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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 sizzling this week? 🧑‍🍳

📰 Not Boring - Once again, all sorts of action to report this week! Anthropic has revealed the inner workings behind Claude, Apple is gearing up for its iPhone 16 launch and working on a next-gen AI personality. Meanwhile, Elon Musk surprises everyone with his support for California’s AI bill, and Telegram’s CEO faces a controversial arrest. Over at Meta, expect to see a new budget VR headset soon, while Nvidia continues to impress with its soaring revenue, whilst simultaneously not impressing with its pressure-cooker culture. Plus more from the likes of Tesla, Microsoft, X, Google, Dropbox, Midjourney, Amazon, Spotify, Space X, Dropbox…. At this rate, it may be easier to say who’s NOT in the news next week.

⌚ Time-Saving Tools & GPTs - This week’s tools to boost your productivity include Theysaid for conversational AI surveys, an impressive way to code from text (watch an 8yr old create a chatbot), and a couple of ways to create how-tos and interactive product demos in minutes. Plus how to automate your code documentation and we share a list of 245 free public APIs.

🍔 Blog Bites - This week’s essential reads dive deep into the evolving landscape of scaling without growing, the shifting value of market share in the digital age, and the rapid iteration philosophies behind Beehiiv’s success. Whether you're looking to streamline growth or challenge conventional wisdom, these articles will get you thinking.

🔥 Hot Tickets - New this week! We’re trialing a new section highlighting must-attend events to grow your network and upskill IRL. We’re starting with a bang with the awesome Women in Product UK and CPO Track. If you’re looking to expand your network and sharpen your product skills, these are the places to be.

🎙️ Pod Shots - We wrap up with insights from Jason Knight on the Aakash Gupta podcast on the messy reality of B2B product management. He shares stacks from his extensive B2B history including views on why it isn’t always like the books, prioritisation, navigating sales-led businesses, and how to chip away to make things better.

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

📰 Not boring

• Anthropic has published the system prompts that make Claude tick 

• In Apple corner

  • Apple’s iPhone 16 launch event is set for September 9th

  • Apple are working on a next-gen humanlike AI ‘personality’ that’s not Siri

  • Plus macOS Sequoia is coming earlier than usual, report claims

  • But Apple also cutting jobs across its Books and News apps

• Elon Musk unexpectedly offers support for California’s AI bill

• X edits AI chatbot after election officials warn that it spreads misinformation

• Tesla is hiring people to pretend to be the Tesla robot for a few hours

• Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested at French airport.

  • Plenty of uproar about free speech online but also counter talk of being unwilling to help authorities over child abuse material

  • There’s also the fact Putin isn’t a friend and yet the Russian military also uses Telegram. Lots to unravel here

• Meta is planning to show its new budget VR headset next month

• Meta and Spotify spotted developing a new social music-sharing feature

• Threads confirms it is experimenting with ephemeral posts

• Microsoft is rebranding Copilot in the most Microsoft way possible

• SpaceX preps Starship pad to catch a rocket

• Nvidia Revenue jumps 122%, beating expectations and showing there’s still juice in AI yet

  • But millionaire Nvidia employees are still working until 2 a.m. 7 days a week. This sounds grim

• Amazon's CEO claims AI has saved 4,500 years of work (yes years) in upgrading programming language versions alone

  • Despite their obvious bias (they sell an AI coding assistant you know) that’s quite the improvement

• Midjourney says it’s ‘getting into hardware’

• Dropbox acquires Index Ventures-backed AI scheduling tool Reclaim.ai

• Google announces prompt library for developers to build their own tools and products

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⌚️ Time-Saving Tools & GPTs

• Theysaid: “The World's First Conversational AI Survey”

• Cursor: “Built to make you extraordinarily productive, Cursor is the best way to code with AI.”

  • HT to the Department of Product for this one. Check out this video of an 8yr old using it to create a chatbot powered by Cloudflare in 45 mins. This is the future of product development 🤯 

• guidde: record a task and automatically create videos and walk-throughs

• Free Public APIs: 245 free public APIs. Tested every single day.

