The hottest Product Development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Why We Make the Exeter Hammer

The American Peasant • 2715 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
💼 Business Product Development Entrepreneurship Manufacturing Marketing Sales
  1. The Exeter Hammer was developed over three years to create a lightweight, balanced tool ideal for furniture makers. It combines good design and functionality to improve woodworking tasks.
  2. The hammer's design process involved scrapping an earlier project that felt too similar to common hammers on the market. This led to creating a unique hammer that meets specific needs of woodworkers.
  3. The first 400 hammers sold quickly, showing a strong demand and approval from users. This success suggests that thoughtful design can resonate well with the target audience.

Introducing RunLLM: The first AI Support Engineer

Generating Conversation • 163 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Product Development Customer Support Productivity
  1. RunLLM is an AI designed to help support teams by managing technical questions and documentation, making the process easier for both support staff and customers.
  2. One challenge for support teams is that technical products often create complex questions that can overwhelm them. RunLLM helps lighten that load by providing quick and accurate answers.
  3. Instead of just answering questions, RunLLM engages with users, helping to boost their confidence in seeking help and improving overall customer satisfaction.

Perceived Value

The Breaking Point • 279 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
💼 Business Sales Marketing Customer Service Branding Product Development
  1. Value is based on how the buyer sees it. For example, ice cubes can be very valuable on a hot day, but not so much on a cold one.
  2. Customers often find high value in features that are easy to create, rather than the complex ones. A simple 'Export to Powerpoint' function ended up being super useful for many users.
  3. Sometimes, the reasons customers buy a product aren’t just about how useful it is. They might buy it for the customer service, prestige, or other factors that might surprise you.

Correct vs Good

General Robots • 383 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Product Development Software Engineering Robotics User Experience Value Creation
  1. Being correct means having a product that works as intended—it's stable, bug-free, and meets specifications. However, it can be very costly to reach near-perfect correctness.
  2. Being good is about providing value and meeting customer needs. There's no limit to how good a product can become, and making something better is always beneficial.
  3. To improve a product, it's essential to iterate quickly based on real customer feedback. This helps in learning what features work best and keeps development moving efficiently.

The Hagakure #87: One Year In

The Hagakure • 92 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
💼 Business Leadership Management Startup Product Development Systems Thinking
  1. It's important to build a connected system for your team that everyone understands and trusts. This helps improve productivity and makes sure everyone knows their role and responsibilities.
  2. Staying honest and present with your team is key. Being approachable and authentic can help build strong relationships, especially during tough times.
  3. Embracing change quickly is vital, especially when new technologies emerge. Don't hesitate to adapt your strategy and structure to meet new challenges head-on.
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The Hagakure #88: Your Org Chart Isn’t Ready for AI

The Hagakure • 26 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
💼 Business Team Dynamics AI Integration Product Development Critical Thinking Organizational Change
  1. Traditional team structures need to adapt for AI projects. Everyone should work together from the start, rather than following a strict order of tasks.
  2. Engineers play a vital role in shaping AI products. Their early input helps to avoid misunderstandings and creates better outcomes.
  3. Building critical thinking into the team is important. Everyone should be involved in discussions about what and why things are being built, to help the team adapt and move quickly.

Inside Amazon's AI Video Generator | Kabir Bedi

Dev Interrupted • 18 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Engineering Innovation Product Development
  1. Amazon is using AI to make video creation super easy for businesses of all sizes. Now, anyone can create a professional-looking video with just one click.
  2. Bringing engineers and scientists into direct talks with customers has helped Amazon gather valuable feedback for improving their products. This shows how important customer input is for innovation.
  3. The hiring process at some tech companies, like Cursor, is changing by letting candidates work on real projects right away instead of doing tests. This focuses more on skills than traditional interviews.

What Makes a Good Product-Market Fit?🎯, Global Markets Snapshot📊, GDP Growth Projections📈

The VC Corner • 419 implied HN points • 18 Aug 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Market Trends Economic Growth Product Development
  1. A good product-market fit means the product meets the needs of its target audience. This ensures customers find value and want to buy it.
  2. Global market snapshots help investors understand economic trends and make informed decisions. Keeping an eye on these trends can lead to better investment choices.
  3. GDP growth projections are important indicators of a country's economic health. They can show how well an economy is doing and influence business strategies.

