GTM readiness

GTM readiness checklist.

The official working page for founder review: scan readiness, check the current GTM thesis, review the decisions and approvals, then inspect the launch areas that need work.

Required now: 12 open / 9 doneHelpful in beta: 11 open / 3 doneFor broader GA: 4 open / 0 done

Current GTM thesis

The simple operating stance

  • Audience: Client-side insight teams in larger organisations are the first private-beta audience. Agencies stay visible as a secondary audience, but they are not the operating default.
  • Core promise: The story should centre research that travels: isolated studies becoming a trusted body of evidence the business keeps learning from.
  • Moat: The sharpest contrast is that <un>peel owns the research lifecycle, from design and collection through connection and sharing, rather than just storing work produced elsewhere.
  • Evidence posture: Use speed, relevance/value pressure, governed spread, and insight travel as validated pains. Treat defensibility and confidence as product promises to prove in demos, not as validated buyer fears.
  • Beta motion: The near-term motion is founder-led, warm-account, and high-touch. The website orients the conversation; the beta only needs to be credible, controlled, and honest about what is still maturing.

Founder calls

Immediate Decisions to be made

Approvals

Things that need to be approved

GTM checklist

Expand a launch area to see the full checklist

Ready for beta67% ready

Market and ICP

We know who private beta is for first: in-house research teams at larger companies. Agencies are still relevant, but they are not the main focus right now.

Still needs: We still need clearer outreach language, proof examples, and demo stories that speak directly to that first buyer.

Required now: 0 open / 1 doneHelpful in beta: 1 open / 1 doneFor broader GA: 0 open / 0 done
Market and ICP checklist
DoneItemStatusPhase
Required for warm-account private betaThe true minimum needed to share the website, sell into known customer relationships, and run a controlled beta safely.
Done
Enterprise insight teams confirmed as the first buyer

The first beta audience is already set: enterprise client-side research teams.

Read detail for Enterprise insight teams confirmed as the first buyer

This decision is already made and should not be reopened for private beta. It gives the website, proof, and demo one clear audience to serve.

Ready for betaFoundation
Helpful during betaUseful hardening work that makes the motion cleaner and more repeatable while beta is underway, but does not need to block the first warm-account launch.
Still to do
Tailor outreach, proof, and examples to the first buyer

Make sure the sales message, proof points, and examples clearly speak to enterprise client-side insight teams.

Read detail for Tailor outreach, proof, and examples to the first buyer

This item is about buyer fit, not demo structure. The job here is to make sure outreach, proof, examples, and follow-up material feel like they were made for enterprise client-side insight teams. The separate 'Write the demo path' item is about the order and structure of the walkthrough itself.

What's still missing

  • Rewrite the outreach opener so it speaks directly to enterprise client-side pressure, not a generic research-tech audience.
  • Choose two or three proof points that feel specific to enterprise insight teams.
  • Make sure the one-pager and deck describe the buyer clearly instead of sounding broad or abstract.
  • Feed those buyer-specific choices into the final demo script once the demo path is locked.
In progressEarly selling beta
Done
Write down that agencies are secondary

The secondary-audience rule is now written down so agencies stay visible without diluting the main beta story.

Read detail for Write down that agencies are secondary

This rule is now captured in a short reference note so messaging, outreach, and sales material can all treat agencies as secondary rather than co-primary.

Ready for betaPrivate preview
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In progress30% ready

Brand, Positioning, and Website

The website story is strong, but the company identity behind it is not fully settled yet.

Still needs: We still need clear founder decisions on the name, the parent-brand line, and the company wording people will see.

Required now: 4 open / 3 doneHelpful in beta: 2 open / 0 doneFor broader GA: 1 open / 0 done
Brand, Positioning, and Website checklist
DoneItemStatusPhaseWorkstream
Required for warm-account private betaThe true minimum needed to share the website, sell into known customer relationships, and run a controlled beta safely.
Still to do
Put together the basic company info customers need

Prepare the minimum legal and company details a customer expects before taking the offer seriously.

Read detail for Put together the basic company info customers need

In practice this means clear company wording, contracting identity, a short company description, and footer copy that does not feel provisional or unfinished.

What's still missing

  • Confirm the legal and company wording customers should see.
  • Write the short company description for website and sales material.
  • Add the right company and footer wording to public-facing pages and documents.
  • Make sure procurement-facing copy matches the real contracting setup.
BlockedPrivate previewBrand and company setup
Still to do
Get approval for Musgrave brand references

The current website names Musgrave Group, SuperValu, Centra, and La Rousse Foods; those references need explicit approval before broader sharing.

