Why incumbent big SAAS players don't need to worry about AI
Release Date: 08/16/2024
From Fans to Founders: How Community-Driven Product Development Builds Better Tech (and Teams)
Fireside Product Management
What Lego, Apple, and a golf startup can teach Silicon Valley PMs about designing with—not just for—your users. https://jakemckee.com/
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I Turned Down a $350K Job Offer—And Why You Might Want to as Well
Fireside Product Management
How to Avoid Career Pitfalls and Make Smarter Moves in Today's Job Market Early to mid-career product managers in Silicon Valley often dream of landing the perfect job—high comp, strong team, great product, and a clear path for impact. But what if I told you that sometimes the smartest move is walking away? That was the case for Elizabeth Haig, a seasoned marketing leader with two successful exits under her belt. She recently turned down a VP of Marketing role that came with a $350K offer, and her reasoning provides invaluable lessons for navigating today's brutal job market. This post is...
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5 Interview Mistakes That Cost You Great Product Leaders—And How to Fix Them
Fireside Product Management
Lessons from the Fireside PM podcast on how to stop missing top-tier candidates and make your next VP or Director of Product hire a game-changer. Hiring a Great Product Leader Is Harder Than You Think Team, we’re back on the Fireside PM podcast, and today, I want to talk about a topic that keeps coming up: why even experienced executives struggle to hire strong product leaders. If you’re a CEO or CPO at a mid-to-late-stage company and you need to hire a killer Director or VP of Product, this post is for you. You go through the hiring process, extend an offer to someone who looks...
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Mastering the PM Interview: The Hidden Hack You're Probably Missing
Fireside Product Management
Why revealing your thinking matters more than your final answer—insider secrets from Rodolfo, Senior PM at Spotify. https://rodolfodays.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=substack_profile
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Mastering AI for Product Management with Mustafa Kapatiya
Fireside Product Management
n this episode of Fireside PM, I sit down with fellow ex-Googler and product consultant Mustafa Kapatiya to dive into how product managers can maximize AI for productivity, decision-making, and strategy. Mustafa shares real-world insights, including a live demo of AI-driven sentiment analysis, a breakdown of how top PMs leverage AI differently, and how organizations can use AI to do more with less. We also explore the future of product teams, AI's impact on PM career paths, and the evolving role of leadership in an AI-powered world. Tune in for actionable tips and deep insights!
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🔥 Fireside PM with Dave Lu: Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling & Empowering AAPI Founders
Fireside Product Management
Join me for a Fireside PM conversation with Dave Lu, founder of Hyphen Ventures, as we dive into his incredible career journey, the challenges of the Bamboo Ceiling, and his powerful advocacy for AAPI representation in tech and venture capital. From working at top companies like Apple, Yahoo, and eBay to launching Hyphen Capital and championing AAPI entrepreneurs, Dave has been a driving force in breaking barriers. We'll discuss: ✅ His path from corporate tech to investing in the next generation ✅ The Bamboo Ceiling: What it is & how to overcome it ✅ Building wealth and influence for...
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Mastering Product Transformation for Your Company: Lessons from Priydarshan Jha
Fireside Product Management
Hey Fireside PM crew, I had a fantastic conversation in this week’s podcast with Priydarshan Jha (PJ), a seasoned Director of Product Management and product transformation consultant. PJ shared valuable insights from his journey, starting as a tech-focused developer, moving into product ownership at American Express, working with clients across industries at BCG, and now leading product transformations at EPAM. Here are the top takeaways: 1. Driving Product Transformation Across Diverse Organizations PJ highlighted that every company has its unique DNA—some are engineering-led, some...
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Mastering Controllable Inputs in Product Management with Chris Vander May
Fireside Product Management
In this episode of Fireside PM, I sit down with Chris Vandermay, a veteran PM leader with experience at Google, Amazon, and Meta, to dive deep into the concept of controllable inputs. We discuss how top companies use these actionable metrics to drive real business outcomes, how to identify the right inputs versus vanity metrics, and why mastering them can make or break a product’s success. Chris also shares insights on how AI is reshaping the role of product managers and what PMs can do to stay ahead in the evolving landscape. Tune in for a conversation packed with real-world examples...
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The Future of Product Management in an AI-Driven World
Fireside Product Management
In this episode of Fireside PM, I tackle one of the most pressing questions from my Backchannel PM Accelerator: What does the future of product management look like, and how can PMs prepare? We explore the compression of career ladders, the rise of AI-native products, the evolving importance of trust and safety, and the shifting dynamics of startups. Whether you're an early-career PM or a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you thrive in a rapidly changing industry.
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From Microsoft to Adobe: Redefining Brand Leadership with Karl Isaac
Fireside Product Management
In this episode of the Fireside PM podcast, I sit down with Karl Isaac, a branding expert and former Microsoft manager, to explore the intersection of product and brand. Karl shares insights from his transformative career at tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe, where he spearheaded groundbreaking campaigns, redefined brand strategies, and led cultural shifts. They discuss the evolution of branding in tech, lessons from campaigns like “I’m a PC,” and how integrating brand with product management creates exceptional customer experiences. A must-listen for product managers and...
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My take: While AI is transforming the technology landscape, AI is not an immediate existential threat to enterprise SaaS market leaders. In fact, they are well-positioned to approach AI integration strategically."