Product Coffee
By Product Coffee
Product CoffeeNov 25, 2019
179. The Curly Paths to Product Success (w/Kenan Akbas)
In this episode of Product Coffee, Kenan, a seasoned entrepreneur with a rich background spanning from traditional Chinese medicine to technology, shares his unconventional journey into the world of startups and product management. Initially starting in the health and wellness space, Kenan co-founded Unified Practice, an EHR tailored for Chinese medicine, driven by personal frustration with existing systems. Now, as the co-founder and CEO of AlignWith, he discusses the challenges of managing product teams and go-to-market strategies, the importance of creativity in product development, and the role of customer support in product teams. Kenan emphasizes the value of preparation, the significance of having complementary skill sets in a founding team, and shares insights on allowing personal interests and professional endeavors to inform each other for better problem-solving and innovation.
Try AlignWith at www.alignwith.io
00:00 Welcome to Product Coffee: A Journey into Product Management
00:26 Meet Kenan: From Physician to Product Pioneer
07:24 The Creative Process in Product Development
15:33 Align With: Bridging Product Teams and Go-to-Market Strategies
20:07 Redefining Customer Support in Product Teams
23:05 Final Thoughts and Homework: Staying Prepared and Open
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178. Transform Your Product Craft (w/Marty Cagan)
In this episode of Product Coffee, we have the privilege of hosting Marty Cagan, a renowned expert in product management. Marty dives into the key ideas from his latest book 'Transformed' and shares invaluable insights with our listeners. Throughout the conversation, Marty explores the significance of case studies, addresses common objections, and delves into the dynamic between empowered product teams and shipping features. He introduces thought-provoking concepts like 'time to money' versus 'time to market' and highlights the critical role of psychological safety and ethical considerations within product teams.
Throughout the episode, Marty underscores the urgent need for companies and individuals in the product space to adapt and adopt best practices from successful product companies in order to remain competitive and relevant. This podcast episode is a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone interested in product management and its transformative power.
Find Marty here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/
Find Kevin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevingentry/
00:00 Welcome to Product Coffee: Kicking Off with Marty Cagan
00:52 Diving Into 'Transformed': Insights and Feedback
01:41 Addressing Industry Objections and Empowerment
05:37 Global Product Management: Trends and Cultural Insights
11:28 The Role of Product Coaches and SVPG's Approach
14:41 Challenges and Learnings in Product Transformation
18:55 Ethical Considerations in Product Management and AI
25:38 Exploring the Impact of Generative AI on Engineering Teams
25:58 The Future of Product Teams and Leadership Dynamics
27:47 Navigating Psychological Safety in Competitive Product Teams
30:35 The Importance of Coaching and Developing Product Leaders
33:08 A Personal Journey: From Engineer to Product Expert
38:32 Addressing Listener Questions on Product Management Challenges
50:09 Final Thoughts and Future Endeavors
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️
177. Mastering Your Career Path (w/Noah Schutte)
This week, we're thrilled to share an awesome chat with Noah Schutte, not just an entrepreneur, but also a software engineer, and technical recruiter. Noah takes us through his vibrant career journey, sharing a wealth of insights into product management, software engineering, and recruitment. He warmly recounts his first steps into entrepreneurship, his exciting transition into software engineering through a bootcamp, and his valuable contributions to Denver's buzzing tech scene. Fun fact - he developed a point of sale system for cannabis dispensaries and worked with a non-custodial cryptocurrency exchange. Noah then dives into how his entrepreneurial spirit sparked the creation of 'Higher Love', a staffing and recruiting firm. He passionately talks about the importance of mentorship, personalized recruiting, and the power of a strong personal brand. He also shares an interview preparation framework he authored, aimed at boosting self-marketing skills and perfectly aligning with what potential employers are looking for. We wrap up the episode with Noah's unique recruitment philosophy all about creating value-driven matches between companies and candidates, underscoring his commitment to nurturing authentic, meaningful career connections. Enjoy!
