Are you currently responsible for creating and scaling your startup’s product and design teams? Then we’ve created some content on-demand just for you! During Startup Boston Week 2023, our Product and Design Track was created for product and design teams, first-time managers and operators, and founders.
Check out the content below and let us know what content you’d like to see next right here.
How to Build Your Startup’s Product Team
Your product is only as strong as your product team - and the team ebbs and flows as the company evolves. You need to consider how to align new hires with your team’s culture, identifying the knowledge gaps you need to recruit for and establishing roles and responsibilities across the team.
During this video we’ll discuss:
The best practices for scaling your product team
Interview questions you’ll want to consider utilizing
How to set the right tone and culture for your team
And what to do when a recent hire is not the right fit
Creating and Maintaining Your Product Spec
Developing your startup’s software doesn’t just happen by accident - it requires a product spec , which outlines the product you will be building, what it is going to look like and its specific requirements and functions.
During this video we’ll discuss:
What is included in a product spec document
The pros and cons of a product spec at different stages of the company
How much documentation you should have
And how to maintain these product specs consistently
Best Practices for Educating Customers on New Product Features
As your startup explores what new features to launch and starts improving your product, it’s so incredibly important to keep your current customers in the loop on what improvements are being made to the platform.
During this video, we’ll discuss:
How to balance innovation and continuous experience
What user research and data you should utilize to inform product innovation
What to keep in mind through the process of engaging with customers
The best ways to re-educate current users on new, upcoming features
How to Incorporate AI into Your Startup’s Roadmap with Gravitate AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has improved year over year and now there are more possibilities than ever for startups to build custom AI products to enhance the customer experience or improve operational efficiencies product features and build out the IP.
During this video, we’ll discuss:
How AI can help your startup compete in a competitive landscape
What you should know about incorporating AI into your product roadmap - before you get started
How investors are thinking of investing in startups that utilize AI
The pain points you may encounter during AI development
How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Customizing Your Product for Specific Clientele
Every startup wants happy customers. However, building each and every specific feature recommended by a customer is time-consuming, energy-intensive, and may not always be the right solution. It’s important to be able to sift through feedback, prioritize certain product additions, and deliver at scale. Easier said than done.
During this video, we’ll explore:
How to decide between building for a single, large customer verse a group of multiple, smaller customers
Best practices for tackling specific requirements for one or a few customers
The processes and platforms you should have in place to ensure the right prioritization of request features
How to Balance Swift Execution While Controlling Quality Output
Building a product that your customers want isn’t easy. Doing it quickly while also ensuring high quality - seems almost impossible. That being said, outlining and executing a detailed plan can help your startup prepare in the right ways to forge a pathway for success.
During this video, we’ll discuss:
How different stages of your startup will affect being quick verse developing quality
What to consider during scrappy product development verse a thorough product development
How to figure out the right development cycle for your startup
Best ways to manage technical debt
Ensuring That Your Outsourced UX/UI Looks Homegrown
It’s not uncommon to see startups utilize outsourced design teams, particularly in their early stages with only 1 or 2 in-house product-focused employees. Yet making sure your team is aligned across all FTEs, contractors, freelancers, product leaders, and any other outside parties is key to having a unified product look and feel.
This video will discuss:
The user experience strategy - and why is it important
When to start thinking about product design during your product development
The key considerations to be aware of when you decide to outsource the work
Some of the challenges in aligning with single or multiple outsourced partners
How to Acquire and Keep Your Users Happy
Growing a startup relies on the ability to both capture new customers as well as hold onto and even upsize the relationships with existing ones. In order to do so, it is key to understand the important details around when, how, what, and why the team should focus on to continue growing.
During this video, we’ll chat about:
What priorities you should focus on (acquisition or retention) as a product leader
Tradeoffs to consider
Deciding on where to focus resources of a small development/product team - user acquisition or user retention features and strategy
How to think about the product strategy and roadmap
Comments