The Intersection of Mindful Product Principles and Corporate Shares: Insights for Product Managers and Investors

The Intersection of Mindful Product Principles and Corporate Shares: Insights for Product Managers and Investors

Introduction:
In this article, we will explore the connection between mindful product principles shared by Allen Zhang, the Father of WeChat, and the concept of issued and outstanding shares in the corporate world. While these topics may seem unrelated, they both offer valuable insights for product managers and investors alike. By examining their common points and incorporating unique ideas, we can gain a deeper understanding of how to create successful products and make informed investment decisions.

Mindful Product Principles from Allen Zhang:
Allen Zhang, the mastermind behind WeChat, believes that a good product goes beyond mere functionality. He emphasizes the importance of intuitive design, human psychology, and technological feasibility in creating a product that resonates with users. Zhang's philosophy revolves around treating users as friends and cultivating genuine empathy towards them. He advocates for a product's features to have a meaningful purpose or dream behind them, rather than being driven solely by the pursuit of traffic or profit.

The Role of a Product Creator:
Zhang compares the relationship between a product creator and users to that of a personal relationship. Just as in a relationship, product managers must have a big heart and consider the user's perspective. All features in WeChat go through Zhang for approval, ensuring a singular and coherent identity for the product. This approach reflects the need for a certain degree of "dictatorship" in creating a good product, as incorporating too many conflicting opinions can dilute its personality and effectiveness.

Key Principles of a Good Product:
Zhang outlines several key principles for a good product, including innovation, usefulness, beauty, ease of use, honesty, timelessness, attention to detail, environmental friendliness, and simplicity. These principles highlight the importance of creating a product that not only meets users' needs but also enhances their overall experience. By embracing these principles, product managers can develop products that stand the test of time and resonate with users on a deeper level.

The Connection to Personal Growth and Wellness:
Zhang's belief that "what you see and read determines what kind of person you are and the thoughts you'll have" emphasizes the importance of quality information and experiences. This concept aligns with the idea that personal growth and wellness are influenced by the content we consume. By creating products that provide trustworthy and effective information, product managers can contribute to the personal growth and well-being of their users.

Issued and Outstanding Shares:
Shifting gears, let's explore the concept of issued and outstanding shares in the corporate world. When a corporation issues shares in exchange for payment, the purchaser becomes a stockholder, and the shares are referred to as issued and outstanding. On the other hand, when a corporation grants someone the right to buy shares in the future, those shares are not yet considered issued and outstanding. They only become so when the option is exercised.

Fully Diluted Shares:
Fully diluted shares refer to the total number of shares that would be outstanding if all convertible securities, such as stock options, were exercised. These shares include not only the currently issued and outstanding shares but also those that could potentially be issued in the future. Calculating ownership based on fully diluted shares provides a more comprehensive picture of a company's ownership structure and potential dilution.

The Importance of Calculation Method:
The choice between calculating ownership based on issued and outstanding shares or fully diluted shares depends on the context and the parties involved. It is crucial for all stakeholders to clearly express their expectations and use the same method of calculation to avoid confusion or misunderstandings. Whether you are a product manager or an investor, understanding the calculation method used can provide valuable insights into a company's ownership structure and potential dilution risks.

Actionable Advice:

1. Embrace mindful product principles: Incorporate intuitive design, human psychology, and technological feasibility into your product development process. Focus on creating a product that is innovative, useful, beautiful, easy to use, honest, timeless, and environmentally friendly.

2. Cultivate genuine empathy towards users: Treat your users as friends and consider their perspectives when making product decisions. Ensure that each feature or service has a meaningful purpose or dream behind it, rather than being driven solely by the pursuit of profit or traffic.

3. Understand the ownership structure: Whether you are a product manager or an investor, take the time to understand the calculation method used to determine ownership. Clearly express your expectations and ensure all parties involved are using the same method of calculation to avoid potential misunderstandings.

Conclusion:
By exploring the principles of mindful product creation shared by Allen Zhang and understanding the concept of issued and outstanding shares versus fully diluted shares in the corporate world, we can glean valuable insights for both product managers and investors. By embracing these insights and taking actionable steps, we can create successful products that resonate with users and make informed investment decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of a company's ownership structure. Remember, a good product requires a combination of intuition, empathy, and a deep understanding of users' needs, just as smart investment decisions require a thorough understanding of a company's ownership and potential dilution risks.