Hello readers!
Welcome to the first edition of This Week in Products newsletter (TWIP for short)!
This Week in Products is the rebranded version of Siam Sixers, my weekly newsletter on all things products, that you’ve all supported and appreciated.
I wanted to realign the name of this newsletter more closely to what readers like you come to expect when you open your inbox every week - keeping the focus squarely on the amazing world of products. Hence the name, This Week in Products.
That being said, we'll continue writing about weekly trends, insights, and news that matter most in the tech biz to help leaders like you build better products & product-led businesses.
Here’s what is interesting this week in products.
🎧 DigiYatra’s Turbulent Product Relaunch
🎉Chennai Event: Unlock growth with Stanford Seed
🎥 Video: Let’s talk about AI’s impact on the environment
🎧 Podcast: Risks and Benefits of AI in Education
💡 Essential Reading for Product Teams and Leaders
1️⃣DigiYatra’s Turbulent Product Relaunch
DigiYatra, India's ambitious facial recognition system for airports, promised a seamless travel experience. But a recent app switch exposed cracks in the product's foundation, leaving users fuming and highlighting critical product strategy flaws.
Here’s what happened…
🛫The DigiYatra Foundation which runs the facial recognition tech across 14 airports in the country, has been facing a lot of questions from air travelers and experts on the privacy of the user’s data after various reports pointed out an alleged data breach.
Following the news reports they even switched to a new app and recently dropped their software development vendor, DataEvolve. But the entire chronology of events has been shrouded in mystery leaving users frustrated.
Let's unpack the fiasco and delve into the lessons for product leaders.
📲A Fumbled Handoff: New App, No Clue!
The switch to a new DigiYatra app sent shockwaves through the system's early adopters. The lack of communication was deafening. Imagine a product leader launching a major upgrade without informing their user base!
But this time, it wasn’t just an update. Passengers had to download a new app altogether as according to the DigiYatra officials, the old app could not be updated. This silence bred frustration, leaving passengers scrambling at the airport🤦♂️
🗣️Product Management 101: Communication is Key
A successful product launch requires a well-oiled communication strategy. DigiYatra's team failed to anticipate the user impact of the app switch. Timely announcements, clear instructions, and a robust user support system are crucial for mitigating disruption.
🔐Privacy Concerns Take Flight
The data breach of DataEvolve (the product developers of DigiYatra) has also left users angry. Notably, this is not the first time the DigiYatra app has run into trouble. Privacy advocates have questioned its data storage policies and the leeway it has been given by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
To add to the confusion, the app switchover, shrouded in secrecy, only intensified these concerns. Were user profiles migrated securely? What data is collected by the new app? Without clear answers, trust takes a nosedive.
It’s more frustrating to learn that the information about the compromised app was available with DigiYatra much earlier. On March 27, the app owners (DigiYatra) tweeted: “Switch to the new Digi Yatra App with three simple steps:
What the clarification did not reveal was that the app-maker DigiEvolve had been dropped by that time. This is a serious breach of user trust.
🔍Transparency Builds Trust: Shine a Light on Data Practices
Product leaders in today's data-driven world must prioritize user privacy. DigiYatra should have addressed privacy concerns head-on. Being transparent about data collection practices and security measures would have fostered trust and mitigated anxieties.
🔄Beyond the App: Systemic Issues Linger
The app switchover glitch exposes deeper problems. Facial recognition technology, while convenient, raises questions about inclusivity and bias. Additionally, the entire DigiYatra ecosystem, with its mix of government agencies and private players, needs a more cohesive approach.
🤝Building a Robust Ecosystem: Collaboration is Critical
Developing a complex system like DigiYatra requires seamless collaboration between government and private stakeholders. Clearly defined roles, shared goals, and open communication are essential to ensure a smooth user experience.
The DigiYatra debacle serves as a stark reminder for product leaders.
Prioritize user communication: Don't leave your users in the dark.
Champion user privacy: Be transparent about data practices.
Embrace collaboration: Build a strong ecosystem for complex projects.
Conduct thorough testing: Iron out glitches before launch.
By learning from DigiYatra's missteps, product leaders can navigate the challenges of innovation while ensuring a smooth user experience. After all, in the age of experience-driven products, a frustrated user is a lost user.
2️⃣Chennai Event: Unlock growth with Stanford Seed
If you are a founder/CEO in Chennai, this is an event you don’t want to miss. The good folks from Stanford Seed will be here in the city to meet potential applicants for the Stanford Seed Transformation Program - Class of 2025.
Venue: IITM Research Park
Date and Time: 6 May (Monday) at 6:00 pm
Register Now!
The Seed program offered invaluable learnings and resources that have significantly impacted my organization's growth trajectory. From strategic positioning to leveraging collaborative alliances, the program equips founders and CEOs with the tools and knowledge necessary to unlock opportunities and drive sustainable growth.
This event features a knowledge session with Venkat Nathan, founder & CEO of Nesh LIVE, and Srikanth Sridharan, Business Transformation Advisor at Stanford Seed.
As a proud member of the 2023 Stanford Seed cohort, I will also be there to share insights into the transformative experience it provided for me and my organization. Join me on Monday, 6 May at 6:00 pm at IITM Research Park.
About Stanford Seed: The Stanford Seed Transformation Program is a year-long, immersive learning experience for business leaders in emerging markets. It focuses on leadership, business growth, and organizational effectiveness.
3️⃣Video: Let’s talk about AI’s impact on the environment
Over the last couple of years, product people like you and me have all been writing with AI, designing with AI, and building AI products. But have we ever paused to think about the impact of AI on the environment?
It’s now time to have THAT talk.
AI consumes an enormous amount of natural resources, like water and electricity, to function. So, if you are using AI today you also have a responsibility to understand how it affects the natural world around us and its fragile ecosystems.
4️⃣Podcast: Risks and Benefits of AI in Education
Khan Academy first rocked the education world with online video. Now Khan Academy CEO and founder Sal Khan has gone all-in on AI, convinced that it has immense potential to democratize and improve education.
In this podcast, Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, discusses the integration of an AI tutor named Kigo into their platform and the potential benefits and risks of AI in education.
Khan expresses excitement about AI's ability to provide personalized instruction, perform administrative tasks, and make learning more efficient. However, he acknowledges concerns such as cheating, privacy, and transparency, and the need for teachers to adapt to using these tools effectively.
5️⃣Essential Reading for Product Teams and Leaders
Here are the latest articles published in Siam Computing and ProdWrks that I feel will be useful for product teams and leaders.
🚀How Did Responsive.io (formerly RFPIO) become Coimbatore’s Biggest SaaS Startup?
👩⚕️How Data-Driven AI Models are Powering the Shift to Value-Based Healthcare
👷♂️WorkIndia Brings Visibility to Blue Collar Recruitment. Can it Solve India’s Job Discovery Problem?
💊From Fee-for-Service to Value-Based Care: A Founder’s Guide to Opportunities in Healthcare
💡Deriving Wisdom from Data: A Guide for Startups with Digital Products
🕶️Abhishek Tomar’s AjnaLens Is Breaking Barriers to XR Adoption in India
🏥The Role of IoMTs in Enhancing Patient Experience in Modern Hospitals
🚀Six Ways Hospitals Use Technology to Enhance Patient Experience and Healthcare Delivery
I hope you enjoyed this week's curated stories and resources. Check your inbox again next week, or read previous editions of this newsletter for more insights. To get instant updates, connect with me on LinkedIn.
Cheers!
Khuze Siam
Founder: Siam Computing & ProdWrks