growth reduced quality—what did you learn?

Are you pursuing growth that matters to users—or just chasing trends?

Build a simple forecast—map one target (sign-ups, revenue) and identify inputs you’ll track.

Run a “small bet” pilot—launch a limited test to validate one growth channel or feature.

Interview a founder in another field about growth—note ideas you could adapt.

Hold a growth session with peers to align top goals and define priorities.

Create a version of your offer aimed at a niche or overlooked segment.

Track and compare time spent on growth tasks versus admin for one full week.

Share your growth sketch with a mentor and ask, “What feels missing or unrealistic here?”

Present your growth idea in a founder group—invite questions that challenge your assumptions.

Ask another founder what trends they’re seeing—do they match your growth focus?

Ask a junior collaborator: “What opportunities do you think I’m missing right now?”

Show your top three priorities to a customer and ask which one excites them most.

Share your growth plan with a past prospect—ask if it would have won them over.

Shift from “I must grow fast” to “I must grow right for long-term survival and trust.”

Reframe missed milestones as “data for learning” instead of “proof of failure.”

Replace “growth = scale” with “growth = deeper value for the right users.”

Instead of risk as danger, see risk as the entry to real opportunity.

Swap “I’m too small” for “I’m more agile—how can I use that?”

Rethink “Growth comes later” to “What can grow now, even imperfectly?”

Track how quickly new growth ideas move into tests—where do they stall or fade?

Notice which kind of growth excites you most—revenue, reach, or learning?

Watch which ideas spark momentum versus resistance when you share them.

Monitor usage patterns—do they suggest readiness for expansion or upsell?

Observe which projects burn time or money—are they aligned with real growth?

Listen for phrases like “we always do it this way”—possible growth blockers.

Positioning

Review your one-line pitch—does it clearly explain what makes your idea distinct?

List three competing offers and note how your concept stands apart from each.

Check if your landing page headline clearly communicates your unique value.

Ask a peer to describe your concept—compare it with how you want to be seen.

Update one line in your deck to better show what sets your idea apart.

Revisit your LinkedIn or bio line—does it clearly state your distinct angle?

When was the last time you refined your pitch? Does it still match your strengths and market?

What do early adopters say they value most about your idea? Is that clear in your messaging?

Are you recognized for the value you want to be known for? Why or why not?

Recall a time your idea was misunderstood—what was missing in framing?

How clearly can you describe your ideal buyer—and what language attracts them?

Do you frame by features, benefits, or outcomes—and which lands best with users?

Create a one-sentence positioning line for your idea and share it with a mentor for feedback.

Deliver a short pitch to a non-business friend—see if they instantly understand.

Rewrite your LinkedIn bio to reflect your current positioning clearly and uniquely.

Conduct a competitor audit and identify one tweak that sharpens differentiation.

Present your value proposition to a small group—note their instant reactions.

Identify one project where you’ll test framing your solution in a fresh way.

Ask a peer founder to describe what they see as your unique advantage in the market.

Ask two prospects how they describe your product—compare their words with yours.

Present three positioning statements to a mentor and ask which feels strongest.

Post a short “what I do” intro on LinkedIn—invite honest reactions.

Interview a peer founder on how they explain their value—compare it to yours.

Run a quick A/B test of two email intros—ask which feels more compelling.

Instead of “what I built,” focus on “what problem I solve” when sharing your idea.

See positioning not as bragging, but as clarity that helps others take action.

Shift from “I must be better” to “I must be different”—what’s my unique angle?

Frame messaging in terms of transformation—what changes for the user?

Reframe positioning as story—what narrative arc am I placing myself in?

Position yourself by outcomes, not labels—what impact do you create?

Watch how rival startups present themselves online—what’s sharp, and what feels generic?

Observe how founders introduce themselves—what positioning tricks do they use?

Pay attention to which investor or client pitches land—what wording made the difference?

Analyze how big brands frame uniqueness—what emotional hooks do they use?

Notice when you struggle to explain value—what would make it sharper?

Listen for how users describe your product—what words keep recurring?

MASTER Risk Hub