The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

20Product: Why Process is Killing Your Product Team and How to Remove it | Three Product Decisions Every Team Needs to Make | Why the Best Companies Build Movements and Lessons from Shopify and Atlassian on How to Do It Right with Jean-Michel Lemieux

Mar 20, 2024

Jean-Michel Lemieux shares insights on building movements over products at Shopify & Atlassian. Discusses product team leadership, decision-making, and hiring strategies. Highlights balancing speed vs. quality, avoiding unnecessary processes, and creating a culture of efficiency in product development. Explores challenges in transitioning to startup life, navigating product marketing, and Shopify's strategy for catering to small and large merchants.

01:04:56

Creator website

Episode guests

Jean-Michel Lemieux

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Highlights

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Balancing planning and execution is crucial to prevent time horizon friction and maintain development momentum.

Prioritizing quality over speed in decision-making leads to better outcomes and long-term success for organizations.

Using the snowboard test to evaluate candidates' intrinsic motivations can aid in making successful hiring decisions and aligning strengths with company objectives.

Deep dives

Understanding Time Horizon Friction and Process

Time horizon friction, also known as the delay caused by excessive planning processes, can hinder team productivity. Rushing into detailed planning may result in more meetings and less actual work being done. It is vital to strike a balance between planning and execution to maintain momentum in the development process.

Measuring Progress and Avoiding Process Bottlenecks in Product Development

03:00

Uncovering Instincts and Skills Through Teaching

00:42

Importance of Micro-alignments and Constant Communication in Onboarding Process

01:22

Exploring the Future of AI and Coding in Product Development

01:38

Introduction

4min

Exploring the Intersection of Technology, Creativity, and Career Trajectory

10min

Balancing Speed and Quality in Product Development

19min

Revolutionizing the Hiring Process

12min

Exploring the Future of AI in Coding and Team Dynamics

8min

Challenges and Rewards of Transitioning to Startup Life and Trying New Products

2min

Navigating Challenges in Startup Growth and Product Marketing

6min

Shopify's Product Strategy: Balancing Small and Large Merchants

5min

Jean-Michel Lemieux is one of the OGs of engineering and product having been the CTO at Shopify and the VP Engineering at Atlassian. Jean-Michel helped grow both Shopify and Atlassian from single-product to multi-product companies and led the building of their platforms.

In Today’s Episode with Jean-Michel Lemieux We Discuss:

From band class to Shopify CTO

How did Jean-Michel make his way into the world of product?
What were Jean-Michel’s biggest lessons from his time at Atlassian & Shopify?
How are Shopify & Atlassian the same? How are they different?
Why does Jean-Michel think Shopify could have been 10x bigger?

Building the Perfect Product

How does Atlassian & Shopify build movements instead of product?
What does Jean-Michel know now that he wishes he had known before he joined Atlassian & Shopify?
How does Jean-Michel balance between shipping speed vs. quality?
Why does JM think scrums and TDDs are BS? How did his last year at Shopify change his approach in product development?
What is a time horizon friction? And how does it impact teams?

How to Lead a Product Team:

What is micro alignment, and why does Jean-Michel think it is so important?
What 3 types of decisions every team makes?
What does Jean-Michel think are the most common reasons teams become average? How does he prevent it?
What do Jean-Michel think are the most common mistakes CEOs make today?

Hiring the Best Product Team:

How does Jean-Michel structure the interview process for new product hires?
What signals does Jean-Michel look out for when hiring? Why does he believe experience does not matter?
What are Jean-Michel’s biggest hiring mistakes? What were his lessons?
What are 2 of the most common mistakes founders make when hiring a product team?

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The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

20Product: Why Process is Killing Your Product Team and How to Remove it | Three Product Decisions Every Team Needs to Make | Why the Best Companies Build Movements and Lessons from Shopify and Atlassian on How to Do It Right with Jean-Michel Lemieux

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Understanding Time Horizon Friction and Process

Prioritizing Quality over Speed in Decision-Making

Snowboard Test: Assessing Natural Instincts in Hiring

Buying Time in the Hiring Process for Better Decisions

CEO's Continuous Networking Strategy for Future Collaborations

The Evolution of Software Development with AI Co-Pilots

Measuring Progress and Avoiding Process Bottlenecks in Product Development

Uncovering Instincts and Skills Through Teaching

Importance of Micro-alignments and Constant Communication in Onboarding Process

Exploring the Future of AI and Coding in Product Development

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

Share
& Export

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

20Product: Why Process is Killing Your Product Team and How to Remove it | Three Product Decisions Every Team Needs to Make | Why the Best Companies Build Movements and Lessons from Shopify and Atlassian on How to Do It Right with Jean-Michel Lemieux

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Understanding Time Horizon Friction and Process

Prioritizing Quality over Speed in Decision-Making

Snowboard Test: Assessing Natural Instincts in Hiring

Buying Time in the Hiring Process for Better Decisions

CEO's Continuous Networking Strategy for Future Collaborations

The Evolution of Software Development with AI Co-Pilots

Measuring Progress and Avoiding Process Bottlenecks in Product Development

Uncovering Instincts and Skills Through Teaching

Importance of Micro-alignments and Constant Communication in Onboarding Process

Exploring the Future of AI and Coding in Product Development

Get the Snipdpodcast app

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Save anymoment

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Discoverhighlights

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