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24. Product Management in Founder-Led Startups with David Lifson

The Estee Show - Product Management & Business Insights

Release Date: 05/01/2024

46. The Israel-Gaza War with Uri Kurlianchik show art 46. The Israel-Gaza War with Uri Kurlianchik

The Estee Show - Product Management & Business Insights

Understanding the Israel-Gaza Conflict: A Deep Dive with Uri   In this episode, we dive into a passionate discussion with Uri on the nuanced and complex Israel-Gaza conflict. The conversation covers the contentious hostage deal, the nature of war versus police operations, and the broader implications of the conflict. Uri provides historical context, comparing current events to World War II and other historical conflicts, and critiques the goals and strategies of both Israel and Gaza. The discussion also explores the political landscape in Israel, including the role of the Supreme Court...

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45. Understanding the H1B Visa with Rachel Windzberg show art 45. Understanding the H1B Visa with Rachel Windzberg

The Estee Show - Product Management & Business Insights

Navigating the Complex World of H1B Visas: Insights and Experiences Join Estee and Rachel as they delve into the intricate world of H1B visas, sharing personal experiences and discussing the contentious debate surrounding this critical immigration program. From the perspectives of employers and employees to the lottery system and potential reforms, this episode sheds light on the advantages, challenges, and future of the H1B visa in the United States. Discover the nuances of being on an H1B visa, the impact on spouses, and potential improvements to ensure America continues to attract the best...

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44. Understanding Employer-Insurance Dynamics with Masoud Assali show art 44. Understanding Employer-Insurance Dynamics with Masoud Assali

The Estee Show - Product Management & Business Insights

AI and the Future of Work: An In-Depth Conversation with Masoud Assali In this episode of the Estee Show, Estee sits down with Masoud Assali, a staff product manager at Intuit, to discuss the intricate relationship between employers and health insurance in the U.S. and the broader impact of artificial intelligence on employment. Estee and Masoud delve into the increasing healthcare costs, the historical context of employer-provided insurance, and the implications of AI-powered prototyping on the job market. Alongside these themes, they explore the potential future of work, emphasizing how AI...

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43. Unpacking Antisemitism on College Campuses with Shai Goldman show art 43. Unpacking Antisemitism on College Campuses with Shai Goldman

The Estee Show - Product Management & Business Insights

In this episode, Estee and Shai delve into the unsettling rise of antisemitism on college campuses since the fall of last year, triggered by chants and protests calling for violence against Jews. They discuss a significant Congressional hearing involving leaders from top universities and their controversial stance on whether such chants violate school policies. The conversation includes an exploration of the ideological environment within universities, comparing it to the educational values in Orthodox yeshivas. The guest shares insights from his experience at Columbia University and reflects...

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42. The Paradox of Service: Can Great CX Mean No Service at All? With Ben Segal show art 42. The Paradox of Service: Can Great CX Mean No Service at All? With Ben Segal

The Estee Show - Product Management & Business Insights

Transforming Customer Experience: Insights from Ben Siegel In this episode, we explore the critical role of customer experience (CX) in business success with Ben Siegel. The discussion highlights the importance of integrating CX with product management, engineering, and marketing to create a cohesive customer-first approach. Ben emphasizes the significance of empathy, proactive service, and strategic investment in CX to not only retain customers but also to create brand ambassadors. Through real-life examples and actionable insights, Ben demonstrates how exceptional customer service can...

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41. Bad Managers and How Not to Be One with Rachel Windzberg and Dave Lifson show art 41. Bad Managers and How Not to Be One with Rachel Windzberg and Dave Lifson

The Estee Show - Product Management & Business Insights

Mastering the Art of Management: Insights, Challenges, and Strategies   In this comprehensive episode, we delve deep into the multifaceted world of management. Drawing from personal experiences and professional journeys, Rachel, David, and other speakers examine the defining traits of good and bad managers, highlighting the impact on mental health and job satisfaction. They stress the importance of trust, clarity, and genuine care in manager-employee relationships and explore how effective one-on-one meetings can boost team dynamics and psychological safety. The conversation also touches...

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40. Inside Fitbod: Habit Building in Fitness Tech with Josh Gnanayutham show art 40. Inside Fitbod: Habit Building in Fitness Tech with Josh Gnanayutham

The Estee Show - Product Management & Business Insights

Unlocking the Future of Fitness with Josh from FitBod   Join us in this exciting episode as we sit down with Josh, a seasoned product manager with an impressive background in consumer tech, to explore the innovative world of FitBod. Discover how Josh's passion for weightlifting shaped his career and led him to FitBod, an app revolutionizing the way we approach strength training. Josh shares his insights on habit formation in fitness, the key features of FitBod, the role of AI in personalizing workouts, and the future of fitness apps. Perfect for tech enthusiasts and fitness buffs alike,...