Read detail for Get approval for Musgrave brand references

This is a permission item, not a copywriting item. Declan likely needs to help push the approval path so the site is not relying on unapproved customer or brand references.

What's still missing

  • Confirm exactly which Musgrave-related names appear on the public site and any sales material.
  • Ask Declan to help route approval through the right Musgrave relationship owner.
  • Decide whether each reference can stay named, needs anonymising, or should be removed until permission exists.
  • Record the approval status so the website and GTM material stay aligned.
BlockedPrivate previewWebsite and public presence
Still to do
Decide how the parent brand shows up

Choose the exact way <un>known or Empathy Research is referenced in early customer-facing material.

Read detail for Decide how the parent brand shows up

This is the short brand line customers will see on the website, deck, and outreach. Once it is chosen, it should be used consistently everywhere instead of changing from page to page.

What's still missing

  • Choose the exact endorsed-brand line to use in beta.
  • Apply that same line to the website, deck, one-pager, and outreach copy.
  • Remove any older brand wording that conflicts with the chosen line.
In progressFoundationBrand and company setup
Still to do
Finish the website cleanup items

Resolve the remaining proof, screenshot, navigation, and polish issues before sharing the site more widely.

Read detail for Finish the website cleanup items

This is the last-mile cleanup that makes the site feel intentional rather than obviously still under construction.

What's still missing

  • Replace any weak or placeholder screenshots and visuals.
  • Tighten proof, trust, and CTA sections where the story still feels thin.
  • Check navigation, page flow, and mobile polish before wider sharing.
  • Remove any unfinished wording that still reads like internal draft copy.
In progressPrivate previewWebsite and public presence
Done
Keep the current site story as the beta baseline

Use the current website narrative as the main public story unless there is a strong reason to reopen it.

Read detail for Keep the current site story as the beta baseline

This means treating the current website story as the source of truth for private beta. Changes should now be tightening, proof, and polish changes, not another wholesale rewrite.

Ready for betaFoundationWebsite and public presence
Done
Agree the one-line description

The working beta hero stack is now set: a short website headline plus the fuller positioning line and supporting line.

Read detail for Agree the one-line description

The website now uses a shorter, faster headline while keeping the fuller positioning line and supporting line available underneath and in founder-led material. The alternative headline and main-line options are still kept in the artifact for founder review.

  • Answer faster. Stay in control. Make it travel. (Current website preference)
  • <un>peel is a research platform that helps insight teams turn isolated studies into a trusted body of evidence the business keeps learning from. (Working fuller line)
  • Supporting line: Because we own the whole research lifecycle rather than just storing what others produce, quality and trust are built into every stage. (Working support line)
  • Historical alternatives are retained in the artifact, but they are not active launch copy.
Ready for betaFoundationCategory and positioning
Done
Lead with today’s reality, not the full future vision

Keep the public story grounded in what is real now while still hinting at the larger platform direction.

Read detail for Lead with today’s reality, not the full future vision

Buyers should come away understanding what the product already does, not just what it may become later. This keeps the beta story credible.

Ready for betaPrivate previewCategory and positioning
Helpful during betaUseful hardening work that makes the motion cleaner and more repeatable while beta is underway, but does not need to block the first warm-account launch.
Still to do
Freeze the beta name

Decide whether <un>peel is the name we will keep through private beta and apply the same naming rules everywhere.

Read detail for Freeze the beta name

Customers should not see one name on the site, another in proposals, and a third in contracts. This item is about stopping that drift before it becomes confusing.

What's still missing

  • Confirm whether <un>peel is the beta name we are keeping.
  • Apply the same naming rule across the website, artifacts, proposals, and contracts.
  • Remove any wording that still makes the name look undecided or temporary.
BlockedEarly selling betaBrand and company setup
Still to do
Turn the positioning into sales-ready proof claims

Turn the positioning into a few simple claims the founder can use in demos and sales conversations.

Read detail for Turn the positioning into sales-ready proof claims

A first draft of the proof claims now exists. The next step is founder validation and tightening before those claims are used in the deck, one-pager, and demo.

  • We help teams catch weak questionnaire logic before launch.
  • We keep quality and trust visible while the work is still live.
  • We help insight travel after the study by keeping evidence connected and traceable.
  • AI help stays tied to the evidence instead of becoming a black box.

