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INVISION SHUTDOWN: LESSONS FROM A (STILL) ANGRY UX DESIGNER

InVision recently announced that it will discontinue its services at the end of 2024. This article delves into six crucial lessons that can be learned from InVision’s downturn.

SAASY PREDICTIONS FOR 2024

LMMs are the new LLMs, new techniques (CoT, RAG, RLHF, etc) will push the limits of AI model capabilities and continue to define the AI infra stack, and domain-specific AI will power a new crop of vertical SaaS.

THE ART OF PRIORITIZING FEATURES: A PRODUCT MANAGER’S DILEMMA

Prioritization is crucial for product managers, balancing user needs, business objectives, ROI, and adaptability. This task is as much an art as it is a science, requiring a careful balance between short-term gains and long-term vision, user requests and innovative solutions, and effectively managing risks.

REBUILDING TRUST AND BREAKING FREE FROM TRUST PROXIES AND THE SWIRL

An exploration of how trust issues can impact an organization and why it is so hard to address them. The article concludes with ideas on how to break the loop and see past the swirl.

GARDEN PRODUCT STRATEGY

Product strategy can be analogous to gardening as both require growth, learning, and adaptation. The analogy illustrates how not every strategy component (or 'seed') will be successful, but each offers valuable lessons. It highlights the importance of flexible execution and learning from failures, reinforcing that embracing potential failure is key to developing a successful product strategy.

COMPETITIVE USABILITY EVALUATIONS

Competitive usability evaluation can help teams identify the relative strengths and weaknesses of competing designs. The goal is to closely examine how your competitors are solving similar design problems, what’s working, and what’s not. This article offers a comprehensive guide on how to conduct these evaluations.

THE PROBLEM WITH YOUR MANAGER

How to notice when the Reporting to Peter Principle becomes true and develop a symbiotic relationship with your manager instead of developing resentment.

THE FIRST HIT GENERATIVE AI PRODUCT AFTER CHATGPT? SOMEHOW, IT’S SNAPCHAT+

Snaptchat+ is a $3.99 monthly subscription that offers users a suite of generative AI features that enhance existing Snapchat experiences. With a base of 7 million paying users, this marks a significant milestone in the generative AI field. Its success suggests a pivotal strategy shift: instead of solely inventing new experiences, the integration of generative AI to augment existing products could be the key to real wins.

FIGMA IS BETTING ITS AI CAN MAKE MEETINGS LESS TERRIBLE—EVEN WITHOUT ADOBE’S BACKING

Figma has introduced FigJam AI, a set of tools designed to improve meetings and creative processes. These tools, leveraging OpenAI's GPT models, offer functionalities like suggesting meeting icebreakers, summarizing notes, and aiding in brainstorming. Figma's focus on integrating AI into its platform reflects a shift towards enhancing collaboration and creativity in technical and design meetings.

10 STEPS TO BECOMING A GREAT TECHNICAL PARTNER AS A PM

Some key steps to becoming a great technical partner include querying data, practicing browser editing, and understanding client and server sides. Engaging with resources like ByteByteGo and Quastor will help product managers continuously build and learn through hands-on projects.

CANDOR FOR TRUTH SEEKING

The importance of candor and the consequences that may arise when it is missing.

DRAFTING A MURDERBOARD

A must-do exercise for PMs before launching a product.

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IS LTV TO CAC THE NICKELBACK OF SAAS METRICS?

This article looks at LTV to CAC, a flawed yet consistent recipient of misplaced love. Two metrics to consider using instead: CAC Payback Period and Net Dollar Retention.

THE POWER OF VISIONTYPES

True innovation involves turning a vision into a viable product, highlighting the importance of effective leadership, problem discovery, and solution delivery in the product development process. This blog reflects on the significance of product vision.

THE TWO PATHS OF A MANAGER

New managers commonly struggle with micromanagement, which harms trust, and macromanagement, which reduces team effectiveness. Recognizing these issues early, understanding team dynamics, applying intervention frameworks, and becoming a context sponge are key steps for effective management and avoiding crises.

SHOULD PMS BE RESPONSIBLE FOR P&L?

The debate on whether Product Managers should be responsible for P&L highlights the risks of short-term thinking and rushed feature development. It underscores the influence of seniority and market type (B2B vs. B2C) on strategy and decision-making. This thread provides insights on balancing immediate targets against long-term vision.

