Merci Grace

Guest: Merci Grace - Founder and former Head of Growth at Slack. Merci has a diverse background as a founder, game designer, product manager, and venture capitalist, and she played a pivotal role in developing Slack's product-led growth strategy. Key Takeaways: Onboarding Strategy: Effective onboarding should be integrated into the product experience, not just an add-on. Avoid generic carousels and focus on creating a seamless introduction to the product's core value. Product-Led Growth: Ideal for tools that provide immediate value and can be adopted by any individual within a company. Consider whether your product requires a sales-led approach if it involves complex integrations or high-level buy-in. Hiring for Growth: Look for candidates who demonstrate curiosity, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of your customer. Use real-world tasks during the interview process to assess these traits. Diversity in Hiring: Early investment in diverse hiring practices can create a self-reinforcing cycle of diversity and inclusion, leading to a more respectful and innovative workplace. Storytelling in Product Management: At Slack, storytelling was a crucial skill, often outweighing pure data in decision-making. Crafting a compelling narrative can be a powerful tool in product development and growth. Topics Covered: Product-led growth, onboarding strategies, hiring practices, diversity in tech, storytelling in product management, Slack's growth journey.