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’re new and have been forwarded this, please sign-up here and check out our previous editions.

As always we're slicing through the noise to bring you the updates that matter, and anything interesting we’ve found from the last week in tech and product.

📰 Not Boring: Brace yourselves as iOS 18 threatens to outshine the iPhone 16 with its anticipated generative AI features. Google flexes its tech muscles with another Gemini update and a nifty trick for Slides users. Meanwhile, Russia and China are taking their ambitions lunar with a nuclear power plant proposal for the moon ⚡️ 🚀 , and TikTok dares to challenge Instagram with a photo-sharing platform. But, it's not all smooth sailing as U.S. Congress waves a red flag to the platform as a whole. Amidst this, Spotify teases with countdown pages for audiobook aficionados, and Meta's VR realm gets a reality check with 'Inception attacks'. Plus, of course, there’s some AI and robotics news, including an AI software engineer called “Devin” promising to redefine the coding game.

⌚️ Time-Saving Tools & GPTs: This week, we're doling out the digital Swiss Army knives for creators, marketers, and everyone in between. Discover IdeaApe, your new sidekick in AI-powered market research, and Reporfy, for AI-crafted reports that speak volumes. Coefficient brings data harmony to your spreadsheets, while EverLearn tailors your tech tutoring. Dive into a sea of royalty-free images with Lummi, and let Bluedot's AI transcribe and summarize your meetings with a GDPR-friendly nod.

🍔 Blog Bites: Feast on UX insights with Peter Ramsay's latest dispatches from the design frontier, and learn the art of Opportunity Solution Trees for navigating innovation mazes. Meanwhile, Nintendo's playbook offers a masterclass in capturing hearts across generations, and Delivery Hero's ad revenue strategy could inspire your next monetisation move. Finally, we share a link to everything you need to know about creating a compelling product vision with Sachin Rekhi.

🎙️ Pod Shots: This week we have Donna Lichaw’s thoughts on the power of storytelling and identifying your unique superpowers for leadership and success. Discover how embracing your strengths and weaknesses can pave the way for personal and professional triumphs, one story at a time.

Plenty to get stuck into - off we go! 🚀👇

Quick links:

• 📰 Not boring

• 📰 Time-Saving Tools & GPTs

  • UX Bites: Latest UX gems from Peter Ramsay

  • Learn: How to build an Opportunity Solution Tree

  • Case Study: Nintendo's marketing playbook - How th …

  • Company presentation: Delivery Hero

  • Learn: 3 Key Parts Of An Effective Product Vision

• 🎙️ Pod Shots

  • 🦸 Unlocking Your Superpowers: Insights from Donna …

📰 Not boring

• Why iOS 18 Could Be a Bigger Deal Than the iPhone 16. Everyone's waiting to see how Apple incorporates generative AI into the iPhone. iOS 18 could provide the answer. 🤔 

• Google releases new Gemini update to give users ‘more control’ over AI chatbot responses

  • Plus they’ve also added the ability to remove backgrounds from images in slides - nice!

• Russia Says Working With China for Lunar Nuclear Power Plant. Yep, you read that correctly, a nuclear powerplant on the moon

• Tiktok is working on a new Photo Sharing platform to compete with Instagram

  • However, US Congress passes bill that could lead to US ban of TikTok

• Interesting presentation on the economic benefits of AI from a16z

• Spotify’s Audiobooks will get their own ‘Countdown Pages’ to tease upcoming new releases

• 'Inception attacks' on Meta VR headsets can trap users in a fake VR environment, researchers found

• Peter Thiel-backed startup launches the world’s first AI software engineer, Devin. This is a big deal, as it’s much more than just a copilot. Although I still feel it’ll be used as an aid vs a replacement. Devan can:

  • Complete a full software project independently, unlike most AI coding assistants that only provide coding advice.

  • Predict coding issues before they arise and modify strategy in response.

  • Develop new websites and AI applications from the ground up.

  • Craft bespoke Chrome extensions and fulfil certain coding tasks on Upwork.

  • Address approximately 14% of real-world open-source project issues on GitHub autonomously, significantly surpassing the average 2% resolution rate of most models

• Terrifying/amazing in equal measures - Video: GPT-enhanced robot speaks and reasons as it works

• Amazon selling partners can now access even more generative AI features to create high-quality product listings; Amazon suggests partners are accepting the AI suggestions 80% of the time with minimal edits

• Instagram is working on a feature that would allow you to let others put a ‘Spin’ on your Reel

• Tavus’ Replica API allows users to generate realistic videos in minutes from just a script, using their digital replica - pretty neat for product releases, announcements, walk-throughs and being in 10 places at once…

Want even more news?? View more here → 

📰 Time-Saving Tools & GPTs

This week’s batch of time-savers will benefit creators, marketers, designers and those just looking to up their prompt game:

• IdeaApe - another week another AI market research tool; 1st glance this looks like a solopreneur’s ideal tool for finding and validating ideas for a business/newsletter…..

