We track Product so you don't have to. Top Podcasts summarised, the latest AI tools, plus research and news in a 5 min digest.

Hey Product Fans!

Welcome to this week’s 🌮 Product Tapas!

If you’ve been forwarded this or just stumbled upon it, you’re in for a treat. For the best reading experience, check out the web version and sign up for future editions here.

What’s cooking this week? 🥘 

📰 Not Boring – The tech world's kicking off 2025 with a bang! Meta's shaking things up by following X's playbook with community notes, while CES 2025 is blowing minds with rollable laptops (yes, really!) and AI-everything. Plus, Anthropic's eyeing a massive $2B raise, Nvidia's launching a personal AI supercomputer, and Google's opening up its Home APIs. The AI arms race? It's only getting started.

⌚ Productivity Tapas – On that note, AI agents are stealing the show this week; from ensuring product compliance to automating workflows. On top of that, we have a couple of pure productivity tools for tracking tasks and organising your creative sparks. Plus - I’m cooking up something new and want your input!

🍔 Blog Bites – Dive into why "common sense" leadership isn't so common (thanks, John Cutler!), explore how AI is reshaping service transformation, and get ready for 2025's product management evolution. Essential reading for staying ahead of the curve.

🎙️ Pod Shots – We're unpacking the evolution of user research with Steve Portigal, exploring everything from the rise of in-house teams to the future of UX research. Perfect for anyone looking to level up their user understanding game.

Plenty to get stuck into - off we go! 🚀

📰 Not boring

• Meta is ending its fact-checking program in favour of a 'community notes' system similar to X's. LOTS of chat on this in various groups I’m in.

  • TL;DR Zuck is losing in the power stakes to Elon and is trying to redress that. Do you agree?

• CES 2025: The 15 most impressive products you don't want to miss, including:

  • AI integrated TVs and premium quality entry-level price TVs

  • A device that gives your phone a full charge in seconds

  • Smart rings are on the up (& circular’s gets some big upgrades)

  • Robo-Vac with an arm to pick up clothes and whatnot

  • Rollable laptop. Foldable phones are yesterday’s news… (WHAAAAT?!)

  • More smart glasses (including invisible displays)

• Google Home APIs enter public developer beta on Android - interesting for those building home automation products; heating, entertainment, TV etc.

• In a similar vein Samsung’s smart fridges will use AI to suggest groceries to buy on Instacart

• 2025 will be the year of agents. Here’s a deep dive on what the hell they are

• AI arms race continues…. Anthropic reportedly in talks to raise $2B at $60B valuation, led by Lightspeed

• Tinder now accounts for nearly 60% of Match Group’s revenue and grew paying users for the 1st time since 2022 last quarter. See full report here

• Nvidia announces $3,000 personal AI supercomputer called Digits - super interesting as this will allow teams to run pretty damn powerful LLMs locally

• Exploring a stablecoin bank -Stablecoins help drop payment fees to zero, but the problem is in getting customers to switch their payment method - could this be the catalyst needed to change behaviour?

• A16Z suggest SAAS pricing is changing as AI is driving a shift towards outcome-based prices

• Is Alphabet building a real-life Matrix?

• More 2025 trends; This excellent Notion Doc summarises insights from hundreds of reports, synthesised using ChatGPT, with sources including Bain, Gartner, Google, HSBC, and more

• Finally, Judge allows California’s ban on addictive feeds for minors to go into effect

Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.

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⌚️ Productivity Tapas: Time-Saving Tools & GPTs

Coming Soon: Productivity Tapas 🍢

Hey Product people! I'm cooking up something new...

Ever feel like you're:

• Drowning in tasks and tools?

• Constantly context-switching?

• Missing out on game-changing productivity hacks?

Introducing Productivity Tapas - a new bi-monthly deeper dive into the tools I find, plus techniques, and tips that'll help you work smarter, not harder.

