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Today’s Episode
We have another exciting in-person episode of the podcast with one of the most senior product leaders in the Triangle.
Mike Davey is VP of Product at Series C RaptorMaps (they fly drones over solar fields).
He knows what it takes to climb from PM 0 to product leadership.
Here’s what we cover today:
Are We Entering The Golden Age of The Feature Factory? - 03:55
Cost of Conducting Field Research - 21:45
Coming into Role as First PM - 38:15
Dealing with Founders - 49:27
Moving Up the PM Career Ladder - 01:02:43
Here are the Key Takeaways
1. “We’re entering the golden age of the feature factory” (How to Stop It)
AI tools make it easier than ever to build features fast, but speed without strategy is dangerous.
Without proper validation, you risk shipping features that users don’t need and businesses can’t benefit from.
But why does this happen so easily? Because AI accelerates bad habits:
→ AI-powered prototypes can skip validation.
→ Highest Paid Person’s Opinion (HiPPO) can push bad ideas faster.
→ Leaders may prioritize delivery over outcomes.
Reclaim control by leading with validation, saying no to unnecessary features, and focusing on outcomes, not output.
2. Field Research: The Lost Treasure of Product Discovery
Zoom calls won’t give you the full picture.
Users reveal their truth when you meet them in their world.
Here’s what you need to do:
Get out in the field → In-person context uncovers what virtual meetings miss.
Budget for research → Allocate resources properly.
Document insights → Share findings across teams to drive alignment.
PMs who embed themselves in the user’s world build meaningful solutions.
3. Becoming a VP of Product
If you want to go from PM to VP of product, you need to:
A. Gain experience through challenges and failures.
B. Work effectively with leaders across the company.
C. Use each responsibility as a stepping stone and grow intentionally.
D. Master building teams, processes, and a strong product vision.
4. The Missing Link Between Strategy and Execution
Most teams have roadmaps, but they don’t have a framework to bridge strategy with day-to-day decisions.
That’s where OSTs (Outcomes, Solutions, and Tactics) come in.
It ensures research leads to actionable outcomes without getting lost in the shuffle.
Key benefits:
OSTs visualize multiple ways to achieve core outcomes.
Review OSTs during strategy and planning sessions to adjust focus as needed.
They’re discovery tools that guide decisions without locking teams in.
5. Founder Mode: Big Companies Vs Startup
Big companies simulate it. Top-down initiatives push teams to “think like a founder,” but bureaucracy often slows execution.
Startups live it. Leaders handle prototypes, product decisions, and fast pivots with real stakes on the line.
Startup PMs have to thrive in that environment.
References
Framework: Opportunity Solution Trees (OSTs) — Framework for connecting business outcomes with opportunities and solutions
Tools:
Where to find Mike
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Email productgrowthppp at gmail for advertising opportunities.
Up Next
We have some great podcasts coming from Marily Nika (AI PM at Google, Former Meta), and Abhishek Viswanathan (2x Former CPO: Qualtrics, Apollo.io), and Shardul Mehta (Fmr VP PM at Amwell, Director at Capital One). I’m excited to share them.
In the newsletter, check out the latest piece if you haven’t yet: The Product Launch Playbook 🚀 What PMs and Builders Miss About Go-To-Market
And look out for these pieces up next:
Candidate-Market Fit: The Advanced Guide for PMs
How Jira Product Discovery Grows
Advanced Tactics: Product Strategy Interview
Cheers,
Aakash
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