I spent last weekend with Google Future Leaders

Inside the most elite trainee program for product management in the world

Last weekend, we had the opportunity to host a User Research Workshop for members of the Google APM program.

What is Google APM Program?

Google APM (Associate Product Manager) is the world’s most elite trainee program for product management. More than just a training program — it’s a launchpad for the world’s next generation of tech leaders. Created by Marissa Mayer during her time at Google, the program was built to identify and nurture exceptional talent with the potential to shape the future of technology. Eric Schmidt, Google’s former CEO, once said that these young minds were expected to one day run the company.

With an acceptance rate far lower than even the most elite Ivy League schools, the program is fiercely competitive. Its alumni include graduates from Tsinghua, Stanford, Harvard, and UPenn — many of whom have gone on to lead flagship Google products or found companies that have changed the world.

But what truly sets the APM program apart is its global vision. Every year, Google selects three cities around the world for the APM cohort to visit. These immersive trips offer firsthand exposure to the markets where Google operates, fueling fresh ideas, cross-cultural understanding, and the kind of radical innovation that defines Google’s next chapter.

Google APM’s first trip to Vietnam and its implications

This year is the first year the Google APM program visits Vietnam.

We had the honor to host the UX Research workshop for the mission in Hanoi last weekend. As we run the Vietnam’s largest community for UI/UX Product Designers (~183,000 members), this is a huge opportunity for us to advocate for the impact of Design and Research.

The theme of the UX Research workshop this year is the experience of transportation in Hanoi. This theme is especially meaningful as innovation in transportation in Hanoi can unlock billions of dollars for Vietnam’s economy. More than that, a great transportation system impacts millions of lives, especially uplifting the experience of women and children who live in Vietnam’s dense cities, one of the world’s densest spots.

For Google, the research is critical to developing localization and solutions for its upcoming key market, Vietnam. The Google products are important in Vietnam’s market: Search, Ad, Google Maps, YouTube, etc. The tech giant is also running great programs for startups and a lab for AI.

We invited the leadership of Hanoi Public Transportation to come in and gave a presentation on the future of transportation in Hanoi. Other participants of the workshop include the residents of Hanoi city in the most representative demographics group (students, working professionals, public transport staff, and tourists).

Brian Rakowski from Google presenting flowers to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hai, Vice President of HAPTA

It was a productive session that inspired the Google Future Leaders to discuss many exciting ideas for the Google Suite of Products. As a Vietnamese, I am glad to see the Googlers care about the development goals of our cities.

Experience Google’s collaborative culture

During our collaboration for the event, we got amazing treatment from the Google team. They treated us like a partner and were willing to listen to our suggestions.

After a 10-hour flight, Brian Rakowski—the leader of the Google APM mission to Hanoi came to the workshop with the most relaxed, warm, and friendly manner.

He asked me a question that I shall never forget. During the reception of the Hanoi leadership and residents, Brian asked me, “What should I know?”. And I keep thinking about how simple and powerful that question is. As a leader, you cannot cover everything. Great questioning and good treatment of your junior is such a great way to operate at the highest level. I immediately stole this line and applied it to our everyday operation at Koi Capital.

Brian was also kind enough to take a photo with my dad, whom we brought in at the last minute to help with the reception of the workshop. My dad got a blast. Thank you, Brian. You made my old man very happy.

Brian Rakowski and my dad, who helped with the reception

We also saw how Google ran a briefing session. It was very collaborative. Everybody is encouraged to speak. And all opinions and ideas are well-received. We are glad to see how much collaboration can do for ideation and inspiring actions.

Showcase Vietnam’s finest produce

We chose to serve Vietnamese heirloom bananas and single-origin chocolate bars at the workshop. As foodies, we love to feed people good food. But more than that, the produce is a backdrop for us to highlight the development pace of Vietnam. No great produce is possible in the centre of a city without efficient transportation.

I kicked off the workshop with a story about produce, supply chain, and transportation

We believe in hands-on experience that inspires action. Our plan worked out well as we got the Googlers excited about Vietnam’s story.

We worked a lot for this event. It was 16 hours a day straight for a month. We celebrated the success of the workshop by heading out for some bún chả and patissière

We celebrated the success of the workshop with bún chả and patisserie

Outro

Thank you, family and friends, for making this event possible.

My deepest gratitude to our operations team at Koi Capital. We produced this event with only three core members. You guys made all of my craziest ideas possible. We are an experience-focused team. We believe in the details and the hard work. You all inspire me every day.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for helping with the reception and the procurement for the event. We would not be able to get those heirloom bananas without your help.

Thank you, anh Thông from Tbros Chocolate. Your delicious chocolate is a wonderful background story for how important the Vietnam transportation system is for delicate produce.

We very much appreciate the attendance of the Hanoi Public Transportation Leadership. This is the beginning of a meaningful bridge between our city and a tech leader.

Finally, thank you, Google team, for believing in us.

Onwards and Upwards.

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I am glad to be back and cannot wait to send you our hottest stories on design and startups.

Stay tuned,

Sandra