honest product.

Honest Product is a consultancy focused on product-led strategies for startups and scaling teams. It explores organizational structures, the importance of narrative and context, the roles of champions and detractors in change, and strategies for hiring and growth. The consultancy emphasizes learning, efficiency, and the need for a clear product vision.

Product Strategy Startup Scaling Organizational Structure Narrative and Context in Business Team Dynamics and Change Management Hiring and Talent Management Growth Strategies Product-Market Fit

The hottest Substack posts of honest product.

And their main takeaways

Introducing honest product.

59 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
  1. The company is officially launching a consultancy that focuses on product-led strategies.
  2. They offer services like setting up product functions, developing product strategies, and finding growth opportunities.
  3. They provide free Product Office Hours for advice in a no-pressure environment.

Quick Take #1: Error in Growth Engines

39 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
  1. Most companies separate teams into revenue generating and revenue supporting, causing error-prone communication.
  2. Creating cross-functional teams that support growth end-to-end simplifies the organizational structure.
  3. Unified team models reduce errors, minimize meetings, and enable quicker responses to new information.

When is a Feature Factory...not?

36 HN points • 31 Jul 23
  1. Feature factory mentality isn't always a bad thing if organizations prioritize learning and outcomes.
  2. In early startups, measuring impact may be challenging, but focusing on reaching product-market fit is crucial.
  3. Investing in data and research, even in early stages, can prevent the formation of feature factories by enabling informed decisions.

Narrative As Context

19 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
  1. Companies rely on the stories they tell for success and growth.
  2. Maintaining shared context within an organization is crucial for effective communication and avoiding alienation.
  3. Using narrative structure helps in communicating clearly, building understanding, and bridging gaps between different functions within a company.

The Cost of Mediocrity

19 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
  1. Early stage companies need the product function to learn, validate, and avoid wasting time.
  2. Growth stage companies without a well-defined product function risk making bad hires, taking on unnecessary debt, and failing to innovate.
  3. Large successful companies may suffer from mediocrity if they lack a strong product organization internally.
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First things first

0 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
  1. Building a business can be messy and plans often change.
  2. Regularly updating strategy and metrics helps prevent misalignments.
  3. Having a clear north star indicator can simplify product strategy adjustments.

Killing Product Management

0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💼 Business Management Startups Strategy Technology Economics
  1. Product management is often confused with project management, but they serve different purposes. Product managers should focus on strategy, while project managers handle execution.
  2. Many companies are pushing product managers into more tactical roles due to pressures from investors and founders. This shift can weaken the strategic insights that product managers provide.
  3. There's hope for the future of product management, with companies like Airbnb recognizing the importance of storytelling in the role. This approach can help ensure that decisions are aligned with business goals and customer needs.

Where things break down

0 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
  1. The activities that work in the early stages won't necessarily lead to growth.
  2. Transitioning from building a product to growing it requires different strategies and mindsets.
  3. Teams need to unify marketing, sales, and product efforts for sustainable growth.

Product is an Umbrella

0 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
  1. Delaying critical product hires can harm startups.
  2. Founders must own the product vision to de-risk launches.
  3. Creating a dedicated product function is essential for growth and efficiency.

The Champion and the Detractor

0 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
  1. Identify and engage champions and detractors when implementing organizational change.
  2. Champions actively support and drive change, while detractors resist and can hinder progress.
  3. Consider people's attitudes and address concerns when implementing change to ensure success.

Shifting Our Hiring Mindset

0 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
  1. Startups need people who can produce value quickly and sustain productivity over time.
  2. Founders should invest in high-leverage talent rather than focusing on potential growth roles.
  3. In a down economy, consider options like hiring a fractional CPO, training a teammate, or working with a consultant for the Product function.