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.

Happy New Year, Product fans!

We’re so back! Just don’t call it a comeback 🎵 .

Christmas and New Year seem long in the past already! Here’s hoping for a thoroughly rewarding, happy and healthy 2024 for you and your families whatever your plans hold. Here at Product Tapas HQ 🌮 we have some big plans under wraps that we’re hopeful will see the light of day shortly.

But without further ado, what’s cooking today🧑‍🍳 ?

📰 Not Boring: Dive into the latest tech, product and startup news shaping our world. From Telegram's fresh voice and video call features to Google's surprising layoff plans, we've got you covered. Plus, discover Apple's unexpected iPad strategy and the bustling premium smartphone market! 📱🌐

🤖 GPT & Tool time: Today it's all about data and analysis - explore our handpicked selection of AI-driven tools, including Adzviser for data analysis, Webscraper for data extraction, and Genie for intuitive AI data insights. 💡🔍

🍔 Pod Shots: We're back with a bit of a rarity as we dive into two from Lenny's Podcast. First up it's a special piece from Christian Idioti's take on product management and tips for effective leadership and coaching. We then dive into how to become "Indistractible" and maintain focus in the fast-paced digital era with Nir Eyal . 🎧

Ready to explore these exciting topics? Let's dive in! 🚀👇

📰 Not boring

• Telegram rolls out revamped voice and video calls on Android

• Global Premium Smartphone Market Continues to See Record Sales 

• Sam Altman & Jony Ive enlist Apple’s Design Chief to work on AI devices

• Apple released NO new iPads in 2023 (a 1st in 12 years)

• 2024 AI predictions

• The biggest startup stories from 2023

• Google likely to layoff 30,000 employees post new AI innovation 😲 

• LinkedIn Tests New AI-Based Learning Elements In-Stream

  View more →

📰 Time-Saving Tools & GPTs

Today we’re all about data analysis:

1. Adzviser - a powerful tool for users who need to analyse and visualise data.

   • How to use:

     Step 1: Access Data Analysis through link above

     Step 2: Upload Files directly

     Step 3: Analyse and Visualise

     Once the files are uploaded, Data Analysis will automatically process the data, providing analysis and creating visualizations like charts and graphs that make the data easy to understand and interpret.

2. Data Analysis - similar data analysis and visualisation GPT. Same steps to use it.

3. Webscraper - efficiently extract web data and export to PDF or screenshot. Ideal for those looking to gather data from various websites for research, analysis or recordkeeping

4. Diagrams: Show Me -  versatile GPT designed for generating various types of diagrams including flow-charts, mind maps, and schemas.

5. Genie: Harness the power of AI to analyse, summarise and visualise data, without complex SQL

🎙️ Pod Shots

We start the year with two stellar Podcast reviews, both from Lenny’s Podcast. The 1st on “the essence of product management” from SVPG’s Christian Idiodi and the second is jam-packed with tips and “strategies for becoming less distracted and improving focus”.

No doubt many are well aware of the excellent work Lenny Ratchitsky does so it’s rare I cover two in one newsletter. But at this time of year, they seemed a great combo to put together as we’re all making plans for the year ahead.

🌟 The Essence of Product Management

🎙️ Listen to the full episode here 

📆 Published: December 21st, 2023

🕒 Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes. Time saved: 92 minutes🔥 

🎯 Theme 1: The Essence of Product Management

In this podcast episode, Christian Idioti, a partner at Silicon Valley Product Group, discusses the real essence of product management. He explains that the job of a product manager is to wake up on behalf of someone else and solve a problem for them. The ultimate goal is to create a solution that customers love and that works for the business. Christian emphasises that if product management is not enjoyable or challenging, then it may not be done correctly.

🤔 Theme 2: Dislike of Product Managers

Christian addresses the trend of people disliking product managers. On brand with his SVPG counterpart Marty Cagan, he believes that this dislike stems from a lack of experience with good product managers. He explains that the core of product management is competency-based, where the product manager represents the customer and has deep knowledge of the customers, users, data, industry, and product. However, when there is a lack of competency in product management, it leads to misplaced influence and mistrust. Christian suggests that product managers need to elevate their discipline and earn the right to make decisions by building relationships, gaining experience, and immersing themselves in a deeper understanding of the business and data.

💡 Theme 3: The Role of Product Managers

Christian discusses the four attributes of a product manager's job: value, usability, viability, and feasibility. He highlights that value is often the most important and overlooked attribute. He explains that product managers need to focus on solving problems in a way that customers love and that works for the business. Christian emphasises that the job of a product manager is to create a solution worth building and to receive a certificate of appreciation in the form of revenue, engagement, loyalty, or references.

