Greetings, my lovely readers!
It’s been a while since my last newsletter, but I'm back from my hiatus to share my recent journey from the tech giant Meta (formerly known as Facebook) to the dynamic world of Bumble, while crossing the Atlantic from the vibrant Silicon Valley to the bustling streets of London.
In today’s newsletter, I'll talk about my experiences and the framework I developed to guide my decision-making process. Whether you're considering a transition from big tech, navigating the job market, or simply seeking inspiration, I hope my story and the 3Ps Framework will offer valuable insights and help you articulate your 'why' with clarity.
Now, without further ado, let's delve into The 3Ps Framework: Product, Phase, and People.
Product
Simply put, what gets you out of bed every morning? One way to find out is by picking out a few areas that you have worked on before or new areas that interest you. Envision the entire lifecycle of those areas. Many people don’t think about this aspect. They dive into a space or rule out a company based on what they know about it today, rather than considering its potential in 3-5 years. It's crucial to anchor yourself by identifying what truly excites you from a product standpoint and if the things a company’s doing are things you’d want to be a part of. Ask yourself:
Are you driven by creating products for social good?
Do you enjoy building for a specific audience, such as children, small-to-medium businesses (SMBs), or large enterprises?
Are you intrigued by working with complex systems in multi-sided marketplaces?
Or perhaps you thrive on being at the forefront of the latest trends, like AI, Crypto, or VR/AR?
There are numerous possibilities. The key is to have a clear understanding of what product aspects truly excite you.
How it applies to me:
I was looking for 0-1 tech that solves real-world problems.
For me, this is where it all starts. As an Integrity PM, it's essential to see real-world impact in the space I work in. So, it was important that my next opportunity offered that. Trust and safety/Integrity is one of those spaces where big problems need to be solved, regardless of a company's stage of maturity.
In the early stages, it involves setting up foundational trust and safety mechanisms through machine learning and operations.
As those systems mature, issues around user experience and false positives emerge.
Eventually, the original systems become outdated and need to be rebuilt.
Moreover, there's always a tension between priorities when it comes to Integrity. Questions arise, such as how to keep people safe without adding too much friction, build reliable systems without incurring high operational costs, or scale ML models without biases.
I was certain that I wanted a scope that allowed me to work on cutting-edge technologies while addressing complex user problems. In my first four months at Bumble, I've found myself at the helm an exhilarating product that does exactly that. Furthermore, having met my partner on a dating app, I have firsthand experience of the powerful impact a dating platform can have.
Phase
It took me some time to realize this for myself, and it varies for everyone. Moreover, it changes at different stages of our careers. Companies go through multiple phases, as do individuals. We often see people leaving FAANGs for start-ups, and vice versa, at different levels of individual contributors (ICs) and managers.
So, how do you determine the next phase of a company to explore?
Are you drawn to the structure and process of a large established company?
Do you thrive in the spirited hackiness of a start-up?
Or perhaps you seek something in between?
A good way to evaluate the right phase for you is to ask:
Which environments have brought out your best work in the past?
What enabled you to perform at your peak?
Where are you most likely to replicate those conditions, operate at a similar level, and continue to grow?
How it applies to me:
I was looking for companies in an early inflection and hyper-scaling phase.
I’ve spent 8 years (the greater part of my career) at Meta. I saw the company grow from Facebook to Meta. From Move Fast and Break Things → Metaverse → Year of Efficiency. As the company grew and evolved, so did I.
In my early years at Meta (around 2015), the company wasn’t the behemoth it is today, but it also wasn't a start-up. It operated in an ambiguous and undefined space, growing at a remarkable pace. This phase allowed me to be a trailblazer, infusing fresh ideas, building, and experimenting (even failing hard and fast) to develop impressive products. So it’s fair to say that I wanted to return to an environment like that.
Diving headfirst into Bumble at a similar phase has proven to be an invigorating experience so far. It's both rewarding and challenging to be part of a company that has evolved beyond its start-up days but hasn't reached the scale of other FAANG giants, providing ample opportunities to tackle numerous complex challenges.
People
Building exceptional products is like cooking – the secret ingredient is love; any seasoned cook knows that. Similarly, when a team is made of talented individuals brimming with passion and united by a common vision, remarkable products come to life. It may sound cliché, but it's true. The most memorable projects are those where camaraderie and shared determination turn obstacles into stepping stones.
While it's the Product Manager's role to unite everyone toward a shared mission, the ease or difficulty of this task depends on (a) the shared mission that drives the team to unite behind those ideas (b) how receptive people are to new ideas.
To evaluate this for yourself, consider the following:
When shortlisting companies, ensure that their values align with your personal value system. Company values, especially in tech, say a lot about the place. Of all the 5-6 words they could choose, they chose these. So it’s very likely that’s a peek into how things are prioritized and decisions are made.
During the interview, ask about the major challenges faced by the team and the areas where they have found success. Inquiring about team challenges and successes during the interview helps assess the team's strength and alignment with your values.
How it applies to me:
I was looking for a team that values collaboration and coming together.
Perhaps one of the most refreshing aspects of my transition to Bumble has been the exceptional team I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with. I personally recognize the numerous advantages of collaborating with a small, agile team. One that has a shared vision and accountability for creating awesome products.
To conclude, I’ll leave you with this, whether you find yourself contemplating a new role or a different company, take time to reflect on and articulate your 3Ps:
Product: What problems excite you?
Phase: Which environments do you operate best in?
People: What values in others do you find important?
Trust me, they not only help with your decision-making but also add intentionality to the inevitable interview question:
"So why do you want to work here?"
As for my transatlantic voyage, I bid farewell to California's sunshine and embraced London's vibrant culture in February, and I'm finally starting to feel at home.
Thanks for making it to the end of today's newsletter. Stay tuned for the next one! I hope the wait will be shorter than this time. Let me know in the comments below which topics you'd like to read about next.