WHY TRUST IS THE CURRENCY OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

Team trust is vital for the success of any organization because it fosters a safe work environment, promotes open communication, and increases overall productivity. However, trust at work is earned, not given. Leading by example, showing consistency in actions and words, and involving your team in decision-making are some of the strategies to build trust.

COMPETITOR RESEARCH AND STRATEGY

This is the ultimate guide on how to think about and define who your competitors are, understanding how much to care about each one, and what to do with them.

KEY METRICS FOR EVALUATING PRODUCT SUCCESS

This article outlines 8 key metrics that PMs should consider when measuring product success.

TRUTH OR DARE? NOPE. TRUTH = DARE.

Authenticity is about staying true to one’s core values. Even though many companies list authenticity as a key cultural value, it is often interpreted in the corporate context as adhering to the values of the company. This article suggests a three-step approach for navigating the delicate balance of “work-appropriate authenticity”. First, observe behaviors around you. Second, figure out how you feel about these behaviors. Finally, make a decision to either accept it or leave the environment.

READ YOUR WRITING IN A ROBOT VOICE

Effective writing is crucial for workplace collaboration. It is important to make sure your writing will get your recipient to take action and achieve the outcome you want. “The Robot Voice Method” is recommended for ensuring that your message conveys your tone and intent accurately. This method involves reading your own writing in a bland and machine-like voice to mimic the limitations of written communication so that you can perceive the message with greater clarity and identify ways to improve it.

COMPLEX WEB OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT CAREER JOURNEYS

This post maps out the career journeys of product managers, covering both entry points into the PM role as well as exit points from the PM role.

DATA VS. FINDINGS VS. INSIGHTS (3 MINUTE VIDEO)

Data, findings, and insights are three related but distinct concepts. Data refers to unanalyzed user observations. Findings capture patterns among data points. Insights are actionable opportunities based on user research and business context.

DERIVING AUTHENTIC SATISFACTION AS A PRODUCT PERSON

How to find satisfaction as a PM.

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UTILITY EATS VALUE FOR BREAKFAST: ABOUT DIMINISHING MARGINAL UTILITY

Emphasizing utility over value in products, this article uses examples like water vs. milkshakes and Microsoft Excel to illustrate that focusing on utility can solve more meaningful customer problems and unlock revenue. Products with greater utility, even if not the most polished, often win out in the long term.

I ASPIRE TO REGRET HOW WE USED TO WORK

Progress in product development is often non-linear and unpredictable. This article outlines limiting beliefs and provides enabling beliefs as unblockers.

10 TOP LESSONS FOR PRODUCT LEADERS AND CREATORS IN 2023

This article outlines ten key lessons that focus on the value of direct product crafting, efficient small teams, AI-driven user solutions, and self-awareness in career growth. It stresses the importance of understanding AI tools, leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and Threads, and embracing the creator economy for lasting career satisfaction.

ANGER MANAGEMENT MADE ME A BETTER LEADER

Understanding the basics of anger management will make you a better leader and people manager. Reading about anger management is about investing in yourself and becoming more aware of your own emotions so you can be a more thoughtful leader.

LEAH'S LEADERSHIP GUIDE - PART 1: STORYTELLING

Leadership is the art of creating alignment and inspiring people to move. Storytelling is an essential skill for inspiring people. Great storytelling requires helping people understand, believe, and retain what you say.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRODUCT ORG STRUCTURES

How an organization is structured directly affects how decisions are made. This post walks through 11 different product team structures and highlights the pros and cons of each structure. There is no one-size-fits-all, because the most suitable structure for a company depends on the company stage, the experience of talent, industry of the ppproduct, and business goals.

HOW TO WRITE A PRODUCT STRATEGY IN 1 DAY / 1 WEEK / 1 MONTH

This article emphasizes the importance of focusing on high-impact tasks and outlines a seven-step process for strategy development: defining objectives, understanding users, leveraging superpowers, creating a vision, establishing pillars, assessing impact, and formulating a roadmap.

47 BOOKS TO ROCK THE PRODUCT WORLD

This is a list of book recommendations that covers a wide range of topics, including innovation, business, frameworks, product management, and communications. Definitely check it out if reading more product books is on your New ppppYear's resolutions list!

IS GOOGLE GETTING DISRUPTED IN AI?

