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 you can sign up and check previous editions here.

Fear not, you haven’t gone mad it’s still Friday. This week’s edition comes to you from sunny Spain. It’s been a restful week so I figured I’d get the newsletter out a few days early ahead of the weekend. After all, this way I don’t need to worry about the result of the final on Sunday and of course, the world of Product never sleeps.

What’s on the menu this week? 🧑‍🍳

📰 Not Boring - This week brings exciting updates in tech. Apple and Google have teamed up to simplify photo transfers, while Google’s parent company, Alphabet, decided to pass on acquiring HubSpot. The EU wrapped up its anti-trust probe on Apple, and Amazon introduced the $79 Echo Spot alarm clock. Spotify has added comments to podcasts for better creator-fan interaction, and Meta rolled out an AI tool to remove copyrighted music from videos automatically. Samsung launched a heap of stuff, and Microsoft added spellcheck and autocorrect to Notepad after 40+ years. Plus, we’ve got news from Amazon, Starlink and, Nothing and more.

⌚️ Time-Saving Tools & GPTs - This week we help you with your knowledge work, translation management, project management, task management, coding assistance, and product analytics. Easy.

🍔 Blog Bites - Our essential reads for product teams this week cover delegation for first-time managers, finding hidden frictions in user experiences, and a case study on Arc’s successful public-building strategy 🔥.

🎙️ Pod Shots - Finally, we dive into the recent 20VC interview with Mike Schroepfer, former CTO of Meta, where he explores why the best leaders are like music conductors. Schroepfer shares his insights on leadership, resilience, and the power of strategic thinking. A great read/listen for founders and product managers looking to align their teams and drive innovation.

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

📰 Not boring

• Apple and Google have joined forces to make photo transferring much easier

• Whilst on the subject, Google parent Alphabet shelves efforts to acquire HubSpot after due diligence setbacks

• And The EU has ended Apple’s anti-trust probe after some commitments from the company

• Amazon announces new $79 Echo Spot alarm clock

• Spotify rolls out comments for podcasts to allow creators more ways to interact with their fans 👀 

• Poe AI introduces ‘Previews’ to allow users to create Web Apps within chats - could be a neat way to spin up quick POCs or demos for product teams

• Anthropic’s Claude adds a prompt playground to quickly improve your AI apps

• Instagram founder confirms they won’t be focusing on long-form video any time soon

• Meta announces “Erase Song” tool to easily remove copyright-claimed music from videos leaving the rest of the audio intact. Decent real-world use case for AI

• Bumble wants users to report AI-generated images

• Samsung launches the Galaxy Ring — a first-of-its-kind product for the tech giant amongst a stack of other new products (and yes, there’s lots of AI obvs)

• Microsoft quits openAI’s board whilst Apple opted not to take the position amid regulatory scrutiny

• Microsoft’s Notepad gets spellcheck and autocorrect 40 years after launch

• Humane execs leave company to found AI fact-checking startup

• Roblox names Xbox, Netflix alum Jerret West as CMO

• Amazon launches AWS App Studio, a gen-AI service to help create internal applications without needing to code - could be pretty neat for internal Products

• Starlink Mini is now available for anyone in the US who wants to roam

• Whilst, Musk says next Neuralink brain implant expected soon, despite issues with the first patient

• Finally, Nothing has shipped a budget-friendly, modular phone and it looks pretty good

Want even more news?? View more here → 

⌚️ Time-Saving Tools & GPTs

• Hebbia: “the AI platform for knowledge work”

• translized: Translation Management Software
  That Works For You

• Flat: Simple project management tool; “the simplest way for your team to get organised and stay aligned”

• Mindpal: AI workflow and task manager to help automate various work tasks from social media to market research

• Pieces: on-device AI coding assistant that boosts developer productivity by helping you solve complex development tasks through a contextual understanding of your entire workflow

• Airbook: Interesting Product Analytics tool. In their words “Airbook eliminates the complexity of pulling data from multiple sources and juggling fragmented tools for cross-functional teams”

🍔 Blog Bites - Essential Reads for Product Teams

Learn: How to Delegate as a First-Time manager

Hat tip to the DOP newsletter for linking to this great HBR article full of practical advice to help people delegate better. Something many can learn from!

UX: How to find the invisible obstacles in your users' lives that demotivate them from buying

Here’s a thought-provoking piece from the “How They Grow” newsletter about hidden frictions in your product. The pain isn’t always about the frictions we mostly try to optimise for, but instead something more human that pulls people away from an action they’d otherwise be ready to take.

Case Study: Arc’s build-in-public playbook

Nice breakdown from “Strategy Breakdowns” of Arc and how it’s building trust and passionate fans through: creating a scrapbook, not a press release, making it personal and creating an ecosystem entry point for their top users.

🎙️ Pod Shots

In today’s Pod Shots we dive into the recent 20VC interview with Mike Schroepfer, former CTO of Meta. He covers the nuances of leadership, and draws intriguing parallels between effective leadership and the role of a music conductor.

⚒️ Why The Best Leaders are Like Music Conductors 🎶

🎥 Watch the full episode here 

📆 Published: June, 2024

🕒 Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes. Time saved: 75minutes🔥 

🎻 The Conductor’s Role in Leadership

Building a company might seem like a series of grand moments, but it’s more accurately a game of inches. A good leader, according to Mike, resembles a conductor of an orchestra. Even the best musicians sound terrible if they aren't playing from the same sheet. Similarly, a leader must ensure all team members are aligned and working harmoniously towards a common goal.

Key Takeaways for Founders and Product Managers:

• Alignment is Crucial: Ensure everyone understands the company's vision and their role in achieving it. Having seen this many times 1st hand, this point is absolutely critical.

