How to Get Started with Productization
Most B2B services firms don’t fail to productize because of lack of vision. They struggle because they don’t know where or how to start.
You might recognize the symptoms: a sense that your services could be delivered more efficiently, recurring client needs that hint at a solution, even a slide deck called “Our Product Strategy” collecting dust. But no movement.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And you’re not stuck.
One Step at a Time: A Consulting Firm’s Slow but Smart Start
One of our clients, a boutique management consulting firm, knew they needed to scale. Their partners were maxed out, clients kept asking for self-serve tools, and yet every “product idea” discussion ended the same way: too big, too vague, too risky.
Their breakthrough came not from launching a product, but from running a test.
They picked one repeatable engagement: a maturity assessment that consultants delivered manually via interviews. They asked, “Could this be digitized…even a little?” Within four weeks, they built a basic survey tool using off-the-shelf software. No code. No new hires. Just a pilot with two friendly clients.
The feedback? “This is 80% of what we need. Can we get a version for our team to use directly?”
From that small success, they built a roadmap. But more importantly, they built confidence.
The Productization Path Begins With Learning
If you’re overwhelmed by the idea of productization, the answer isn’t a full-blown platform or hiring a product team. It’s taking one well-chosen step.
(Related: Before You Productize: What Every Services Firm Needs in Place)
Here’s how to do that:
1. Spot the Repetition
What deliverables or processes are you doing over and over again for different clients? These are your productization breadcrumbs.
(Related: Productization: Turning Services Into Products)
In the consulting firm’s case, the maturity assessment was used in 60% of projects and took 10+ hours to deliver. That’s ripe for reinvention.
2. Choose a “Safe to Fail” Experiment
Don’t build the full solution. Build a test. The simplest version that lets you learn something. Think of it as your “Minimum Learnable Product.”
(Related: Why Speed is Crucial in Productizing B2B Services)
The consulting firm didn’t build a platform. They used Typeform and Excel. And it was enough to prove value.
3. Get Real Feedback, Fast
Test with friendly clients who will give honest feedback. Ask what’s helpful, what’s missing, and whether they’d use it again.
Real usage data beats brainstorming every time.
4. Measure Learning, Not Launches
Early productization efforts should be judged by what you learn, not how polished the output is. Track client engagement, usability insights, and internal efficiency gains.
(Related: Building a Playbook for Productization)
5. Use That Learning to Build Your Roadmap
Once you’ve proven demand, you can invest more confidently. Add automation. Improve UX. Expand the audience. But only after the basics are validated.
Start Small. Think Big. Move Fast.
Every productized success story we’ve seen started with a single, scrappy experiment. The goal isn’t to get it perfect. It’s to learn, adapt, and grow your confidence and your impact.
Want Help Making That First Move?
At Vecteris, we help B2B services firms take the guesswork out of productization. From identifying the right use cases to building and testing MVPs, we guide you through every step—starting small and building smart.
Take our updated Productize Maturity Diagnostic—it’s quick, practical, and built specifically for B2B services firms. You’ll uncover where you’re strong, where you’re stuck, and what your best next move could be.