An operator’s guide to product strategy | Chandra Janakiraman (CPO at VRChat, ex-Meta, Headspace, Zynga)

This interview podcast features Chandra Janakiraman, Chief Product Officer at VRChat, discussing his five-step playbook for developing effective product strategies. The conversation begins with Chandra's personal journey into strategy, highlighting a pivotal moment at Headspace that spurred his interest. He then details his two main approaches: "small S" strategy (8-12 weeks, focusing on present problems) and "big S" strategy (up to six months, focusing on aspirational future). The "small S" process involves preparation, a strategy sprint, a design sprint, document writing, and rollout, with a strong emphasis on collaborative problem-solving and data-driven decision-making. Listeners gain a practical, step-by-step framework for developing and implementing product strategies, improving team alignment, and achieving better business outcomes.