Scott Belsky, founder of Behance and Chief Product Officer at Adobe, dives deep into the world of creativity and investment. He candidly discusses the often-overlooked struggles of the 'messy middle' in entrepreneurship. Belsky shares strategies for balancing professional responsibilities and personal well-being. The conversation also touches on the evolution of tech design and the importance of building meaningful relationships in the industry. Get ready for insights that blend creativity with savvy investment strategies!
Prioritize core features to enhance product functionality.
Empathy for customers' struggles is key in building successful products.
Exploring alternative marketplace models, such as blockchain-driven solutions, can revolutionize the industry.
Deep dives
The Importance of Focusing on Core Features
When shipping multiple features, it is important to prioritize the core ones that are used the most. By eliminating unnecessary and less frequently used features, the main functionality of the product becomes more prominent and receives more attention.
The Power of Empathy for Customers' Problems
Having empathy for the customers' struggles and understanding their problems is crucial for building successful products. Instead of focusing solely on one's passion for a solution, it is essential to deeply understand and address the needs and challenges faced by the customers.
The Shift to Future Operating Systems and Interfaces
In a constantly evolving technological landscape, the potential for future operating systems that leverage advancements like artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and context-driven interfaces are immense. Rethinking the traditional app-driven model and exploring new ways to provide superpower-like features within the operating system itself could be a game-changer in user experiences.
Creating Sustainable Marketplaces
Traditional marketplace models that heavily tax transactions may not be sustainable in the long run. Exploring alternative models, such as blockchain-driven solutions, that prioritize fair value distribution and reduce unnecessary middlemen can revolutionize the marketplace landscape.
Constant Learning and Curiosity
The importance of continuous learning, embracing curiosity, and seeking knowledge from a wide range of sources, such as curated social media feeds and podcasts, cannot be underestimated. Cultivating a diverse range of interests and perspectives helps foster innovation and stay ahead of the curve.
We've got a different flavor today for you. We sat down with Scott Belsky (@scottbelsky) join us today and instead of hearing his backstory, we bounced around a bunch of topics. Scott has done it all. He's been a founder (Behance), angel investor (Uber, Pinterest), VC (Benchmark), Tech Executive (CPO of Adobe currently), and Author (The Messy Middle). So sit back, grab a salad (cause we're healthy in 2020) and enjoy this conversation.