Embarking on the journey of building your very first product can be both exhilarating and challenging. As an aspiring entrepreneur or a startup founder, your initial product version, commonly known as the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), lays the foundation for your business's success. Let’s see the essential insights and expert advice that can guide you through this crucial phase of product development. From embracing the "build-measure-learn" cycle to optimising costs and managing expectations, we'll cover the key strategies that can set you on the path to success.

At the heart of lean startup methodology lies the "build-measure-learn" cycle. This iterative process involves building your MVP, measuring its performance in the market, and learning from the data and user feedback. This approach allows you to make informed decisions based on real-world insights and gradually refine your product. By continuously iterating and optimising, you increase the chances of creating a product that truly addresses your target audience's needs. One of the cardinal rules for launching your first product is to prioritise speed. Don't strive for perfection right out of the gate. Aim to launch your MVP as soon as possible, even if it means releasing a product with basic features. By doing this, you can get your product into the hands of potential customers and start gathering invaluable feedback. This feedback loop will help you validate assumptions, understand user preferences, and identify areas for improvement. 

Thorough market research is the foundation of a successful product launch. Dive into your target market with a structured and scientific approach. Understand your competitors, identify gaps in the market, and gain insights into customer preferences and behaviour. Comprehensive research enables you to position your product effectively, tailor your messaging, and refine your marketing strategy for maximum impact. And exposure is crucial to gaining traction in the early stages of product development. 

In the early stages of product development, resource constraints are common. Therefore, it's vital to optimise costs without compromising the quality of your product. Seek cost-effective solutions for design, development, and manufacturing, and consider alternative approaches like outsourcing certain tasks. Balancing cost-efficiency with quality is essential to ensure your product meets customer expectations while staying within your budget. 

Before diving into development, meticulously outline the features that constitute your MVP. Focus on the core functionalities that directly address the most pressing pain points of your target customers. Prioritise these features to ensure that your initial product version remains streamlined, user-friendly, and valuable. Remember, you can always add more features in subsequent iterations based on feedback and demand.

To gauge your product's success, you need to establish clear metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs). These metrics will enable you to quantitatively measure the market's response to your MVP. Track user engagement, conversion rates, customer satisfaction, and other relevant data points. Analysing this data will help you understand how well your product is resonating with your target audience and guide your future decisions. Use this to drive iterative improvements to your product. By incorporating user suggestions and addressing pain points, you enhance your product's value proposition and create a more compelling offering. Not only analysing, It is essential to manage your own and your stakeholders' expectations realistically. Understand that initial versions might have limitations or imperfections. Communicate openly with your team, investors, and customers about your product's stage and your plans for future enhancements. Transparency and clear communication can build trust and set the right expectations.

Consider partnering with a venture studio or accelerator program that aligns with your industry. These partnerships can provide mentorship, resources, and exposure to a wider audience. Collaborating with established entities can help you gain credibility and access potential customers and investors. Apart from these, your product development team plays a pivotal role in bringing your vision to life. Build a team that embraces an agile and flexible approach. Agile methodologies allow you to adapt to changing circumstances, pivot when necessary, and ensure efficient collaboration among team members. A flexible team can respond to challenges and seize opportunities, ultimately contributing to the success of your product.

While the first version of your product is undoubtedly significant, it's crucial to remember that product development is just one facet of building a successful business. Marketing, sales, customer support, and operations are equally important. Allocate resources and focus to ensure that your product aligns seamlessly with your broader business strategy. 

In your journey to build the first version of your product, partnering with TGH Tech can be a game-changer. TGH Tech offers expertise in product development, market research, agile methodologies, and more. Our holistic approach can guide you through the entire process, from ideation to launch, helping you navigate challenges and capitalise on opportunities.

Build the first version of your product with cost effective solutions, careful planning, continuous learning, and adaptability.

