Initial market contact that enables Error Correction. The moment theory meets reality.
The First Signal is initial market contact that proves your idea can survive reality. It is not about perfection - it is about establishing Error Correction capability. The first paying customer. The first real rejection. The first truth that cannot be theorized away. Before first signal, you are in particle state. After, you can move toward field state.
Before first signal, everything is theory. Error Correction is impossible because there are no errors to correct - only assumptions. After first signal, you have data. Not projections. Not assumptions. Actual market response to actual offering.
GPI Impact: Error Correction dimension moves from particle state (no data) to field state (active correction)
First signal breaks the perfection paralysis. Once you ship ugly and survive, shipping becomes easier. Each iteration builds on real feedback, not imagined fears. Knowledge Velocity accelerates with each signal.
GPI Impact: Knowledge Velocity rises as learning compounds from real market data
First signal kills the fantasy version of your product before you build too much of it. What remains is what actually works. This prevents Structural Lock-In to the wrong approach.
GPI Impact: Structural Lock-In prevented by early reality contact
Minimum Viable Offering x Maximum Market Contact = First Signal
Ship at 30% ready to strangers who might pay. That is first signal territory.
If you are not embarrassed, you waited too long. Perfection prevents Error Correction.
Free users lie. Paying customers tell truth. Payment is the purest signal.
One honest "no" beats ten polite "maybes". Rejection is Error Correction data.
Revenue, refunds, and reasons. Everything else is comfort metrics that hide truth.
Every day without first signal is a day building on assumptions. Structural Lock-In increases. Error Correction becomes more expensive. Knowledge Velocity stalls at zero. The longer you wait, the harder it is to change.
4 targeted questions to measure your exposure to first signal.
Takes 60 seconds. No data stored.
Stop polishing. Start shipping. Enable Error Correction through market contact.
How first signal compounds into sustained velocity. Field state acceleration.
EXPLORE →Maximum pressure before transformation. Where first signal becomes breakthrough.
EXPLORE →Ship fast, get signal. The intervention for first signal acquisition.
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