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One-Page KPI Starter: How to use
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Get your own copy first
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1. In the menu at the top, click File.
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2. Click Make a copy.
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3. Name it, for example “My KPI Starter”, and choose where to save it in your Google Drive.
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4. Click Make a copy. The new copy opens, and it’s yours to edit.
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If you see “View only” at the top of the screen, you’re in the original. Make a copy first, because only the owner can edit the original.
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Prefer Excel? Go to File → Download → Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).
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Three steps
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Step 1: Pick one North Star. It is the single number that best shows you are creating value; everything else supports it.
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Step 2: Keep three to five supporting KPIs. Stay under seven numbers in total, or the signal gets lost.
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Which cells to edit
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Yellow cells on the Start-Up KPIs and SME KPIs tabs: Current value, Red line, Act when value is (Above / Below), and Owner. Status fills in on its own (ACT or OK).
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Example row (illustrative only, not a benchmark)
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KPIBucketReview cadenceCurrent valueRed line (act if crossed)Act when value isOwner (name)Status
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Churn rate (monthly, %)RetentionWeekly3.25AboveHead of Customer SuccessOK
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Notes and assumptions
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The 5% red line in the example is a placeholder to show the format. Thresholds vary by business and have not been verified against a benchmark source. Set your own.
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KPI structure (North Star, supporting KPIs, review cadence, red line and owner) comes from Bora Remis's blog notes on setting up KPIs for post-PMF start-ups and SMEs.
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Simple rule: if you cannot explain each KPI to a new hire in one sentence, it is too complex. More than six KPIs means you are tracking, not managing.
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