Product Bakar

Rishikesh Kankal

Most product advice tells you what to do. Product Bakar focuses on how to think. Hosted by Rishikesh Kankal, this podcast explores real-world product strategy, AI, stakeholder management, and the decisions that actually move products forward. Real product thinking. Every week.

  1. 4D AGO

    #59 Launch Is Too Late: GTM Starts on Day 1

    Most teams treat Go-to-Market as a launch activity. Something you figure out after the product is built. And that’s exactly why so many products struggle to find users. In this episode of Product बकर (Season 4), we break down why Go-to-Market is not a phase — it’s a product decision. Because distribution isn’t something you bolt on later. It’s something you design into the product from day one. Through examples like Clubhouse’s invite-only growth, Calendly’s built-in virality, Notion’s template ecosystem, and Superhuman’s waitlist strategy, we explore how the best products grow because of how they’re built — not just how they’re marketed. You’ll learn how to: Shift your mindset from “launch planning” to Day-1 GTM thinkingDesign product-led distribution loops that drive organic growthIdentify your true audience and where they already existCraft simple, clear messaging that instantly clicksBuild products that don’t just ship — but spreadBecause if your product depends only on marketing to survive, you’ve already made growth harder than it needs to be. The best products don’t just solve problems. They carry their own distribution with them.

    7 min

  2. MAY 14

    #58 Stop Building MVPs. Start Building to Learn.

    MVPs were never meant to be half-baked products. But somewhere along the way, that’s exactly what they became. In this episode of Product बकर (Season 4), we unpack the evolution from MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to MLP (Minimum Lovable Product) — and why understanding the difference can completely change how you build. Because building fast is not the goal. Learning fast — and creating something users care about — is. Through examples like Slack’s early product experience, Zappos’ scrappy validation, and Notion’s crafted early releases, we explore when to focus on speed and when to focus on delight. You’ll learn how to: Avoid the common trap of using MVP as an excuse for poor qualityDecide whether you’re testing uncertainty (MVP) or retention and emotion (MLP)Use a simple progression: MVE → MVP → MLPBuild products that are not just usable — but memorableBecause not every product needs to be perfect on day one. But it does need to be intentional. And while MVP helps you learn what works, MLP is what makes users come back. If you’ve ever shipped something quickly but struggled with adoption — this episode will help you rethink what “minimum” really means.

    7 min

  3. MAY 7

    #57 Before You Build, Validate This

    Every Product Manager has had that moment — the idea feels right, the team is aligned, leadership is excited… and yet, months later, nothing moves. Because the idea wasn’t wrong. It was unvalidated. In this episode of Product बकर (Season 4), we break down The Validation Stack — a practical framework to move from gut feeling to real, reliable signals before you invest time, money, and effort into building. Through stories like Zappos’ scrappy early experiment, Spotify’s business model validation, and Superhuman’s product-market fit approach, we explore how great teams reduce risk without slowing down. You’ll learn how to: Validate desirability — do users actually want this?Test feasibility — can this realistically be built?Prove viability — does this make business sense?Use lightweight tactics like fake door tests, concierge MVPs, and waitlistsReplace assumptions with evidence — early and cheaplyBecause validation isn’t about adding process. It’s about buying confidence before commitment. If you’ve ever built something that made sense on paper but failed in reality, this episode will give you a better way forward. Because the goal isn’t to prove your idea right. It’s to make sure you’re not wrong.

    8 min

  4. APR 30

    #56 User Research for the Rest of Us: Simple, Scrappy, Effective

    Most product teams claim to be user-centric. But very few actually talk to users. Instead, they rely on assumptions, opinions, and internal debates — what I call user guessing. In this episode of Product बकर (Season 4), we break down how you can do practical, scrappy user research — even if you don’t have a research team, budget, or fancy tools. Because user research isn’t about big studies or perfect processes. It’s about reducing uncertainty with real evidence. Through examples like Dropbox’s early validation, and practices from companies like Notion, Duolingo, and Figma, we explore how the best product teams stay close to their users — consistently and intentionally. You’ll learn how to: Run quick, effective user interviews without overcomplicating itUse data to understand what users do, not just what they sayObserve real user behavior to uncover hidden frictionAvoid common mistakes like leading questions and over-indexing on feedbackIf you’ve ever felt blocked because you don’t have “proper research setup,” this episode will change your approach. Because great product decisions don’t come from dashboards alone. They come from conversations, curiosity, and continuous learning. And if you haven’t spoken to a user recently — you might just be building in the dark.