Timestamps:
00:00 Kicking Off with Product Coffee Podcast
00:26 Introducing Noah: A Journey from Entrepreneur to Tech Guru
04:47 Noah's Entrepreneurial Ventures and Staffing Success
09:59 Balancing Entrepreneurship and Parenthood
12:23 The Transition from Musician to Full-Time Work and Parenthood
15:10 Insights into Software Bootcamp and App Development
19:11 Mastering the Job Market: Interview Prep and LinkedIn Tips
23:34 Mastering the Interview: A Deep Dive
23:48 The Art of Asking Questions During Interviews
24:13 Building Rapport with Hiring Managers
30:50 Crafting Your Personal Brand and Philosophy
36:36 The Importance of Critical Questions
37:50 Concluding Your Interview with Confidence
38:55 Maximizing Interview Success: Strategies and Insights
39:21 Leveraging Interview Preparation for Career Advancement
43:28 Practical Tips for Immediate Application
45:47 Exploring the Value of Personal Branding in Job Searches
47:49 Final Thoughts and Resources
Where to find Noah Schutte:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahschutte/
Where to find Kevin Gentry:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevingentry/
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️
176. Predicting the Future
On this week’s episode of Product Coffee, Kevin and Lou talk about the future impact of generative AI on product management. They delve into how emerging technologies, particularly generative AI, are simplifying coding and potentially strategy formulation, altering the landscape for product managers. The conversation covers the ability of AI to generate code and roadmap strategies, the risks and opportunities this presents, and the fundamental unchanged aspects of product management such as understanding market needs and customer problems. The speakers also share personal anecdotes to illustrate the evolution of technology and its application in real-world scenarios, including real estate development. They conclude by addressing listener feedback and emphasizing the value of curiosity and execution in the product management field.
00:00 Welcome to Product Coffee: Unveiling the Future of Product Management
00:26 Exploring the Impact of Generative AI on Product Management
01:54 The Evolution of Building: From Legos to Software
03:32 Navigating the Digital Transformation and Market Competition
05:19 The Unchanged Core of Product Management in a Tech-Driven World
08:28 Harnessing Data and Technology for Real Estate Development
13:09 Balancing Personal Projects and Market Opportunities
07:09 Reflecting on the Journey of Product Management
15:18 Engaging with the Community: Feedback and Questions
18:45 Closing Thoughts: Adapting Product Skills Across Industries
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️
175. Identifying Market Opportunities
In this episode of the Product Coffee podcast, Lou & Kevin discuss the importance of identifying market opportunities in product management. They emphasize the role of product managers in understanding how their products fit within the market and exploring unique opportunities. The conversation covers the necessity of market analysis, exploring alternatives, and understanding customer pain points. Through examples, including insurance and service industry gaps, the hosts illustrate how engaging with potential customers and comprehensively understanding their needs can reveal valuable market opportunities. They stress the significance of a maker's attitude towards innovation, the need for action over ideation, and the importance of moving from recognizing a market gap to taking tangible steps to address it. The episode encourages listeners to adopt a mindset of abundance and creativity, engage in customer research, and share their ideas to validate and refine them.
00:28 Diving Deep into Market Opportunities and Innovation
02:09 The Entrepreneurial Journey: From Idea to Action
10:33 Embracing the Maker Spirit: The Path to Disruption
23:55 Final Thoughts: Taking the Leap into Market Innovation
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️
174. Building with AI (w/Pieter van Noordennen)
In this week’s episode of Product Coffee, Kevin interviews Pieter van Noordennen, a product management leader with a deep focus on AI and machine learning. Pieter shares his journey from journalism to product management, emphasizing his transition into AI-focused roles and solopreneurship. He discusses the differences between generative AI and machine learning, the impact of AI on product management and engineering, and the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking in utilizing AI technologies. Pieter also touches on personal aspects, including the influence of parenthood on his career decisions, and introduces 'product.codes', a community for tech-inclined product managers. The episode provides insights into the evolving landscape of AI in product development and management, encouraging listeners to explore AI beyond popular tools like ChatGPT.
01:00 Guest Background and Journey into Product Management
02:47 Personal Life and Interests
03:33 Exploring the Concepts of Generative AI and Machine Learning
06:32 The Impact of AI on Product Development and Innovation
07:45 The Future of AI Technology and its Exciting Possibilities
09:35 The Role of Creativity in the Age of AI
13:32 The Intersection of AI and Design
21:25 The Influence of AI on Content Creation and SEO
22:39 The Impact of AI on Content Creation
23:18 The Future of Quality Content in the Age of AI
23:51 The Balance Between Quality and Quantity in Content
24:28 The Shift Towards Subscription-Based Content
24:51 The Rise of Solopreneurship and Its Impact on the Economy
26:13 The Personal Journey of Becoming a Solopreneur
29:27 The Challenges and Rewards of Balancing Work and Family Life
35:49 The Importance of Community and Mentorship in Career Development
42:26 The Role of AI in Product Management
44:50 Closing Thoughts and Reflections
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️
173. From Wall Street to Startups & the Importance of Taking Risks (w/Karthik Suresh)
Karthik Suresh, founder of Ignition shares his unique journey in the world of technology and product strategy, from his early days on Wall Street to transitioning to the tech world during a recession. He reflects on his experiences at Craft and Facebook, highlighting the different nuances of operating as a Product Manager in startups versus large organisations, and the pivotal role of PMs in leadership. Karthik also discusses the evolution of his AI-powered product management platform, Ignition, and how it is changing the landscape of PM and PMM work along with the stumbling blocks he's encountered along the way.
