A Startup's First Product Hire

October 30, 2023

Happy Monday everyone! Lots going on in the Cleveland Product community this week, so let’s get to it.

Article of the Week

The startup environment is difficult. You have a great idea. You’ve found product market fit. You have raised some capital. You already have paying customers. Things are going well. So now you and your founders need to transition to the CEO and other leadership roles, and make your first Product hire. But that requires relinquishing control (somewhat). So what do startups look for in their Product hire? When should they bring on their first Product hire?

I recently read an article by OpenView Partners that explains the process very well. In particular, I found the following insights interesting:

  • Defining Your First Product Hire - Creating a profile of your ideal Product Manager involves identifying the talents and traits that your first Product hire should have, and how that supplements the talents and capabilities of the founders and the rest of the team.

  • You’ve Made Your First Product Hire - Now What? The first product hire should spend a lot of time with the founders to understand the vision and the strategy so there is alignment, supported by data and insights.

  • What Does Success Look Like? As the team starts working together, you need to assess whether the team is executing the vision and able to pivot quickly, so they continue to solve problems for customers and prepare for growth.

The first Product hire at a startup is a crucial hire and can position the organization for continued growth. Or it can set them back years, or sink it altogether. So do your research before you make your first Product hire.

Click the Read Article button below to learn more.

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About the Author

My name is Shawn Leitner. I started the Cleveland Product networking group in 2017, which helps to cBonnect Product professionals around Cleveland, providing them with a forum to network, learn, and share stories. For my day job, I'm a Product Consultant & Coach for Pathfinder Product and help clients implement strong Product practices so they can create products that their teams love building and their customers love using. Connect with me on LinkedIn or feel free to attend one of my events either virtually or in-person. Always up for meeting for a cup of coffee als30