Embarking on the journey of building your very first product can be both exhilarating and challenging. As an aspiring entrepreneur or a startup founder, your initial product version, commonly known as the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), lays the foundation for your business's success. Let’s see the essential insights and expert advice that can guide you through this crucial phase of product development. From embracing the "build-measure-learn" cycle to optimising costs and managing expectations, w

The Art of MVP Creation: Building, Launching, and Succeeding

In our fast-paced world, where technology is changing how we work, it's easy for companies to forget the most important part: their people. Building a human-centric workplace goes beyond focusing solely on the bottom line. It involves creating an environment where employees are not just seen as resources but as valuable individuals deserving of respect, support, and recognition. Moreover, it extends to recognizing that clients are not merely transactions, but indispensable partners on a shared journey toward growth and fulfillment.

Imagine a workplace where everyone is respected and appreciated for who they are. A people-first environment embraces the diversity of its employees, recognizing their unique talents and backgrounds. It's about creating a place where everyone has an equal chance to succeed. When we value each person's contributions, we create a lively and adaptable workforce where creativity thrives. In a human-centric setting, employees are given the freedom to take ownership of their work. They're trusted to make decisions and contribute meaningfully to the company's goals. This trust leads to a sense of pride and satisfaction, motivating employees to achieve great things.

Treating clients in a human-oriented manner goes beyond the transactional aspect of the business. It involves understanding their individual needs, building authentic connections, and actively supporting their journey toward growth and fulfillment. By taking the time to listen, empathize, and tailor solutions to their specific requirements, businesses can create a client-centric approach that fosters trust, loyalty, and long-term partnerships. Recognizing the value of clients as unique individuals and actively supporting their success contributes to a more meaningful and mutually beneficial business relationship.  In this blog, we will delve into the profound impact of prioritizing people, both within the organization and in client relationships, and how it can lead to remarkable outcomes for everyone involved.

Imagine stepping into a workplace where positivity permeates the air, creating an atmosphere that inspires and uplifts everyone who enters. Cultivating a positive culture is about creating an environment where people thrive, relationships flourish, and collective success is celebrated.

In such a culture, the focus is not solely on achieving goals and meeting targets; it goes beyond that. It's about fostering a sense of belonging, where individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best. It's a place where collaboration is encouraged, where people genuinely care about each other's well-being and support one another's growth.

Open communication plays a vital role in cultivating a positive culture. It's about creating spaces where ideas are welcomed, opinions are heard, and feedback is given constructively. When people feel safe to express themselves, share their perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue, it fosters an environment of trust and mutual understanding. But cultivating a positive culture isn't limited to internal dynamics. It extends to external relationships as well. It involves treating clients, customers, and partners with the same level of respect, empathy, and care. By building solid relationships based on trust and mutual appreciation, organizations can create a positive ripple effect that extends beyond their walls.

In the intricate tapestry of a thriving company, empowering and supporting team members weaves a thread of significance and beauty. It is the art of unlocking hidden potential, igniting sparks of inspiration, and nurturing growth. When individuals are empowered, they transcend boundaries, embracing their autonomy to create, innovate, and lead. They become architects of their success, fueled by a deep sense of purpose and ownership. Simultaneously, providing unwavering support nurtures their development, like a gentle breeze guiding a sapling towards the sun. It creates a culture where collaboration flourishes, trust blossoms, and collective achievements soar to new heights. By fostering an environment that values empowerment and support, companies unlock a reservoir of untapped talent, fueling innovation, resilience, and loyalty. It is a testament to the understanding that the true essence of a company lies within the hearts and minds of its team members, and by empowering and supporting them, we shape a future brimming with infinite possibilities.

Understanding and meeting client needs is a fundamental aspect of successful business relationships. It entails immersing ourselves in the world of our clients, actively listening to their concerns, and striving to comprehend their goals and aspirations. By putting ourselves in their shoes, we gain valuable insights that allow us to develop tailored solutions that address their unique challenges. The journey begins with deep empathy and a commitment to understanding. We seek to grasp the essence of our client's needs, desires, and pain points through open communication and active listening. This understanding serves as the foundation for building trust and creating meaningful connections with a clear understanding of our client's needs, we leverage our expertise and creativity to deliver solutions that exceed their expectations. Every decision, strategy, and action is driven by a focus on meeting their specific requirements and delivering tangible value.

However, understanding and meeting client needs is an ongoing process. It requires continuous engagement, proactive communication, and a commitment to adapt as their needs evolve. By staying responsive and attentive, we foster long-term relationships based on mutual trust and a shared vision for success.

