Understanding the Value of Your Product
Makers are usually the last to understand where the value in their product exists. Understand what the market values and then figure out what to make.
The Power of Formulas
It’s important to try new things, to not rely or fall back on old formulas. Sure, they work, but unless you reevaluating them you’ll never achieve greatness.
Passion Not Required. Or, the Worst Motivator for Success.
Passion is a horrible motivator. It’s not an easily renewable energy source. Learn to do work you can become great at and focus your efforts on mastery.
Active vs. Engaged Customers
Are your users active or are they engaged? It’s your job to figure out who is not engaged so you can help ‘active’ users accomplish their goals.
The IKEA Effect: Increasing Product Value
Helping your customers succeed does not always mean doing the work for them. Provide the right tools for them and they will do the work themselves.
Overvaluing the Past
Don’t waste your time learning from the past successes of others. There is little to be learned. Better to learn from the current state of the market.
Writing a ‘Daily Update’ for Yourself
Do you jump between projects at the drop of a hat? Are you losing track of where things are at? Try writing yourself a “daily update.”
Your Job as a Manager is not to Get Things Done
Moving from engineering to management is a difficult mental shift. Understanding where and how you add value is important for your success.
What Types of Problems are You Solving?
Knowing the types of problems you’re solving for customers helps you stay hyper focused on ensuring customer needs are met and solved.