In this episode of the Product Podcast we chat with Karri Saarinen, the CEO at Linear. It's the fastest-growing and most beloved project management tool in the world. The company is valued at $400 million, and has raised $52 million in funding from Accel, Sequoia, and some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs including the founders of Slack.

Before Linear, Karri led product design at Airbnb and Coinbase.

In our conversation, we'll discuss how his design background is helping him a product users love, his strong Product-Led Growth (PLG) approach to reach decision-makers, how to not always rely on data for product decisions, and his stance against incorporating AI-specific features into his product at this time.

Discover how Linear is building the tool that PMs love with a innovative and human approach that allows them to be growing so fast and having the sense of belonging of clients. This episode is packed with lessons on how coming from a different background can be a positive perspective when building a product that turns into the most enjoyable and efficient way to manage development.

(00:00) 🎬 Intro
(03:16) 🚀Design Background & Starting Linear
(06:41) 👨🏽‍💻 Role and Focus as a Founder
(09:19) 🛒 Competing in a Crowded Market
(12:45) 📈 Maintaining Long-Term Success
(14:48) 📚 Conclusion

KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Design-Centric Approach: As a designer, Karri's approach to starting Linear focuses on user experience and brand. He emphasizes the importance of creating a great experience for users, especially in a collaboration tool like Linear.
2. Role as a Founder: Karri handles non-technical aspects of the company, including design and product vision. He believes in focusing on areas where he can make the most impact, like maintaining high standards in design and brand.
3. Unlike competitors who expand to generalize their tools, Linear stays focused on providing an excellent user experience for its target audience. Differentiating in a crowded market by building the best product specifically for software teams.


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BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Pendo, the only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application. With all the tools you need, in one simple-to-use platform, Pendo makes it easy to answer critical questions about how users are engaging with your product—then turn those insights into action—all so you can get your users to do what you actually want them to do. Visit their website to create your free Pendo account today

Eppo, the next-generation A/B testing and feature management platform built for modern growth teams by alums of Airbnb and Stitch Fix. Visit their website and 10x your experiment velocity.


CREDITS:
Host: Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia
Guest: Karri Saarinen

In this episode of the Product Podcast we chat with Jeremy Forrester, VP Product at Twitch and a key player in the world of short videos and live streaming. From his work on Vine for Windows Phone at Twitter to his impactful eight-year stint at Twitch, Jeremy offers incredible insights into the challenges and successes that have shaped today’s media scene.

Jeremy talks about Vine's legacy and its influence on platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok. Moving on to Twitch, he gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what keeps streaming audiences engaged and growing. We dive into how activities like gaming and DJ sets keep viewers hooked, with highlights like Ibai’s record-breaking streams and Ninja’s celeb collabs. Jeremy also explores the future of live streaming, including mobile game streaming and the impact of generative AI.

Discover how Twitch stands out from the crowd and the cool tools that make user experiences better. Jeremy also shares tips on how Twitch’s team structure supports both viewers and creators. This episode is packed with lessons on handling conflicts, continuous learning, and the importance of networking. Whether you’re a content creator or just love streaming, this episode is full of valuable insights and inspiration.

Content

(00:00) 🎬 Intro
(03:00) 🚀 The evolution of Jeremy at Twitch
(07:33) 📊 Key indicators of Twitch’s content
(11:09) 🧑‍💻 How does Jeremy define a content creator?
(13:48) 🌐 Twitch expansion: from community to events
(19:43) 🔮 What’s next for Jeremy
(24:10) 🎮 The gaming scene
(28:37) 🤖 How does Twitch implement Gen AI
(33:54) 🏢 Jeremy’s role as a VP of Product at Twitch


Key Takeaways

• Learn from predecessors: Vine's influence on platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok underscores the importance of studying and understanding past products. This can provide valuable insights and guide the development of new features or products.
• Focus on community: Jeremy's role in evolving Twitch highlights the significance of fostering a strong community. Product people should prioritize features that help users build and sustain their own communities.
• Utilize machine learning for personalization: Implementing personalized recommendations can significantly enhance user engagement. Additionally, features like polls and channel points can create interactive and engaging user experiences, emphasizing the need for continuous innovation in user engagement strategies.

Social Links:

• Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here
• Follow Product School on LinkedIn here
• Join Product School's free events here
• Find out more about Product School here

Brought to you by:

Pendo, the only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application. With all the tools you need, in one simple-to-use platform, Pendo makes it easy to answer critical questions about how users are engaging with your product—then turn those insights into action—all so you can get your users to do what you actually want them to do. Visit their website https://www.pendo.io/productschool/ to create your free Pendo account today

Eppo, the next-generation A/B testing and feature management platform built for modern growth teams by alums of Airbnb and Stitch Fix. Visit their website https://www.geteppo.com/, and 10x your experiment velocity.

Credits:
Host: Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia
Guest: Jeremy Forrester

In this episode of the Product Podcast, join us for a chat with Daniel Danker, CPO at Instacart. Daniel breaks down Instacart Plus and how it’s changing the game with $0 delivery fees and lower costs. Find out how teaming up with Uber Eats has supercharged the value for members by combining grocery and restaurant deliveries into one smooth service. Daniel also talks about sticking to what you’re good at and teaming up for new stuff to keep everything top-notch.

We also dive into how AI is shaking things up at Instacart. Daniel gives us the scoop on cool features like "personal planograms" that tailor the shopping experience to what you like. Plus, we chat about how AI thinking is becoming part of everything they do, driving innovation while keeping the core product strong. Tune in to catch some great insights on leading products, keeping things simple, and how AI is changing the grocery game.

Strategic Partnerships for Enhanced Customer Value:
Form strategic partnerships that complement your services. Instacart’s collaboration with Uber Eats to integrate restaurant deliveries with grocery orders is a great example. Such partnerships can significantly enhance customer convenience and increase your value proposition.

The Importance of Membership Models:
Focus on developing robust membership models that offer tangible benefits. Instacart Plus provides perks like $0 delivery fees and reduced costs, making it attractive to users. Concentrate on your core strengths and consider partnerships to expand your service offerings efficiently.

Organizational Evolution with AI:
Integrate AI thinking across your organization rather than confining it to a single team. This fosters continuous innovation and ensures that AI-driven insights are applied to improve all aspects of the customer experience.

Product Leadership and the Power of Simplicity:
Practice effective product leadership by setting clear strategies, speeding up product delivery, and eliminating operational blockers. Emphasize simplicity in product development, focusing on core elements that drive success and avoiding unnecessary complexity.

Social Links:

- Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here
- Follow Product School on LinkedIn here
- Join Product School's free events here
- Find out more about Product School here

Brought to you by:

Pendo, the only all-in-one product experience platform for any type of application. With all the tools you need, in one simple-to-use platform, Pendo makes it easy to answer critical questions about how users are engaging with your product—then turn those insights into action—all so you can get your users to do what you actually want them to do. Visit their website to create your free Pendo account today

Eppo, the next-generation A/B testing and feature management platform built for modern growth teams by alums of Airbnb and Stitch Fix. Visit their website, and 10x your experiment velocity.

Credits:

Host: Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia
Guest: Daniel Danker