• Reporfy - Create, share, and interact with reports created by AI

• Coefficient - Automatically import live data into spreadsheets from all your business systems

• EverLearn - Bespoke walk-throughs, training and tutorials to help train colleagues

• Lummi - “The best free stock photos and royalty free images. Powered by robots everywhere”

• Bluedot - record, transcribe, and summarise your meetings and get summaries tailored to different audiences (also GDPR compliant)

  🍔 Blog Bites

UX Bites: Latest UX gems from Peter Ramsay

Peter Ramsay’s Built For Mars has stacks of great design insights and ideas. His latest UX Bites newsletter is out covering the most popular UX Bites from the last two weeks with insights from Instagram, Arc, Klima, Deepstash and ‘One Sec’ and you can read it here

Learn: How to build an Opportunity Solution Tree

Opportunity Solution Trees were developed by Teresa Torres in 2016, and have quickly grown into one of the most popular frameworks used by PMs and designers for navigating discovery. This is a great intro to them and well worth a read.

Case Study: Nintendo's marketing playbook - How they win families (not just kids)

Gaming often provides great lessons we can draw from in other segments. This short strategy breakdown chronologies the rise of Nintendo. Best summarised as “make it fun-sized… but still fun for everyone.”

Company presentation: Delivery Hero

Should you be thinking of adding advertising revenue to your product? This great company presentation (worth a read in full) shows Delivery Hero earned c€1bn in ad revenue in 2023. 3-5% of GMV at 70% EBITDA margin 🔥. Hat tip to the Department of Product for the link

Learn: 3 Key Parts Of An Effective Product Vision

How do you create a bold product vision that is aspirational, detailed and user-centric from nothing? In this Reforge article, Sachin Rekhi, CEO of Notejoy, covers the key parts of an effective product vision and explains why you need to create a product vision narrative, not just a product vision statement.

🎙️ Pod Shots

Today’s Pod Shot draws from a recent Lenny’s Podcast conversation with Donna Lichaw on unlocking your superpowers. We cover the power of storytelling and the significance of embracing both your strengths and weaknesses to forge a path toward meaningful success.

🦸 Unlocking Your Superpowers: Insights from Donna Lichaw's Leadership Philosophy

🎙️ Listen to the full episode here 

📆 Published: February 27th, 2024

🕒 Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes. Time saved: 141 minutes🔥 

🦸 Discovering Your Superpowers

At the heart of Lichaw's philosophy is the concept that everyone possesses unique superpowers - inherent strengths that, when leveraged effectively, can lead to unprecedented levels of success and fulfilment. The challenge, however, lies in identifying these powers. Lichaw suggests looking inward, examining your past experiences, and drawing out moments of exceptional achievement or profound engagement. By reflecting on these peak experiences, individuals can identify patterns and strengths that consistently emerge.

For instance, Lichaw mentions the practice of reviewing one's journey from childhood, pinpointing activities or projects that were particularly energising. This introspection can reveal core strengths that have persisted over time. It's a method reminiscent of tools like the StrengthsFinder test or the VIA Character Strengths survey, yet distinctly more personal and introspective, allowing for a deeper understanding of one's unique attributes.

📖 The Art of Storytelling

Another cornerstone of Lichaw's approach is the emphasis on storytelling, not just as a means of communication but as a tool for self-discovery and leadership. Effective leaders, understand the power of narrative in shaping their identity and their ability to inspire and lead others. It's not just about the stories we tell others, but the stories we tell ourselves. These narratives have a profound impact on our perception of ourselves and our capabilities.

The concept extends beyond mere self-reflection to encompass the strategic narrative of one’s career and life goals. For example, when envisioning one's future or setting goals, Lichaw advises starting with the end in mind. Imagining where you want to be and working backwards can not only clarify your objectives but also illuminate the steps needed to achieve them. This forward-thinking storytelling aligns with product development frameworks, advocating for a visionary yet structured approach to personal and professional growth.

🚀 Embracing Kryptonite

Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of Lichaw's philosophy is her perspective on weaknesses, or 'kryptonite'. Instead of viewing them solely as hindrances, she encourages individuals to see their weaknesses as complementary to their strengths. Understanding how your vulnerabilities can serve you, or at least acknowledging their role in your life, can be empowering.

