Product & SaaS
What is Pivot?
A pivot is a structural shift in direction (product, market or model) based on learning what DIDN'T work — not the same as a "tweak".
Classic types: zoom-in (focuses on ONE feature that becomes the product), zoom-out (feature becomes part of something bigger), segment pivot (changes target customer), business model pivot (free → paid, B2C → B2B), tech pivot.
Famous pivots: Slack was a game (Glitch); Instagram was check-in (Burbn); Twitter was a podcast (Odeo). A good pivot preserves prior learning; a bad pivot is reset with a fancy name.
Frequently asked questions
When to pivot vs persist?
Persist while the original hypothesis hasn't been truly tested. Pivot when consistent data shows it's wrong.
Big pivot or small one?
Start small (zoom in/out, segment). Big pivots (B2C → B2B, full model) only with strong evidence the current path has no future.