Gmail: Designed to be joyfully simple

Elizabeth Laraki • 199 implied HN points • 03 Sep 24
🕹 Technology UX Design Product Development Software Engineering User Research Interface Design
  1. Gmail was built to be fast and user-friendly. The designers wanted everyone to enjoy using email instead of feeling overwhelmed by it.
  2. Key features like conversation threading changed how we view email. Instead of treating each email as a separate message, Gmail groups related messages together for easier tracking.
  3. Designing for joy means creating a simple and pleasant user experience. The goal was to make Gmail so easy to use that it felt natural and enjoyable for everyone.

Multi-Product In Pictures

The VC Corner • 159 implied HN points • 05 Sep 24
💼 Business Tech startups Venture Capital Product Development Market Strategy Company growth
  1. Going multi-product is important for companies that want to grow and succeed. It can help them stand out in the market and attract more customers.
  2. Successful companies often have a clear plan for when and what new products to introduce. Timing and strategy matter a lot in this process.
  3. Many large public companies today started with one product and expanded later. Learning from their journeys can guide new founders as they build their businesses.

How Google Blew Up Its Open Culture and Compromised Its Product

Big Technology • 16387 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💼 Business Corporate culture Product Development Leadership Tech industry Employee Relations
  1. Google's open culture deteriorated, impacting its product quality and employee morale.
  2. Issues began when Google shut down discussions on sensitive topics like diversity and employee concerns.
  3. The closure of open channels for questioning within Google led to a negative impact on the company's innovation and decision-making processes.

Garmin's ~$40B Pivot

SatPost by Trung Phan • 175 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy Finance Product Development
  1. Garmin transformed from an automotive GPS company to a leader in fitness watches by investing heavily in research and development. This shift helped it survive the competition from tech giants like Apple and Google.
  2. The company showed strong adaptability when its core automotive market declined, successfully pivoting to fitness and outdoor activities by creating specialized products like GPS-enabled watches for runners.
  3. Garmin's commitment to innovation and vertical integration has allowed it to maintain high-quality standards and respond quickly to market changes, helping it compete effectively despite challenges from larger tech companies.

Customers don't care about your AI feature

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 1246 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Consumer behavior Product Development Technology Trends
  1. Most customers don't really care if a product is AI-powered. They want to know how it will solve their problems, not get lost in technical jargon.
  2. Highlighting the benefits and real outcomes of a product works better than focusing on the AI label. Show customers how your product can make their lives easier.
  3. Using 'AI' in marketing can sometimes backfire. It can lower customer expectations and doesn't always justify a higher price. It's better to focus on value rather than buzzwords.

Price Testing 101 with Justin Farris (GitLab, Zillow)

Good Better Best • 1 implied HN point • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business Pricing Marketing SaaS Product Development Sales
  1. Pricing updates can take a lot of time due to slow billing systems. Using a centralized rate card model can help make changes faster and easier.
  2. A/B testing prices works well in some situations but isn’t always practical. Testing prices in similar markets might be a good option if you need to keep pricing public.
  3. Creating a clear framework for volume pricing helps build trust and makes negotiations smoother. This way, both sides can understand the pricing logic, leading to better relationships.

My afternoon with The Rizzler

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2955 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Social media Cryptocurrency Digital marketing Content creation Product Development
  1. The Rizzler is a popular third grader who went viral on social media and maintains a normal life despite his fame. His dad supports him but has no plans to push a long-term online career for him.
  2. Using tech like 'dumb phones' won't solve problems with technology use; people need to learn how to manage their time and choices better instead. It’s more about personal control rather than blaming gadgets.
  3. Sam Altman is trying to make an eye-scanning orb a reality for verifying identities with AI, although it's facing challenges like getting people to use it. They're now offering delivery for these orbs, similar to food delivery.

Lessons from $1/day challenge

Kenny’s Sub • 299 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Sales E-commerce Product Development
  1. Haggling often doesn't work well in the long run. It's better to stick to your price and negotiate on other terms if needed.
  2. $1 can feel expensive to some people. They may not see the value in what they are buying or find it too much effort for a small price.
  3. You need to have products ready to sell. Without anything to offer, it's tough to make money. Planning ahead is crucial.

Run Your Own Race

Fish Food for Thought • 18 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
💼 Business Strategy Entrepreneurship Marketing Customer Service Product Development
  1. Focus on what your customers really need instead of just copying competitors. This helps create unique value and builds customer loyalty.
  2. Understand that just because something works for another company doesn't mean it will work for you. Your strategy should be based on your own customers' reality.
  3. It's important to say 'no' to ideas that don't align with your core purpose. Staying focused on your goals will help you create real value over time.

