Why Uber’s CPO Drives on Weekends

Opening: Immersing oneself in the user's perspective can reveal critical insights for product improvement. Quote: "

Until I get behind the wheel... what I miss is the visceral reaction that you get when something happens.

" Takeaway:

• Sain emphasizes the value of firsthand experience with the product.
• Founders can identify pain points not apparent from data alone.
• Deep user empathy drives better product decisions.

Opening: Encouraging a 'ship, ship, ship' mentality can drive teams to deliver quickly and efficiently. Quote: "

Once you know that you're working on something that is important... you have to cut down the cycle time.

" Takeaway:

• Sain promotes minimizing time between decisions and execution.
• Reducing delays in product development accelerates impact.
• Setting clear goals and unblocking teams fosters a culture of action.

Opening: Leading a company through significant changes requires focus on core efficiency while fostering innovation. Quote: "

It was a great period because... that's where real innovation actually kicks in.

" Takeaway:

• Sain suggests targeting inefficiencies and reinvesting savings.
• Maintaining team morale involves focusing on impactful innovation.
• Balancing cost-cutting with growth opportunities is key.

Opening: AI tools can improve productivity and assist in various aspects of product management work. Quote: "

I have been using ChatGPT and Gemini to summarize long user research documents.

" Takeaway:

• Sain utilizes AI for summarizing documents and conducting deep research.
• AI acts as a research assistant, enhancing decision-making.
• PMs can leverage AI to work smarter and faster.

Opening: Sometimes, relying on intuition and understanding of users can drive innovation even when data doesn't fully support it. Quote: "

A lot of the growth bets that we actually make may not have the best data... but as long as we understand... what the end user wants... you have to kind of go with your gut.

" Takeaway:

• Sain describes making strategic decisions based on gut feeling.
• Highlights successes like partnering with taxis and launching Uber for teenagers.
• Founders should balance data with intuition and user insight.

Opening: Uber transitioned to focus on efficiency and profitability, showing how companies can adapt to market changes. Quote: "

If you're taking inefficiency out of your system... that's where real innovation actually kicks in.

" Takeaway:

• Sain shares how Uber targeted inefficiencies to improve margins.
• Focusing on the core product while innovating drove profitability.
• Embracing change can lead to rewarding outcomes.

Opening: Understanding end-users is a timeless aspect of product management, even as AI transforms the industry. Quote: "

What has not changed in those 24 years is you having to understand what your end users want.

" Takeaway:

• Sain emphasizes that empathy for users is crucial.
• AI tools can aid but can't replace deep user understanding.
• PMs should focus on solving users' problems and needs.

Opening: Gaining experience through shipping multiple products rapidly helps build judgment and product sense. Quote: "

Go to a job where you can ship multiple products as fast as possible.

" Takeaway:

• Sain advises PMs to focus on roles with rapid product cycles.
• Making numerous micro-decisions develops innate judgment.
• Rapid iteration helps build experience and intuition.

Opening: Emphasizing speed and efficiency in shipping products is crucial for growth and responding to user needs. Quote: "

You don't ship documents, you don't ship brainstorming meetings. What you ship is code in your product.

" Takeaway:

• Sain stresses reducing cycle time to deliver value quickly.
• Encourages making decisions faster by cutting unnecessary delays.
• Fosters a culture of execution and responsiveness.

Opening: Dogfooding is essential for building empathy with users and improving the product. Sain takes this to another level by personally driving and delivering for Uber. Quote: "

Either once or twice a month, I will set aside half a day and then I'll go out and I'll drive and deliver.

" Takeaway:

• Sain dogfoods Uber's products by working as a driver and courier.
• This hands-on experience allows him to identify issues and areas for improvement.
• He documents his findings and ensures they are addressed, fostering a culture of accountability.