Gunjan Gupta’s Post

Here's something I've noticed in my journey through the MENA startup ecosystem: Most companies I've worked with wield OKRs like a magic wand. They think it's the one-size-fits-all for goal setting, especially for product teams. Let's get this straight: That's a misconception. There's a whole universe of goal-setting frameworks out there, folks. NCTs, V2MOMs, MSPOTs—you name it. And from my experience, many of the startups I've engaged with could significantly benefit from exploring beyond OKRs. Why NCTs, you ask? Because it's practically tailor-made for burgeoning product teams still trying to find their footing. Here's the thing about OKRs: To make them work, you need a trifecta—a well-oiled team, a crystal-clear vision and mission, and a leadership that doesn't just pay lip service to understanding product management. For those of you who've been following my journey, you know I don't just talk the talk. I've been there, applying these frameworks, and tailoring strategies to fit the unique needs of my clients across the region. and here is a summary made for you :) 🔄 Swipe through this carousel where I break down the top goal-setting frameworks that I've personally used and implemented. Trust me, there's more to life than OKRs. Before you default to OKRs for your next quarterly planning session, take a beat. Consider your team's maturity, your leadership's product savvy, and your organization's clarity of vision. Might be time for a different playbook. #technology #startups #ProductManagement #ProductManager #product

People often ask, How would you ensure you have a practical and effective roadmap for your product? After having spent 13+ years in the domain working with all sizes of organisations, this is what I learned. Imagine we're gathered at your favourite local coffee shop, and I'm sharing some tips over lattes. But here, we're sipping on knowledge and experience! Step 1: Dream Big, Start Small ✨ Picture this: Your startup's big dream. What's the ultimate destination for your product? Let's talk about it! Share your wildest startup dream in the comments. Step 2: Goal Setting - Why and How? 🎯 Let's dive into goal setting. What are the specific objectives that bring your dream closer? For your startup, what's a goal that keeps you going even on tough days? Step 3: Feature Prioritization - A Balancing Act 🧩 Now, the feature puzzle. Ever had to choose which pieces to prioritize? I have! Share a feature you had to juggle, and we'll chat about it. Step 4: From Idea to Action - The Timeline 📆 Mapping out the journey. Who's had a roadmap that felt like a treasure map? I know I have. What was the timeline for one of your projects? Step 5: Team Tango - Collaborate and Dance Together! 🤝 Let's talk about teamwork. In the startup world, teamwork can be a dance. Any tales of successful collaboration to share? Step 6: Change is the Only Constant - Adapt and Thrive 🔄 Startups are rollercoasters. How do you handle those unexpected loops and twists? Share a moment where adaptability saved the day! Step 7: The User's Voice - Talk to Them! 🗣️ Ah, the users! What's your go-to way to hear their voices and make your product better? Tell us, and let's brainstorm. In the world of startups and product management, it's not just about the steps; it's the stories, the lessons, and the shared experiences that count. So, pull up a virtual chair, share your thoughts, and let's keep the conversation going. Together, we're navigating the exciting and challenging world of product roadmapping. 🚀 #StartupLife #ProductManagement #ProductRoadmap #LearnAndShare

As product managers, we're literally hardwired and trained to say no all the time. But this becomes a knee jerk reaction that can lead to bad product decisions. In fact, I see this happen all the time at startups. A crazy, tangential request will come in, and everyone will say: NO! That's not what we do, it's not core to our business! But when I was working on Correlated, the interesting thing was that what we were protecting as the "core" of our business wasn't really worth protecting. The market and opportunity and product fit simply wasn't there. So in this new role, I'm challenging myself to think about what I'm going to say "YES" to. What opportunities out there are actually more appealing than what we're working on right now? How can we re-allocate our investments into higher performing assets, just as you would with a stock portfolio? #productmanager #techstartup #careertips #startupfounder #startupbuilding