Think AI-powered workflows, time-saving tools, and real-world productivity hacks specifically for Product Managers. No fluff, just actionable insights and walk-through examples you can use immediately.

If there’s enough interest I’ll drop the first edition next week, featuring: "How to 10x Your Productivity By Using AI + Voice" 🎙️

Help me gauge if this is something you'd find valuable by clicking below 👇️ 

On with this week’s recommendations:

• Norm: Ensure your product is compliant using AI agents. (US HQ so need to check location specific relevance)

• Lecca: automate workflows using AI agents (huh, there’s a theme here….)

• Telosis: Improve productivity through getting accurate metrics on all tasks and activities you do

• PackPack: AI Bookmark took to help store and organise your ideas and creativity

Remember, as a subscriber you can access the full time saving tools database for fast approaching 300 time-saving tools relevant for product managers and founders 🔥. Check the link below to access 👇️ .

🍔 Blog Bites - Essential Reads for Product Teams

Learn: Why Common Sense Leadership Often Isn't Common Practice

John Cutler’s “The Beautiful Mess” Substack if full of brilliant posts (and one I need to link more to!)

This recent post on Leadership really hit home. He argues how organisational context, not individual capability, often determines whether basic good management practices can take root. His contrast between successful and unsuccessful implementations of the same playbook is a neat illustration.

His overarching point is that while "common sense" management practices like establishing focus, building trust, and managing stakeholders can transform teams, their success depends heavily on organisational context. Factors like politics, toxic individuals, and trust deficits can prevent even experienced managers from implementing basic good practices.

Opinion: Intelligence Arbitrage - AI-Driven Service Transformation

Yeah more on AI… but in this article Surya Dantuluri talks how the biggest playbook reshaping industries isn't about technology alone—it's about how AI redefines service delivery. By separating intelligence from execution, businesses in fragmented, low-margin service sectors are becoming tech-enabled powerhouses. This emerging "intelligence arbitrage" is creating new operating models, transforming margins, and unlocking opportunities in the $25 trillion services market.

He argues "AI isn’t just about automation; it’s about operating leverage." It’s not merely a tool to cut costs but a strategic lever to redefine margins; scale with data flywheels, and unlock entirely new financial structures. Traditional approaches, like consolidating fragmented industries, pale compared to these intelligence-layer strategies.

Planning: How to set off on the right product foot in 2025

CPO and Founder at “The Female Product Lead”, Beks Yelland, recently looked into her crystal ball to see what trends may play out in Product in 2025.

Funnily enough, a main thread is that while the tech industry continues to evolve with AI integration and tighter resources, product managers must adapt their skills and approach. Understanding these shifts is crucial for both career growth and organisational success in 2025.

Some 2025 trends include the continued growth of the "full-stack" product manager who can blend AI capabilities with strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and broad product skills. Success will depend on embracing AI tools, developing clear specialisations, and maintaining strong business focus. Something we’re hot on here too….

🎙️ Pod Shots - Bitesized Podcast Summaries

Remember, subscribers get access to an ever growing database of all the top Podcast summaries we’ve ever created. Check it out below 👇️ 

🗒️ Interviewing Users with Steve Portigal

User research is essential to building great products, but the way we approach it has evolved significantly. In a recent conversation with Steve Portigal, veteran user researcher and author of Interviewing Users, the UX Podcast explored the shifting landscape of user research, the challenges in-house teams face, and how founders and product managers can apply these insights to create better products.

While great UX researchers are invaluable, it’s risky to assume a well-meaning product manager can fully replace them. That said, PMs with a solid grasp of UX can drive better outcomes when collaborating with UXR. Below are key insights from Steve’s 25+ years of experience and his reflections on the second edition of his book.

🎙️ Listen to the full episode here

📆 Published: May 31st, 2024

🕒 Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins. Time saved: 30 mins🔥

🛠️ The Evolution of User Research: From Consultants to In-House Teams

Over the past decade, user research has shifted from being the domain of external consultants to becoming a core function within organisations. Steve highlights how this shift has brought about new roles, such as research leadership and ResearchOps, and a greater emphasis on collaboration and organisational impact.