What's still missing

  • Review the draft claims with the founder and remove any lines that feel too strong.
  • Choose the final short set of proof claims for sales use.
  • Thread the approved claims into the deck, one-pager, and demo.
In progressPrivate previewCategory and positioning
Needed for broader GAWork that matters once the goal shifts from controlled relationship-led beta to broader public availability and repeatable market motion.
Still to do
Add the extra company and legal polish before wider launch

Before the site reaches beyond a warm beta audience, add the missing company and legal confidence signals.

Read detail for Add the extra company and legal polish before wider launch

This is the step that moves the website from credible private-beta presence to something safer for broader public visibility.

What's still missing

  • Add the fuller company and legal confidence signals needed beyond warm beta traffic.
  • Make sure privacy, terms, and company details feel production-grade.
  • Check that broader public visitors can quickly understand who is behind the product and how to engage safely.
BlockedEarly selling betaWebsite and public presence
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In progress50% ready

Offer, Product, and Pricing

The beta offer is clearer now and the first pricing material exists, but pricing rules and entitlement logic still need tightening.

Still needs: We still need the public pricing stance, cleaner entitlement rules, and a firmer rule for how this curated beta offer becomes repeatable beyond named-brand access.

Required now: 1 open / 3 doneHelpful in beta: 2 open / 0 doneFor broader GA: 0 open / 0 done
Offer, Product, and Pricing checklist
DoneItemStatusPhaseWorkstream
Required for warm-account private betaThe true minimum needed to share the website, sell into known customer relationships, and run a controlled beta safely.
Still to do
Decide how openly we talk about price

Choose whether beta pricing is shown publicly, discussed in conversation only, or shared as rough ranges.

Read detail for Decide how openly we talk about price

This decision affects the website, the sales deck, and how quickly prospects understand whether the product is likely to fit their budget.

What's still missing

  • Choose the beta pricing posture: public, indicative ranges, or conversation only.
  • Apply that same choice to the website, deck, and founder talk track.
  • Make sure the team knows when and how price is introduced in sales conversations.
BlockedFoundationPricing and commercial model
Done
Show what customers can actually buy in beta

For brand-name beta customers, the full designed product set can now be offered in beta in return for a usable quote if the work goes well.

Read detail for Show what customers can actually buy in beta

This is now the working beta rule. The point is to use live beta access to learn across the whole system, while being honest that maturity still varies and that this is curated beta access rather than broad general-availability packaging.

  • Surveys
  • Discussion Groups
  • Guided Interviews
  • Insight Navigator
  • Research Architect
  • Research Guard
  • Trust Centre
  • Ask for a usable quote if the customer gets value and is comfortable giving one.
Ready for betaFoundationPlatform and SKU architecture
Done
Create simple pricing material for conversations

Put together a short commercial explainer that helps the founder talk through pricing without improvising.

Read detail for Create simple pricing material for conversations

The founder pricing conversation sheet now exists, so this minimum checklist item is complete. The next layer, if we want it, is turning the same material into a deck appendix, FAQ, or proposal section.

Ready for betaPrivate previewPricing and commercial model
Done
Platform story scoped to current maturity

The platform story already stays ambitious without implying every tool is equally mature today.

Read detail for Platform story scoped to current maturity

This is effectively in place already. The main job now is to keep future website, pitch, and proposal material aligned with that same honest scope.

Ready for betaEarly selling betaPlatform and SKU architecture
Helpful during betaUseful hardening work that makes the motion cleaner and more repeatable while beta is underway, but does not need to block the first warm-account launch.
Still to do
Match product scope to plans and access rules

Tie the product map to real plans, access levels, and usage rules.

Read detail for Match product scope to plans and access rules

In simple terms, if we say there are tiers or bundles, the product and commercial setup need to behave that way too.

What's still missing

  • Decide what the real beta plans or bundles are.
  • Define what access each plan actually unlocks.
  • Set the usage rules or guardrails that stop the packaging from being hand-wavy.
  • Make sure product entitlements and commercial wording match.
In progressPrivate previewPlatform and SKU architecture
Still to do
Connect pricing to real commercial rules

Make sure plans, limits, and contracts line up with how we say pricing works.

Read detail for Connect pricing to real commercial rules

Customers should not hear one pricing story and then discover the product or contract cannot actually support it.

What's still missing

  • Check that pricing tiers match the real plan structure.
  • Check that any limits, seats, or usage assumptions can actually be supported.
  • Make sure contracts and commercial language do not contradict the pricing sheet.
In progressPrivate previewPricing and commercial model
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In progress14% ready

Proof, Pilots, and Onboarding

We have real product proof and real pilot activity, but not yet a simple repeatable way to show that proof and onboard customers.