UX Roundup: OpenAI Product Roadmap | Parallel and Iterative AI Use | Virtual Boyfriends | Jakob in SF | Dropdown Menus | Early GUI | AI Urgency | Perplexity Deep Research

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 11 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI UX Design Product Development User Research Web Development
  1. Grok 3 is about to launch and promises to be a smarter AI. It’s important to compare it with future models like GPT-5 to see how much better they become.
  2. OpenAI has simplified their product naming, making it easier to understand what each version offers. GPT-5 will also come with better features for users who pay for a subscription.
  3. The way we use AI in creative work can really boost quality. Using multiple models and refining ideas helps combine the best outcomes, making it a collaborative tool not just a replacement.

Steve Jobs’ 9 Product Development Tactics For Startups & The 4 P’s of AI | VC Jobs

Venture Curator • 339 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
💼 Business Startup Venture Capital Product Development AI
  1. Start with the customer's experience in mind: Steve Jobs emphasized beginning with the customer experience and working backward to the technology.
  2. Avoid asking customers what they want: Instead of focusing on functional needs, look at emotional and social goals to drive innovation.
  3. Disruptive innovation is key: Jobs believed in disrupting industries with low-cost, simpler solutions to stay relevant and drive success.

AI in Action

Tippets by Taps • 6 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
💼 Business Startups Technology Sales Marketing Product Development
  1. AI tools like Claude and Cursor are really helping with coding tasks, but sales AI tools still have a long way to go. Many founders are using AI to save time and improve accuracy in their work.
  2. Custom GPTs are a favorite among founders because they solve specific problems quickly. People are moving away from traditional CRMs to more AI-native options that offer deeper insights.
  3. While AI is making strides in development, many sales tools are still underwhelming. Founders are frustrated that they have to customize solutions instead of relying on existing AI products to meet their needs.

TBM 333: Lean Graph Theory

The Beautiful Mess • 476 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
💼 Business Product Development Systems Thinking Team Dynamics
  1. Lean principles are useful for all types of organizations but need to be applied with context in mind. It's important to adapt these ideas rather than stick to a strict method.
  2. Different models like path graphs, directed acyclic graphs, and network graphs help us understand how organizations function. Each model serves a unique purpose, and they often overlap.
  3. Most companies need to balance different approaches based on their growth and challenges. Moving towards more network-oriented and directed models can help improve collaboration and effectiveness.

I, too, am terrified of better, faster, and cheaper AI models and services

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Market Trends Investor behavior Product Development Startups
  1. Investors might have assumed that U.S. tech companies would always lead in AI, but that dominance isn't guaranteed. New challenges can always arise from competitors.
  2. The rapid drop in Nvidia's market value shows how volatile the tech sector can be, especially with hype around AI. A sudden selloff can happen, and it can be surprising.
  3. There's a perception that other countries, like China, are not idle when it comes to AI development. Many talented developers worldwide are working hard, so competition is always increasing.

The emerging startup playbook

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 962 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Marketing Product Development Growth Strategies
  1. Create a minimum remarkable product that really stands out. This means your initial product should be good enough to impress people right away, as getting their trust back later is tough.
  2. Use storytelling to engage your audience. Instead of a big launch event, try to build a community around your product through authentic content and personal stories.
  3. Stay lean by using automation and AI to keep things efficient. It's better to have a small, skilled team that can innovate rather than hiring lots of people to get things done.

How to differentiate your product

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 520 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing Startups Product Development Sales Strategies Entrepreneurship
  1. Identify who your target customers are and what problem your product solves. Knowing your audience helps position your product effectively.
  2. To stand out, clearly define how your product is different from its competitors. Focus on unique features or benefits that are important to your customers.
  3. If you're in a crowded market, consider creating real differentiation or targeting an underserved area. Both strategies can help your product capture attention and grow.

TBM 322: Work Shape Mix

The Beautiful Mess • 647 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
💼 Business Project management Organizational Behavior Team Dynamics Product Development Strategic Planning
  1. Companies often deal with three types of work: large projects, independent product work, and new zero-to-one efforts. Each type requires different management and has its own risks.
  2. As a company grows, it shifts from doing new projects to having more complex ones. It’s important to balance these types of work to avoid chaos and inefficiency.
  3. Recognizing when to formalize new processes is crucial. Waiting too long could lead to bigger problems, so it’s key to find a balance between addressing issues and letting some friction stay.

