Product and service portfolio for founder led lower-middle market companies
This page is for founder led lower-middle market companies with 5 to 50 million in annual revenue. The aim is a portfolio that is easy to sell, profitable to deliver, and simple to manage. Use these short answers, then follow the deep guides when you need more detail.
Questions and short answers
How do I decide which SKUs or services to retire
Score each offer on margin, strategic fit, demand trend, and operational strain. Flag items that are below target margin or that block growth of the core. Build an exit plan with dates, substitutions, and account communication. Replace revenue through price and mix rather than volume alone. Track results so the team sees the win.
Retire SKUs and services
When is it worth investing in a new product line
Invest when a clear customer problem aligns with your strengths and when the path to gross margin is visible. Validate with paid interest, not surveys. Confirm delivery capacity and the effect on cash. Start with a small beachhead segment and a simple offer. Stop if margin or demand thresholds are not met by a set date.
Invest in a new product line
How do I run a pilot that proves demand and margin
Define one use case, one buyer, and a success line for usage, price, and cost to serve. Keep the pilot paid and time bound. Capture feedback and cost data each week. Include a clear next order in the pilot terms. Review results against the success line and decide to scale, improve, or stop.
Run a pilot that proves demand and margin
What approval steps should we have before any launch
Use a short gate review. Market proof with paid signals. Financial model with price, cost, and target margin. Delivery readiness with service levels and risk plan. Sales enablement with price cards, talk tracks, and a simple order flow. Legal and finance checks. Name one owner and a launch date with a clear post launch review.
Launch approval checklist
Related links
Strategy and growth
Marketing and positioning
Operations and systems
Last updated: August 27, 2025
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