🚀 Theme 4: Discovering What to Build

Christian shares his favourite technique for discovering what to build: finding reference customers. He explains that reference customers are people who have used the product and love it enough to recommend it to others. By working closely with reference customers, product managers can validate the problem, uncover a solution, and iterate on the product. Christian recommends finding six to eight reference customers in B2B and 15 to 25 in B2C as an indication of achieving product-market fit.

I wrote a post a few months ago based on Paul Graham’s “Do things that don’t scale” where this was one of the key factors in helping companies grow and scale (see image below and original post here).

🎓 Theme 5: The Power of Coaching

Christian is known for his coaching skills, and Marty Cagan describes him as someone who can build trust with executives and product leaders faster than anyone else. Christian believes that coaching is an essential part of leadership and that it is the manager's job to help their reports get better at product management. He emphasises the importance of experiencing good coaching in order to become a better coach. Christian shares an example of how he coached a CEO to communicate effectively with his team and achieve better results.

💪 Theme 6: Practical Tips for Coaching

Christian provides practical tips for becoming a better coach. He suggests immersing oneself in the problem and solution, as well as involving the team in the discovery process. He also emphasises the importance of understanding the difference between what people say and what they do, and using that knowledge to improve coaching techniques. Christian encourages managers to continuously learn and improve their coaching skills.

🧠 What can I do with this as a founder or PM?

As a Product Manager or founder, there are several key takeaways from this podcast episode that you can apply to your role:

1. Focus on competency and trust: Recognise the importance of building competency in product management and earning the trust of your team and organisation. Seek opportunities to learn from experienced leaders and immerse yourself in a deeper understanding of the business and the customer.

2. Understand the essence of product management: Remember that the core of product management is solving problems in a way that customers love and that works for the business. Wake up on behalf of someone else to solve a problem for them and strive to deliver value that earns a certificate of appreciation.

3. Embrace effective coaching: Coaching is an everyday job of managers and leaders. Invest in becoming a better coach by seeking good coaching experiences and learning from them. Build trust, provide guidance, and help individuals and teams improve their performance.

   • The example Christian gave was about a CEO who would scream and curse at his team during meetings. Christian took the CEO aside and asked him why he communicated in that way. The CEO explained that his own boss used to treat him that way and he believed it was effective. Christian then offered an alternative approach to communication and asked for permission to try it with the team. He delivered the same message in a kind and respectful manner, which resulted in the team being more receptive and understanding, and they even identified additional areas for improvement.

     Based on this example and some of my own experiences, here are some tips for founders (or any leader for that matter)

     1. Reflect on your own communication style: Take a moment to consider how you communicate with your team. Are you respectful and kind, or do you resort to aggressive or negative language? Recognise that your communication style sets the tone for the entire organisation.

     2. Seek feedback from your team: Ask your team members how they perceive your communication style and if there are any areas for improvement. Be open to their feedback and take it into consideration when adjusting your approach.

     3. Practice empathy: Put yourself in your team's shoes and try to understand their perspective. Treat them with respect and kindness, and consider how your words and actions may impact their motivation and productivity.

     4. Provide clear and constructive feedback: When addressing issues or giving feedback, focus on specific behaviours or actions rather than attacking individuals. Offer guidance and support to help your team members improve.

     5. Lead by example: Show your team what effective communication looks like by modelling it yourself. Be transparent, open to feedback, and willing to listen to different viewpoints.

     Remember, effective communication is crucial for building trust and fostering a positive work environment. By being a coach and mentor to your team, you can create a culture of open communication and collaboration.

4. Utilise practical tips and tools: Implement practical techniques such as finding reference customers to uncover valuable insights and build trust. Immerse yourself in the problem space, continuously learn from customers and industry experts, and iterate on your solutions based on feedback.

5. Do things that don't scale: Don't be afraid to take a hands-on approach and do things that don't scale in the early stages of product development. This can help you gain valuable insights, validate your solutions, and build a strong foundation for future growth.

By applying these principles and techniques, you can enhance your product management skills, build successful products, and create a positive and high-performing environment for your business.

Want to quickly know more? Just ask the episode below👇️ 🤯 
or if you prefer, 🎙️ Listen to the full episode here

⏰ Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to the essence of product management

• 00:04:17 - Dislike of product managers and advice for becoming a product manager people want on their team

• 00:11:40 - The four attributes of a product manager's job: value, usability, viability, and feasibility

• 00:17:35 - The power of finding reference customers to discover what to build

• 00:23:15 - Christian's personal experience of using the reference customer technique

• 00:30:06 - The importance of coaching and Christian's coaching approach

• 00:49:12 - Practical tips for becoming a better coach

💪 How to Become Indistractable: A Practical Guide

In this episode of Lenny’s podcast, Nir Eyal, author of "Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life," shares valuable insights and practical tips on how to become less distracted / distractible (not a word but I still like it :)) and improve focus. The episode is divided into four main themes: mastering internal triggers, making time for traction, hacking back external triggers, and preventing distraction with pacts.

