Scale 11_ Group Session on Hiring & Product (Willy Schlacks) - Dec 6 2022.mp3

Speaker: Willy Schlacks (Co-Founder and President of Equipment Share)

Key Points

• The call highlighted several critical aspects of effective hiring and product development strategies. Emphasizing the impact of hiring exceptional individuals over simply filling positions was a key takeaway, as these individuals can significantly elevate team performance and the quality of work produced. The focus on quality over quantity, particularly in roles like designers, product managers, and engineers, was underscored, as exceptional candidates tend to attract other outstanding team members.
• Additionally, the call emphasized the importance of team maturity as companies grow, which often leads to raising hiring standards and, at times, the replacement of underperforming team members. Furthermore, setting objectives based on desired user behaviors, rather than specific features was highlighted as a way to focus the product development process on what genuinely matters to users.
• In considering product development strategies, the call recommended an iterative approach, where user feedback informs adjustments to the product. It also discussed the benefits of collaboration, including finding the right co-founders and working closely with customers to shape the business's direction effectively.
• The second part of the conversation delved into behavior-oriented objectives, emphasizing the significance of defining user behaviors as objectives to guide product development. It recommended engaging the team in the process of choosing future behaviors or actions to ensure a motivated and involved team. The call stressed the need to avoid objectives that are too obvious or universally agreeable, as they may lack direction and impact. A clear definition of objectives and a balance in objective choices were considered essential components of the product development process.
• Incorporating these insights into hiring practices and product development can lead to more impactful, focused, and successful outcomes.