A Smart Bear: On Product

“MVP” implies a selfish process, abusing customers so you can “learn”. Instead, make the first version SLC: Simple, Lovable, and Complete". —August 2017 | 2,200 words.

This simple method positions your product to be more valuable, especially against competitors who aim to disrupt you, or you them. —June 2023 | 3,800 words.

This fresh take on “Willingness-to-Pay” analyzes three types of customer motivation, leading to superior strategies for growth that also better the world. —May 2023 | 4,000 words.

A novel system for selecting and presenting product KPIs, satisfying not only the product team, but also stakeholders, executives, and customers. —July 2023 | 2,600 words.

The vaunted “single-threaded, ordered list” confuses “prioritization” with “work-planning,” and forces comparisons of the un-comparable. Here’s the solution. —August 2022 | 2,500 words.

According to the Internet, being a Product Manager is impossible. Can you ever measure up? No. But don’t worry, there’s a better answer. —April 2022 | 2,200 words.

We invented this strategic exercise at WP Engine – engaging both Marketing and Product, generating actions for both sides that make products more desirable and competitive. —June 2022 | 3,200 words.

Stop talking past each other. Translate between the three “languages” of customer desires, product features, and business goals. —May 2024 | 1,500 words.

Some things appear to be mistakes, but in fact should be celebrated as the expected outcomes of great decisions. —January 2024 | 1,600 words.

“Survival of the fittest” is not the same thing as “survival of the best.” Founders have the responsibility to solve both for growth and the betterment of the world. —February 2016 | 1,200 words.

I remember “disruptive” when it was called a “paradigm shift.” You should be worrying more about making something people want to buy, and less about disrupting everything. —April 2010 | 1,600 words.

In the quest for optimization, A/B tests, metrics, and funnels, we’re in danger of losing the fun and value of creative work. —April 2010 | 900 words.