AMD Q4 2024 and FY Financials

More Than Moore • 373 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
💼 Business Finance Tech industry Market Analysis Revenue growth Product Development
  1. AMD's revenue has seen a big boost, with a 24% increase in Q4 2024 compared to the previous year. This growth is driven by strong sales in their data center and client segments.
  2. The company has shifted its focus towards high-margin products, which has significantly improved profitability. Their data center revenue is now a major part of their earnings.
  3. While AMD's gaming sector faced challenges with declining sales, they expect a recovery in 2025 as console orders normalize and new products are launched.

Successful Startups Grow Quadratically, Not Exponentially. | VC Jobs

Venture Curator • 239 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Marketing Job Opportunities Product Development
  1. Successful startups grow quadratically, not exponentially, debunking the common misconception about their growth pattern.
  2. A framework for finding the right customers for your MVP involves focusing on a special subset of users who are excited about the long-term vision of the product.
  3. Understanding the Power User Curve can help identify and cater to highly engaged users, leading to more targeted product development and growth strategies.

How I Productized A Service Business And Earn Recurring Income

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 79 implied HN points • 05 Aug 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Finance Product Development Customer Service
  1. To turn your service into a product, pick a specific service to offer and make it easy for clients to understand what they're getting. This helps people know exactly what to expect.
  2. Identify your ideal clients to better tailor your services to their needs. Knowing who your customers are makes it easier to attract and keep them.
  3. Create a clear system for how you deliver your service, and hire help early on. This frees up your time so you can focus on growing your business instead of just doing all the tasks yourself.

AI's seductive mirage

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 99 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🕹 Technology AI Automation Data Analysis Human-AI Interaction Product Development Ethics
  1. AI systems look like they can think independently, but they really can't. They are tools that need humans to make decisions about value.
  2. Meaning-making is a core human skill that AI lacks. Only humans can decide what actions are meaningful and worthwhile.
  3. When we treat AI as if it can make important decisions, we risk misusing it. It's crucial to keep humans involved in the decision-making process.

In defense of vibes-based evaluations

The AI Frontier • 79 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🕹 Technology AI Research Product Development Evaluation Metrics User Experience Data Analysis
  1. Vibes-based evaluations are a helpful starting point for assessing AI quality, especially when specific metrics are hard to define. They allow for initial impressions based on user interactions rather than strict guidelines.
  2. Customers often have unique and unexpected requests that can't easily fit into predefined test sets. Vibes allow for flexibility in understanding real-world usage.
  3. While vibes are useful, they also have downsides, like strong first impressions and limited feedback. A mix of vibes and structured evaluations can provide a better overall understanding of an AI's performance.

Paul Graham: Are You Building Fake Product-Market Fit ? | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 939 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Product Development Entrepreneurship Investing
  1. Product-market fit goes beyond building a product people like; it involves understanding the numbers behind it.
  2. Founders can fall into the trap of 'Fake Product-Market Fit' by focusing on the wrong signs like securing funding or excessive spending.
  3. To achieve genuine product-market fit, founders need to monitor metrics, control spending, and ensure a strong connection between the product and the market.

The Chatbot Trap

Artificial Ignorance • 176 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI UX Design Product Development Software Engineering Human-computer interaction
  1. Using chatbots for AI interactions can be confusing and hard work. They require a lot of mental effort to figure out what to input and understand the output, making simple tasks feel complicated.
  2. Good design for AI tools should allow for easy, direct manipulation of tasks. Instead of a chat interface, we should use designs that show clear options and let users interact with the AI in a simpler, more visual way.
  3. The future of AI products will focus on tailored interfaces that fit specific needs. These will provide ways to access AI's power more directly and intuitively, similar to how we moved from basic mobile sites to advanced apps.

The Crucial Role of Timing in Startup Success ⌛

The VC Corner • 279 implied HN points • 17 May 24
💼 Business Startups Investment Entrepreneurship Market Analysis Product Development
  1. Timing is really important for startup success. Investors often say it's a key reason startups succeed or fail.
  2. You should connect timing drivers to your business model. If your timing advantage doesn't improve your model, it might lead to wasting resources.
  3. Market size can change with timing. It's not just about current numbers, but understanding the shifts that can open new market opportunities.