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 fancy the best reading (and listening!) experience, check out the mobile app or web version. You can sign up and check previous editions here.

What’s cooking this week? 🧑‍🍳

As mentioned last week, we’ve streamlined the summary by dropping the Not Boring and Time saving Tools summaries. But fear not, they’re still in the main body and stacked with great content.

It’s also been a super-busy week at Product Tapas HQ, making inroads on our long and dusty backlog. First up, is the Time Saving Tools and GPTs database: a Notion page with ALL the top time-saving tools featured in each of the newsletters since day one. Check it out here.

We’ve also made it easier to revisit our Podshots. Now, every podcast we’ve featured has its own dedicated page, and each episode has a chatbot trained on it for easy exploration. You can find them all in the Pod Shots navbar on the web or mobile edition. And rumour has it, a searchable database is on the way too.

Please check them out and share far and wide!

🍔 Blog Bites

This week’s top reads for product teams covers AI design challenges from Built For Mars, MrBeast’s guide to scaling viral content, and Jason Levin’s strategy to turn Product Hunt employees into influencers. Plus, Scott Leese shares insights on building world-class sales teams from his experience with 130 companies and 12 Unicorns—a must-read for PMs and founders alike.

🎙️ Pod Shots

Finally, we cover a timely podcast on landing your dream job with Phyl Terry on Lenny’s Podcast. He shares actionable strategies to help you navigate today’s tricky job market with focus, community support, and negotiation tactics that can set you apart.

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

📰 Not boring

• X competitor Bluesky has added eight million users in the last ten months

• TikTok to begin appeal against being sold or banned in US

• Youtube hosted it’s “made on YouTube” event making 9 key announcements (spoiler alert, loads of AI stuff)

  • They’ve improved the model that allows you to generate backgrounds for your YouTube shorts, announced AI will help generate titles, video ideas or even full videos, plus a ‘hype’ button and community hubs for creators and fans. On top of that they’re looking to help videos become more accessible to a wider audience globally with their new auto-dubbing feature, plus gifting, shopping and the ability to create seasons and episodes with your content.

• Flappy Bird’s creator disavows ‘official’ new version of the game

• Free Starlink Internet is coming to all of United’s planes from 2025

• New US shipping rules target China's Shein and Temu

• Cornell Study concludes LLMs can autonomously generate and validate new ideas better than 100 NLP researchers 👀 

• Windows App now available on all major platforms

• Apple’s new macOS Sequoia update is breaking some cybersecurity tools. Oops

• Snap’s new Spectacles inch closer to compelling AR (but are only available to developers)

• Plus in other Snap news, Snapchat is getting its biggest redesign in years

• LinkedIn is training AI on user data before updating its terms of service. Naughty naughty.

• 23andMe board quits over plans to take DNA testing company private

• DeepL launches ‘industry-first’ AI glossary generator for business translations

• Amazon tells employees to return to the office five days a week. Not a fan.

• SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew returns home after history-making mission

 Want even more news?? View more here →

⌚️ Time-Saving Tools & GPTs

• Phia: Beautiful screen recordings made simple. Phia is a browser-based screen recorder that transforms your videos with smooth mouse movements, intelligent zooms, motion blur, and customisable backgrounds.

• Aicado: Select your preferred AI model, customise it to fit your needs, and seamlessly integrate it into your business.

• AppBuzz: Turn your e-commerce website into an AI-powered mobile app in 60 seconds.

• Quist: Digital teammate for your research department

• Infography: Turn your blogs into stunning, shareable infographics, powered by AI.

• Syncly: Surface hidden customer pains, effortlessly

• Docs from hashnode: Create and scale developer documentation and API references that are as dynamic as your code. Built for teams that need full control, customization, and Stripe-level quality-without the heavy lifting.

🍔 Blog Bites - Essential Reads for Product Teams

Design: The Complexity Paradox of ChatGPT, AI and UX

This quote from the latest Built For Mars breakdown is bang on. If you're even thinking about using AI in your product, please read this.

