This post is about how Harder Core Product became one of my key themes for 2024. Last fall, as I started exploring new roles and ventured back into consulting/fractional roles – consistent struggles with the Product discipline emerged. A tighter, more demanding economy and marketplace are principal drivers.
What became obvious is that there is a need for far harder core focus within product functions to meet the needs of customers, the organization, and investors. Hence, Harder Core Product and what started as a single blog post, but quickly expanded into a whole series covering:
- Measuring that product market fit actually exists
- Ensuring that basics are right in the eyes of the customer from both functional and user experience perspectives
- Making sure ALL organizations (and not just PLG) are considering Adoption Funnels and Growth Loops
- Treating Finance and GTM Metrics as first-class citizen product metrics
- Understanding what it takes to realize full potential and unique differentiation in the market – and having a mid-to-long-term product roadmap
- Remembering not to peanut-butter investments and the fact that sometimes the only way to win is indeed not to play
- Ensuring that the scope of Product within an organization actually captures the true, holistic needs of the business
- Driving ruthless efficiency by having a seamlessly integrated set of Product and GTM processes
I’ll be sharing my perspective on LinkedIn and my blog over the next few weeks. But, I’m open to feedback and requests – let me know what YOU think is needed to have Harder Core Product in 2024.