lystn

Shiyan is an experienced operator and investor. Shiyan is a Singapore-based early-stage VC @ Hustle Fund, She was most recently VP of Business Operations & Corp Dev at NerdWallet (employee #10), growing annual revenue from $1M to $150M+. Prior to NerdWallet, she was an investor at Institutional Venture Partners, a growth stage venture capital fund with $7 billion of committed capital and Bridgewater Associates. Shiyan holds a BS in Biomechanical Engineering and a BA in Economics from Stanford University as well as an MBA from Harvard Business School.In her own words, she is a Mother, Wife, Enthusiastic reader and thrower of dinner parties. Questions to Shiyan1. More About you and how to become a PM from being in business dev and ops?a. Tell me about your journey into Product Management? How did the transition from business development to PM happen?b.What are the transferable skills you believe helped you become an excellent PM? What has prepared you best for a career in PM?c. Given your background, what are the top 3 skills that PMs must have to excel?2. Can we double click on something’s we discussed in the first segment? a. How important is having a technical background? Is it an enabler or an inhibitor?b. How did you earn the respect and trust of the cross-functional team, including engineering? What formula worked for you?c. Do you do self-audits? How do you measure your success as a PM?d. Last, outcomes vs activity? What do you advise PMs to do to focus more on the former to achieve success in their roles3. Now to the question, everyone wants to ask – How do you transition into VC? Is there a defined path to follow? What skills should be acquired? Who would be a great fit?4. About youa. Inspiration. What is a product you like so much; you spend time evaluating what went into making it? What did you like about it?b. Favourite books/blogs you recommend to expand your thinking, get inspired, be motivated to work harder, faster, better?5. Leading Teamsa. Building Product Teams: Is it hard? If so why?b. What are your successful hiring strategies? Does having an MBA bias your hiring decision?c. Hire for Attitude, Train for Skill?6. Diversity a. How do you define diversity and what measures do you take to ensure diversity has a seat at the board table while making people decisions?b. Rapid Fire• Like WFH or hate it?• What is a bigger high for you: creating a great product requirement or getting massive scale or raking in millions in product revenue?• Which of the following have you not tried? IF/Zero Inbox /Digital Detox• Build in public: yay or nay?• Books or OTT?• Singapore or San Francisco?• Android or ios?• What was your last used emoji?• A book you recommend to everyone?• A favourite dinner menu would be?• Podcasts or Clubhouse?• Blogs or books to learn?