#ProductSF 2016 Opening from Josh Elman | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Product managers gather for a day of networking, insights, and industry discussions.

Key Insights

• 🖤 Product managers often focus on internal work and lack networking opportunities outside the company.
• 🏛️ Events like these provide a platform to discuss product management and build meaningful connections.
• 🔇 The event features diverse speakers and topics, including Android behavior analysis and Pinterest's product management journey.
• 🉐 Attendees have the chance to gain insights from industry experts and network with like-minded professionals.
• 😀 Demos by the hololens team offer a glimpse into the future of AR technology and its implications for mobile app development.
• 💁 The book "Hooked" enriches attendees with knowledge on building habit-forming products.
• ❓ Networking events foster collaboration and innovation within the product management community.

Transcript

first I just want to thank all of you guys for coming out today I know we're all busy making products building companies building teams and to take a day out of your life to come and hang out with other people doing the same thing always sounds fun and then I'm sure as you look at your email during the course of today you're going to like desperate... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the motivation behind organizing the product management event?

The organizer realized the lack of networking opportunities outside the company and wanted to bring together product managers to discuss building great products.

Q: Who are some of the key speakers at the event?

Key speakers include founders sharing their stories, experts in Android behavior analysis, and Ben Silbermann from Pinterest discussing product management at scale.

Q: What special experiences are offered during the event?

The event includes demos by the hololens team from Microsoft, providing insights into AR technology and its future in mobile app development.

Q: What book will be available for attendees, and why is it significant?

Attendees will receive the book "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products," offering valuable insights into creating products that enhance daily life through habit formation.

Summary

This video is from an event where product managers come together to network and discuss product management. The event includes talks from various industry leaders, such as founders and experts in Android and product management. The keynote speaker is Ben Silbermann, who shares his journey at Pinterest and talks about the evolution of product management there. The video also mentions additional activities during the event, such as demos by the Microsoft HoloLens team and the availability of a book called "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products."

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the motivation behind organizing this event?

The speaker realized that as a product manager, they had mostly worked inside the company, focusing on internal matters, and had little opportunity to meet people outside the company or network with other product managers. This event aimed to bring together product managers to discuss what it takes to build great products.

Q: Who are the speakers at the event?

The event features founders sharing their stories, an expert discussing Android usage analysis, and Ben Silbermann, who will talk about his journey at Pinterest and the role of product management there.

Q: How does the speaker feel about having attendees from various backgrounds?

The speaker feels fortunate to have such a diverse audience, including friends, colleagues, and individuals connected through their Greylock portfolio. The hope is for attendees to make connections and network during the breaks, sessions, and lunches.

Q: What additional activities are there during the event?

The Microsoft HoloLens team will be giving demos, providing attendees with a glimpse into the future of AR and its implications for building mobile apps. Additionally, a book titled "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" will be available to all attendees.

Q: How does the speaker view the importance of the products they build?

The speaker believes that the products product managers build have the potential to make people's lives better on a daily basis, and it is essential to approach product development from a perspective that focuses on building habit-forming products.

Q: What is the speaker's background in product management?

The speaker has worked as a product manager at LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Zazzle. Through their experience, they discovered the need for more opportunities to connect with other product managers and discuss the process of building great products.

Q: Why did the speaker decide to focus on Android during the event?

The audience predominantly uses iPhones, so it is beneficial to consider the Android platform as well, given its extensive user base globally. By exploring Android, the speaker hopes to broaden the audience's understanding and perspective.

Q: How does the speaker describe the content of the event?

The speaker mentions that the event has carefully curated content, including talks from founders and experts, providing valuable insights and stories related to product management and building successful products.

Q: What is the main purpose of the event?

The primary goal of the event is to bring together product managers to network, discuss product management, and share experiences. It provides a unique opportunity for individuals in the field to connect and learn from one another.

Q: How does the speaker feel about the attendees dedicating their time for the event?

The speaker expresses gratitude to all attendees for taking time out of their busy schedules to be present at the event. They acknowledge that attendees could have been working on other important tasks but hope to make the event worthwhile for them.

Takeaways

The video emphasizes the importance of networking and knowledge sharing among product managers. It showcases the value of connecting with like-minded professionals in the industry and provides insights into building successful products. The event includes a diverse range of speakers and activities, such as demos of cutting-edge technology and the availability of relevant literature. Ultimately, the goal is for attendees to expand their understanding and make meaningful connections throughout the event.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Product manager hosts event for networking and industry discussions.

• Focus on building great products and networking outside the company.

• Key speakers include founders, experts in Android behavior, and Pinterest journey.