By Marty Cagan · svpg.com · LinkedIn
Marty Cagan argues that in many startups the CEO is the most effective head of product, especially in consumer companies, because the CEO best understands the market, customer and company and is fully committed. He notes that a CEO strong at product should be complemented by hires who fill gaps rather than fight for control. When the CEO lacks product talent, the company needs a strong head of product or the CEO must develop those skills, since weak product execution is a major cause of startup failure. Cagan also warns that founders should plan succession, because when a founding product leader departs, companies often drift into conservative optimization instead of innovation.
01Key takeaways
- Honestly assess whether you, as founder, have the product talent to drive the vision before deciding who leads product.
- If you are a strong product CEO, hire people who complement your strengths instead of competing for product control.
- Recognize that appreciating good design differs from being able to produce it, and staff design skills accordingly.
- Build the product-vision succession plan early, since losing a founding product leader can stall innovation.
- If you lack product skills, either hire a strong head of product or deliberately develop those skills yourself.
02Key sections
- CEO as default head of product
- Cagan contends that founding CEOs usually make the best product leaders, particularly in consumer companies, because of their deep market understanding and commitment.
- Hiring around a strong CEO
- When the CEO is product-strong, the right move is to hire complementary people rather than contest control, which otherwise creates strain.
- When a separate head of product is needed
- If the CEO lacks product skill or is distracted, or as the company grows, a dedicated head of product becomes essential.
- Design skills and sensibilities
- Cagan distinguishes appreciating good design from being able to create it, noting that CEOs with real design skills are rare.
- Succession planning for product vision
- A departing founder-led product vision can leave a company stuck in minor optimizations unless a successor is prepared in advance.
03From the post
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Summary and takeaways written by PM Atlas; quotes are short excerpts. © the original author.