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Supra Insider

#31: What Product Teams Get Wrong about User Research | Alexander Hanthorn (Staff PM @ Drift)

Oct 14, 2024
Alexander Hanthorn, Staff Product Manager at Drift, shares his wealth of user research knowledge from his time at companies like Taco Bell and TripleByte. He discusses scrappy research methods for startups and the need to look beyond surface-level feedback to understand true user motivations. The conversation delves into the role of AI in enhancing user research and the importance of teamwork among product teams. Alex emphasizes balancing intuition with data and practical strategies for effective research, making this a treasure trove of insights for product managers and founders.
01:05:59

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Product managers must discern between qualitative and quantitative research approaches depending on decision stakes and resource constraints.
  • The five whys technique is crucial for uncovering true user motivations, contrasting with surface-level questioning that leads to superficial insights.

Deep dives

The Importance of User Research in Product Management

User research plays a critical role in guiding product development by helping teams understand user motivations and preferences. The conversation emphasizes the need for product managers to be able to discern when to conduct user research and what type is most appropriate, whether it's qualitative or quantitative. It highlights the common misconception that precision is necessary when often, sufficient insights can come from simpler methods. The speaker shares insights from their experience at Taco Bell, illustrating how different types of research can lead to innovative products when applied correctly.

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