Still needs: We still need reusable proof, a cleaner onboarding plan, and a simple scorecard for what a successful pilot looks like.

Required now: 3 open / 1 doneHelpful in beta: 2 open / 0 doneFor broader GA: 1 open / 0 done
Proof, Pilots, and Onboarding checklist
DoneItemStatusPhaseWorkstream
Required for warm-account private betaThe true minimum needed to share the website, sell into known customer relationships, and run a controlled beta safely.
Still to do
Define the first-customer journey

Write down the default steps from “yes” to first value in the beta.

Read detail for Define the first-customer journey

This should show what happens after a customer agrees to try the product, including setup, onboarding, support, and early milestones.

What's still missing

  • Write the step-by-step path from signed-up beta customer to first value.
  • Define who does what during setup, onboarding, and support.
  • Make the early milestones visible so each pilot starts the same way.
In progressFoundationOnboarding and pilot operations
Still to do
Choose the proof format by product

Decide which products need full case studies, which need customer reviews, and which can rely on internal dogfood evidence for now.

Read detail for Choose the proof format by product

Some products need a proper before-and-after story because the claim is about changing a workflow or business outcome. Others only need a short quote or usability proof because the claim is about a specific delighter. This item turns that into a simple proof plan.

What's still missing

  • List the product claims that need case-study-level proof.
  • Identify where Empathy Researchers can produce internal before-and-after case studies.
  • Identify where customer reviews, short quotes, or usability reactions are enough.
  • Agree which external customers need permissioned case-study outreach and who asks.
In progressPrivate previewProof and credibility
Still to do
Define what a successful pilot looks like

Agree the simple scorecard that tells us whether a pilot is going well and whether it should convert.

Read detail for Define what a successful pilot looks like

This keeps pilot reviews grounded in clear signals instead of gut feel and helps the team know when to extend, convert, or stop.

What's still missing

  • Choose the small set of signals that define a healthy pilot.
  • Decide what counts as ready to convert, extend, or stop.
  • Write those rules into a simple pilot scorecard the team can actually use.
In progressPrivate previewOnboarding and pilot operations
Done
Lead with how the product works, not big promises

Make sure early materials show the mechanism clearly so people understand what the product actually does.

Read detail for Lead with how the product works, not big promises

For private beta, concrete workflows are more believable than sweeping outcome claims. People need to see how the product helps, not just hear that it does.

Ready for betaFoundationProof and credibility
Helpful during betaUseful hardening work that makes the motion cleaner and more repeatable while beta is underway, but does not need to block the first warm-account launch.
Still to do
Turn pilot activity into reusable proof

Rewrite what we have learned from early customer work into short proof snippets we can reuse.

Read detail for Turn pilot activity into reusable proof

This means moving from scattered notes and live conversations to portable proof that can appear in the website, deck, or one-pager.

What's still missing

  • Pull the strongest proof moments out of current pilot notes and conversations.
  • Rewrite them into short, reusable proof snippets.
  • Place those snippets into the website, one-pager, and deck where they help the story most.
In progressPrivate previewProof and credibility
Still to do
Prepare the demo environment and training plan

Decide what environment, sample data, and training rhythm we use for beta customers.

Read detail for Prepare the demo environment and training plan

This helps every pilot start from a repeatable setup instead of being reinvented from scratch each time.

What's still missing

  • Choose the default demo or pilot environment customers will see.
  • Decide what sample data or starter material is needed.
  • Set the training rhythm so onboarding does not have to be reinvented each time.
In progressPrivate previewOnboarding and pilot operations
Needed for broader GAWork that matters once the goal shifts from controlled relationship-led beta to broader public availability and repeatable market motion.
Still to do
Get permission to use named proof later

Secure customer permission for references, quotes, or results that can support broader launch later on.

Read detail for Get permission to use named proof later

This is not the first blocker for private beta, but it matters once we want stronger public credibility and more formal external proof.

What's still missing

  • Identify which customers or pilot outcomes are strong enough to ask permission on.
  • Decide what kind of proof we want: quote, logo, named reference, or result.
  • Ask for permission in a way that feels proportionate and easy for the customer to approve.
BlockedEarly selling betaProof and credibility
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In progress14% ready

Demand and Sales Readiness

We know the likely sales motion, and the first proof-claims, pricing, and one-pager drafts now exist. What is missing is the polished founder sales kit.

Still needs: We still need the full sales deck, the demo path, and founder validation on the proof claims and one-pager.

