What is a minimum lovable product (MLP) and how to build one?

Elijah, a product manager at a conversational AI company, explores the concept of a Minimum Lovable Product (MLP) as an alternative to the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), which he finds often lacks customer excitement and engagement. Unlike MVPs, which focus on essential functionality, MLPs aim to delight customers and foster loyalty by incorporating features that evoke emotional connections. While MLPs can enhance brand loyalty, competitiveness, and customer attraction, they require more time, development, and organizational commitment. The Kano model illustrates that MLPs prioritize customer satisfaction, whereas MVPs focus on usability. Elijah concludes that while both approaches have their merits, the MLP offers a compelling strategy in consumer-driven markets with abundant alternatives, as demonstrated by successful examples like Aha! and AirbnbPlus.