Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

Bill Carr, co-author of 'Working Backwards' and former Amazon executive, shares insights from over 15 years inside the tech giant. He explores the 'working backwards' methodology and how it prioritizes customer needs in product development. Carr discusses the value of 'single-threaded leaders' and Amazon's rigorous product review process. He emphasizes the 'disagree and commit' approach for better decision-making and illustrates how fostering a culture of risk-taking drives innovation. Additionally, he highlights unique hiring practices that improve success rates of new employees.

Eric Ries, the creator of the Lean Startup methodology and founder of the Long-Term Stock Exchange, dives deep into startup culture. He discusses common misconceptions about Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and the importance of adapting through failures. Ries also shares his insights on the role of AI in product development and emphasizes aligning company governance with ethical values. Listeners will appreciate his journey from startups to advocating for long-term strategies, all while stressing the value of customer feedback and adaptability.

Paul Adams, Chief Product Officer at Intercom, shares his extensive experience in product strategy. He delivers practical tips for integrating AI into organizations, emphasizing its impact on product development. Adams humorously recounts a nerve-wracking keynote moment that turned into a lesson in resilience, alongside insights from his tenure at Google and Facebook. He discusses learning from failures, navigating team dynamics while adopting AI, and the intricacies of pricing strategy, highlighting the need for adapting to customer needs and ongoing engagement.

April Dunford, best-selling author and VP of Marketing, dives into effective sales pitching strategies with rich insights from her books. She explores the importance of storytelling in pitches, emphasizing how to connect with customer pain points. April reveals a structured framework for crafting pitches that stand out and successfully navigate buyer indecision. Listeners learn to combat objections, the value of collaboration between teams, and why avoiding FOMO in sales is crucial for success. A wealth of practical tips awaits!

Gina Gotthilf, co-founder and COO of Latitud, previously drove Duolingo's growth from 3 million to 200 million users. She shares invaluable insights into Duolingo's expansion strategies and the critical balance between successes and failures in the tech world. Gina discusses the robust opportunities within Latin America's tech scene and how community and PR can catalyze startup growth. Her journey highlights the importance of resilience, effective branding through humor, and the role of privilege in fostering educational advancements in the region.

Katie Dill, Head of Design at Stripe and former design leader at Airbnb and Lyft, shares her insights on creating beautiful and functional products. She discusses the importance of collaboration between design and engineering to enhance user experience. Katie highlights a pivotal leadership lesson learned at Airbnb, emphasizing trust and open feedback. She also shares strategies for building effective design teams and nurturing innovation, while stressing the need for quality in driving business growth.

In this engaging discussion, Jason Feifer, Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur magazine, shares invaluable insights on securing press coverage for your product. He emphasizes the importance of understanding a publication's mission and why tailored communication, especially with freelance writers, can increase your chances of being featured. Learn when to invest in PR, how to craft the perfect pitch, and why personal narratives often resonate more than corporate success stories. Jason's practical tips will help startups navigate the media landscape effectively.

Karri Saarinen, co-founder and CEO of Linear, shares insights from his impressive background, including design leadership at Airbnb and Coinbase. He discusses the importance of prioritizing craft in product development and how Linear’s unique hiring strategies set them apart. Karri reveals how the company operates with just one PM and emphasizes that good design is essential in today’s market. He offers strategies for maintaining focus amidst distractions while providing a sneak peek of an upcoming feature that enhances team communication.

Brian Balfour, founder and CEO of Reforge and former VP of Growth at HubSpot, shares ten pivotal lessons from his career journey. He highlights the importance of viewing growth as a system interconnected with acquisition, retention, and monetization. Brian discusses using specific use cases to understand customer needs better, challenging traditional personas. He also emphasizes documenting contributions, finding sparring partners for mutual growth, and recognizing that problems are perpetual yet manageable. His insights blend professional wisdom with personal anecdotes, making for an engaging discussion.

Lane Shackleton, CPO of Coda and former Google and YouTube product specialist, shares his journey from Alaskan climbing guide to tech leader. He discusses the principles that set great product managers apart, emphasizing trust and shared experiences. Lane introduces innovative team rituals and the concept of two-way write-ups to enhance collaboration. He also reflects on the impact of public endorsements, like Tim Ferriss's newsletter, in shaping startup trajectories. The conversation is packed with insights on career growth and effective communication in product development.