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39. Weightlifting Insights from a Product Manager with Arianna Hoffman show art 39. Weightlifting Insights from a Product Manager with Arianna Hoffman

The Estee Show - Product Management & Business Insights

From Fitness Class to Weightlifting: Ariana's Journey and Insights on Health and Tech In this episode, Ariana shares her transformation from a sedentary college student diagnosed with Lyme disease to a committed weightlifting enthusiast and product manager. She discusses the myths around weightlifting, especially for women, and emphasizes the importance of incorporating strength training for long-term bone health. Ariana also provides insights into her career path, the pros and cons of fitness technology, and her experience as a personal trainer. The episode touches on broader health topics,...

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38. The Anti-AI vs. Pro-AI Debate with Shane Ursani show art 38. The Anti-AI vs. Pro-AI Debate with Shane Ursani

The Estee Show - Product Management & Business Insights

Navigating the Shifting Job Market and AI's Impact with Shane & Estee   In this episode, Estee welcomes Shane, a director of engineering and AI enthusiast, to discuss the volatile job market and the profound impact of AI on the tech industry. They delve into the hiring booms and busts from 2022 to 2024, the intricacies of AI integration in companies, and the emergence of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot. They also explore the future of job roles, the significance of proprietary data, fundraising trends, and speculate on new AI-driven innovations. Tune in for a deep...

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37. Deep Dive into Fractional Product Management with Aakash Gupta show art 37. Deep Dive into Fractional Product Management with Aakash Gupta

The Estee Show - Product Management & Business Insights

  Unlocking the Power of Fractional Product Leadership with Aakash Gupta   In this episode of the Estee Show, we explore the evolving world of fractional product leadership with expert Aakash Gupta. This deep dive follows our previous discussion on the topic with Ben Erez and expands on the insights found in an extensive 16,000-word article co-authored by Aakash and Jason Knight, host of the One Knight in Product podcast. Aakash discusses the intricacies of the fractional PM role, from pricing strategies and engagement setup to avoiding common pitfalls and ensuring successful...

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More Episodes
Product Management in Founder-Led Startups with David Lifson: From Startup to Scale
 
In this episode, David Lifson shares his extensive experience in product management across different stages of company growth, including startups and major companies like Amazon and Etsy. Lifson discusses the challenges of being the first head of product for a first-time founder, emphasizing the importance of knowing what you're getting into and how it can be both a career-defining opportunity and a rollercoaster ride. He gives insights on founders' common traits, the pressures of early-stage startups, and the shift needed once a company reaches product-market fit. Lifson also touches on his journey from Amazon to Etsy, and founding his own company, providing valuable lessons on leadership, decision-making, product strategy, and the dynamics of working with founders. The conversation delves into practical advice for those considering head of product roles at startups, including setting realistic expectations, choosing battles, and understanding the real job you're being hired for.
 
00:00 Welcome to the SD Show: A Candid Chat with David Lifson
00:07 Navigating the Product Management Journey: Insights from Amazon to Etsy
01:26 The Harsh Realities of Being the First Head of Product
02:07 Traits of First-Time Founders: A Product Manager's Perspective
04:16 From Big Tech to Startup Life: David Lifson's Career Shift
06:52 The Founder's Imagination vs. Reality: Navigating Startup Challenges
08:11 Identifying Red Flags in Founding Stories
09:29 The Misconception of Product Market Fit
11:36 The Complex Dynamics of Founder Decisions and Team Impact
18:37 Evaluating Founders and the Importance of Trust
20:34 Reflecting on Success and Failure in Startups
23:10 Discovering Pregnancy Through Tech
23:44 The Value of Failure in Founding Teams
24:22 Debunking the 'Data-Driven' Myth
25:36 The Misuse of Data and A/B Testing
27:47 Navigating NPS and Ethical Dilemmas
31:16 The Role of a Founder in Product Strategy
34:39 Strategic Execution vs. Blind Action
37:48 Navigating Early Stage Product Leadership
39:55 Choosing Your Battles Wisely
42:54 Ethical Lines and Cultural Health
47:45 Working with Founders: A Multi-Layered Challenge

 

 

David Lifson's Bio: David Lifson has led high performing teams at startups, public, and private equity backed companies, delivering high impact outcomes through clear vision, validated product strategy, and collaborative culture. He’s gone 0 -> 1 multiple times, as well as led teams supporting $350M in revenue. His experience leading teams spans 15 years, including four as CEO/GM and eight as Head of Product & Engineering. Dave has a bachelors and masters degree in Computer Science from Cornell University, and is based in Austin, TX.