> Expanding on the third point, Brian Chesky elaborates on the recent shifts in product management strategy at Airbnb. He explains how Airbnb is moving away from traditional marketing channels, such as paid growth strategies, towards a more organic growth model. This approach is centered on building an exceptional product that naturally attracts users and generates word-of-mouth promotion. Additionally, Chesky highlights a new operational change within the product team, mentioning that there is now a single, unified roadmap guiding the entire company. This change ensures that all teams are aligned and working towards the same goals. Chesky also emphasizes his personal involvement in the product development process, staying closely connected to every design and feature to ensure quality and alignment with the company's vision [oai_citation:1,Brian Chesky’s new playbook](https://www.lennyspodcast.com/brian-cheskys-new-playbook/).
Didn’t they lay off a bunch of PMs recently? As a product person I feel like AirBnb is a shadow of its former self. There are much less unique spaces on the site and too many cookie cutter apartments made for Airbnb. Often it’s cheaper to just get a hotel in cities now.
As a product person you should know that the supply of properties available has nothing to do with Airbnb as a product? People can do whatever they want and Airbnb will surface it within reason. Given you are a product person, curious what changes you would make to solve this “problem”?
Hopefully. “When it’s raining gold, reach for a bucket rather than a thimble” is a modern Buffett take on a nearly 500 year old “make hay while the sun shines”.
Adjusting your business approach to capitalize on favorable conditions is wise.
Airbnb was good. Now it is an abortion of good taste and joy.
I wonder if product managers are inept or just cynical and know how they trade off customer value for their own profitability. Does it wear on them that they know the right thing, but don’t do it. Or are they deluded and think that what they are making now is good, and beautiful, and loved by customers?
ChatGPT 4: “ Brian Chesky, the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, has developed a unique approach to product management, drawing inspiration from the principles and practices at Apple during Steve Jobs' era. This approach emphasizes a design-centric philosophy and incorporates several key principles:
1. *Design as a Core Philosophy*: Chesky believes that design is much more than a department; it's a way of thinking about the world. This philosophy entails that designers are not just working for engineers but are sitting alongside them and driving the product.
2. *Simplification and Essence*: The focus is on simplifying products by distilling them to their essence, which requires a deep understanding of the product.
3. *Pride in Work*: Designers should only ship products they are proud of. This principle ensures that quality and personal investment are central to the product development process.
4. *Creativity and the Third Option*: When faced with two options, Chesky advocates for seeking a creative third option that requires more heart and imagination.
Chesky's approach involves a departure from traditional methods of product management, leaning heavily into design and creativity as driving forces. This reflects a broader shift at Airbnb, where there has been a move away from traditional growth channels, a focus on new feature releases, and a push for setting ambitious goals [oai_citation:1,Brian Chesky’s new playbook for product, leadership, and growth](https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/brian-cheskys-contrarian-...) [oai_citation:2,Brian Chesky at Config 2023: 8 Lessons For Product Designers — Play For Thoughts](https://www.playforthoughts.com/blog/brian-chesky-product-de...
So he's saying that having got to where they are without all these apparently sensible yet strangely vapid things, he decides now's the time to go for them? Doesn't that kinda collapse the whole argument into a bunch of PR fluff if they were never in the house in the first place?
> Expanding on the third point, Brian Chesky elaborates on the recent shifts in product management strategy at Airbnb. He explains how Airbnb is moving away from traditional marketing channels, such as paid growth strategies, towards a more organic growth model. This approach is centered on building an exceptional product that naturally attracts users and generates word-of-mouth promotion. Additionally, Chesky highlights a new operational change within the product team, mentioning that there is now a single, unified roadmap guiding the entire company. This change ensures that all teams are aligned and working towards the same goals. Chesky also emphasizes his personal involvement in the product development process, staying closely connected to every design and feature to ensure quality and alignment with the company's vision [oai_citation:1,Brian Chesky’s new playbook](https://www.lennyspodcast.com/brian-cheskys-new-playbook/).
Didn’t they lay off a bunch of PMs recently? As a product person I feel like AirBnb is a shadow of its former self. There are much less unique spaces on the site and too many cookie cutter apartments made for Airbnb. Often it’s cheaper to just get a hotel in cities now.