Special Coupon Code for Product Coffee listeners:
Ignition: Use the code, COFFEE25 to get 25% off any subscription for the first 12 months.
00:51 Karthik's Journey into the Tech World 01:13 Experiences in Wall Street and the Financial Crisis 02:50 Transition from Finance to Tech 03:49 Karthik's Startup Journey and Move to Facebook 05:30 The Birth of Ignition 06:27 The Importance of Taking Risks and Learning from Failures 14:09 The Differences Between Working in a Startup and a Big Company 23:36 Transition into Leadership 26:40 The Importance of Mission-Driven Teams 28:30 The Power of Motivation and Leadership 29:28 The Evolution of Leadership Roles 30:05 The Journey of Ignition: Building an AI-Powered Product Management Platform 32:23 The Role of Product Managers in Go-to-Market Strategy 40:52 The Challenges and Successes of Ignition 43:35 The Future of Product Management with AI 48:39 The Importance of Go-to-Market Plans for Product Managers 49:49 Final Thoughts and Advice for Product Managers
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️
172. Matching the Right Talent in Product Recruitment (w/James Jordan)
On this episode of Product Coffee, Kevin sits down with recruitment expert, James Jordan gives insights on the product management recruitment scene. He discusses his company, Producto, and his approach to finding the right candidates. He provides helpful advice for product management professionals both looking for jobs and for those wanting to stay competitive in their current positions. Strengthening LinkedIn profiles, staying connected with the community of peers and regular self-assessment are among the key recommendations. James also touches upon trends in the industry such as transitions between roles, shifts in the job market and the importance of networking.
01:00 Understanding Producto: A Recruitment Company
02:40 James Jordan's Journey in Tech Recruitment
05:05 Challenges in Product Management Recruitment
07:04 Understanding Company Needs and Candidate Profiles
10:23 The Importance of Personality and Culture Fit in Recruitment
21:00 Navigating the Current Turbulence in the Tech Industry
26:04 The Current Job Market Vibe
26:33 The Impact on Senior PMs
26:50 The Consequences of Job Market Dynamics
27:10 Breaking Down PM Categories
27:33 The Challenges PMs Face in the Market
28:10 The Importance of Specialization
30:09 The Dilemma of PM Leaders
32:05 The Difference Between Startup and Enterprise PM Work
34:39 The Importance of LinkedIn and Resume Optimization
36:31 The Power of Networking and Relationship Building
41:14 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️
171. Navigating Careers & Making Informed Decisions (w/Michelle Bassett)
Imparting valuable advice for career growth, Michelle Bassett talks about product management over a cup of coffee. The discussion turns to the sunk-cost fallacy, the importance of pivoting when necessary, and how making informed decisions can lead to career advancement. She shares her hands-on experience in marketing and entrepreneurship, while emphasizing the importance of understanding how numbers influence business outcomes. The conversation further delves into the impact of neurodivergence on professional journeys, the transformation of workplaces, and the emerging gig economy. Michelle encourages listeners to understand their business morals and consider the impact of their work on broader societal patterns.
