Design a product to compete with Slack.

Certainly, I'll provide a detailed, strategic answer to the product strategy problem of designing a product to compete with Slack. I'll use a first-person perspective as if I'm directly addressing the interviewer.

Introduction

Thank you for presenting this challenging product strategy problem. To compete with Slack, we need to create a compelling communication and collaboration platform that addresses unmet market needs while leveraging our company's strengths. Our key business objectives should include gaining market share, driving user engagement, and establishing a sustainable competitive advantage in the workplace collaboration space.

I'll approach this problem by first clarifying our strategic goals, then conducting a thorough market and competitive analysis. From there, I'll define our product vision and roadmap, prioritize key initiatives, outline an execution plan, establish metrics for success, and address potential risks. Let's begin by aligning on our strategic objectives.

Step 1

Clarify the Strategic Goals (3-4 minutes)

• Based on the current market dynamics, I'm sensing that we're looking at a mature product category with established players. Could you help me understand if our primary objective is to disrupt the market with innovation, or if we're aiming for incremental improvements to capture market share?

Why it matters: This determines whether we focus on breakthrough features or optimizing existing functionalities. Expected answer: A balance of both, with a lean towards innovation to differentiate. Impact on approach: I would prioritize unique features that address unmet needs while ensuring core functionality matches or exceeds Slack's offerings.

• Considering the rapid evolution of work patterns, especially with the rise of remote and hybrid models, how do you see our target audience's needs evolving in the next 2-3 years?

Why it matters: This helps us future-proof our product strategy and align with long-term market trends. Expected answer: Increased demand for seamless integration across various work environments and tools. Impact on approach: I would focus on creating a highly adaptable platform that supports diverse work styles and integrates well with a wide ecosystem of productivity tools.

• Given the competitive landscape, what level of resources are we prepared to commit to this initiative in terms of development capacity and go-to-market budget?

Why it matters: This helps set realistic expectations for the scope and timeline of our product development and launch. Expected answer: Significant resources available, but with the expectation of a clear path to ROI. Impact on approach: I would propose a phased approach, starting with a robust MVP that targets specific high-value segments, then expanding based on initial traction and learnings.

Based on these assumptions, our strategic approach will focus on creating an innovative, highly adaptable collaboration platform that addresses evolving work patterns, with a phased rollout strategy to optimize resource utilization and demonstrate clear ROI.