PM Life: Startup vs Corporate World 💥 Ever wondered what it's really like to be a Product Manager (PM)? 🤔 Our expert, Pratham Nawal, a seasoned PM at GoKwik is here to spill the beans along with our host, Dhruv Gupta. In this video, Pratham dives deep into the exciting yet challenging world of product management, comparing the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of startups to the structured, strategic approach of large companies. 🚀 Discover how PMs in startups and corporations: • Prepare for unique challenges. • Difference in startup and corporate during growth phase. • Managing risks and uncertainties. Whether you're aspiring to be a PM, a current PM looking to switch gears, or just curious about the industry, this video is packed with insights and practical advice. Don't miss out! 🔥 🎥Watch the entire video here: https://lnkd.in/gfaSzRmr #ProductManagement #Seekamentor

🚀 Ignite Success in 2024: Top 24 Expert Tips for Startup Founders, Incubators, and Mentors! 💡💼 Startup Champions! Ready to propel your ventures to new heights in 2024? Let's transform dreams into reality! 🌟💻 Agile Innovation: Embrace agile methodologies for continuous innovation. #InnovationHub Strategic Networking: Cultivate meaningful connections for collaborative opportunities. #CollaborateForSuccess #InvestorPitch Perfection for #StartupFunding Mentorship Dynamics: Forge impactful mentor-mentee relationships for shared growth. Build solutions with a keen focus on customer needs and feedback. #CustomerCentric #ProductDevelopment Continuously optimize your tech stack for efficiency and scalability. #TechOptimization Adopt Data-Driven Decision-Making Digital Marketing: Harness the power of digital marketing for enhanced visibility. #DigitalMarketing Brand Building: Craft a compelling brand narrative for lasting market impact. #BrandBuilding Explore international markets for diversified growth opportunities. Develop robust crisis management strategies for resilience. Foster diversity within your team for innovative problem-solving. Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate strategically for mutual business advancement. #StrategicPartnerships #StartupAlliances Feedback Loop : Establish a feedback loop for continuous improvement. #IterateForSuccess Rapid Prototyping: Accelerate innovation through rapid and efficient prototyping. #RapidPrototyping Investment Readiness: Ensure your startup is investor-ready with a robust business model. #InvestmentReadiness #StartupSuccess Sustainability Integration: Infuse sustainability into your business practices for long-term impact. Employee Well-being: Prioritize the well-being of your team for a thriving work culture. #EmployeeWellbeing #StartupCulture Legal Compliance: Navigate legalities with precision for a secure business environment. #LegalCompliance #StartupLaw Future Tech Adoption: Stay ahead by adopting emerging technologies shaping the future. Scaling Strategies: Plan scalable growth strategies aligned with market trends. Thought Leadership: Establish thought leadership through industry insights and expertise. Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate achievements, fostering team spirit. Let's make 2024 a year of groundbreaking achievements! Tag your startup allies and let's conquer together! 🚀💼 #StartupSuccess #2024success

🚀 Execution: The Make-or-Break Factor in Startups 🚀 In the startup arena, where ideas abound and visions collide, there's one undeniable truth that separates the fleeting from the lasting: Execution is everything. 🎯 Why Execution Triumphs Ideation 🎯 1. Brings Ideas to Life: Ideas, no matter how groundbreaking, are mere blueprints. Execution is the force that transforms them into reality. 2. Tests Viability: Only through execution can you truly test your product in the market, gather feedback, and iterate. 3. Drives Momentum: Stellar execution creates momentum, attracting customers, talent, and investors. ⚙️ Mastering the Art of Execution ⚙️ - Set Clear, Actionable Goals: Break down your vision into tangible steps. What can be achieved today, this week, this month? - Foster a Culture of Accountability: Encourage a team environment where commitments are honored, and everyone is accountable for their contributions. - Embrace Agility: Be prepared to pivot. Execution isn't just about following a plan; it's about adapting it in real-time based on feedback and results. 🔍 Execution Over Perfection 🔍 In the pursuit of perfection, don't lose sight of progress. Execution is about moving forward, even if it's imperfect. Each step, each iteration brings you closer to your goal. 💬 Let's Discuss 💬 How has a focus on execution propelled your startup forward? Share your stories of how turning plans into action has made all the difference in your journey.

