In this episode of the Product Podcast we chat with Karri Saarinen, the CEO at Linear. It's the fastest-growing and most beloved project management tool in the world. The company is valued at $400 million, and has raised $52 million in funding from Accel, Sequoia, and some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs including the founders of Slack.

Before Linear, Karri led product design at Airbnb and Coinbase.

In our conversation, we'll discuss how his design background is helping him a product users love, his strong Product-Led Growth (PLG) approach to reach decision-makers, how to not always rely on data for product decisions, and his stance against incorporating AI-specific features into his product at this time.

Discover how Linear is building the tool that PMs love with a innovative and human approach that allows them to be growing so fast and having the sense of belonging of clients. This episode is packed with lessons on how coming from a different background can be a positive perspective when building a product that turns into the most enjoyable and efficient way to manage development.

(00:00) 🎬 Intro
(03:16) 🚀Design Background & Starting Linear
(06:41) 👨🏽‍💻 Role and Focus as a Founder
(09:19) 🛒 Competing in a Crowded Market
(12:45) 📈 Maintaining Long-Term Success
(14:48) 📚 Conclusion

KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Design-Centric Approach: As a designer, Karri's approach to starting Linear focuses on user experience and brand. He emphasizes the importance of creating a great experience for users, especially in a collaboration tool like Linear.
2. Role as a Founder: Karri handles non-technical aspects of the company, including design and product vision. He believes in focusing on areas where he can make the most impact, like maintaining high standards in design and brand.
3. Unlike competitors who expand to generalize their tools, Linear stays focused on providing an excellent user experience for its target audience. Differentiating in a crowded market by building the best product specifically for software teams.


SOCIAL LINKS:
- Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here
- Follow Product School on LinkedIn here
- Join Product School's free events here
- Find out more about Product School here

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Pendo, the only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application. With all the tools you need, in one simple-to-use platform, Pendo makes it easy to answer critical questions about how users are engaging with your product—then turn those insights into action—all so you can get your users to do what you actually want them to do. Visit their website to create your free Pendo account today

Eppo, the next-generation A/B testing and feature management platform built for modern growth teams by alums of Airbnb and Stitch Fix. Visit their website and 10x your experiment velocity.


CREDITS:
Host: Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia
Guest: Karri Saarinen

In this episode of the Product Podcast we chat with Jeremy Forrester, VP Product at Twitch and a key player in the world of short videos and live streaming. From his work on Vine for Windows Phone at Twitter to his impactful eight-year stint at Twitch, Jeremy offers incredible insights into the challenges and successes that have shaped today’s media scene.

Jeremy talks about Vine's legacy and its influence on platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok. Moving on to Twitch, he gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what keeps streaming audiences engaged and growing. We dive into how activities like gaming and DJ sets keep viewers hooked, with highlights like Ibai’s record-breaking streams and Ninja’s celeb collabs. Jeremy also explores the future of live streaming, including mobile game streaming and the impact of generative AI.

Discover how Twitch stands out from the crowd and the cool tools that make user experiences better. Jeremy also shares tips on how Twitch’s team structure supports both viewers and creators. This episode is packed with lessons on handling conflicts, continuous learning, and the importance of networking. Whether you’re a content creator or just love streaming, this episode is full of valuable insights and inspiration.

Content

(00:00) 🎬 Intro
(03:00) 🚀 The evolution of Jeremy at Twitch
(07:33) 📊 Key indicators of Twitch’s content
(11:09) 🧑‍💻 How does Jeremy define a content creator?
(13:48) 🌐 Twitch expansion: from community to events
(19:43) 🔮 What’s next for Jeremy
(24:10) 🎮 The gaming scene
(28:37) 🤖 How does Twitch implement Gen AI
(33:54) 🏢 Jeremy’s role as a VP of Product at Twitch


Key Takeaways

• Learn from predecessors: Vine's influence on platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok underscores the importance of studying and understanding past products. This can provide valuable insights and guide the development of new features or products.
• Focus on community: Jeremy's role in evolving Twitch highlights the significance of fostering a strong community. Product people should prioritize features that help users build and sustain their own communities.
• Utilize machine learning for personalization: Implementing personalized recommendations can significantly enhance user engagement. Additionally, features like polls and channel points can create interactive and engaging user experiences, emphasizing the need for continuous innovation in user engagement strategies.

