For anyone navigating creative work, entrepreneurship, or leadership, the language we use shapes what we build. Recently, Tom Bilyeu shared how they lost millions by building a full product line for his apparel business before testing demand. I appreciate that Tom openly shares his past failings. It takes humility to admit costly mistakes.

But I don’t believe Minimum Viable Product (MVP) was ever meant to be a fully built product. I believe MVP, in Lean Startup terms, was always meant to be a quick test of assumptions. Not a heavy product build. But over time, many misunderstand this. Even experienced founders. Perhaps the word “Product” in MVP can be misleading. 

Hence, reframing MVP as the Minimum Viable Test (MVT) could possibly help fellow entrepreneurs avoid the same traps. And yes, sometimes it takes a bit of shock value to make people pay attention. 

Nonetheless, renaming old concepts can help reconnect them to their original spirit. Like the shift from “global warming” to “climate change”. Mother Teresa refusing to attend an “anti-war” and only joining “peace” rallies. Calling “White Man’s Burden” what it actually was, the colonial exploitation of India.

I’m curious. Do you know of other examples where a change in language unlocked better understanding? I’d love to hear your favourite examples. Drop them at [email protected].