 At TGH Tech, we believe that building thriving organizations means prioritizing the well-being and happiness of both our clients and team members. In the journey towards building a people-centric workplace, the true essence lies in unlocking the full potential of team members and fostering genuine connections with clients. At TGH Tech, we deeply value our people—their skills, creativity, and passion that drive innovation and fuel success. We recognize the significance of understanding the needs of our clients and strive to build deep relationships, actively listen, and tailor our products and services to their aspirations. By embracing a client-centric approach, we forge partnerships built on trust, mutual success, and a shared journey toward growth and fulfillment. Join us as we continue to create a thriving workplace that puts people at the heart of everything we do.

The Power of Building a People-Centric Culture!

In today's fast-paced world, it's crucial for companies to prioritize their people. Building a people-centric culture involves creating a workplace where employees are valued, respected, and supported. 

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of entrepreneurship, some startups manage to outshine the competition and achieve remarkable success, leaving a lasting impact on their respective industries. However, it's essential to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all formula for success. Each startup is unique, facing its own set of challenges and opportunities along the way. While there is no guaranteed path to success, highly successful companies often share specific strategies and tactics that set them apart. In this blog post, we will explore the distinctive approaches that differentiate great startups and contribute to their extraordinary achievements. It's important to keep in mind that success in the entrepreneurial world is not universal, but by examining these insights, we can gain inspiration and valuable lessons to apply to our own entrepreneurial journeys.

Uncover hidden opportunities within existing problems.

Great startups have a unique ability to seek out problems and find solutions. What's fascinating is that these problems can vary in size and nature, from small everyday challenges to larger industry gaps. The key is to identify how a product or service can make someone's life easier, address a specific industry need, or enhance productivity. Innovation plays a vital role in this process, and it's not just about having a brilliant idea, but also recognizing significant problems worth solving.

Here's the key: rather than waiting for problems to come knocking, successful startups actively search for them. Take giants like Microsoft and IBM, for example. They constantly invest in research and development to improve people's lives, actively seeking out issues that others may have overlooked. So, when building your startup team, remember that it's not just about finding smart and creative individuals. Curiosity and a natural inclination for investigation are equally important qualities to look for. They fuel the generation of innovative ideas and pave the way for groundbreaking products that can truly make a difference.

Discover your own extraordinary path to success.

Great startups understand the importance of finding their own unique path. We often associate names like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg with innovative ideas and unconventional thinking. As a result, many entrepreneurs try to replicate their formulas without considering the distinct nature of their businesses. It's crucial to recognize that every company is different, and what worked for one may not work for another. Innovation strategies must align with your capabilities, methods, and team. Just because something succeeded for someone else doesn't guarantee the same outcome for your company. You need to explore and discover your own approach that suits your specific needs and circumstances. Embrace the journey of finding your own way to success!

The Courage to Take Risks: A Trait of Great Startups

Great startups fully comprehend the risks involved in pursuing innovation, yet they fearlessly embrace them. As a budding entrepreneur, it's important to remember that the path to success can be messy and unpredictable. We often witness the success stories that capture the spotlight, while the failures often go unnoticed or are overshadowed.

Consider the case of Van Gogh, whose artistic brilliance remained hidden for years until posthumous recognition. His journey reminds us that true breakthroughs take time, require continuous iteration, and involve diverse teams collaborating to refine ideas into something extraordinary. Many organizations falter in maintaining the innovation process due to its challenging nature. However, it's crucial to persevere, learn from mistakes, and not give up easily. 

Great Startups Identify the Right Strategy

Great startups excel at identifying the right strategy. When it comes to innovation, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It all begins with questioning yourself: How well have you defined the problem? Take the time to thoroughly study and understand the issue, so you can start defining the best path toward a solution.

Utilize effective research tools like interviews, matrices, surveys, statistics, and more. Validate the problem you have identified and remember to seek diverse perspectives. By doing so, you can lay the foundation for a well-informed and effective strategy that will guide your startup toward success.