Social Links:

• Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here
• Follow Product School on LinkedIn here
• Join Product School's free events here
• Find out more about Product School here

Brought to you by:

Pendo, the only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application. With all the tools you need, in one simple-to-use platform, Pendo makes it easy to answer critical questions about how users are engaging with your product—then turn those insights into action—all so you can get your users to do what you actually want them to do. Visit their website https://www.pendo.io/productschool/ to create your free Pendo account today

Eppo, the next-generation A/B testing and feature management platform built for modern growth teams by alums of Airbnb and Stitch Fix. Visit their website https://www.geteppo.com/, and 10x your experiment velocity.

Credits:
Host: Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia
Guest: Jeremy Forrester

In this episode of the Product Podcast, join us for a chat with Daniel Danker, CPO at Instacart. Daniel breaks down Instacart Plus and how it’s changing the game with $0 delivery fees and lower costs. Find out how teaming up with Uber Eats has supercharged the value for members by combining grocery and restaurant deliveries into one smooth service. Daniel also talks about sticking to what you’re good at and teaming up for new stuff to keep everything top-notch.

We also dive into how AI is shaking things up at Instacart. Daniel gives us the scoop on cool features like "personal planograms" that tailor the shopping experience to what you like. Plus, we chat about how AI thinking is becoming part of everything they do, driving innovation while keeping the core product strong. Tune in to catch some great insights on leading products, keeping things simple, and how AI is changing the grocery game.

Strategic Partnerships for Enhanced Customer Value:
Form strategic partnerships that complement your services. Instacart’s collaboration with Uber Eats to integrate restaurant deliveries with grocery orders is a great example. Such partnerships can significantly enhance customer convenience and increase your value proposition.

The Importance of Membership Models:
Focus on developing robust membership models that offer tangible benefits. Instacart Plus provides perks like $0 delivery fees and reduced costs, making it attractive to users. Concentrate on your core strengths and consider partnerships to expand your service offerings efficiently.

Organizational Evolution with AI:
Integrate AI thinking across your organization rather than confining it to a single team. This fosters continuous innovation and ensures that AI-driven insights are applied to improve all aspects of the customer experience.

Product Leadership and the Power of Simplicity:
Practice effective product leadership by setting clear strategies, speeding up product delivery, and eliminating operational blockers. Emphasize simplicity in product development, focusing on core elements that drive success and avoiding unnecessary complexity.

Social Links:

- Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here
- Follow Product School on LinkedIn here
- Join Product School's free events here
- Find out more about Product School here

Brought to you by:

Pendo, the only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application. With all the tools you need, in one simple-to-use platform, Pendo makes it easy to answer critical questions about how users are engaging with your product—then turn those insights into action—all so you can get your users to do what you actually want them to do. Visit their website to create your free Pendo account today

Eppo, the next-generation A/B testing and feature management platform built for modern growth teams by alums of Airbnb and Stitch Fix. Visit their website, and 10x your experiment velocity.

Credits:

Host: Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia
Guest: Daniel Danker

In this episode, we're thrilled to have Jamie DeLanghe, VP of Product at Slack, who shares her inspiring journey from working in customer support at Etsy to a successful career in product management. Jamie provides valuable insights into mastering product management without a technical background, emphasizing the role of curiosity and self-education.

We delve into the integration of Slack, the evolving use of workplace communication tools, and strategies for aligning growth incentives in B2B SaaS. Jamie also discusses Slack's approach to enhancing user experience through AI, flexible pricing strategies, and the strategic expansion of Slack's product features to cater to both small teams and large enterprises.

This episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world examples for anyone interested in product management and career growth.

Key Takeaways
Successful product management requires fostering a collaborative environment. Managing a diverse team, including product managers, localization, and learning teams, emphasizes the importance of structure and resource allocation to support core features, AI development, and growth.

Be flexible with pricing strategies to meet the needs of different user segments. Balance between seat-based and usage-based pricing, and ensure fair billing practices to build trust and satisfaction among users.

Leverage AI to improve user experience and productivity. Prioritize the development of features that help users manage information effectively, and consider the cost and value of AI integrations when developing pricing strategies.

