Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

Brandon Chu, VP of Product at Shopify, shares insights from his career journey, from aspiring astronaut to leading product management at a major e-commerce platform. He discusses the crucial skills that elevate product managers, including the power of writing for professional growth. Brandon also reveals how Shopify adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing resilience and innovation. Plus, he explores the surprises and dynamics of being a platform PM, making for a compelling discussion about the intersection of creativity and strategy in product management.

Elena Verna, a seasoned growth leader with experience at Miro, SurveyMonkey, and Amplitude, dives into the evolving landscape of B2B growth. She discusses the critical shift towards product-led growth and the benefits of adopting a freemium model over trials. Elena shares insights on integrating product-led and sales-led strategies and highlights how companies can adapt their growth tactics as they scale. With her data-driven approach, she emphasizes the importance of hiring for growth internally and the need for effective user engagement to sustain success.

Gibson Biddle, former VP of Product at Netflix and CPO at Chegg, shares his wealth of knowledge about product leadership and strategy. He discusses his DHM model for product strategy and the GEM prioritization framework, revealing insights on optimizing for success. Gibson dives into his Netflix case studies, balancing customer delight with business needs, and offers advice on building a personal board of directors for career growth. He also highlights daily habits that differentiate good product managers from great ones.

Jackie Bavaro, author of "Cracking the PM Interview" and former Head of Product at Asana, shares her journey from product management at Google to leading teams at Asana. She dives into the essence of product strategy, breaking down its key components and common pitfalls for PMs. Jackie discusses the importance of mentorship, how to improve strategic thinking, and her best career advice for aspiring managers. She also emphasizes the value of hard work over titles and shares must-read recommendations for product managers.

Gokul Rajaram, a key executive at DoorDash with a rich history at Square, Facebook, and Google, shares invaluable insights into product management and career growth. He discusses the ideal product development process for early-stage companies and when to hire your first product manager. Gokul highlights the benefits of joining mid-stage companies for career advancement and emphasizes building strong founder relationships as an angel investor. His tips on effective hiring strategies and the value of passion in work make for an engaging and informative conversation.

April Dunford, author of "Obviously Awesome," shares her rich expertise in product positioning, backed by 25 years in marketing and consulting for giants like Google and IBM. She defines effective positioning and reveals how weak positioning can undermine strong products. Learn the five essential steps to refine your product's identity, the difference between segmentation and personas, and the necessity of clear differentiation in B2B sales. April's insights aim to empower teams to communicate value and optimize their sales processes effectively.

Shreyas Doshi, a product leader with experience at Google, Twitter, Yahoo, and Stripe, shares invaluable insights on product management and strategy. He introduces the concept of pre-mortems to foresee potential issues, shedding light on how this practice influenced Stripe's culture. The discussion also covers the LNO framework for effective prioritization and the three levels of product work, emphasizing the importance of aligning team goals. Shreyas argues that many execution problems stem from underlying strategic misalignments, advocating for a more holistic approach in leadership.

Julie Zhuo, co-founder of Sundial and former VP of Design at Facebook, shares her journey from product designer to leadership. She discusses overcoming impostor syndrome and the challenges of transitioning to startup life. Listeners will learn effective strategies for developing product sense and the balance between intuition and data in decision-making. Julie also highlights the importance of writing in her career and offers insights on hiring designers in a competitive market, emphasizing the value of community and relationships.

The podcast kicks off with an exciting introduction, highlighting its mission to provide actionable insights for product development and growth. Lenny interviews top leaders in the field, bringing their expertise directly to listeners. Expect tips on building and launching successful products, paired with strategies for sustained growth. Community engagement is encouraged, setting the tone for an interactive experience. It's a promising start for anyone looking to elevate their product game!