• Constant Communication: Just as a conductor communicates with musicians, leaders must maintain open lines of communication.

• Adaptability: Be ready to adjust the ‘music’ as needed to keep the team in sync and progressing.

💡 Childhood Lessons and Resilience

Reflecting on his childhood, Mike shared an anecdote about a cartoonist drawing him with a bubble saying, “Oh no, bugs in my software,” highlighting his early passion for computers. This early interest and subsequent experiences shaped his resilience, especially during his startup days when he faced numerous rejections while raising funds.

Key Takeaways:

• Early Passions Can Define Careers: Encourage early interests and hobbies as they can shape future professional paths.

• Resilience is Key: Persistence in the face of rejection is crucial. Founders often hear many “no’s” before a “yes.”

• First Principles Thinking: Base decisions on fundamental truths rather than opinions or trends.

❤️ The Power of Personal Relationships

Mike emphasised that his most memorable “yes” was his wife agreeing to marry him. Having a supportive partner who is smarter and collaborative has been invaluable. On the professional front, he shared the impact of Sequoia Capital eventually saying “yes” after many rejections.

Key Takeaways:

• Support Systems Matter: Surround yourself with supportive and intelligent people both personally and professionally.

• Long-Term Vision: Rejections can be stepping stones to eventual success. Stay focused on your long-term goals.

• Intrinsically Motivated Teams: Foster a culture where team members are driven by internal goals and beliefs.

🚀 Overcoming No’s and Finding the Right Partners

Mike’s journey with Sequoia Capital highlighted the importance of finding the right partners who believe in your vision. Despite numerous rejections, he persisted because he believed in his product and its potential market impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Find Believers: Seek investors and partners who share your vision and are willing to support your journey.

• Persistence Pays Off: Repeated rejection is a natural part of the startup process. Use it as fuel to refine and improve.

• Prove Your Market: Be ready to demonstrate the potential and scalability of your market.

🎯 The Importance of Strategic Thinking

A significant part of being a great leader, Mike explained, involves strategic thinking and the ability to pivot when necessary. He shared an anecdote about a board member asking if they could ship a product a quarter earlier, pushing the team to think about faster execution.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Flexibility: Be prepared to adjust strategies based on market feedback and internal capabilities.

• Push Boundaries: Encourage your team to explore faster and more efficient ways to achieve goals.

• Balance Planning and Speed: Understand when to emphasize strategic planning over sheer speed and vice versa.

🌍 Climate Tech and the Future

As Mike transitioned to climate tech, he recognised the monumental impact of clean energy on human progress. He emphasised that the availability of cheap, clean energy is a major rate limiter to human advancement.

Key Takeaways:

• Future-Oriented Thinking: Always look ahead to the next big technological shift that can transform industries.

• Sustainable Solutions: Focus on solutions that not only solve immediate problems but also have long-term benefits for the environment and society.

• Invest in Innovation: Be willing to invest in and support emerging technologies that have the potential to make significant positive impacts.

🎨 Creativity and Coordination in Teams

Mike described the importance of having high-functioning, well-coordinated teams. Like an orchestra, the best teams are those where each member plays their part perfectly, creating a harmonious and productive environment.

Key Takeaways:

• Role Clarity: Ensure each team member knows their role and responsibilities.

• Optimised Teamwork: Prioritise coordination and collaboration within the team to achieve optimal results.

• Leverage Strengths: Identify and utilise the unique strengths of each team member to maximise performance.

📈 Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Throughout his career, Mike has championed the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. Whether it’s transitioning from operator to investor or staying ahead in technological trends, he highlights the necessity of evolving with the industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Lifelong Learning: Cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement and learning.

• Adaptability: Be ready to pivot and adapt to new roles and industry changes.

• Stay Curious: Maintain curiosity and an open mind towards new technologies and methodologies.

🌟 Conclusion: The Symphony of Leadership

Mike Schroepfer’s insights reveal that the best leaders, like music conductors, create harmony out of chaos. They align their teams, push boundaries, and remain resilient in the face of challenges. By fostering coordination, strategic thinking, and continuous learning, leaders can orchestrate success in their companies, much like a conductor leading an orchestra to a beautiful performance.

Final Takeaways:

• Leadership is an Art: Treat your role as a leader like that of a conductor, creating harmony and alignment within your team.

• Embrace Challenges: Use rejections and challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement.

• Invest in People: Surround yourself with supportive, intelligent people and invest in their growth and development.

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 - Introduction and Leadership Philosophy

• 00:00:21 - Guest Introduction and Excitement

• 00:00:49 - Childhood Reflections

• 00:01:38 - Memorable Yes and No Moments

• 00:03:12 - Raising Money for a Startup

• 00:04:13 - Meeting with Sequoia Capital

• 00:06:05 - Board Member Experiences

• 00:07:58 - Qualities of a Great Board Member

• 00:09:53 - Transition from Operator to Investor

• 00:11:30 - Managing Multiple Business Units

• 00:13:00 - Common Organizational Challenges

• 00:15:45 - Coordination and Optimization in Teams

• 00:16:06 - Balancing Speed and Strategic Thought

• 00:18:24 - Decision-Making Frameworks

• 00:20:03 - Best Decisions and Hiring Impact

• 00:22:30 - AI and VR Strategic Decisions

• 00:24:44 - Timing and Market Predictions

• 00:25:13 - Financing Pathways in Climate Tech

• 00:27:38 - Time to Revenue in Climate Tech

• 00:29:16 - Early Challenges in Climate Tech

• 00:31:12 - Consumer Hardware Experience

• 00:34:38 - Risks in Investing

• 00:36:18 - Evaluating Pre-Seed Investments

• 00:38:12 - Outcome Scenario Planning

• 00:39:35 - Capital Allocation in Climate Tech

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 🍽️.