Dave Feldman

Jan 14, 2025 | dfeldman.medium.com | Dave Feldman

Dave Feldman·Follow5 min read·--In his recent article, “How Silicon Valley is disrupting democracy,” MIT Technology Review’s Bryan Gardiner writes:Regulating Big Tech will be a crucial part of leveling the playing field and ensuring that the basic duties of a democracy can be fulfilled. But…another battle may prove even more difficult and contentious. This one involves undoing the flawed logic and cynical, self-serving philosophies that have led us to the point where we are now.

Oct 10, 2024 | dfeldman.medium.com | Dave Feldman

Dave Feldman·Follow10 min read·--Originally published in Berlin’s ProductLab Community as part of their Data-Driven PM series. As PMs, we want to ground our decisions in data. But what does that mean? We hear about companies like Netflix, using huge volumes of data to guide product strategy — but our realities are often very different. We have far fewer data points than Netflix, Amazon, Meta, or Google — especially once we start slicing and dicing our audience.

Sep 5, 2024 | dfeldman.medium.com | Dave Feldman

I woke up yesterday to breathless discussion of Paul Graham’s Founder Mode essay — including positive coverage in the New York Times — and now I’m so, so angry. Why that reaction? I’ve been increasingly worried about a crisis of leadership in tech: we accept and even revere ineffective, tyrannical founders and without any evidence their approach is successful — despite evidence that their approach is damaging. Founder Mode does contain some useful advice.

Aug 8, 2023 | dfeldman.medium.com | Dave Feldman

Talk to your customers, constantly. I doubt that's controversial: most of us have acknowledged the "lean" methodology that says gathering customer context is an ongoing responsibility of every product team. But the wrong conversation can yield the wrong conclusions. To ensure you're having the right conversations with your customers, start by focusing on the difference between customer and userresearch.

Jul 17, 2023 | dfeldman.medium.com | Dave Feldman

Recently, I interviewed with a company looking for someone creative: their current leaders are highly analytical and they want to add more visionary, innovative thinking to the mix. I wrote that down as a risk. A few years back, a CEO told me he was thrilled with how well I fit into his company's rigorous culture - but surprised I hadn't brought more blue-sky thinking to the table. I, on the other hand, was not surprised. In tech we elevate rationality, data, and conviction.