Product Hits: September 30, 2024

Every week, I share three great product resources from a variety of perspectives. Let's dive in!

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​The Cold Start Problem by Arthi Vijayaraghavan

Arthi Vijayaraghavan (VP of Product at OJO) discusses Andrew Chen’s book The Cold Start Problem with Bobby Burns (VP of Product at Indeed). Burns shares how he applied the book to his product journey, highlighting the interplay between marketplace design and economic value creation.

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​High Impact Moments by Victor Cheng

Victor Cheng, VP of Product at LivePerson, notes that 80% of success comes from 20% of efforts, especially in high-leverage moments like public speaking. He identifies that public presentations tend to be pivotal in shaping PM careers. For product managers, Cheng advises recognizing these high-impact opportunities, preparing thoroughly, and delivering insights with confidence to drive exceptional career outcomes.

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​Leveraging Gamification to Achieve Your Goals by Deb Liu

Deb Liu, CEO of Ancestry.com, highlights how gamification techniques can be used to drive product adoption, boost work productivity, and improve personal efficiency. By applying game-inspired tools like badges, streaks, and rewards, product teams can increase engagement and foster positive user behaviors. However, Liu also cautions against negative gamification, advising product managers to harness these techniques intentionally while minimizing distractions.

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Behind the Scenes

Hey there, it’s Clement! It seems like everyone’s racing to launch the next big thing, but losing sight of the mission: to durably solve customer pain over years & decades.

That’s why lately, I’ve been thinking about the idea of “slow tech.” What if we hit the pause button and took a more thoughtful approach?

Slow tech (much like the “slow food” movement) isn't about moving at a snail's pace. Rather, my ask is whether we should take a more thoughtful & deliberate approach to product development. After all, wouldn’t it be nice if we prioritized quality, sustainability, and intentional design over the rush to be first to market?

When we slow down, we have the space to focus on the details that truly matter. Think about companies like Patagonia or even the resurgence of vinyl records.

These aren’t just products. They place a high value on durability and thoughtful design. And incredibly, they generate significant revenue without needing a ton of “innovation.”

Let's look at a software example: Sublime Text. This text editor has been around for years, and it's still beloved by developers.

Why? They don't chase trends or push out constant updates.

Instead, they focus on what matters: speed, stability, and user experience. When they do update, it's meaningful. It's a great reminder that in tech, slower can sometimes mean stronger.

For your next planning session, consider whether it’s worth slowing down to get things right. Sometimes, the best innovation isn’t about being the fastest, but about being the most deliberate.

With love,
Clement

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