Supporting Lean Startup Methodology in Three Finnish Micro-Sized Enterprises

Abstract

Traditional business development approaches have questionable effectiveness in dealing with changing and uncertain business environments, and more proactive alternatives are needed. The purpose of this research was to understand how the entrepreneurs of micro-enterprises perceived the usefulness of Lean Startup as a business development methodology in solving challenges posed by the global coronavirus crisis. Three micro-enterprises representing the hospitality industry were supported in using the Lean Startup methodology in series of company-specific workshops and group meetings, and the entrepreneurs were interviewed after the process. The results revealed strategies, which the case organisations had used to react to the coronavirus crisis, as well as benefits and challenges of following the Lean Startup methodology. The gathered experiences suggest that the Lean Startup methodology and related facilitation activities could be strategically beneficial for micro-enterprises in creating new services and addressing the challenge of lack of resources and established business development methods.