Google seems to have taken a follower approach rather than a leader approach in AI innovations so far. The innovator’s dilemma and disruptive innovation theory are two concepts that could explain the reasons behind this. It is still too early to write off Google in the AI race, but there are clear signs of “slow movement of incumbent” problems that Google needs to tackle and overcome.

STRATEGIES FOR BECOMING LESS DISTRACTED AND IMPROVING FOCUS (85 MINUTE PODCAST)

In this podcast, Nir Eyal, author of "Hooked" and "Indistractable," offers strategies to enhance focus and reduce distractions. He suggests delaying distractions, using a calendar over to-do lists, and employing pacts for commitment. His approach emphasizes aligning tasks with personal values and fostering a mindset of high agency.

TEN OF THE FUNNIEST GROWTH MEMES

11 funny product growth memes that will lighten up your day!

BOOK THESE 5 RECURRING MEETINGS WITH YOURSELF AS A PRODUCT MANAGER

Product managers should schedule recurring meetings for strategic planning, user feedback review, team alignment checks, data and analytics deep dives, and personal development.

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PRODUCT PREDICTIONS 2024

This post shares 10 predictions for product in 2024. Topics range from product roles to trajectories of team processes, to how generative AI will influence PM. It calls out hopes, worries, and uncertainties heading into 2024.

WE HAVE TO SUPPORT EVERY LINE OF PRODUCTION CODE FOREVER

In the rush to secure enterprise deals, there can be a tendency to underestimate the long-term costs of accommodating one-off customer requests and specialized features. Despite the significant short-term gains for the sales team, the often overlooked ongoing expenses for product, engineering, and support can accumulate, leading to productivity issues and a potential impact on overall R&D efficiency.

LOOK BACK TO LEAP AHEAD: 7 QUESTIONS FOR YOUR END OF YEAR REFLECTION

Reflecting on the closing year is an essential exercise, encompassing both quantitative metrics and intangible accomplishments. Evaluating the efficacy of projects, revamping meetings for productivity, aligning priorities, seeking impactful feedback, recognizing shifts in your role, and contemplating readiness for a career move are key aspects to consider in setting oneself up for success in the coming year.

SIX TYPES OF COMPETITION THAT YOU MUST BE AWARE OF

Understanding who and what your real competition is can be critical in defining a product strategy. Direct competition, alternative products, in-house development, manual solutions, on-paper competitors, and doing nothing are all forms of competition that should be taken into consideration when building a winning product strategy.

DEPENDENCIES IN FAST(ER) GROWING COMPANIES

This article addresses dependency challenges in faster-growing companies, where scaling intensifies issues. As organizations expand, the widening gap between those doing the work and goal setters leads to increased cognitive load, conflicting priorities, and challenges in decision-making, affecting speed, trust, and information flow. The core problem is managing dependencies in fast-paced, growing environments without succumbing to premature convergence and trust issues.

WHY PEOPLE MIGHT NOT WANT YOUR PRODUCT (EVEN IF IT SAVES THOUSANDS OF LIVES)

Everett Rogers' "Diffusion of Innovations" highlights five key factors for successful tech innovation adoption: relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, trialability, and observability. Addressing these factors is crucial for bridging the gap between early adopters and the broader market.

THE BEST OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT GPT

This resource covers a variety of GPTs with a range of purposes, from daily PM tasks to interview preparation, to enhancing technical/design skills.

THE ESSENCE OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT (90 MINUTE PODCAST)

This article explores the product manager's role in creating valuable, usable, viable, and feasible products. It emphasizes the significance of engaging with reference customers for product-market fit and addresses the often negative perception of product management due to premature promotions and inadequate leadership exposure.

HOW TO BUILD AN EFFECTIVE TRIAL FOR YOUR PRODUCT

MANAGING ACQUISITIONS

Product leaders should focus on how a potential acquisition will enhance their product line, as seen in TripAdvisor's strategy of acquiring startups for different phases of its growth. It's essential to be aware of the risks and challenges, including overpaying and integration issues, and to adopt a "pull" rather than "push" approach, allowing the acquired company's leadership to make key integration decisions.

7 FALLACIES AND BIASES THAT PRODUCT FOLKS FALL PREY TO

This post highlights 7 biases that PMs can fall prey to: tailwinds fallacy, comparative overestimation bias, the curse of knowledge, uniformity bias, static needs fallacy, attribution bias, and alignment fallacy.