Executive Summary

Most founders don’t need more ideas; they need four machines that run every week. This report distills what works across early teams: make reality visible (Value Loop), choose the first correct path (Router), learn on schedule (Testing Matrix), and let one page decide (Scorecard). Each model is small on purpose. Together, they compound.

The Four Models (at a glance)

1. Value Loop — Inputs → System → Outputs → Learning. Forces a weekly change.

2. Intake Router — Capture → Normalize → Score → Route in < 2 minutes. Correct first decisions.

3. Testing Matrix — Hypothesis • Variant • Target Metric • Guardrails • Decision. Learn on Fridays.

4. One Scorecard — North Star • Leading • Health. One page that ends arguments.

If a model can’t be drawn on one screen, it won’t fit in a week.

How They Interlock (sequence matters)

• Router → cleans inputs and sends people down the right path.

• Value Loop → defines the smallest system to change behavior this week.

• Testing Matrix → proves (or kills) a change with one number.

• Scorecard → records the story so next week starts smarter.

Operating order: Router first, then Loop + Matrix in the middle, Scorecard last. Speed comes from sequence, not hustle.

Implementation Plan (Week Zero → Week Four)

Week 0 (Prep): Choose a North Star and two health metrics. Draft intent labels (Learn • Trial • Buy).

Week 1: Ship Router v1 (normalize a few fields, score simple 0–10, route by band).

Week 2: Run Value Loop #1 + Testing Matrix #1 (one lever, one metric, 5‑hour cap).

Week 3: Tighten Router thresholds; add checklist to reach first‑aha in 3 minutes.

Week 4: Consolidate into One Scorecard; prune metrics to 1 outcome + 3–5 levers + 2–3 health.

Friday demos every week — evidence, not slides.

Failure Modes (and fast fixes)

• Router sends everyone down one path. Lower the 7–10 “fast lane” threshold; review 10 misroutes/week.

• Tests don’t finish. Over‑scoped; cap build at 5 hours; pre‑write decision rule.

• Scorecard creep. More than five levers becomes theater; delete until decisions feel obvious.

• No signal. Instrument first; move tests to first click/route/aha, not deep downstream.

Case Snapshots (composite)

1. Activation slope: Router v1 + aha checklist → time‑to‑route from 6:40 → 1:52; first‑aha +12 pp (Week 1).

2. Offer clarity: One‑promise page → click‑to‑trial +4 pp (Week 1), +9 pp (Week 4) after copy tightens.

3. Decision speed: Tests with a decision → 92% after teams pre‑write the rule on Monday.

Method Notes & Data Fingerprint

• Cohort: Early operators running weekly cadence; composite anonymized results.

• Window: 4 weeks; directional reads.

• Traffic: Typical week ~2–3k sessions; small teams can learn by testing earlier in the funnel.

• Privacy: PII masked; consent honored for nurture; exports contain hashes only.

What to Do Next (Pick Your Path)

• Get the Toolkit → All four models, wired for GHL, Notion, and Sheets.

• Try the 7‑Day Challenge → Build your first loop this week; your $97 becomes credit toward a Toolkit.

• Open the Picker → We’ll map you to Book • $97 Challenge • Toolkits.