The Dinosaur Brain Approach to Product Reviews
by Ami Vora • Chief Product Officer at Faire
Former VP at Meta (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram)
🎙️ Episode Context
Ami Vora shares insights on high-impact product leadership, covering strategies for effective product reviews, the power of metaphors in product alignment, and how to set distinct goals to prevent teams from overlapping. She emphasizes execution over strategy and the importance of 'fascinating' curiosity during disagreements.
Problem It Solves
Overwhelmed executives, stalled decision-making, and product reviews that devolve into data inspection rather than strategic alignment.
Framework Overview
A framework for presenting to executives by assuming they have limited cognitive capacity for new details ('brontosaurus brain') and can only hold three facts at a time. The goal is to move from information dumping to making a clear recommendation.
🔺 Priority Pyramid
When to Use
Preparing for product reviews with senior leadership or presenting complex data to stakeholders with limited context.
Common Mistakes
Showing all the work/data to prove you did it; expecting the exec to synthesize the data for you; lacking a strong opinion.
Real World Example
When presenting a product change, instead of showing 10 charts, show 1 recommendation supported by 3 key facts, allowing the manager to add context if needed.
Assume that executives have a little tiny dinosaur brain... we can really only hold three facts at the same time.
— Ami Vora