On the Eras Tour

This article was originally published on February 16, 2024

In the Startup Cinematic Universe, the concept of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is sacred, especially to those who truly feel the effects of the ‘runway’. It's about finding the most efficient way to deliver value to your customers while minimising effort and cost.

So what if I told you that Taylor Swift, the music industry herself, executed an MVP that polishes up better than many in the tech world? Yes, we're talking about "The Eras Tour" film.

"Swift did what any savvy product manager would do, she pivoted".

Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" isn't just a stock standard greatest hits run through; it is currently an ever changing anthology of her career, in short she’s currently “The Man". But as demand skyrocketed and not everyone could experience the magic live, Swift did what any savvy product manager would do—she iterated. Instead of adding more dates and locations, potentially diluting the experience and exhausting resources, she pivoted. The solution? A film version of her concert, making "The Eras Tour" accessible to millions more fans worldwide. A mastermind move if you ask me.

When chatGPT is dying to get into it's fearless icon era. Generated by

The MVP magic 'Swifties' know all too well

The film version of "The Eras Tour" exemplifies the MVP principle of maximizing value while minimising waste, let’s keep the jet out of this. Swift recognized the core value her fans sought—the concert experience—and delivered it in a more accessible format.

This mirrors the approach that strong product people, managers, researchers, designers, customer supporters, the approach strong teams should take: identify the core value your product offers and find the most efficient way to deliver it to as many users as possible.

Now this might be where you say "Aha! Ash! I have you! The core value fans want is the LIVE concert experience with Taylor!"

And I would say "Yes, I completely agree, fans do want to see Taylor Swift live, but as my good friend Peter Laurie would say at this point

“Users (and let’s just assume for the remainder of the article users means customers also) don’t know what they actually want, and even if they do, they lie"."

So of course if you asked any Swiftie on the street (just, any

“Hey Ash, if you could choose between seeing Taylor Swift live or seeing a decent version of the concert at the movies, which would you choose?”.

You understand where I’m going.

Call it what you want

But Swift thinks like a Product person. Adding more tour dates would be akin to scaling a product without validating its market fit or user demand. Swift’s approach, much like a well-executed MVP in the tech world, allowed for scalability while maintaining quality. It’s a reminder that sometimes, scaling isn't about adding more features (or tour dates) but about optimising delivery to meet your audience where they are.

Fearless fan feedback loops

The release of "The Eras Tour" film also opens up channels for feedback. Just as software products evolve based on user input, Swift’s film can reach a broader audience, garner feedback, and potentially influence future projects. It’s a testament to the iterative process, emphasising that the first version doesn't have to be perfect—it just has to resonate.

Actual image of PM leaving a feedback session.

End Game for Product Teams

Taylor's strategic pivot teaches us valuable lessons about MVP development. It’s not just about launching a product; it’s about understanding your audience, recognising constraints, and innovating within those boundaries. Swift's film version of "The Eras Tour" is a masterclass in delivering something viable, achievable and desirable, albeit, a different execution for some users.

Long story Short

In an era where everyone is looking to scale quickly and efficiently, Taylor Swift’s "The Eras Tour" film stands out as a shining example of an MVP done right. It’s a reminder that at the heart of every successful product—or concert film—is a deep understanding of what your audience truly values. For product and startup professionals, Swift's approach offers a playbook on achieving more with less, making "The Eras Tour" film not just a concert experience, but a lesson in smart product strategy.