Required now: 2 open / 0 doneHelpful in beta: 3 open / 1 doneFor broader GA: 1 open / 0 done
Demand and Sales Readiness checklist
DoneItemStatusPhaseWorkstream
Required for warm-account private betaThe true minimum needed to share the website, sell into known customer relationships, and run a controlled beta safely.
Still to do
Build the sales deck

Create the main deck the founder can use to explain the product in a clear, repeatable way.

Read detail for Build the sales deck

The website already contains much of the story. This item is about turning that story into a portable conversation asset for real customer meetings.

What's still missing

  • Turn the website story into a tighter slide sequence for live conversations.
  • Choose the core proof, product, pricing, and pilot slides.
  • Add the approved one-line and proof claims so the deck feels consistent with the rest of the GTM.
  • Review and tighten the first founder-ready draft.
In progressFoundationSales motion and demo readiness
Still to do
Write the demo path

Define the exact 15 to 20 minute demo flow so every conversation follows the same strong path.

Read detail for Write the demo path

This is about the structure of the walkthrough itself: what opens the demo, what screens appear in what order, where proof gets reinforced, and how the conversation closes. It is separate from the ICP item above, which is about making the message and examples feel right for the chosen buyer.

What's still missing

  • Choose the opening story and setup for the walkthrough.
  • Decide the exact screen order for the 15 to 20 minute path.
  • Mark where the strongest proof claims should be reinforced during the demo.
  • Define the closing step and the follow-up ask at the end of the demo.
In progressPrivate previewSales motion and demo readiness
Helpful during betaUseful hardening work that makes the motion cleaner and more repeatable while beta is underway, but does not need to block the first warm-account launch.
Still to do
Approve the buyer follow-up one-pager copy

Approve the content for a short buyer-facing follow-up asset before it becomes a designed page, PDF, or shareable link.

Read detail for Approve the buyer follow-up one-pager copy

A first copy draft now exists. The next step is founder validation and tightening of the message, claims, pricing posture, and CTA before the copy is turned into a polished follow-up asset.

What's still missing

  • Review the copy draft with the founder.
  • Tighten the wording so the buyer-facing message is sharper and easier to forward internally.
  • Make sure the copy matches the approved positioning, proof claims, pricing posture, and beta CTA.
  • Choose the final delivery format: designed page, PDF, email follow-up, or shareable link.
In progressFoundationSales motion and demo readiness
Still to do
Pick the first two ways we will find beta customers

Decide the main channels for private beta instead of trying lots of things at once.

Read detail for Pick the first two ways we will find beta customers

In practice this is likely founder outreach and warm introductions, but it should be written down and treated as the actual plan.

What's still missing

  • Choose the first two acquisition paths for private beta.
  • Write down why those two paths come first and what is being deprioritized.
  • Turn that choice into a simple working outreach plan.
In progressFoundationDemand channels
Still to do
Turn the ICP into outreach language

Convert the customer profile into clear outreach messages and a simple sequence of proof.

Read detail for Turn the ICP into outreach language

Each contact should quickly understand why this matters to them and what evidence we have so far, without reading a strategy document.

What's still missing

  • Write the first outreach opener for the chosen buyer.
  • Choose the order in which proof should appear in outreach and follow-up.
  • Create the simple follow-up sequence that turns interest into a meeting.
In progressPrivate previewDemand channels
Done
Prepare answers to common questions

A combined objection-handling FAQ now exists and provides the baseline internal answer set for common sales questions.

Read detail for Prepare answers to common questions

The objection-handling FAQ now packages category, stack, competitor, pricing, trust, pilot, and procurement answers in one internal sheet, so this minimum checklist item is complete. The next layer, if we want it, is turning parts of it into external follow-up material, a proposal appendix, or a more formal trust and procurement pack once those inputs exist.

  • Internal-first format for founder, sales lead, and outreach owners.
  • Includes short answers, longer answers, proof hooks, and watch-outs.
  • Covers both direct objections and qualifying questions that should be asked before answering.
Ready for betaPrivate previewSales motion and demo readiness
Needed for broader GAWork that matters once the goal shifts from controlled relationship-led beta to broader public availability and repeatable market motion.
Still to do
Decide what content supports beta selling

Choose what lightweight content we will create to support outreach, credibility, and follow-up.

Read detail for Decide what content supports beta selling

This is not a full content machine. It is just enough material to help founder-led selling work more smoothly.

What's still missing

  • Choose the minimum content set that actually helps beta selling.
  • Decide what is needed now versus what can wait until later.
  • Tie each content asset to a real sales use, not just a marketing wish list.
In progressPrivate previewDemand channels
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