Read this if you're adding AI to your product

Hiten's Pick

Read This if You're Adding AI to Your Product

If you're building a startup, you're probably considering integrating AI into your product. Product analytics startup June has built and deployed multiple AI features, and the team recently shared everything they've learned. This read is a good reminder to create something that solves a real problem for your customers. Don't use AI as a gimmick–users will see right through it.

Business

In Defense of Strategy

There is a common belief in tech that execution matters more than anything else. Packy McCormick was the VP of Experience at a startup called Breather, and he learned the hard way that execution means nothing without a sound strategy. After raising $120 million, they sold the company for $3 million in 2021. Execution is necessary but not sufficient. You need to pair it with a thoughtful strategy. Here's what it looks like to build one.

The Most Important Question for Founders Is, "Why?"

Being a founder or startup executive is an intense journey. On average, a startup takes 7-10 years to scale and go public. Even if an IPO or significant acquisition isn't your goal, you have to consider the opportunity cost. So if you go down the startup path, make sure you're clear on the underlying motivation and care about the problem you're trying to solve.

Product

The Four Types of Software in the Future

How we think about and make software is about to change dramatically. The type of software we make in the future may serve a different purpose and have a different quality level. This article outlines a vision for the four types of software in the future: commercial, boutique, personal, and disposable. Here's what each of them might be used for.

The 10 Traits of Great PMs

Slack's Chief Product Officer, Noah Weiss, was recently a guest on Lenny Rachitsky's podcast. They cover a lot in the conversation–from the top ten traits of great PMs to essential growth areas for both new and senior PMs. If you work in a PM role, this is a must-listen conversation.

Marketing & Sales

How To Find Your Community Wedge

There are more online communities than ever before. But if you're thinking about creating one of your own, don't let the volume dissuade you entirely. Just make sure you find your "community wedge"–a way to differentiate your community and offer something unique. You can use these five wedges to build a community in an already busy market.

AI for Sales: A New Era for Selling

As the hype around AI grows louder, people are starting to wonder what their jobs will look like in the near future. This is especially true for specific roles, like sales. We're still in the "early adopters" stage, but the sooner you understand and learn how to integrate AI into your sales workflow, the better. This is an instructive list of ways you can use AI for sales.

Growth

7 Lessons Growing a Bootstrapped SaaS to $50k MRR

I started watching Jon Yongfook build his startup, Bannerbear, in public in early 2020. Over the past few years, he's diligently grown his company with a mix of product development and marketing efforts. He's since bootstrapped the company to an impressive $50k MRR. These are some of the illuminating lessons he's learned along the way.

Preparing To Sell an Early-Stage Startup

Jean Yang founded a company called Akita Software. This past month, another company acquired her startup. She shared her thoughts on how she built the company leading up to the acquisition–from the tech stack Akita used to why she pivoted the company a few years ago. This is a worthwhile read for founders considering an acquisition in the next few years.

Management

A Communication Strategy Worth Trying

In the 1980s, psychotherapist David Grove developed something called Clean Language to help therapists avoid subtly influencing what clients said during their sessions. The approach involves the questioner keeping their thoughts, assumptions, and metaphors out of the conversation as much as possible. Here's a list of practical ways you can use this strategy effectively at work.

Embracing and Inspiring the Gen Z Workforce

The oldest cohort of Gen Zers are entering the workforce. As with any past generation, leaders need to understand what younger employees are thinking about and motivated by. This research report covers six key areas they care about, from financial concerns to mental health. If you're a leader or manager, take a few minutes to read this.

Insight of the Week

Don't Lose Your Unreasonable Sense of Urgency

David Heinemeier Hansson reminds us that starting anything new typically requires tremendous urgency. "It's hard to launch something from nothing into reality without being incredibly impatient for progress," he says. Even as your company grows, it's helpful to have someone who will ask why you can't launch something next week instead of next month.

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Read this if you're adding AI to your product