Product Habits - How to solve problems fast

How To Solve Problems Fast

Whenever there is a problem, people focus on what, how, and why it came about. I tend to focus instead on thinking about the current state, the desired state, and what needs to change to bridge the gap. Once the problem is solved, then it makes sense to focus on the "why" or "how." If you want to solve problems quickly, focus on the solution and dissect the problem later. 

Building a Profitable MVP Over a Weekend

I enjoyed this short and sweet read about how a software engineer helped his friend build a "scaled-down" B2B app in just one weekend. The MVP helped the company grow for an entire year and reach profitability. The lesson: Embrace constraints—they will push you toward a faster launch, a more focused product, and profitability from day 0.

Some Thoughts on Web3

The chatter about "Web3" is building rapidly—a new internet model built around cryptographic tokens. If you're cautiously curious about the hype, this article is a must-read. It'll help you grasp what the internet may look like soon, written from the perspective of someone who is an open-minded skeptic. 

Analyzing SaaS Billing Dark Patterns

Companies waste tens of thousands of dollars every year on SaaS products they never use. While subscription models help companies build consistent cash flow, SaaS providers sometimes take advantage, using dark billing patterns to increase their revenue. Here are the most common tactics and thoughts on what needs to change.

The Best Product Managers Have the Worst Ideas

There is a misconception that product managers have a knack for what users want. In actuality, some of the best product managers I know aren't "ideas" people at all. Instead, they are great at doing market research to validate or reject ideas. Do you agree?

Acquisition Channel Opportunities

While there are myriad opportunities to acquire new customers, it's never been more challenging to stand out from the noise on the internet. The three acquisition channel opportunities in this article will give you a better feel for the kind of content that performs well and increases your chances of discoverability.

The Best Marketing Doesn't Look Like Marketing

Marketing comes in many forms, but I think the best kind doesn't feel like marketing at all. It's sometimes impossible to spot and rarely looks like traditional marketing. Peter Thiel says there are four kinds of sellers: Novices, Experts, Masters, and Grandmasters. If you want to be a grandmaster, these are the two things you must do. 

Choose Your Customers Intentionally

I've seen it happen more times than I can count: SaaS companies focus on growth at all costs, and they don't exercise the ability to choose customers selectively. Instead of targeting broadly to get a flood of low-potential, high-maintenance clients, identify your best customer segment and focus on driving maximum growth and profit among them.