In-house teams now face unique challenges, such as maintaining institutional memory, managing long-term user relationships, and ensuring research findings influence decision-making. At the same time, the rise of "People Who Do Research" (PWDR)—non-researchers conducting research—has democratised the practice, but also introduced new complexities.

Key Takeaways for Founders and PMs:

• Build a culture of research within your organisation by empowering both dedicated researchers and PWDRs.

• Invest in ResearchOps to streamline processes like compliance, data storage, and participant consent.

• Ensure research findings are actionable and influence product decisions.

📊 New Frontiers: Analysis, Synthesis, and Organisational Impact

The second edition of his book, Interviewing Users, introduces two new chapters: one on analysing and synthesising research data, and another on driving organisational impact. Steve explains that while the fundamentals of interviewing remain timeless, the context in which research is conducted has changed.

For founders and PMs, this means going beyond just collecting data. It’s about turning insights into actionable strategies and ensuring those insights resonate across the organisation.

Key Takeaways for Founders and PMs:

• Prioritise analysis and synthesis to extract meaningful insights from research data.

• Focus on how research findings can drive change within your organisation.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure research aligns with business goals.

🤔 Embracing Mistakes and the Human Side of Research

One of Steve’s most profound reflections is the importance of accepting mistakes in user research. Interviewing is inherently messy—there’s no perfect script or formula. Instead, it’s about navigating the unknown, learning from missteps, and building confidence over time.

Steve emphasises that researchers (and those conducting research) should forgive themselves for mistakes and focus on improving their craft.

Key Takeaways for Founders and PMs:

• Accept that mistakes are part of the research process and use them as learning opportunities.

• Approach interviews as explorations rather than rigid processes.

• Build confidence by practicing and reflecting on your research experiences.

🔒 Privacy, GDPR, and the Rise of ResearchOps

The growing awareness of privacy and regulations like GDPR has transformed how user research is conducted. Steve highlights how organisations are now adopting more rigorous consent processes and creative solutions to ensure participants feel safe and informed.

For example, Sesame Workshop created Muppet videos to explain consent in low-literacy environments—a brilliant example of combining creativity with compliance. ResearchOps plays a critical role here, helping organisations manage the operational aspects of research while maintaining ethical standards.

Key Takeaways for Founders and PMs:

• Ensure your consent processes are clear, user-friendly, and compliant with regulations.

• Partner with legal and compliance teams to create research workflows that align with organisational needs.

• Explore creative ways to make operational processes more human-centred.

🔮 The Future of User Research: Democratisation and Resilience

Looking ahead, Steve predicts that user research will continue to evolve, with a focus on democratisation and broader exposure to research practices. While there’s anxiety in the field due to layoffs and organisational changes, the need for user research remains strong.

Steve believes that understanding and caring for users will always be central to successful product development. For PMs, this means ensuring that everyone—from developers to executives—has exposure to user research and its value.

Key Takeaways for Founders and PMs:

• Advocate for user research as a critical part of product development.

• Provide opportunities for your team to observe and participate in research sessions.

• Stay resilient and adaptable in the face of industry changes.

🚀 Final Thoughts: Building a Research-Driven Culture

Steve Portigal’s insights remind us that user research is not just about asking questions—it’s about building a culture of curiosity, empathy, and continuous learning. For founders and product managers, this means embedding research into the DNA of your organisation and ensuring it drives meaningful impact.

As Steve puts it, “Understanding and caring for the human aspect of people is what will win out in the long term.”

🎙️ Listen to the full episode here

That’s a wrap.

As always, the journey doesn't end here!

Please share and let us know what you would like to see more or less of so we can continue to improve your Product Tapas. 🚀👋

Alastair 🍽️.