Paul Doerwald, Founder of Clockk, shares his journey of creating a time-tracking tool tailored for small consultancies. He reveals how customer feedback shaped the development of Clockk, emphasizing the importance of listening to users. Paul discusses the frustration of managing multiple projects with traditional tools and the often-loathed task of time tracking. His insights on navigating product-market fit and the significance of ongoing customer engagement provide valuable lessons for entrepreneurs tackling similar challenges.
Paul Doerwald pivoted his startup's focus from project management to timesheet solutions after engaging with potential clients and identifying their real pain points.
The podcast emphasizes the value of continuous customer feedback and validation processes in refining a product to achieve market fit and enhance user satisfaction.
Deep dives
Origins of the Idea
The concept for Clock originated from discussions about product needs within small consultancies. The founder initially sought to develop a project dashboard but pivoted after learning about the frustrations surrounding timesheets. A conversation with a potential client revealed that timesheets were a significant pain point in the industry, prompting a shift in focus towards developing a solution that would simplify time tracking. This early validation process emphasized the importance of addressing actual customer pain points rather than sticking rigidly to initial ideas.
Customer Development Process
The founder undertook extensive customer development, engaging with around 100 individuals to gather insights on the time tracking experience. Utilizing a structured approach based on guidance from customer development literature, he asked well-crafted questions to uncover deeper user frustrations. This process revealed that many users experienced strong emotional reactions related to timesheet management, highlighting a widespread desire to eliminate them altogether. The feedback reinforced the need for a product that not only alleviates the burden of time tracking but also enhances overall productivity.
Finding Product Market Fit
Validation of product market fit was an ongoing journey characterized by evolving feedback from customers. Initial responses indicated high satisfaction levels for existing users, but challenges with lead flow and retention raised questions about the product's overall appeal. The use of the Sean Ellis test suggested strong potential for product market fit, as many users expressed they would be very disappointed if Clock was no longer available. Ultimately, ongoing user engagement and willingness to provide feedback, even from those who churned, highlighted a genuine connection to the product and a pathway toward further enhancements.
Paul Doerwald set out to solve a problem he knew well. Helping small consultancies manage multiple projects without getting lost in Trello boards and Gantt charts. The idea made sense. It was solving a real issue. But when he brought it to his target audience, the response was clear: "I wouldn’t use it."
Instead of defending his idea, Paul listened. The same person, without prompting, brought up a completely different frustration: timesheets. That’s when Clockk was born.
Highlights include: Scratching Your (Product) Itch (03:42), Customer Development Questions (05:25), The Product Validation Process (09:06), Being Your Own First Customer (12:47), And more…
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