I am an unashamed fanboy of BFM. Peter does brilliant tear-downs and I can’t recommend his stuff enough. This one’s a classic so well worth a read (the deeper dive especially so).

Culture: How to Succeed in MrBeast Production

This document, written by MrBeast, serves as a guide for his production team. It outlines his vision, goals, and the principles that drive the success of his (outrageously successful) YouTube channel, emphasising creativity, audience engagement, and a results-driven mindset.

Whilst not necessarily core to every PMs day-to-day it’s an interesting view on virality and growing a YouTube channel that I feel translates well to startups, scale-ups and broader product teams.

Growth hacking: Building the Product Hunt Mafia

Jason Levin (the new Head of Growth at Product Hunt) is looking to “build the Product Hunt team into a social media mafia”. In this piece for Strategy Breakdowns he lays out his plan.

Interview: Building Sales Teams, Scaling Startups & Personal Branding

In his latest Open Source CEO newsletter, Bill Kerr talks with Scott Leese a fractional CRO and GTM Advisor about building sales teams, startups and more.

Firstly, yes this is sales-heavy. But it’s so important to get to know how a great sales team operates. They can be a killer partner or a nightmare if you don’t get on. Secondly, whilst not a household name, Scott has been a strategic advisor to over 130 companies worldwide, led multiple sales teams to success, worked with 12 unicorns and been part of 11 exits. So probably knows a thing or two…

🎙️ Pod Shots - Bitesized Podcast Summaries

It’s been a while since we had something from Lenny. But given the tough job market this recent episode with Phyl Terry seemed a must to include. Phyl, the author of "Never Search Alone," shares his insights on finding your dream job through strategic focus, community support, and effective negotiation tactics.

⚒️ Land Your Dream Job in Today’s Market: Negotiation Tactics, Job Search Councils, and More

🎥Watch the full episode here

📆 Published: September 12th, 2024

🕒 Estimated Reading Time: 3 mins. Time saved: 107 mins🔥

Finding Your Focus 🎯

One of the most crucial steps in job hunting is identifying your "candidate market fit." Similar to finding a product-market fit, this means narrowing your search to roles and companies that align with your unique skills and interests.

Key Takeaways:

• Narrow Your Search: Instead of applying to every available job, focus on roles that fit your skills and aspirations.

• Understand Your Value: Determine what you want and don't want in a job. This clarity will help you target opportunities that are a genuine match.

• Iterate and Adapt: As market conditions change, so should your job search strategy. Stay flexible and be ready to adjust your focus.

The Power of Job Search Councils 🤝

Phyl emphasises the importance of community support through job search councils, small groups of job seekers who meet regularly to share experiences, provide feedback, and keep each other accountable.

Key Takeaways:

• Support Network: Job search councils provide emotional support and practical advice, transforming the often isolating job search process into a collaborative journey.

• Accountability and Confidence: Regular meetings with peers can flip anxiety into motivation, helping you stay on track and boosting your confidence.

• Leverage Collective Wisdom: By sharing stories and strategies, council members can learn from each other's experiences and avoid common pitfalls.

Networking and Asking for Help 🌐

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of confidence. Whether it's seeking advice, feedback, or introductions, knowing how to effectively ask for help can open doors and create opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

• Be Open and Vulnerable: When you ask for help, be honest about your situation. This authenticity can build trust and encourage others to support you.

• Offer Value in Return: When reaching out for help, think about how you can reciprocate. Networking is a two-way street.

• Cultivate Relationships: Building a network isn't just about reaching out when you need something. Invest in relationships over time by offering support and staying connected.

Crafting a Job Mission with OKRs 📋

A standout strategy Phyl suggests is creating your own job mission with objectives and key results (OKRs) before even landing the role. This proactive approach showcases your initiative and helps clarify mutual expectations.

