Genchi Gembutsu is the Principle of "Go and See for Yourself"

Genchi gembutsu is a Japanese term that means "go and see for yourself." It is a core principle of the Toyota Production System, and it is also a key principle of the Lean Startup methodology.

The principle of genchi gembutsu states that business decisions should be based on deep, firsthand knowledge. It is not enough to rely on reports or data from others. To truly understand a problem, you must go and see it for yourself.

For startups, this means getting out of the building and talking to customers. It is only by observing customers in their natural environment that you can truly understand their problems and needs. This is the only way to get the insights you need to build a successful product.

Genchi gembutsu is not about asking customers what they want. Customers often don't know what they want. Instead, it is about observing their behavior and understanding their problems. By doing this, you can develop a deep understanding of your customers and build a product that they will love.