Social Links:

- Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here
- Follow Product School on LinkedIn here
- Join Product School's free events here
- Find out more about Product School here

Brought to you by:

Pendo, the only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application. With all the tools you need, in one simple-to-use platform, Pendo makes it easy to answer critical questions about how users are engaging with your product—then turn those insights into action—all so you can get your users to do what you actually want them to do. Visit our website to create your free Pendo account today

Eppo, the next-generation A/B testing and feature management platform built for modern growth teams by alums of Airbnb and Stitch Fix. Visit our website, and 10x your experiment velocity.


Credits:

Host: Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia
Guest: Jaime DeLanghe

In this episode of the Product Podcast, we're thrilled to host Robert Brunner, Chief Designer at Beats by Dr. Dre and founder of Ammunition. Robert takes us on an enlightening journey through his remarkable career, sharing the secrets behind designing products that drive billions in revenue.

We delve into the intersection of aesthetics and functionality, exploring how innovative design can propel a brand to new heights. Robert emphasizes the importance of balancing visual appeal with usability, providing invaluable insights for aspiring designers and product leaders.

Our conversation covers the vital role of leadership in the design process, highlighting how collaboration and cross-disciplinary input lead to cohesive, market-successful products. Robert also shares his thoughts on staying adaptable with evolving trends, ensuring your designs remain relevant in a fast-paced industry.

Tune in to hear about the creation of iconic products and the breakthrough moments that defined Robert’s career. We also discuss the importance of continuously refining your craft and prioritizing user experience to create beloved products.

Get ready to embrace innovative thinking, foster collaboration, and stay ahead of design trends. Join us for a thought-provoking episode that promises to elevate your design approach and inspire you to create impactful, user-centered products. Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the industry’s most influential designers!

Key Takeaways:

Good design vs. great design: Good design is functional, usable, desirable, competitive, manufacturable, and affordable. Great design, however, inspires, empowers, and transforms. It challenges norms, fits into cultural contexts, and creates significant social and economic value.

Recognize that innovative design can significantly boost a company's revenue and market position. Strive to integrate creative design solutions that drive business success.

Always consider the user experience in your designs. Understand and anticipate user needs to create products that are loved and widely adopted. Focus on creating products that are both visually appealing and highly functional. Strive for a balance where aesthetics enhance usability and user experience.

Lead by fostering a collaborative environment that encourages creativity. Empower your team to innovate and contribute ideas that can enhance the design process.

Social Links:

- Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here
- Follow Product School on LinkedIn here
- Join Product School's free events here
- Find out more about Product School here

Brought to you by:

Pendo, the only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application. With all the tools you need, in one simple-to-use platform, Pendo makes it easy to answer critical questions about how users are engaging with your product—then turn those insights into action—all so you can get your users to do what you actually want them to do. Visit our website to create your free Pendo account today

Eppo, the next-generation A/B testing and feature management platform built for modern growth teams by alums of Airbnb and Stitch Fix. Visit our website, and 10x your experiment velocity.

Credits:

Host: Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia
Guest: Robert Brunner

In this episode of the Product Podcast with Prashanthi Ravanavarapu, Product Executive at PayPal, we unlock the secrets to becoming a transformative product leader. Our guest takes us on her journey from the data team to leading customer experience initiatives at PayPal, showcasing the power of internal mobility for personal and organizational growth.

We chat about how product management can address global challenges like poverty and hunger and why human-centered design is crucial for making meaningful, impactful products.

Get ready to hear about building high-performing "missionary teams" where passion for the mission and customer alignment drive success. Our guest also shares fascinating anecdotes from her background as a shot putter, illustrating how discipline and dedication translate to powerful leadership.

We also dive into justice-driven product design, emphasizing the creation of inclusive and equitable solutions that tackle systemic issues and foster diversity.
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that promises to elevate your leadership skills and inspire lasting social impact. Don't miss out on this insightful episode!

Formula for navigating internal mobility effectively:
1. What are my unique strenghts?
- Identify the skills and capabilities that set you apart.
- Reflect on past roles and projects where you have excelled.
- Consider feedback from peers and mentors to gain insights into your core competencies.
2. What are my interests?
- Think about the areas within the organization that excite you.
- Align your career aspirations with your passions.
- Explore opportunities that not only challenge you but also keep you motivated and engaged.
3. What’s the business gap?
- Look for gaps or unmet needs within the business that align with your strengths and interests.
- Conduct a thorough analysis to understand where your skills can add value.
- Develop a business case that demonstrates how your unique strengths and interests can address these gaps and contribute to the company's success.