Key Takeaways:

• Draft a Mission Statement WITH OKRs: Outline what you envision for the role and how you plan to achieve key objectives. This not only shows your strategic thinking but also aligns you with the company’s goals.

• Collaborative Clarification: Use this mission to ask insightful questions during interviews, demonstrating your interest in contributing to the company’s success.

• Set Yourself Apart: By presenting a clear vision for the role, you distinguish yourself from other candidates and show that you are already thinking about how to add value.

Negotiation Tactics 💼

Negotiating a job offer can be daunting, but it's a crucial step in securing a role that meets your needs. Phyl advises using the negotiation process to set yourself up for success from day one.

Key Takeaways:

• Ask for What You Need: During negotiations, discuss what resources or support you'll need to succeed in the role. This could include budget for addressing technical debt, team training, or mentorship opportunities.

• Collaborative Approach: Frame your requests in a way that shows you're thinking about the company's success as well as your own.

• Know Your Worth: If you believe you deserve a higher salary or better terms, ask if they are open to discussing it. Most companies are willing to negotiate if approached thoughtfully.

Navigating Emotional Challenges 🧘

Job searching can be an emotional rollercoaster, especially when facing rejections or a prolonged search. Phyl stresses the importance of managing your emotional balance during this time.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace the Process: Accept that the job search process can be challenging and that everyone, even senior leaders, feels insecure at times.

• Build Resilience: Use job search councils and your support network to help you stay motivated and accountable.

• Practice Self-Compassion: Remember that rejections are not a reflection of your worth. Stay focused on your goals and keep pushing forward.

Final Thoughts and Action Steps 🚀

Landing your dream job is about more than just applying to roles. It's about understanding your market fit, leveraging community support, and navigating the process with a strategic mindset. Here are some action steps you can take this week:

1. Identify Your Candidate Market Fit: Define your ideal role and the type of company you want to work for.

2. Join or Start a Job Search Council: Find a group of peers who can support and guide you through the process.

3. Craft Your Job Mission with OKRs: Prepare a mission statement for your target role to show potential employers that you're already thinking about how to contribute.

4. Ask for Help: Reach out to your network for advice, feedback, and support. Remember, asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

5. Prepare for Negotiation: Identify what you need to succeed in your new role and be ready to discuss these needs during the negotiation process.

By approaching your job search with a clear strategy and the right support, you can navigate the challenges of today's market and land a job that you truly love.

Want to know more quickly? Just ask the episode below [web only]👇️🤯
or if you prefer, 🎥Watch the full episode here

📅Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 - The Importance of Focus in Job Searching

• 00:00:16 - Understanding Candidate Market Fit

• 00:00:57 - Introduction to Phyl Terry and His Work

• 00:02:09 - Helping Job Seekers Find Their Dream Jobs

• 00:02:29 - The Concept of Job Search Councils

• 00:02:56 - The Power of Community in Job Searching

• 00:04:28 - Phyl's Personal Connection to Job Search Councils

• 00:05:40 - The Scale and Impact of Job Search Councils

• 00:09:15 - Funding and Support for Job Search Councils

• 00:10:31 - Structure and Process of Joining a Council

• 00:12:21 - The Journey of Job Seekers in Councils

• 00:13:12 - Real Stories of Success from Job Search Councils

• 00:15:30 - The Value of Community in Job Searching

• 00:18:17 - Building a Safety Net for Job Seekers

• 00:20:29 - Tactics for Effective Job Searching

• 00:20:40 - Candidate Market Fit Explained

• 00:22:57 - The Listening Tour: Gathering Feedback

• 00:27:01 - Benefits of Conducting a Listening Tour

• 00:30:07 - Creating a Candidate Market Fit Statement

• 00:32:59 - Narrowing Your Focus for Job Searching

• 00:35:30 - Determining the Right Stage of Company

• 00:39:32 - Real-Life Examples of Candidate Market Fit

• 00:41:54 - The Importance of Iteration in Job Searching

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 🍽️.