Here are my learnings that have worked: 1. Communicate Early and Often I learned this during my first pivot. Waiting until you have all the answers is a mistake. Call your investors before you're 100% sure. Send weekly updates even when it's messy. Uncertainty is better than silence. 2. Be Transparent About Why Don't sugarcoat it. "Our original approach isn't working" hits better than "we're exploring new opportunities." Stakeholders respect honesty. They've seen pivots before. 3. Show Data, Not Just Vision Bring numbers to every conversation. Why the current model failed, what the new metrics look like, how much runway you have. I've seen founders pivot based on gut feeling. It rarely works.

We pivoted once and nearly lost a key partner because we assumed a quick update email was enough. Now, we do this: 1. Personal calls to major stakeholders before any announcement 2. Biweekly “Pivot Updates” with wins, risks, and decisions ahead 3. One-page visuals that explain the shift clearly Simple, honest, and frequent beats fancy decks every time.

During a pivot, communication is key. The goal is to keep everyone in the loop without overwhelming them: - Explain the 'Why': Be clear on why the pivot is happening. - Personal Touch: Call key stakeholders directly for a more personal connection. - Consistent Updates: Keep everyone informed regularly, even with small progress updates. - Celebrate Wins: Share small victories to show the pivot is working. - Invite Feedback: Make sure stakeholders feel heard and involved.

When your startup undergoes a major pivot, clear and consistent communication with stakeholders is key. Start by crafting a transparent message explaining the reasons for the shift, the new vision, and how it benefits the company’s future. Use multiple channels—emails, video updates, or live Q&A sessions—to ensure everyone is informed. Provide regular progress reports to maintain trust, address concerns proactively, and highlight early wins to reinforce confidence. By keeping stakeholders engaged and aligned throughout the transition, you turn uncertainty into an opportunity for collective buy-in and support.

When Patternica changes direction, clear communication is really important. We see everyone involved – whether they're investors or clients – as true partners. So, as soon as our path shifts, we make sure to explain why we're making the change, what the impact will be, and what our next steps are. We keep updates brief and organized – like short emails with bullet points or quick 15-minute calls. This way, everyone stays on the same page without feeling overloaded. Being clear and consistent helps build trust, even when our plans evolve.

This is such an important conversation. We often underestimate how much how we communicate a pivot matters just as much as what we’re pivoting to. In my experience, three things make a big difference: Be proactive – don’t wait to share until everything is final. Bring stakeholders in early. Make it personal – a quick email isn’t enough for key partners. A call or face-to-face conversation shows respect. Keep it real – people appreciate transparency over polished decks. Share the “why,” the risks, and the vision ahead. Pivots are hard—but when people feel informed and included, they become your strongest allies. Curious to hear how others have handled this—what’s worked for you?

Faced this during Draftly's early pivot. We didn't wait for the “perfect” update. We told stakeholders early... - why we're changing - what we learned - what's next Kept updates short, honest, and regular.