Mock Product Manager Interview (Google PM): Google/Amazon Video Strategy

Summary

In a live mock interview at 'five this Expo p.m.', David Schlossberg, a seasoned product manager, discusses the strategic considerations for Google launching a competitor to Amazon Prime Video. He suggests that rather than direct competition, Google could leverage its ecosystem to offer a unique bundle of services. The conversation delves into product strategy, market competition, and the role of product managers in decision-making at Google, highlighting the importance of quick thinking and strategic vision in the tech industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 David Schlossberg, with 15 years of experience as a product manager, emphasizes the importance of combining technical background with business strategy in product management.
• 🔍 The mock interview format is designed to simulate real product management interviews, focusing on strategic thinking and vision for product direction.
• 🎥 The interviewee suggests that Google should not launch a direct competitor to Amazon Prime Video but could offer a unique bundle of services to compete with Amazon Prime.
• 🤔 The discussion highlights the need to consider the different stakeholders involved in a strategic move and how they might be affected.
• 💡 Google's potential strategy could involve leveraging its existing platforms like YouTube and Google Music, along with additional benefits like extra cloud storage, to create a competitive package.
• 🚫 The interviewee argues against Google investing heavily in original content production, as it's not aligned with Google's typical business model.
• 📈 The importance of having a unique selling proposition (USP) when entering a competitive market is stressed, as it helps to differentiate the product from existing offerings.
• 💡 Ideas such as offering offline video playback on Android devices or including free downloads as part of a subscription are suggested as potential differentiators.
• 🛑 The potential negative impact on Google's ad revenue and its advertisers is considered a significant factor in not offering an ad-free Google search as part of a subscription.
• 🏁 The interview wraps up with a discussion on the importance of quick thinking and maintaining composure during product management interviews, especially at companies like Google.
• 📝 The takeaway for interviewees is to prepare well, organize thoughts, and be ready to adapt and respond to unexpected questions or counterarguments during the interview.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the mock interview in the video script?

The main topic of the mock interview is discussing whether Google should launch a competitor to Amazon Prime Video and exploring the strategic implications of such a decision.

Who is the interviewee in the mock interview?

The interviewee is David Schlossberg, a former Google PM with about 15 years of experience in product management.

What is David Schlossberg's background according to the script?

David Schlossberg started his career in software development, got his master's degree, and then discovered product management. He has worked at various startups, Google, and for the past five years, has been managing teams of product managers.

What is the role of the interviewer in the mock interview?

The interviewer's role is to ask questions about product strategy, simulate a real interview environment, and provide feedback and closing notes after the session.

Why does David believe Google should not launch a direct competitor to Amazon Prime Video?

David believes Google should not launch a direct competitor because Google's model does not involve spending heavily on content production like Amazon and Netflix do, and there is already a lot of competition in the market with unique hooks that Google lacks.

What alternative strategy does David suggest for Google instead of directly competing with Amazon Prime Video?

David suggests that Google could offer a different kind of competitive product by bundling ad-free YouTube with a free subscription to Google Music, extra cloud storage, free apps, and other Google products to create a unique package that competes with Amazon Prime.

What is the importance of product strategy questions in a product management interview?

Product strategy questions are important as they test a product manager's ability to think strategically about the direction of products and product vision, which is a crucial part of product management.

What are some factors that David thinks would not differentiate a video product in the market?

David mentions that factors such as video quality (e.g., 1080p vs. 4k resolution) and the ability to download videos quickly are not significant differentiators unless targeting a niche audience with specific needs.

How does David approach the idea of offering a unique proposition to compete with Amazon Prime Video?

David suggests leveraging Google's existing services and products, such as offering Google search without ads or additional storage space, to create a compelling offer that encourages users to switch to Google for their digital service needs.

What is David's advice for interviewees when faced with on-the-spot questions in a mock interview?

David advises taking the time to write down ideas and brainstorm before responding, as it helps to organize thoughts and provide a more structured answer during the interview.

How does the level of strategic freedom for product managers at Google compare to other companies, according to David's experience?

According to David, Google offers more strategic freedom to product managers compared to other companies he has worked at, allowing them to think about problems and solutions in their own way rather than being strictly instructed what to do.