    7 min

  5. APR 23

    #55 Problem Framing: Why Some Build Products—and Others Just Tinker

    Most product failures aren’t execution problems — they’re framing problems. Teams spend months building, iterating, and polishing… only to realize they were solving the wrong problem all along. In this episode of Product बकर (Season 4), we dive into one of the most underrated skills in product management — problem framing. Through stories like Ford’s Edsel failure and the early days of Instagram, we explore why clarity of the problem matters more than speed of execution. Because when the problem is wrong, even perfect execution won’t save you. You’ll learn how to: Move from vague ideas to clearly defined problemsUnderstand the context, constraints, and real impact of a problemUse frameworks like How Might We (HMW), Jobs To Be Done (JTBD), and the 5 WhysIdentify whether you’re building something meaningful — or just tinkeringWe also break down how companies like Google and Stripe approach problem framing in practice, and why great teams spend time getting the problem right before they build. If you’ve ever shipped something that didn’t land the way you expected — this episode will change how you think. Because the difference between builders and tinkerers isn’t effort. It’s clarity. And once you frame the problem right — the solution almost writes itself.

    9 min

  6. APR 16

    #54 From Idea to Insight — Why Discovery Is Where Real Product Work Begins

    Every product starts with an idea. But not every idea deserves to be built. In this episode of Product बकर (Season 4), we break down why discovery is the most critical — and most ignored — phase of product development. Most teams rush into execution. Roadmaps get filled. Features get shipped. But without proper discovery, you’re not building products — you’re shipping assumptions. Through real-world examples like Airbnb’s scrappy beginnings, and practices from companies like Spotify and Atlassian, we explore product discovery, zero-to-one thinking, MVPs, user research, validation, and product strategy. You’ll learn: Why falling in love with the problem matters more than the ideaHow poor discovery leads to wasted features and product debtThe difference between busy work vs validated progressPractical ways to start doing better discovery this weekIf you’ve ever worked on something that looked right but failed, this episode will hit home. Because real product work doesn’t start with execution. It starts when you stop guessing.

    10 min

  7. APR 9

    #53 Season Wrap-Up: What Every PM Must Take Away in the Age of AI

    After 30 episodes exploring AI and product management, it’s time to reflect and look ahead. In this final episode of the AI season on Product Bakar, Rishikesh Kankal — seasoned Product Manager — shares the five most important lessons every PM should carry into the age of AI. You’ll learn: Why value matters more than technology How trust becomes the real currency of AI products Why data is the strongest competitive moat How the PM role is evolving in an AI-first world What it takes to stay relevant in the future If you’ve followed this season — or are just joining — this episode ties everything together with practical, future-ready insights. 📩 Looking for a Product Manager to build your digital product? Get in touch: rishikesh@productsense.in

    4 min

  8. APR 2

    #52 The PM Is Dead. Long Live the AI Orchestrator.

    As AI becomes central to every product and team, the role of the Product Manager is evolving. In this episode of Product Bakar, Rishikesh Kankal — seasoned Product Manager — explains why PMs are becoming “AI Orchestrators” and what it takes to lead products where humans and machines work together. You’ll learn: Why traditional PM skills are no longer enough What it means to orchestrate humans, data, and AI systems How trust, ethics, and governance fit into modern product leadership The key skills PMs need to stay indispensable If you’re a Product Manager preparing for the next phase of your career, this episode will help you understand and embrace the shift. 📩 Looking for a Product Manager to build your digital product? Get in touch: rishikesh@productsense.in

    5 min
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About

Most product advice tells you what to do. Product Bakar focuses on how to think. Hosted by Rishikesh Kankal, this podcast explores real-world product strategy, AI, stakeholder management, and the decisions that actually move products forward. Real product thinking. Every week.

Information

  • Creator
    Rishikesh Kankal
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 125685
  • Show Website
    Product Bakar