🎯 The pragmatic take / PM Snacks 88
Find your activation metrics • Take distance from product frameworks • Write messages with military precision • Uncover UX patterns from viral AI products • Deep dive into the Amazon product model
Hey everyone,
I've noticed something interesting about the articles I've curated this week. While they explore different aspects of product building, they all share a common thread: the importance of bridging theory and practical application.
We're constantly navigating between idealized best practices and the messy reality. As you read through, you’ll discover a pragmatic perspective that values real-world effectiveness over rigid adherence to theory: through finding actionable metrics, applying frameworks flexibly, communicating with precision, or designing AI experiences that actually work for users.
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Enjoy!
🍭 5 snacks
1️⃣ WTF is activation and why should you care? • Feb 2025 • 7 min read • #data
Activation isn't just some vague "aha moment": it's the first actionable metric that impacts all the others, and generally its a good proxy for the impact of product launches. Unfortunately, finding it can be hard:
- it’s usually unique to your product, rarely a single event, and sometimes requires the user to do something multiple times.
- Finding your activation metric requires testing multiple event combinations against retention rates. In this article Posthog (+10 products) shares how they do it.
2️⃣ Things About Product Frameworks I Wish I Knew Earlier • Arp 2025 • 7 min read • #mindset
In the coaching sessions I do, I find myself repeating these same two things:
1/ that product frameworks should be flexible tools, not rigid doctrines.
2/ that you should not compare your product organization to what you have read in books or heard in conferences, or do so at the risk of being miserable.
In reality, all of us have to bridge the gap between textbook product frameworks and real-world implementation. Click the link open to find out about Paweł’s refreshingly pragmatic take.
3️⃣ How to Write Email with Military Precision • Nov 2016 • 4 min read • #communication
As product builders we spend lot of time crafting messages to our team, customers, stakeholders, and even AI now. These 3 techniques have transformed the way I write these:
- Tag your messages: Start with ACTION, INFO, DECISION, or REQUEST to immediately signal intent.
- Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Lead with the core message before providing context. It grabs people’s attention, and improves efficiency.
- Be ruthlessly economical: Keep messages visible without scrolling, use active voice, and structure background as bullet points.
🤖 The surprising patterns behind viral AI products • Feb 2025 • 8min read • #AI #design
Fascinating deep-dive into the unique challenges faced by AI-native products. The key insight? AI isn't the differentiator anymore; thoughtful user experience that builds trust, improves inputs, and feels natural is what drives adoption. Be sure to open the link to get an overview of the most efficient UX patterns yet.
⏳ The Product Model at Amazon • March 2024 • 9 min read • #execution • Most clicked link 1y ago in PM Snacks 80.
The way Amazon works can sometimes feel “out of the ordinary”… but actually, if you look into it, you’ll recognize the usual suspects: customer-centric product vision, data-driven experimentations, long-term thinking, strong leadership, and focus on being really agile. Read what Marty Cagan has to say about their model in this article.
🗄️ Recently saved
Links worth reading that I saved, and did not choose to highlight:
- 3 essential skills you need to master to thrive in AI-driven product landscape
- Some ideas to create momentum in your company around AI by Claire Vo
- Underutilized Figma trick: Positive affirmations while leaving feedback
- Nikita Bier on why you should have a full-time designer in the room at all times
- Will AI make everyone a designer and/or developer? Probably not. Same way microwave did not turn anyone into a chef.
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Thank you for reading this far.
Until next time!
Olivier
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About → Productverse is curated by Olivier Courtois (15y+ in product, Fractional CPO, coach & advisor). Each issue features handpicked links to help you become a better product maker.