LaunchPod | Product Management Podcast

Kickstarter's Comeback | Mahesh Guruswamy, CPTO (Kickstarter)

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Today, we’re talking with Mahesh Guruswamy, CPTO at Kickstarter.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • How daily reflection on hard moments helped him grow as a leader—and led to his widely praised book How to Deliver Bad News and Get Away with It.
  • How Kickstarter went from “printing money” and experiencing “insane” PMF to plateauing - and how they created urgency and competition to quickly turn it around
  • The actual process Kickstarter used to activate its creator and backer communities to shape a better UX, build real loyalty, and re-ignite growth
    • Links

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshguruswamy/

    Website: https://www.maheshguruswamy.com/
    Substack: https://maheshguruswamy.substack.com/

    Resources

    How to Deliver Bad News and Get Away with It: A Manager's Guide, By Mahesh Guruswamy: https://www.amazon.com/How-Deliver-Bad-News-Away/dp/B0D7FHTTNN

    Tell Your CEO They're Wrong (And KEEP Your Career) | Steve Nash, Dir. Product (GumGum): https://youtu.be/oeEBy8mJfB0

    Chapters

    00:00 Intro

    01:09 Mahesh's Background and Kickstarter Connection
    02:08 The Power of Writing and Self-Reflection
    04:28 Publishing a Book: How to Deliver Bad News
    05:53 Effective Communication and Feedback
    06:46 Navigating Tough Conversations
    11:03 Kickstarter's Evolution and Challenges
    14:16 Listening to Customers and Adapting
    19:36 Navigating Market Shifts and Growth
    20:34 Prioritizing Customer Feedback
    25:59 Building and Engaging the Community
    29:54 Competitive Strategies and Organizational Culture
    34:05 Leadership and Legacy
    37:03 Conclusion and Future Prospects

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    Special Guest: Mahesh Guruswamy.

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