For example, someone might perceive their introversion as a limitation in leadership roles traditionally dominated by extroverts. Yet, upon closer examination, they might discover that this 'kryptonite' enables deep listening and thoughtful decision-making, qualities invaluable in effective leadership. This perspective shift can transform perceived weaknesses into assets, encouraging a more holistic self-acceptance and a strategic approach to personal development.

🛠 Practical Tips and Tools

Throughout the conversation, Lichaw offers practical tips and tools to apply these concepts to one’s life and career. One such tool is the practice of conducting an 'energy audit', paying attention to what activities drain you and which ones invigorate you. This can help align your daily tasks and long-term goals with your superpowers, ensuring a more fulfilling and sustainable career path.

Lichaw also emphasises the importance of small experiments in personal growth, akin to the iterative processes found in product development. By starting small, assessing the impact, and then scaling up, individuals can make significant changes in their lives and careers in a controlled and manageable way. This methodical approach allows for continuous learning and adaptation, ensuring that your path to success is both deliberate and responsive to new insights.

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

Donna Lichaw's insights can serve as a powerful guide in personal development, leadership, and driving your product and company towards success. Here’s how you can apply these principles:

Identifying Your Superpowers

• Reflect on Past Successes: Review your career and personal life for peak moments where you felt most engaged and successful. These patterns can reveal your inherent strengths.

• Leverage Your Strengths in Product Development: Use your identified superpowers to tackle challenges in unique ways, whether it’s through innovative problem-solving or exceptional team leadership.

• Example: Consider how your ability to deeply listen (a potential superpower) can be used to better understand user needs or resolve conflicts within your team.

Embracing the Art of Storytelling

• Craft Compelling Narratives: Use storytelling to articulate your vision for the product or company, making it resonate with your team, stakeholders, and users.

• Build Your Leadership Story: Develop a personal narrative that aligns with your leadership style and goals, helping you to navigate your career path with purpose.

• Example: Share stories of past failures and what you learned from them to foster a culture of openness and continuous learning within your team.

Transforming Kryptonite into Strength

• Acknowledge Weaknesses: Identify areas of weakness and understand how they impact your work and leadership.

• Reframe and Leverage Weaknesses: Find ways to turn these weaknesses into strengths or learn how they can complement your superpowers.

• Example: If you're not detail-oriented, partner with someone who is, ensuring your vision is executed with precision while you focus on big-picture strategy.

Practical Tips for Application

• Conduct an Energy Audit: Regularly assess which tasks drain you and which energize you, and adjust your focus accordingly to leverage your strengths.

• Run Small Experiments: Apply the principle of iterative development to personal growth and leadership. Test new approaches in managing your team or developing your product and adapt based on feedback.

• Example: If you’re experimenting with a new feature release strategy, start with a small, controlled rollout, gather user feedback, and iterate before a full-scale launch.

Utilising Tools and Frameworks

• Use Product Frameworks for Personal Growth: Apply frameworks like the double diamond design process to map out your career and personal development goals, identifying clear steps and milestones along the way.

• Example: Use the double diamond framework to structure your approach to solving a leadership challenge, first expanding your understanding of the problem space before converging on a strategic solution.

By integrating Donna Lichaw’s insights into your role as a Product Manager or founder, you can not only enhance your leadership capabilities but also drive more meaningful and impactful product development. Embracing your superpowers, mastering the art of storytelling, and transforming your weaknesses into strengths are practical strategies for personal and professional growth.

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

📅 Timestamps:

• [00:00:46] Leveraging superpowers for success.

• [00:05:06] Origin story into coaching.

• [00:12:11] The importance of personal storytelling and overcoming self-limiting stories.

• [00:21:48] The stories we tell ourselves and our personal operating system.

• [00:30:37] Embracing imposter syndrome in leadership.

• [00:36:51] Superpowers and leveraging strengths in leadership.

• [00:47:50] Discovering superpowers in stories and peak experiences in childhood.

• [00:56:55] Managing energy in the workplace and using product frameworks for personal growth.

• [01:09:49] The power of small experiments and envisioning your future.

• [01:19:10] Favorite interview question to ask and life motto for optimism.

• [01:25:36] Accessibility and embracing superpowers.

Please, one last thing - share the love!

• ONE: Get one person to sign up and get access to our curated selection of Product GPTs; handpicked from our review of over 15,000 GPTs (and counting)

• FIVE: Send this to five people who sign up and get our free Product Maturity Audit

• 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 🍽️.