The ingredients to unlock talent in people are discussed extensively. Here are the key components highlighted:
1. Purpose and Passion
2. Empathy and Understanding
3. Proactive Problem-Solving
4. Supportive Leadership

Social Links:

- Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here
- Follow Product School on LinkedIn here
- Join Product School's free events here
- Find out more about Product School here

Brought to you by:

Pendo, the only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application. With all the tools you need, in one simple-to-use platform, Pendo makes it easy to answer critical questions about how users are engaging with your product—then turn those insights into action—all so you can get your users to do what you actually want them to do. Visit our website https://www.pendo.io/productschool/ to create your free Pendo account today, and start building better experiences across every corner of your product.

Credits:

Host: Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia
Guest: Prashanthi Ravanavarapu

Join us for an inspiring episode of the Product Podcast with David Myszewski, as we dive into his incredible journey from an Apple engineer to a leading fintech innovator at Wealthfront. David shares his unique path from Wyoming to Silicon Valley, discussing his pivotal role in launching the first iPhone.

When he joined Wealthfront, the company was managing approximately $3 billion in assets. During his time at the company, he has experienced an extraordinary 20x growth, with Wealthfront now overseeing over $60 billion in assets under management.

David discusses Wealthfront's innovative features like tax loss harvesting and direct indexing, which have saved clients significant amounts in taxes. He emphasizes the importance of simplifying products to meet client needs and prioritizing long-term wealth-building. We also touch on future trends in fintech, including the strategic importance of bundling services to deliver comprehensive value to consumers.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from David's experiences and learn how continuous innovation and customer feedback drive successful product development. Don't miss this fascinating conversation about revolutionizing tech and fintech!

Episode Highlights
(00:00) 🎙️ Intro
(03:45) 📱 Work on the first iPhone team
(06:00) 👨‍💻 Did you get to demo in front of Steve Jobs?
(08:23) 📈 From $3B assets to over $60B assets under management at Wealthfront
(13:53) 💼 Caring about building long-term wealth for their clients
(16:16) ⚙️ Spending about 70% of our time optimizing existing products
(28:14) 🔬 Leverage research when building better products
(31:52) 🎨 Where does design fit into the org?

Social Links:

- Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here
- Follow Product School on LinkedIn here
- Join Product School's free events here
- Find out more about Product School here

Brought to you by:

Eppo, the next-generation A/B testing and feature management platform built for modern growth teams by alums of Airbnb and Stitch Fix. Visit our website, and 10x your experiment velocity.

Credits:

Host: Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia
Guest: David Myszewski

In this episode of the Product Podcast, join us for a chat with Francois Ajenstat, Chief Product Officer at Amplitude. Francois shares his journey in the tech world, shaped by his AI professor dad, and his time at Tableau, where he helped it grow and eventually get bought by Salesforce for $15.7 billion.

Francois talks about important mindset shifts for leaders, like balancing frameworks with outcomes and embracing Amazon's "disagree and commit" principle. He stresses the importance of always learning and making a difference at every career stage.

We also dive into the future of AI in product management, talking about the launch of Snowflake Native Amplitude, which makes data management easier and acts as a co-pilot for product managers. Francois explains how this innovation is changing the game by simplifying and automating tasks.

Tune in for some great insights on leadership, innovation, and the future of AI in product management from one of the industry's top figures. Don't miss it! 🎧✨

Episode highlights
(00:00) 🎙️ Intro
(03:37) 🌱 Figuring out How to Live and Grow Since a Very Early Age
(04:30) 💻 The Experience Working at Microsoft
(06:08) 📈 Joining Tableau: from $12M to Sell the Company to Salesforce
(14:21) 🚨 "I Hate Frameworks"
(20:02) 🤝 Disagree and Commit Principle from Amazon
(23:16) 🎤 Why Learn How to Demo will Take You to the Next Level
(31:40) 🔎 The Secrets Behind Amplitude
(43:36) 🤖 How AI Transforms Product Management

Social Links:
- Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here
- Follow Product School on LinkedIn here
- Join Product School's free events here
- Find out more about Product School here

Brought to you by:
Pendo, the only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application. With all the tools you need, in one simple-to-use platform, Pendo makes it easy to answer critical questions about how users are engaging with your product—then turn those insights into action—all so you can get your users to do what you actually want them to do. Visit our website to create your free Pendo account today, and start building better experiences across every corner of your product.

Credits:
Host: Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia
Guest: Francois Ajenstat