Benchmarks are a jumping-off point, not the end-all, be-all — Phil Carter, Elemental Growth

In a recent episode of the Sub Club podcast, Phil Carter, an independent growth advisor and angel investor, shared insights on scaling consumer subscription companies by leveraging his Subscription Value Loop framework. This framework divides the subscription lifecycle into value creation, value delivery, and value capture, helping businesses optimize their products and strategies for sustainable growth. Carter introduced the Subscription Value Loop Calculator, a tool that integrates data to identify performance gaps and growth opportunities. He stressed the importance of using benchmarks as a starting point rather than a definitive solution, advocating for a balance between data and judgment in decision-making. He highlighted the risks of over-optimizing specific metrics at the expense of broader business objectives and noted that companies must adapt their strategies and metrics as they mature, shifting focus from user acquisition to retention and monetization for long-term success.