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Timing Growth Leadership: Fit First, Scale Later
Before achieving product market fit, a company cannot definitively ascertain if it is building the right product. Once product market fit is established, the challenge shifts to scaling the product through appropriate channels to maintain healthy unit economics, especially as the customer base grows beyond early adopters. It is advisable to introduce a growth leader around the time product market fit is demonstrated, as this allows for a more informed selection of the leader and their team. Although growth leaders often emerge from engineering, analytics, or product backgrounds, early-career individuals with strong intellectual curiosity may also excel in growth roles. Their ability to analyze growth trends and customer demographics can be instrumental in propelling the company forward. The focus of growth teams should align with the company's maturity; early-stage companies may benefit from bold, high-impact initiatives, while more mature organizations might prioritize smaller, iterative improvements.