While there is no magic formula for startup success, the strategies mentioned earlier and tactics are common among great startups that have achieved remarkable accomplishments. As the startup journey unfolds, it's crucial to remember that success is not achieved alone. That's where TGH Tech comes in. With its expertise and dedication, TGH Tech is committed to assisting startups every step of the way. TGH Tech empowers entrepreneurs to overcome challenges, unlock their full potential, and thrive in their respective industries by providing tailored solutions and insights.

What Sets Great Startups Apart

This blog post explores the strategies and tactics that differentiate highly successful startups, contributing to their remarkable achievements in the fast-paced entrepreneurial world. It emphasizes the importance of uncovering hidden opportunities within existing problems, finding a unique path to success, embracing risk-taking, and identifying the right innovation strategy. 

Here at TGH Tech, we primarily use Flutter for developing apps since we can ship out to Android and iOS devices with the same codebase. For the web, we primarily use Next.js, but recently we were thinking about exploring Flutter Web.

Two months ago, we got a project that had a flexible time schedule. So our CEO Sachin suggested we explore and try something new this time, and we decided to do the project in Flutter Web.

First things first, the initial loading time of Flutter Web stinks! There is around 5–6 seconds of loading time when the Flutter web engine is loaded. By default, it is a blank white screen, which is very boring to a user who will think the website is very slow. Initially, efforts were spent on finding some way to reduce this loading time, but when I understood that it's not that easy to reduce it, I decided to add a good loading indicator so that the user would be less frustrated.

I followed this article from FilledStacks: 

https://www.filledstacks.com/post/6-tips-to-make-your-flutter-website-feel-premium/

. This initial load duration happens primarily on the first load, and on subsequent loads, the request is cached and the load happens under 2 seconds.

And you know what? The client told me that the animation was so nice that it had to be played a bit longer!

Since hot reload isn't supported on the web, and for this project, we didn't have to think much about responsiveness, I thought to just debug in mobile, and then finally everything would be exactly the same in the web version—a big rookie mistake! On the web, several issues can arise with third-party packages that work perfectly fine on mobile.

Before choosing a package, make sure it has web support, and even then, there is a chance that some issues might come up with packages that explicitly say that they support web. One issue I faced was that I had to implement a glass morphism design for a card. I had worked with the package a couple of times previously for other mobile projects, but when I implemented it for the web, I found that some properties of that package were throwing exceptions in the web version but were working flawlessly in the mobile version. This cost me some time, and from now on I will totally debug the web if I am building primarily for the web.

In the project, there was a requirement for displaying a list of apps, and on clicking on them, if the device is Android, then open the Google Play Store; if on an iPhone, open the App Store. Usually, when such a requirement comes, we can call Platform.isAndroid and handle the condition easily, but on the web, I had to dive into Stack Overflow for a bit to find a good solution. I ended up obtaining userAgent using device_info_plus and string comparison to find out if it's Android or iOS, but I'm still not sure if it is the proper way. If any of you who are reading this know a better way, do reply to this newsletter.

Hosting the Flutter Web was actually easier than I anticipated. We usually host our projects in Amplify, and to deploy Flutter, we first had to build the project.

 I used GitHub Actions to create a release web build and get auto commited to a specified branch. This branch is then connected to an Amplify mono-repo. I followed this resource: 

https://medium.com/flutter-community/hosting-flutter-web-applications-with-amplify-hosting-and-github-actions-d53ba213767

Some key points to look into while building for the web are: 

Explore Web Development using Flutter

Discovering the World of Web Development using Flutter

In the journey of personal growth and leadership development, one crucial element often overlooked is the creation of a safe space for exploration and experimentation. The fear of failure, judgment, and the infamous "what ifs" can be paralyzing. However, I've come to trust that taking that first step with a clear idea and a genuine motive can pave the way for remarkable achievements.

My background was far from conventional leadership training. I had experience planning and executing surprise birthday parties, college events, and even hostel fests, but I had never stood before an audience I didn't know. Yet, I felt a calling to establish an academy, despite my lack of experience in managing teams and leading them to fulfill a shared mission.

