Podcast - Gokul Rajaram

How to build a great product team

A great product team is essential for any company that wants to build and launch successful products. But what makes a product team great? And how can you build one?

In a recent podcast interview, Gokul Rajaram, the former VP of Product at Facebook and the current Operating Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, shared his insights on how to build a great product team.

Here are some of his key takeaways:

• Hire PMs who are curious and customer-centric. The best product managers are constantly asking questions and learning about their customers' needs. They are also able to see the world from the customer's perspective and make decisions that are in the best interests of the customer.

• Build a product culture. A great product team is more than just a group of talented individuals. It is a team that shares a common vision and values. Create a culture where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, taking risks, and learning from their mistakes.

• Invest in your PMs. Product management is a complex and challenging job. Make sure your PMs have the resources and support they need to be successful. This includes providing them with opportunities for coaching and development.

When to hire a PM

Rajaram also shared his thoughts on when to hire a PM. He believes that the right time to hire a PM is when you have a team of about eight to ten engineers. At this point, it is important to have someone who can focus on the product vision and strategy, and who can work with the engineers to bring the product to life.

How to hire your first PM

Rajaram recommends hiring your first PM from within the company. This is because the first PM needs to be someone who understands the company culture and who has the trust of the engineering team.

Evaluating a PM

When evaluating a PM candidate, Rajaram looks for the following qualities:

• Curiosity

• Customer centricity

• Communication skills

• Ability to facilitate discussion

• Problem-solving skills

When to wait for hiring a PM

There are a few cases where you may want to wait for hiring a PM:

• If your engineers are already acting on problems and bringing solutions, you may not need a PM.

• If your engineers are able to identify problems, find solutions, test them, and implement them well, you may not need a PM.

When product teams should report to a GM versus a CPO

Rajaram believes that product teams should report to a functional product leader when you have three to four PMs. This is because the PMs need a mentor and coach, and you want to build a product culture and discipline across the team.

Investing in a startup

When investing in a startup, Rajaram looks for a two-person founding team with complementary skills. He also looks for founders who are passionate about their product and who have a clear vision for the future.

Final thoughts

Building a great product team takes time and effort. But it is an investment that is well worth making. A great product team can help you to build and launch successful products that will delight your customers and grow your business.