Product Rising Non-PM Advice Every Product Leader Needs: A Product-Market Fit Conversation with Rob Snyder
This is a must-listen episode for any founders, especially those using “AI Agentic Coding” or “Vibe Coding” to quickly build concepts and now need to think about finding product-market fit. Even if you’re an experienced PM, you’re bound to expand your aperture and understanding of the “path to PMF” with this episode.
In this episode, we sit down with Rob Snyder, a two-time founder and current fellow at Harvard Innovation Lab, to discuss his unique approach to finding product-market fit. Rob shares his journey from McKinsey and Harvard Business School to the realities of startup life, emphasizing the challenges and lessons learned in the 'pain cave.' We delve into the importance of understanding true customer demand, avoiding common discovery pitfalls, and the real meaning of pivoting. Rob also offers insights into his bootcamp and one-on-one coaching for early-stage founders, illustrating how to extract actionable insights from sales calls and get on the same side of the table with potential customers. This conversation is a must-watch for product managers and founders navigating the complexities of the zero-to-one phase of product development.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
02:39 Rob Snyder's Background and Journey
04:54 The Importance of Product Market Fit
08:42 Understanding Customer Demand
14:55 Discovery and Validation in Startups
19:48 Navigating Pivots and Iterations
23:32 Introduction to Founder Sales
25:02 Challenges Founders Face with Sales
26:45 Effective Sales Strategies
28:31 Bootcamp for Founders
31:38 Coaching and Real-World Examples
35:48 The Role of AI in Sales Discovery
38:00 Finding Product-Market Fit
44:27 Working with Rob and Final Thoughts
📚Resources:
✨Where to find Rob:
💫 Where to find Cassie:
At Cassie Camp - Learn more about product leadership coaching and fractional product leadership
🙋🏻♀️Where to find Women in Product:
Website https://womenpm.org/
Join the Community https://womenpm.org/wip-community/