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Lenny's Newsletter
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The Best of Lenny’s Newsletter—2024 Edition
- Lenny shares insights on building better products and driving growth.
- This year, Lenny hosted the first-ever Lenny and Friends Summit, the readers organized a record 287 meetups globally, the newsletter hit 900,000 subscribers, the podcast crossed 10 million downloads and the YouTube channel hit 200,000 subscribers.
- Lenny also launched Lennybot, and plans to launch a product, a new newsletter or podcast vertical in 2025, and Lenny and Friends Summit 2.0.
- Lenny's best posts and podcast episodes of all time are categorized by the problem one needs to solve: building better products, growing products, benchmarks, becoming a better leader and manager, getting ahead in a career, learning more about AI, starting a company, hiring the best people, being more productive, and feeling less stressed.
- Lenny also talks about hiring and running a white-glove recruiting service that specializes in senior product roles.
- Lenny encourages readers to share the newsletter with friends and consider subscribing for group discounts, gift options, and referral bonuses.
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Minis
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Steve Jobs built Apple with this advice from his dad
- Steve Jobs credited his father, Paul, for instilling in him a commitment to excellence.
- Biographer Walter Isaacson recalled how Paul taught Jobs to build a fence with equal attention to detail on both visible and hidden parts, emphasizing, “Even though nobody will see it, you will know.”
- This lesson shaped Jobs' perfectionism at Apple, where he demanded high-quality craftsmanship, from microchip aesthetics to screw plating. Jobs likened it to carpentry, insisting that even the unseen back of a chest must be flawless.
- This dedication to detail became a cornerstone of Apple’s success, influencing its renowned focus on quality and design.
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Minis
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5 things to avoid when asking for a raise and what to say instead
- Be Specific: Avoid saying "I want more money." Instead, state a well-researched salary range based on market data.
- Be Confident: Replace “I think I deserve this” with “I deserve this” and support it with quantifiable achievements and external praise.
- Frame Expectations: Avoid “I was hoping for” and confidently say, “Based on market value, I expect…” to strengthen your position.
- Use Leverage Wisely: Instead of threatening to leave, mention outside offers positively, showing a preference to stay while emphasizing competitiveness.
- Follow Up: If rejected, ask for milestones to revisit the discussion and clarify next steps, ensuring negotiations remain open.
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Minis
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3 resume red flags according to a former Google executive
- Former Google exec Jenny Wood shares three resume red flags to avoid.
- First, don’t list over five bullet points under any role, as long lists suggest you lack prioritization skills. “It tells me you don’t know how to separate the important from the unimportant,” she says.
- Second, avoid overloading your resume with links. While showcasing projects and metrics is helpful, too many links make resumes hard to read.
- Lastly, avoid cramming too much information. White space is crucial for readability and demonstrates good judgment. “Spacing creates visual hierarchy,” Wood notes, ensuring your resume is digestible and professionally presented.
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Minis
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3 things you need to know about a December job search
- Best Month for Networking: December’s holiday spirit fosters stronger connections. Focus on building relationships by discussing achievements and holiday plans rather than your job search, keeping you top of mind for future opportunities.
- Most Fruitful Job Openings: December jobs often stem from urgent needs, offering flexibility in qualifications. Spend an hour daily tracking openings, apply quickly, and balance this with uplifting personal activities to stay energized.
- Know What You Want: Clarify your target roles and align your experience to them. A clear focus enables your network to help effectively and prepares you for the January hiring season.
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Minis
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89% of recruiters expect candidates to submit a cover letter, says new report
- A Zety report reveals 89% of recruiters expect cover letters, although HR consultant Stefanie Fackrell notes technical roles may be exceptions.
- Cover letters help candidates stand out by shaping their narrative and aligning skills with job needs, says career coach Phoebe Gavin.
- To craft a compelling cover letter, avoid rehashing your resume. Instead, explain your approach to work, address employment gaps or career transitions, and inject personality.
- Keep it concise: an opening about your interest, a second paragraph detailing your experience, and a closing with enthusiasm. Stick to one page for best results.
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Leah’s ProducTea
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Finding your Ideal Customer Profile in B2B: Interview Questions & Guide
- The critical piece to figure out first in any ICP research is who the person behind the buying decision is.
- The following interview guide is particularly useful to find and understand the buyer.
- To get started, we need to interview our ICPs, no ChatGPT or market report will do this for you.
- If you don’t have a more specific idea, we suggest picking existing customers who have been with you longer than 12 months and spend more than your average customer.
- Start with Learning Patterns to explore how customers stay informed about their industry.
- Dig into Industry Context to learn more about their industry.
- Understanding roles, responsibilities, and internal dynamics is crucial.
- Don’t just ask about the goals, but really dig into why the goals matter.
- Your goal with these questions is to create a clear picture of the stakeholders, timing, and triggers that lead to purchases.
- From these interviews alone, you should already learn quite a lot, but most of all, it allows you two core questions about your ICP profiles.
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Minis
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The two best times of year to look for a new job
- The best times to job hunt are January-February and September-October. Early in the year, companies begin hiring after new budgets are approved, and employees make career moves following year-end bonuses and reviews.
- Psychologically, the new year brings a sense of a fresh start, energizing job seekers. Later in the year, the “September Surge” occurs as hiring picks up post-summer. Companies refocus after vacations and assess remaining budgets, creating new opportunities.
- According to classified ad site Gumtree, job listings increase by 16% between July and October. Strategically timing your search during these periods boosts your chances of finding the ideal role.
