Lenny's Podcast: Product | Career | Growth

Brendan Foody, CEO and co-founder of Mercor, discusses his company's meteoric rise from $1M to $500M in just 17 months, making him the youngest American unicorn founder at 22. He reveals how AI evals have become a critical bottleneck for innovation, and the unique skills that will remain in demand as AI evolves. Brendan shares insights from his pivotal meeting with xAI, the core values that drive Mercor's success, and his skepticism about the timeline for general AI. Get ready for a deep dive into the future of work in an AI-driven economy!

Ethan Smith, CEO of Graphite and a veteran in SEO, unpacks the new frontier of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). He reveals that ChatGPT traffic converts six times better than traditional search, presenting an untapped opportunity for startups. Hear his 7-step playbook for ranking in AI-driven results and the power of landing pages, YouTube videos, and authentic Reddit engagement. Smith also warns against spammy tactics and emphasizes the ROI of help-center content. This conversation is packed with strategies for leveraging AI for product visibility!

Ben Horowitz, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, shares invaluable insights from his journey in venture capital, management, and leadership. He discusses the perils of 'founder mode' and why running toward fear can be crucial for success. Horowitz reveals key traits of failing CEOs and explores AI's enormous potential in startups. He also reflects on his philanthropic efforts supporting hip-hop artists through the Paid in Full Foundation, celebrating their contributions while emphasizing the lessons learned from music and culture.

Ezinne Udezue, CPO at WP Engine and a veteran in product leadership, joins her husband Oji Udezue, CPO at Calendly, to discuss the rapid evolution of product management in the age of AI. They share insights from their 50 years of combined experience, including the necessity for curiosity and adaptability in PMs. The 'shipyard' framework is unveiled, emphasizing the controlled chaos that fosters innovation. They candidly explore how AI integration demands deeper involvement and collaboration among teams, revealing that PMs are now the bottleneck in rapid development.

Howie Liu, the co-founder and CEO of Airtable, leads a discussion on the company’s radical shift towards AI integration. He explains his innovative team structure that marries 'fast thinking' and 'slow thinking' to enhance productivity. Howie shares his commitment to using AI hourly and emphasizes the need for CEOs to be hands-on in the AI era. He advocates for playful experimentation with AI tools and reveals the vital skills needed for product teams to thrive in this new landscape. Tune in for insights on navigating misinformation and fostering a culture of innovation.

Asha Sharma, CVP of AI Platform at Microsoft, has a rich background as COO at Instacart and VP of Product at Meta. In this discussion, she shares the exciting transition from viewing products as static artifacts to dynamic organisms. Asha predicts that by 2026, AI agents will outnumber human employees, reshaping organizational structures. She reveals Microsoft’s innovative planning framework and discusses the rising prominence of post-training investment. Additionally, Asha touches on the evolving landscape of product management and the shift from GUIs to code-native interfaces.

Garrett Lord, co-founder and CEO of Handshake, shares how his career network evolved into a powerful data-labeling business tapping into a vast network of academic experts. He discusses the crucial role of expert data in training AI models, illustrating how PhDs help make models like GPT-5 smarter. The transformation from generalist to specialist labeling has opened new business opportunities. Garrett also touches on the collaboration with AI labs, and how AI technology enhances productivity, likening it to giving junior employees 'Iron Man suits.'

Eoghan McCabe, founder and CEO of Intercom, shares insights on transforming the company into an AI-first powerhouse. He reveals the challenges of pivoting from a plateauing SaaS model, emphasizing how the launch of ChatGPT spurred innovation. Eoghan discusses the tough decisions that led to a staff reduction but resulted in higher employee satisfaction. He also highlights the new pricing model of just $0.99 per resolved ticket and the cultural shifts necessary to thrive in an AI-driven market, underscoring the importance of adaptability in today's tech landscape.

Brian Balfour, founder of Reforge and former VP of Growth at HubSpot, dives into the transformative potential of ChatGPT as a distribution platform. He reveals a four-step cycle that platforms undergo, explaining why ChatGPT has just entered a crucial phase. Balfour emphasizes the urgent need for companies to integrate with ChatGPT or risk falling behind. He shares insights from past platform shifts, illustrating how early movers like Zynga capitalized on Facebook’s rise, and stresses the importance of adapting quickly in today’s fast-paced market.

Matt LeMay, a prominent product leader and author, draws from his extensive experience to discuss the crucial question that can predict team survival in layoffs. He reveals how adhering strictly to so-called best practices can lead to irrelevance. Listeners will discover strategies to align product efforts with business objectives, navigate challenges without saying 'no,' and the importance of curiosity in team dynamics. He also shares a personal anecdote about a controversial music review that shaped his views on accountability and creativity in product management.