Mihika Kapoor shares seven lessons on successfully pitching big ideas, rallying a team, and launching new products like a startup within a growing company.
Figma Slides, initiated bottom-up, quickly gained traction through prototyping, camaraderie, and optimism, surpassing competitors in usage within a year of launch.
Tips include replacing PRDs with prototypes, building hype by working openly, fostering a unique team culture, finding believers for the team, and involving every team member as a part-time product owner.
Encouraging a culture of experimentation, sharing work early and frequently, celebrating wins like the Oscars, and empowering passionate team members are highlighted as key strategies.
Embracing transparency, involving engineers in design decisions, and blurring the boundaries between disciplines are advocated for fostering collaboration and a sense of collective ownership.
By engaging every team member with users directly, PMs can drive action and innovation based on firsthand user insights, creating a more user-centric development approach.
Mihika's insights emphasize the importance of speed, experimentation, and team empowerment in maintaining a startup mindset while navigating the challenges of growth within a company.
The success of Figma Slides serves as a testament to the effectiveness of these strategies in propelling new product initiatives and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
Overall, the article provides practical guidance for product managers and teams looking to navigate the transition from startup to a larger organization while retaining the agility and innovation characteristic of startups.
Lessons from Mihika Kapoor's experiences at Figma offer valuable insights into driving product success, fostering a strong team dynamic, and delivering impactful products within a corporate setting.
By implementing tactics such as prototyping culture, open sharing of progress, and building a team culture based on shared quirks and celebrations, companies can continue to innovate and grow like startups.