TGH Academy is built with an aim to empower individuals with constraints by various circumstances, enabling them to acquire a valuable skill set without the need for significant investments. We empower individuals to unleash their full potential in the world of software development and design. Our team members themselves created the curriculum and assessments in between their allotted projects. So, this is going to be personalized mentorship for students who possess a basic level of coding. For more details, 

This endeavor isn't just about spreading knowledge; it is about cultivating the qualities essential to becoming a great mentor, a crucial step on the path to leadership. The challenge lay in managing a team of individuals I had only recently met and ensuring that our shared vision resonated not only with the team but also with the students we aimed to inspire. In retrospect, this journey taught me that the fear of the unknown should never hold us back from pursuing our passions and ambitions. It's in those uncharted territories that we discover our true potential and, ultimately, become the leaders we aspire to be.

Here are some key insights I gained from my team during this first step:

There were times when I faced challenges for which I didn't have an immediate solution. Instead of pretending to have all the answers, I openly acknowledged my limitations and collaborated with the team members who possessed the knowledge and insights I lacked. It's essential for one to acknowledge their strengths while also recognizing when they need help from others. It was a reminder that true leadership isn't about having all the answers; it's about inspiring a collective journey toward finding them.

We often underestimate our ability to adapt and thrive in unfamiliar territory. The lessons I've learned, guided by my team, are invaluable reminders that growth and transformation flourish when we confront our fears and embrace new challenges. So, embrace the uncertainty, take that first step, and trust that the path will reveal itself as you go.

Embrace the uncertainty and take that first step towards your dreams.

Stepping into the Unknown: Building an Academy and Becoming a Leader

When we started TGH Tech in 2020, there was a lot of uncertainty in our minds, which was compounded by a pandemic ravaging the world. We were extremely young and ambitious and didn’t want to settle for running a normal software development company. The IT services industry had a universally accepted playbook that gave you enough instructions to build the company to a certain scale, following which you’re very likely to hit the proverbial glass ceiling. No, we wanted to be different. We wanted to be daring. To be all that, the most important dimension was having an awesome team, who could be more ambitious than we were. And we didn’t want to go the conventional route in building that team either.

Through the learnings I got from being part of/leading other teams before, as well as from watching leaders at action in 

, I was pretty sure that individuals are most productive when they’re happy. They should be happy when they’re performing their responsibilities and while interacting with the rest of their team. No matter what direction we took, I was never going to compromise on my team’s happiness. Agreed - the company’s growth (from a financial perspective) was slow due to this, as I often had to let go of short-term success for long-term growth. But I always did this without a hint of doubt in my mind because I knew it would pay off in the long run. And we’re just starting to reap the rewards now.

Next, I’ll list down the reasons why we want our people to remain happy:

Of course, there are a few things that need to be kept in our minds so that all of this won’t blow up in our faces. People often mistake happiness with staying inside their comfort zones. Getting out of those zones is always hard work and the team should be made aware of it. It’s indeed a fine line. Also, prioritizing happiness shouldn’t affect the intent to build high-performing teams. Meritocracy has to be practiced too. After all, the team isn’t going to be like a family. We find people who call their team families quite cringey. More on that later.

I’ll also mention a few things we pay attention to, to keep our happiness index always high:

I firmly believe that we’ve done very well in terms of building our team so far. After all, every day at the office is fun. But there’s indeed a long way to go. Particularly when the team gets much bigger and we’ll be compelled to hire primarily based on skill instead of their attitude and ambitions. For now, the future does look bright.

Team's happiness over anything or everything

When we started TGH Tech in 2020, there was a lot of uncertainty in our minds, which was compounded by a pandemic ravaging the world. We were extremely young and ambitious and didn’t want to settle for running a normal software development company. The IT services industry had a universally accepted playbook which gave you enough instructions to build the company to a certain scale, following which you’re very likely to hit the proverbial glass ceiling. No, we wanted to be different. We wanted t

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Featured Blogs

The Art of MVP Creation: Building, Launching, and Succeeding

The Power of Building a People-Centric Culture!

What Sets Great Startups Apart

Thoughts from leadership

Discovering the World of Web Development using Flutter

Deepak Mathews Koshy

Stepping into the Unknown: Building an Academy and Becoming a Leader

Fida Subair

Why we prioritize our team's happiness over everything else.

Sachin S Joseph

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