• hexus: (in a similar vein) create interactive product demos, videos, step-by-step guides, and more in minutes

• Mimrr: Automate your code documentation and get fixes to code bugs, performance & security issues.

🍔 Blog Bites - Essential Reads for Product Teams

Forecast: The Era of Scaling Without Growing & The Meaning Economy

Here, Scott Belsky forecasts that smaller companies using a new AI-native tech stack will no longer need to grow teams to scale and reach $10m+ revenues. He also goes on to talk about how the “meaning economy” (where the creators and brands and experiences that engage us will do so through story, craft, and a deeper and more sophisticated sense of meaning) may overtake the creator economy.

His pieces are really interesting as he tries to dig deep into the implications of current and future trends with “examples from the trenches” and some surprises.

In terms of this specific piece, the building blocks are certainly there. We just somehow have to overcome the hallucinations AI creates, which could lead to some pretty material (i.e. bad) outcomes. Worth checking out.

Marketing: Does Market Share Still Matter?

Market share is a key KPI for C-suite executives, historically linked to higher profitability. But with increasing digitalisation, is this relationship still valid, or are market share strategies now outdated?

This Harvard Business Review piece analyses the relationship, concluding it’s still important but less so than in the past. As firms go digital, market share growth is less tied to profitability, especially without a digital B2C platform or strong digital focus. Low market share firms should use digital transformation to boost profitability and close the gap with competitors.

Case Study: shipOS The processes, philosophies, and frameworks Beehiiv utilises to ship

"Ship or die" and "Speed over perfection" are the core principles driving newsletter platform Beehiiv's rapid growth. Whilst certainly not new they’re principles close to my heart so thought it worth sharing this piece that digs into how Beehiiv operates and grows so damn fast.

FYI: This very newsletter is created using Beehiiv. You can check it out and create your own here.

🔥 Hot Tickets - Events That Matter

What’s this? A new section you say? What’s all this then?

One of the best ways you can up-skill and accelerate your product knowledge is growing your network.

This new section will highlight communities or events I’m aware of (and / or going to). Given the sporadic nature this may come and go each week, but let me know what you think and if you want an event featured!

First up is a double header from Namrata Sarmah’s Women in Product UK and CPO Track. I’m big supporter of both and highly recommend each. Take a look at what’s coming up on their agendas here:

🎙️ Pod Shots - Bitesized Podcast Summaries

This week we’re covering a recent episode of Aakash Gupta’s podcast with Jason Knight, a seasoned product expert with over 25 years in tech. Jason covers all things B2B, a world far removed from the idealised Product scenarios we often read about.

⚒️ Dealing with the Messy Reality of B2B Product Management

🎥Watch the full episode here

📆 Published: August 26th, 2024

🕒 Estimated Reading Time: 2.5 mins. Time saved: 95 mins🔥

🌊 The Myth of Perfection: Why You Can't Do It All

In the idealised world of product management, there's a checklist of best practices: being agile, leveraging lean methodologies, perfect continuous discovery, awesome A-B tests, forever iterating based on feedback, the list goes on. The reality? It's not possible to do everything perfectly all the time.

Jason Knight aptly points out that the narrative of failure if you don't "do it all" needs to be discarded. The truth is, reality isn’t like that and product managers are often faced with conflicting demands from different stakeholders. Pleasing everyone is impossible, and trying to do so can lead to burnout and a mediocre product.

Takeaway: Sod the "ideal product manager" checklist. Focus on what's most important for your product, team and the situation you find yourself in.

🎯 Navigating Sales-Led Growth: Balancing Customer Needs and Product Strategy

In many B2B environments, the pressure to grow revenue can lead to a reactive product strategy where the product team becomes more of a delivery function than a strategic leader. Sales teams, incentivised to close deals, may push product managers to implement specific features to win a deal, even if it doesn't align with the long-term product vision (or even actually close the deal…)

This dynamic often results in a product that's a patchwork of customer requests, leading to a lack of focus and scalability. Jason emphasises the importance of drawing boundaries where possible and knowing when to say no to requests that don't fit within your product's strategic vision.

