Go-to-Market: Founder vs Ops Motion
A synthesis of the group's collective experience on choosing between founder-led sales and operations-led implementation strategies. Both have trade-offs depending on stage and runway.
The Core Trade-off
Founder-first motion converts 3x faster but shows higher churn. Ops-first has better retention but longer sales cycles. The choice depends on runway and growth targets.
Founder-Led Motion
Best for: Early stage, limited runway, need to prove PMF fast. Founders have urgency and can make quick decisions. Risk: deals depend on champion staying.
Ops-Led Motion
Best for: Post-PMF, scaling phase, enterprise deals. Ops teams have budget authority and implementation bandwidth. Risk: slower cycles, more stakeholders.
The Dual Funnel Approach
Run both: founder sells the vision, ops implements. Requires more resources but captures benefits of both motions.