Product is how a company interfaces with its users, at scale.
Wrapped within a product is a message from the founders about
a specific aspect of the world: a problem, an ideal, or a new
way of doing things. The clearer the message, the easier it is
for people to resonate and become users. In a sense, it's a bit
like religion. The message can present a different, better way
to do things.
Code essentially dictates a new way of doing things, and the
internet helps distribute this way. As more people adopt the new
way, the way itself improves through the network effect. Product
building, in this way, feels like having a conversation with an entity,
call it the market or something else. It's about guessing what
that entity wants and needs.
However, a product can't make an impact without understanding
something fundamental about the world or the current way things
are run. It has to address an existing pain or provide something
people have already proven to need, but in a more effective way.
Wrapped within a product is a message from the founders about
a specific aspect of the world: a problem, an ideal, or a new
way of doing things. The clearer the message, the easier it is
for people to resonate and become users. In a sense, it's a bit
like religion. The message can present a different, better way
to do things.
Code essentially dictates a new way of doing things, and the
internet helps distribute this way. As more people adopt the new
way, the way itself improves through the network effect. Product
building, in this way, feels like having a conversation with an entity,
call it the market or something else. It's about guessing what
that entity wants and needs.
However, a product can't make an impact without understanding
something fundamental about the world or the current way things
are run. It has to address an existing pain or provide something
people have already proven to need, but in a more effective way.