Takeaway: Work closely with stakeholders but maintain your product's strategic integrity. Prioritise features that align with your long-term vision and scalability rather than succumbing to every customer request.

🛠️ Chipping Away at the Status Quo: The Reality of Organizational Change

For many new product managers, the reality of their role often doesn't match the expectations set by industry literature. You might find yourself stuck in an order-taker role, battling to implement best practices in an environment that resists change. But as Jason points out, change doesn't happen overnight. It requires chipping away at the status quo, one small improvement at a time.

Understanding the specific context of your organisation is crucial. Whether it's a sales-led culture or an industry where product management is still maturing, your approach needs to be tailored.

Takeaway: Set realistic expectations and focus on incremental improvements. If you're in an environment that doesn't support the product management practices you value, consider whether you can influence change or if it’s time to move on.

💡 Product Discovery: The Art of Asking the Right Questions

Product discovery is often hailed as a critical practice, but in B2B, it comes with its own set of challenges. Unlike B2C, where the end-user and buyer are often the same person, B2B product managers must balance the needs of buyers (who may never use the product) and users (who may not influence purchasing decisions).

Jason suggests that while product managers should definitely engage in discovery, they must also collaborate with sales and customer success teams to gather a holistic view of customer needs. This collaboration ensures that the insights gathered are not only comprehensive but also relevant to the current business context.

Takeaway: Product discovery in B2B requires a collaborative approach. Integrate insights from across your organisation to build a fuller picture of customer needs and use cases.

🔥 The Perils of Prioritisation: Avoiding the Feature Factory Trap

Prioritising features is one of the most challenging aspects of product management, especially in a B2B context. Traditional frameworks like RICE (Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort) can be helpful, but they often fall short when applied in isolation. According to Jason, these methods can lead to a focus on smaller, disconnected features that don't necessarily drive the product forward in a meaningful way (would Apple have built the iPhone this way??).

Instead, he advocates for a swinging for the fences and is also a fan of user a story mapping approach, where the focus is on end-to-end user journeys and use cases rather than isolated features. This method helps ensure that what you're building actually delivers value to the user and aligns with your broader product strategy.

Takeaway: Prioritise user journeys over individual features. Use frameworks as a guide, but don't let them dictate your strategy. Focus on the bigger picture and ensure that what you're building is cohesive and impactful.

📈 Looking Ahead: The Future of B2B Product Management

As B2B product management evolves, Jason sees a growing need for product managers to deepen their understanding of the business side of things. This includes areas like go-to-market strategy, pricing, packaging, and even the company's financial health. Product managers who can bridge the gap between product and business will be better positioned to drive their products forward.

Moreover, Jason hopes to see more product managers rise to C-level positions, bringing their unique perspective to the broader leadership team. This shift would not only elevate the role of product management but also ensure that product thinking is embedded in the company’s overall strategy.

Takeaway: To succeed in the future, product managers need to become business-savvy leaders. Focus on understanding the broader business context and work towards integrating product thinking into the company’s strategic decision-making process.

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

📅Timestamps:

• [00:02:39] Messy reality of B2B product management.

• [00:11:55] Unrealized workplace expectations.

• [00:13:49] Confidence meter and decision-making.

• [00:17:40] Challenging conventional wisdom in product.

• [00:22:33] B2B product management pitfalls.

• [00:30:28] Product managers' accountability for delivery.

• [00:36:13] Product management challenges.

• [00:41:49] Working under organizational constraints.

• [00:50:01] Building for scale.

• [00:55:15] Importance of Customer Coordination.

• [01:03:04] Building organizational alignment.

• [01:08:16] Building a product strategy.

• [01:15:13] Prioritizing Use Cases Over Features.

• [01:18:09] Taking big swings in product management.

• [01:19:36] Product leadership development.

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 🍽️.