📆 Published: December 29th 2023

Estimated Reading Time: <1 minute. Time saved >90 minutes 🔥 

🎙️ Listen to the full episode here

🔍 Mastering Internal Triggers

Nir emphasizes that distraction is not caused by external factors like technology, but rather by our inability to deal with discomfort. He advises identifying the internal triggers that lead to distraction, such as boredom, loneliness, fatigue, uncertainty, and anxiety. By recognising these triggers as just emotions, we can develop tools to manage them effectively. One technique he suggests is the "10-minute rule," where you set a timer for 10 minutes and commit to either getting back to the task at hand or surfing the urge until the discomfort subsides.

⏰ Making Time for Traction

To ensure focus and productivity, Nir recommends turning your values into time by creating a time-boxed schedule. He suggests dividing your schedule into three life domains: self-care, relationships, and work. By allocating specific time slots for activities aligned with your values, you can prioritise important tasks and avoid getting distracted by less meaningful activities. This approach helps you understand how long tasks take and allows for better time management.

🔌 Hacking Back External Triggers

Nir advises hacking back external triggers to minimise distractions. This involves setting boundaries with technology, such as enabling Do Not Disturb mode during focused work periods. He also suggests using visual cues, like a "concentration crown" or a red sign on your computer monitor, to signal to others that you are in an indistractable state and should not be interrupted. By proactively managing external triggers, you can create an environment conducive to deep work and minimise distractions.

💪 Preventing Distraction with Pacts

The final step in becoming indistractable is to use pacts as a last line of defence against distractions. Nir introduces three types of pacts: price pacts, identity pacts, and effort pacts. Price pacts involve creating financial disincentives for getting off track, while identity pacts involve aligning your self-image with being indistractable. Effort pacts focus on making tasks more difficult to access, such as using website blockers or removing tempting apps from your devices. These pacts help reinforce your commitment to staying focused and minimize the likelihood of succumbing to distractions.

🧠 What can I do with this as a founder or PM?

As a Product Manager or founder, there are several key takeaways from this podcast episode that you can apply to your work:

1. Understand the root cause of distraction: Recognise that distraction is not solely caused by external factors like technology or notifications. It is often driven by internal triggers such as boredom, anxiety, or discomfort. By identifying and addressing these internal triggers, you can better manage distractions.

2. Master internal triggers: Develop strategies to deal with discomfort and emotional challenges that may lead to distraction. This could include techniques like the 10-minute rule, where you delay distractions for a set period of time, or surfing the urge, where you acknowledge and experience the discomfort without giving in to distraction.

3. Make time for traction: Create a time-boxed schedule that reflects your values and priorities. Allocate specific time slots for important tasks and activities, including deep work and focused periods. By scheduling these activities, you ensure that they are prioritised and not overshadowed by distractions.

4. Hack back external triggers: Take control of your environment by minimizing external distractions. Use tools like Do Not Disturb mode on your devices, set boundaries with colleagues and family members, and create physical cues (like the concentration crown) to indicate when you need uninterrupted focus time.

5. Prevent distraction with pacts: Consider using price pacts or identity pacts to reinforce your commitment to staying focused. For example, you could set financial consequences for not meeting your goals or adopt an identity as an "Indistractable" individual to align your actions with your desired behaviour.

By implementing these strategies, you can become more focused, productive, and less prone to distractions. But remember, it's important to experiment and find the techniques that work best for you and your specific work environment!

Want to quickly know more? Just ask the episode below👇️ 🤯 
or if you prefer, 🎙️ Listen to the full episode here

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Distraction and Technology
00:01:10 - Nir Eyal's Background and Books
00:04:59 - The Quest for Focus and Becoming Indistractable
00:05:15 - Understanding Distraction and Traction
00:10:17 - Personal Struggles with Distraction
00:12:36 - The Four Steps to Becoming Indistractable
00:14:09 - Deep Work and Scheduling for Traction
00:18:15 - The 10-Minute Rule to Overcome Distraction
00:21:46 - Implementing the 10-Minute Rule and Deep Work
00:24:37 - Turning Values into Time
00:28:36 - The Problem with To-Do Lists
00:30:39 - Using Deadlines Effectively
00:34:31 - Staying on Track with Scheduled Tasks
00:36:08 - Managing Emotional Discomfort to Avoid Distraction
00:40:13 - Hacking Back External Triggers
00:45:03 - Preventing Distraction with Pacts and Tools

Please, one last thing - share the love!

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• TEN: Get three 1:1 coaching/mentoring sessions with me.

That’s a wrap.

As always, the journey doesn't end here!

Keep exploring, keep questioning, and most importantly, keep growing in your product journey.

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

Alastair & the Product Tapas Team 🍽️.