Value Over Hype

Imagine eating an orange. You peel it, taste its sweetness, and feel refreshed. You eat it because you expect to gain something from it — vitamin C, hydration, or just a pleasant burst of flavour. That is its value proposition.

The same goes for any product. Users come with an expectation: “What will I get out of this?”

In the rush to build products, many teams forget this simple truth. They chase trends, stack features, or integrate the latest AI models without asking whether it truly benefits the user.

Focus on One Value Proposition First

In the beginning, the smartest move is to focus on one clear value proposition. Why? Because it allows you to direct all your time, money, and energy towards polishing that one promise. You build a feature so good that users instantly think:

If you try to be everything at once, you spread yourself too thin. Instead of mastering a core function, you end up with a product that does many things poorly.

The Problem with “AI in Everything”

AI is everywhere today. It writes, designs, summarises, predicts — a true “everything technology.” But integrating AI just for the sake of it often diverts focus from the real value of your product.

A clear, user-centred value proposition helps you see AI for what it really is: a tool. You integrate it only where it makes life easier for the user. For example:

• Faster data analysis
• Better personalisation
• Streamlined content creation

The B2B Trap

This is especially common in B2B settings, where companies pay for AI features simply to appear innovative. They invest in dashboards that predict irrelevant insights, or chatbots that complicate workflows instead of simplifying them. In the end, they lose sight of their product’s actual value.

Beyond AI Hype

In the long run, products with a clear purpose beyond just AI integration will succeed. These products deliver meaningful value and retain customers even after the AI hype fades away.

Focus on your orange. Make sure it is sweet, fresh, and nourishing. Because no matter how fancy your peel looks, it is what’s inside that keeps people coming back.