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Lenny's Newsletter
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Which companies accelerate PM careers most
- Revolut, N26, eBay, Plaid, and Intercom are among the top 5 companies, which have created the biggest inflection in the careers of their product managers.
- Jason Saltzman at Live Data Technologies tracked six data points for the report.
- The inflection points included the most promotions, fast initial promotions, quickest move to leadership roles, the highest ratio of CPO and Heads of Product positions, founders, and the first PM/posts at other companies.
- Palantir, Plaid, N26, Ramp, Intercom, Revolut, Duolingo, Uber, Notion, and Coinbase received special mentions as the new startup mafias.
- Fintech companies were most represented in the top 10, including 5 of the top 10.
- LinkedIn, Google, Intuit, and eBay made it into the top 15, while Microsoft, Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon lagged.
- There are equal numbers of B2B and B2C companies in the top 10.
- Revolut tops the list with six category mentions and most impressive all-around stats.
- The data analysis reveals N26 to be the second-best company for accelerating a PM's career.
- eBay is the biggest surprise on this list, ranking above every FAANG company in the top 10.
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Minis
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Is that job posting just for show? Here’s how to find out if an opening is meant for an internal candidate
- Sometimes job postings are mere formalities, as employers may already have internal candidates in mind. This practice, though not improper, can waste job seekers’ time.
- To identify such postings, career experts recommend networking. Schedule a brief 10-minute chat with someone at the company to gather insights. Ask tactful questions about the hiring process, such as whether internal candidates are being considered or how far along the search is.
- Even if the person lacks specific details, these conversations offer valuable cultural insights and potential referrals. This approach saves time and increases the chances of finding meaningful opportunities.
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The Beautiful Mess
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TBM 326: Adhocracies and Bureaucracies
- Rapid-growth tech companies operate as adhocracies characterized by startup-wide bridging and fluidity.
- In contrast, large enterprises can feel like rigid bureaucracies with centralized rules and mandated ways of working.
- The harder it gets to get things done, the more implicit bureaucracy creeps in, discouraging open discussion and heaping complexity on integrative roles.
- Leaders sense the creeping bureaucracy and get paranoid, playing process whack-a-mole and singling out individuals instead of digging deeper.
- The Organizational Typologies by Dr. Ron Westrum categorizes organizations into three types: pathological, bureaucratic, and generative.
- In rapid-growth companies, teams knowingly avoid and work around the global teams, and the pressure is on the global teams to interject and bridge.
- Leaders can create even MORE bureaucracy while trying to stamp it out.
- Large enterprises that are "transforming" should take inspiration from everywhere to get the train moving (separate the train cars to descale) vs. fixing the train while it is barreling down the tracks (scaling and taming pendulum swings).
- Consider the value of scaffolding and temporary process, applicable for both companies that are scaling up and companies looking to de-scale and de-couple.
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Minis
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Top Workplace Jargons You Need to Know
- Synergy – Refers to the idea that a team’s combined efforts produce better results than individual efforts.
- Leverage – Making the most out of available resources, such as time, skills, or technology, to maximize outcomes.
- Pivot – A shift in strategy or direction, often in response to new insights or market conditions.
- Touch Base – Checking in with someone, usually for updates or alignment.
- Low-Hanging Fruit – Tasks or opportunities that are easy to accomplish with minimal effort, often prioritized for quick wins.
- Think Outside the Box – Encouraging creative or unconventional thinking to solve a problem.
- Actionable Insights – Information that can be directly applied to make decisions or take action.
- On the Same Page – Ensuring everyone has the same understanding or is aligned on a topic.
- Bandwidth – Refers to the capacity or ability to take on additional tasks or responsibilities.
- Circle Back – To revisit a topic or task at a later time for further discussion or completion.
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Minis
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The 2 most important things you need to learn in your first few jobs to advance your career faster
- In your early career, focusing on developing skills is useful, but it's more important to identify two things: what you're naturally good at and what you enjoy doing.
- Understanding these can help you find a job that aligns with your strengths and passions, giving you a career advantage. People often discover their talents and preferences through trial and error.
- Once you recognize them, pursuing a role that leverages both can lead to greater success. Effort is key, but combining talent with enthusiasm is the optimal path to long-term career growth and satisfaction.
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Minis
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5 key tips to ace an AI-powered job interview
- Research the Role: Understand the job description and key skills required. Tailor your responses to align with the company's expectations.
- Practice Common Questions: Use online tools or mock interview apps to rehearse answers for behavioral and technical questions often evaluated by AI.
- Focus on Clarity: AI assesses structured and concise answers, so practice clear and relevant responses.
- Be Honest: AI algorithms detect inconsistencies. Avoid exaggerating skills or experience.
- Mind Your Tone and Body Language: If the AI analyzes video, maintain good posture, eye contact, and a friendly tone.
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Minis
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You only need one thing to ace an interactive AI interview, says CEO who makes them
- AI-powered job interviews are becoming more common, with platforms like Apriora conducting up to 1,000 interviews daily.
- Co-founder Aaron Wang explains that AI recruiter Alex automates the process, including scheduling, conducting interviews, and providing feedback. To succeed in an AI interview, Wang suggests having a stable internet connection and confidently discussing your skills.
- Interviews are conversational, without interruptions, and can be tailored based on your answers. This process shortens traditional multi-stage interviews into one or two rounds. Wang believes AI improves equity in hiring and offers a more flexible, unbiased candidate experience.
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