Growth is the result of a great product

Hey there, and welcome to the 6th edition of the "It Depends" newsletter.

If you're new here, every week we explore topics around Product, Growth and Startups.

let's go ??

Growth is the result of a great product

Growth is the result of a great product, not the precursor.?

Before going all-in on scaling your product and team, make sure you've got something people actually want

We all know that startups are all about growth… and no growth means game over.?But there’s a catch: you have to know when and how to grow.?

You first need to (1) talk to your users, (2) build things they need and (3) iterate quickly.?Nail these, and growth becomes the by-product of a successful product.?

Yet, growth is not always the right choice.?

If your product isn’t resonating with customers, it makes no sense to grow for now. That will only create a retention issue and you’ll waste a lot of time and money.?

Also, if your product isn't turning a profit, aggressive growth only ends up draining your finances. It makes little sense to run at a loss on every sale while scaling your business.?

The first step for healthy growth is to work on your product fundamentals.?

Build something which people want and dial in your numbers.

Just for fun and some stuff to click on

?? Super proud of the?Onex?team for closing a $1.2m funding round! I've been working with them as an Advisor. Read more about it

?? I'm mentoring at the?PitchBlack startup competition. Top Prize of €110k in services. Aug 28th is the deadline to apply.

???This Brown Noise playlist seems to help reduce distractions while I'm writing.

?? Reading Good Strategy/Bad Strategy: The Difference and why it matters

???Finally got to watch Marvel's Secret Invasion. Not the best from Marvel.

Content recap

Some content from the past few days.

User Research. Without the Users: This AI company promises to do User Research without users. Have we reached peak AI hype?? Continue reading

(Video) How to decide what to build? And then how do you know if you’re building the right thing for the right people? Continue reading

Repeat yourself: A journal from the Academy of Management concluded that "Leaders are nearly ten times as likely to be criticized for under-communicating than over-communicating." Continue reading

Ways I work with you. I've shared a bit about the types of plans I offer and how I work with my clients. These are the 3 packages... Continue reading

(Carousel) How to come up with new product ideas. 8 steps to gain confidence in your direction. Continue Reading

The PM as the leader. Most product teams need their PMs to act as if they are the team’s manager, even though they don’t manage anyone. Continue reading

Work with me

Whenever you're ready, there are 4 ways I can help you:

1. I advise startups on what to prioritise to drive product growth. In practice, I help SaaS, Tech and Mobile App companies define (1) What products to build, (2) How to build them and (3) How to get adoption. If you want to work with me, reach out?here?or send me a?DM.
2. Work with me 1:1. For Product Managers and Founders who want hands-on and specific advice on their work or career.?Learn more?here.
3. Follow me?on LinkedIn?for daily, actionable content on Product, Growth and Startups, and?subscribe?to this weekly newsletter for some more thoughts.
4. Reach out?if there's anything else I might be able to help you with [email protected]

That's all for today. My inbox is open if I can help you.

speak soon ??

Matthew