Next Gen Builders Empathy-Driven Growth with Peter Yang, Principal Product Manager at Roblox
On this episode of Next Gen Builders, Francois is joined by Peter Yang, Principal Product Manager at Roblox, the game platform and creation system that allows users to play a wide variety of games, create games, and chat with others online.
Peter shares how he transitioned from investment banking to product management, why he believes the customer is his most important team member, and how others can stay ahead of emerging technologies.
Throughout the conversation, Peter stresses that talking to customers should be an ongoing process from ideation to launch. This approach not only helps in de-risking products but also ensures that the product meets actual customer needs. Emphasizing that customer empathy is not just a metric but a genuine connection, Peter advises new PMs to think beyond internal advancements and focus on creating products with tangible value for users.
Francois and Peter discuss practical advice for product managers and builders looking to integrate customer feedback seamlessly into their workflows. He shares techniques such as using AI for summarizing customer feedback, editing content, and brainstorming, which can save considerable time and make the customer feedback loop more efficient. Additionally, Peter discusses the need for a PM to understand the entire customer journey, to think creatively, and to break down organizational silos that often hinder product success.
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Guest Bio
Peter Yang is a prominent voice in the product space and is currently the Principal Product Lead at Roblox. With over a decade of experience in product management and marketing, Yang has built an impressive career at companies like Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, Credit Karma, and Reddit.
At Roblox, Yang focuses on creator success, working to build a future where anyone can create immersive experiences. He has established himself as a thought leader in the product management and creator economy spaces, running a popular newsletter called "Creator Economy" with over 80,000 subscribers, where he shares practical guides and expert interviews to help others level up as product leaders and creators. Yang's focus on helping others take control of their craft, time, and future through product development, AI utilization, and personal branding has made him a respected voice in the industry.
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Guest Quote
“Bottom line, you want to deliver something that you feel proud of when you look back 10 years from now on your career. I want to be able to point to a few products that actually had a big impact and made people's lives better.” – Peter Yang
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Time Stamps
*(01:37) Peter's journey and transition into product management
*(04:15) Marketing vs. product roles: Similarities and differences
*(08:08) Peter's key lessons learned
*(11:45) Coaching PMs for success
*(13:10) Evolution of the PM role
*(15:30) Biggest challenges for PMs
*(16:51) Measuring customer engagement
*(19:22) Customers as your most important team members
*(27:30) Product as a craft
*(32:50) Impact of AI on product
*(38:37) Staying ahead of emerging technologies
*(40:07) Future of the product craft
*(42:11) Advice for product builders
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Links