As a Product Manager you might have to say No a lot of times. But simply saying No is not a good idea. Not only will that piss off people, but also doesn't do justice to your colleague's idea and thought process. What I recommend in such scenarios is a "Reverse Opportunity Mapping". The standard Opportunity Solution Tree branches out in this sequence - What do we want to achieve? ( Outcome ) - What's stopping us from achieving this ? ( Opportunities) - What can we build to address this? ( Solution ) In Reverse Opportunity Mapping, you flip around this sequence to analyze the idea/suggestion from your stakeholder- - What potential opportunities/pain points does this idea address? - What does addressing this pain point unlock for the business for the customer? - What metric could this move for the business? This way, if you have to say No, you can explain how a certain outcome is not a current priority for the business. And as and when business priorities change, you have a well thought out hypothesis tree as a reference instead of starting out from scratch. What do you think? What's your approach to manage your idea backlog? #productmanagement

For many people, OKRs should be implemented once your company has reached a certain level of maturity or growth and not very early. We strongly believe this is not the case. From our experience, introducing OKRs at the very beginning of your startup's journey is not just beneficial; it's critical. It lays down a robust groundwork, ensuring that every action is in lockstep with your mission, sharpening focus on what truly matters, and driving meaningful outcomes. Early OKR adoption: - cultivates a culture rich in accountability - enhances motivation - fine-tunes strategic planning setting a clear path for scalable and sustainable growth. Learning to measure what's crucial steers your startup in the right direction from the start. Our collaboration with Ben Lamorte brought this to light, showcasing the profound impact of early-stage OKR implementation. With OKRs, we bridged the gap between daily efforts and overarching goals, instilling a deep sense of purpose and direction. This strategy significantly boosted motivation, reinforced a culture of accountability, and honed strategic focus throughout the team. Thanks to the combined expertise of Ben and our team, the startup remained intensely focused and engaged, underscoring the unparalleled value of OKRs as a pivotal success tool for startups poised for breakthrough growth. A heartfelt thank you to Ben Lamorte for his invaluable guidance and insights, which have been instrumental in highlighting the critical advantage of adopting OKRs early in a startup's journey.

Back in my early 20s, I made a decision that would set the stage for an incredible learning journey—I joined a Stealth Startup that was then a close-knit team of 12. Here’s a glimpse into my 'why' and the invaluable lessons I've gleaned along the way. 🎯 Why I Took the Leap? 1. The People: The founding team wasn't just a group of colleagues; they were visionaries I deeply believed in. Their passion was infectious, their vision, clear. 2. The Mission: The problem statement and the solution offering resonated with me. It wasn't just about building a product; it was about crafting a solution that mattered. 3. The Leadership: Leadership in a startup can make or break your experience. I was fortunate to find a mentor and manager in one—a guide who believed in the potential within me. 4. The Laboratory: Startups are experimentation hubs. I was given the liberty to explore, experiment, and expand my capabilities. 5. The Curiosity: The startup world was a puzzle I was eager to solve. The energy, the pace, the constant evolution—it was a world I wanted to immerse myself in. 🎯 Lessons Learned - 1. Growth Multiplier: The environment boosted my growth 5x. Despite the challenges, my passion for the role and the work propelled me forward. 2. Opportunity to Lead: Starting as one of two in the product team, I had the unique opportunity to wear multiple hats, lead initiatives, and drive product development, all under expert guidance. 3. Mentorship: Perhaps the most empowering aspect was the trust and belief my manager and team had in me. This trust not only boosted my confidence but also allowed me to take initiatives and lead projects that I wouldn't have dreamed of in a larger, more structured organization. In retrospect, joining a startup was more than a career choice—it was a growth catalyst and a gateway to opportunities that have defined my professional ethos. If you're standing at a similar crossroads, wondering if the startup world is for you, I say go for it. The road is winding, but the destinations it can lead to are boundless. #careerdecisions #saasstartups #growth #mentorship #leadership #tech #innovation #productmanagement