Building Products & The Importance of Focus: A New Science of Progress

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Jul 28, 2023
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Building Products & The Importance of Focus: A New Science of Progress
In the world of product management, focus is key. Successful product managers are those who stick with one idea for an unreasonable period of time. This is also true for founders, who are asked to build and nurture one idea for an extended period. Venture capitalists who fund these ideas seek conviction and focus. The truth is, building great products requires unwavering dedication and a laser-like focus.
But why is focus so important? The answer lies in the fact that building products is a complex process that requires deep understanding and expertise. When product teams are scattered, trying to pitch and sell numerous products at once, the quality and effectiveness of their work suffer. It's like being a used car salesman with a lot full of vehicles to push onto customers. This approach simply doesn't work when it comes to building great products.
To truly excel in product management, it's crucial to concentrate on one idea and see it through from conception to execution. This allows for a deeper understanding of the problem at hand and enables the team to iterate and improve upon the product over time. Focus also helps in building a strong sense of purpose and direction, which is crucial for the success of any product.
Interestingly, the importance of focus extends beyond just the realm of product management. In fact, it plays a vital role in the broader concept of progress. Throughout history, we have seen that progress tends to happen in specific geographic pockets of innovative effort. Silicon Valley in software and Switzerland's Basel region in life sciences are just a couple of examples. These places become breeding grounds for innovation because they provide an environment that fosters focus and collaboration.
Moreover, progress is not always the result of groundbreaking discoveries or massive advancements. It often comes from smaller, incremental improvements that build upon one another. These lesser improvements, when combined, can lead to significant advancements for society as a whole. However, the study of progress itself is vastly understudied. There is no broad-based intellectual movement dedicated to understanding the dynamics of progress and how to accelerate it.
Therefore, there is a need for a new science of progress. This would involve a systematic effort to understand various aspects of progress, such as identifying and training brilliant young minds, facilitating the exchange and sharing of ideas among small groups, incentivizing participants in innovative ecosystems, studying productivity differences among organizations, and selecting and funding scientists effectively.
Creating a new focus on progress would require a decentralized shift in priorities among academics, philanthropists, funding agencies, and other institutions. It would be akin to a school of thought that prompts a collective effort to drive progress forward. The success of this movement, known as Progress Studies, would depend on its ability to identify effective interventions for increasing progress and ensuring their adoption by relevant institutions.
In essence, Progress Studies is more akin to medicine than biology. Its goal is not merely to understand progress but to treat it effectively. Humanity needs to become better at knowing how to get better. By studying and understanding the dynamics of progress, we can unlock new possibilities and pave the way for a brighter future.
In conclusion, whether it's in product management or the broader concept of progress, focus is crucial. Building great products requires unwavering dedication and a laser-like focus on one idea. Similarly, progress is driven by concentrated efforts and collaboration in specific geographic pockets. By studying and understanding the dynamics of progress, we can accelerate its pace and unlock new opportunities for growth and advancement.
Actionable Advice:
- 1. Embrace focus: As a product manager or founder, commit to one idea and see it through. Avoid spreading your team's efforts thin by pitching and selling multiple products simultaneously. Focus on quality over quantity.
- 2. Foster collaboration: Create an environment that encourages collaboration and exchange of ideas among small groups. This can lead to the discovery of new insights and innovations.
- 3. Invest in progress: As an academic, philanthropist, or funding agency, prioritize progress studies and support initiatives that aim to understand and accelerate progress. By investing in the science of progress, we can drive meaningful change and improve our collective future.
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