Hello, all you product-loving folks! 💜
Welcome to this week's edition of Product Café, your weekly cup of coffee for everything product management, startups, AI, and more. ☕
The new year has begun, and although we may have already given up on some of the resolutions we set for ourselves, it's important to remember that we can always start anew. There's no need to wait another year to make positive changes in our lives. Now is the perfect time to take action and start making those changes!✨
Even before this year started, our team was super busy. We've been picking out the best stuff for you to learn more, improve your skills, and find the best events to meet new people and grow your network.
Let's take a quick look at the top product people, books, courses, and conferences you should check out this year. They're all about bringing out the best in you. For all the details, we've got links to our full blogs – make sure to check them out!🤩
Best Product Folks to Watch Out in 2024
Ever found someone online who explains tough concepts in easy ways? And suddenly, you're seeing things differently or getting better at your job? We've got a list of people just like that. We've been following them for a while, and they're amazing.
We've got a list of people who do just that. They're great at sharing the info and resources we all need. Keep an eye on them and grab as much knowledge as you can from what they share. We've been following them for a long time and are really grateful for their unique insights.
Daniel Dalton
Recognized as a 'One to Watch' by the Product-Led Alliance and a prominent speaker at Product School. He is celebrated for his innovative approach to product design and growth.
Esteban Contreras
Esteemed for his 16-year journey in scaling SaaS products and strategic innovation. He is a key advisor and speaker known for his product strategy insights.
Leah Tharin
Specializes in B2B SaaS, focusing on product-led growth and retention. Renowned for her practical approach to aligning product, marketing, and sales strategies.
Kyle Poyar
An authority in product-led growth, pricing, and SaaS market strategies. He is all about helping companies by fueling growth and making them market leaders.
Elena Verna
Calls herself a “Growth Hobbyist” and is obsessed with B2B Product- led growth and sales. Active in course creation, advising, and angel investing in the tech sector.
Enzo Avigo
A ten-year veteran in Product Management, focusing on user experience and product strategies. Writes about effective product management strategies in the pre-Product/Market Fit phase and is also in the process of releasing a book soon.
Aakash Gupta
He authors a newsletter for product managers, leaders, and those who aspire to enter the field. His primary focus is on providing practical and in-depth career advice.
These are just 7 from our comprehensive list of 24 product folks. You have to check out our blog so that you don’t miss out on those gems and the contributions they make.
Top Product Management Conferences to Attend in 2024
Conferences are the best spots to meet and connect with amazing people in the product and tech realm. 🤝
They're not just about networking; they can be eye-openers, showing us new strategies and sparking big ideas. We always say: never miss a chance to be in the same space with inspiring minds. So, here are some must-attend conferences this year:👇
ProductCon
We were proud sponsors of ProductCon last year and we can tell you firsthand – it's an amazing experience. It’s one of the biggest gatherings for product managers out there. Don’t miss it! And for those in London, great news: you can join in person too.
Venue: London, New York, Virtual
Date: 20th Feb, 29th May, August 2024
Mind The Product
Just the name says it all. It's undoubtedly one of the best out there. They’re ready to inspire, offering a break from the day-to-day grind and sparking new ways of thinking. This could be the conference that changes everything for you.
Venue: London
Date: 22nd Oct 2024
Product-Led Summit
This is where you dive deep into product-led growth, the best practices in product management, and how to move ahead in your career. A full day of presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities awaits you.
Venue: Austin
Date: 13-14th Feb 2024
There are more awesome conferences to check out. Head over to our blog for the complete list, and keep an eye out as we’ll be adding more!👇
Top AI Product Management Courses
2023 was all about AI, and the buzz still continues. We will have to admit AI is here to stay. So, we suggest we all better buckle up and master the power of AI to make those cool changes in our products.
How do you do that? Obviously, by delving deep into the nooks and corners of artificial intelligence, Okay, wait! We should maybe tone down our enthusiasm a notch and take it slow by taking baby steps rather than huge strides.
Thus, here are some AI courses to kickstart your journey.
Product HQ's AI Product Manager Certification
First thing first. This course does not require a technical background. This course covers a wide range of topics, including AI business management, machine learning models, and AI ethics.
Course fee:: $497
AI Powered Products 101 by Dr. Marily Nika
It is the first and best AI Product Management course for Aspiring AI Product Managers that helps you understand how to bring AI products to life with or without any coding experience.
Course fee: $499
AI Solution Product Management Self-study Certification Program
The AI Product Management course is tailored to provide you with essential skills and knowledge for developing cutting-edge products. It focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to create unique offerings and deliver exceptional value to your customers.
Course fee: $799 (Self-study)
Our blog on this same is more in-depth and contains many more courses that can help you get started with AI product management courses.
Top Books for Product Managers
Are you a fan of good old books, those evergreen treasures of knowledge? I totally get you! There’s something special about books, right? They dive deep into topics, giving us insights and wisdom no other medium can match.
So, I've got something special for all you bookworms and those who've promised to read more this year. I’ve handpicked some fantastic reads to add to your shelf or reading list. This is especially for those who love to curl up with a good book and for those eager to dive deeper into the world of product management.
And guess what? Our latest blog has all the top picks. But right here, I’m excited to share a sneak peek of our latest favorites. Trust me, these are books you wouldn't want to miss!
The AI Product Manager’s Handbook
Irene Bratsis, serving as the Director of Digital Product & Data at IBWI, authored "The AI Product Manager’s Handbook," a vital resource for product managers specialising in Artificial Intelligence. This book is tailored for professionals aiming to integrate AI into their product offerings.
Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making
"Build" by Tony Fadell is considered one of the best books on product management. The book covers various key themes, such as the significance of understanding the "why" behind a product, the value of hiring a diverse team, and the role of a CEO in pushing employees to excel without coddling them.
Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days
“Sprint” written by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky, is a book for entrepreneurs and leaders who face big questions every day. The book answers the most important questions of all time: where to put your focus, your effort and how to start? Don’ miss out this gem of a book!
The Product Momentum Gap: Bringing together product strategy and customer value
Renowned for its practicality, "The Product Momentum Gap" by Andrea Saez and Dave Martin includes numerous actionable steps and real-world examples. It serves as an invaluable resource for guiding business leaders out of the Product Momentum Gap and towards a path of success.
This list is just the tip of the iceberg. Head to our comprehensive list to not miss out on the biggest gems out there. Link below
This edition is all about your growth and development as a professional. We're here not just for individual successes but for collective achievements.
So, feel free to share this with your friends and colleagues. Let's grow together and reach new heights! Until next time, keep pushing boundaries and stay curious.🤓
Have something you want to share? Put them in the comments below, and we’ll get back to you soon.