00:26 Understanding the Sunk Cost Fallacy 02:34 Guest Introduction: Michelle Bassett, Marketing Expert 03:43 Michelle's Unique Approach to Business and Life 05:16 The Importance of Pivoting in Business 05:26 Michelle's Journey and Career Transitions 07:55 The Power of Data in Marketing 09:19 The Impact of Dyslexia and ADHD on Michelle's Career 09:42 Michelle's Unique Approach to Marketing 23:02 The Importance of Data in Product Strategy 27:28 Understanding Different Perspectives in Data Analysis 28:36 The Journey of a Multi-Disciplinary Professional 29:24 The Struggles of Fitting into a Single Role 30:56 The Importance of Pivoting and Self-Narration 31:48 The Challenges of a Diverse Career Path 32:06 The Power of Pattern Matching and Context Shifting 32:37 The Impact of Personal Background on Career Choices 33:30 The Struggle of Internalizing Criticism 33:52 The Importance of Optimism and Positive Self-Narration 34:44 The Role of Data in Decision Making 37:17 The Challenges and Opportunities in the Gig Economy 46:48 The Importance of Impact in Gig Work 49:33 The Power of Humility and Understanding in Consulting 50:15 The Importance of Business Morals in Gig Work 52:19 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions
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170. Confronting Burnout with Senior Product Managers
Product Coffee introduces Caitlin Titus and Travis Hampton, who are both senior product managers with different experiences ranging from Ad Tech to B2B healthcare space. This episode delves into their career backgrounds, current experiences in the product management field, particularly with significant layoffs and job dissatisfaction. According to a CNBC study, senior product managers, albeit high-paying roles, are among those most likely to quit their jobs due to stress, turnover changes, and company performance issues. They discuss their different experiences with job interviews and case study prompts, underlining the importance of asking clear, open-ended questions and adopting an iterative testing process for job satisfaction. The hosts suggest different ways product managers can align high-paying jobs with their personal and professional goals and mitigate job dissatisfaction.
Don't have the budget to hire Product people yet? Check out Abstraction for a subscription-style agency to help you build beautiful product experiences for your customers. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Backgrounds 01:18 Current State of the Product Industry 01:27 Challenges Faced by Senior Product Managers 03:51 Job Hunting and Interview Experiences 04:08 Navigating the Job Application Process 07:45 The Role and Expectations of a Senior Product Manager 09:28 The Importance of Clear Communication and Expectations 13:41 Measuring Success in Product Management 19:17 The Interview Process: Case Studies 19:47 Different Types of Case Studies in Interviews 24:45 Approaching Case Studies in Interviews 27:25 Incorporating Chat GPT in Prepping and Research 27:41 Challenges and Concerns with Live Chat GPT 28:01 Exploring the Use of Chat GPT in Interview Preparations 28:59 Addressing User Sign-On Problems 29:51 Navigating Interviews and Setting Benchmarks 31:00 Understanding Neurodivergence in Job Roles 31:28 Discussing the Value of Past Experiences in Interviews 32:41 Brainstorming Solutions to Job Dissatisfaction 33:40 Identifying Key Factors of Job Dissatisfaction 41:31 Creating More Meaningful and Fulfilling Work Experiences 48:10 Assigning Homework and Final Thoughts
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169. From Software Developer to CEO (w/Adam Oliver)
In this episode of Product Coffee, Kevin welcomes Adam Oliver, Founder, and CEO of Crafted, a product development consultancy. Adam shares his product management journey, the challenges of transitioning into a leadership role as a founder, and offers insights on product development, advocating for a lean, iterative approach. He also discusses the importance of balanced teams, stressing the need for product design engagement. As a leader in times of economic uncertainty, Adam recommends a careful approach to spending and decision-making. He envisions AI and ML having an impactful role in product development in the future.
Adam's company: Crafted
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:53 Adam's Journey into Product Management
02:25 Adam's Experience with Pivotal Labs
03:35 Adam's Transition from Real Estate to Tech
04:59 Discussion on Extreme Programming
07:13 Adam's Experience with Pivotal Labs' IPO
09:56 Challenges and Benefits of Consultancy Work
13:44 Importance of Regular Product Hygiene
17:37 Staying Scrappy in Product Development
23:34 Balanced Teams for Project Success
24:31 The Importance of UI/UX in Software Development
25:04 The Evolution of Software and the Role of Engineers
25:47 The Impact of UI/UX on Engineering Efficiency
27:33 The Role of UI/UX in API Development
28:38 The Slow Recognition of UI/UX Importance in the Industry
29:11 The Concept of Iteratively Shipping Products
31:55 The Role of Product Marketing in Bridging the Gap
33:45 The Shift to Profitability and EBITDA Focus
38:28 The Challenges of Transitioning to a Founder Role
45:59 The Future of Product Development
168. Balancing Product Development and Innovation in Startups
This week on Product Coffee, Kevin & Jake dive into the challenges emerging startups face in balancing product development and innovation. They explore patterns of organizational behavior that can inhibit innovation and stress the importance of continuous customer discovery. The conversation further delves into themes like ideal stages for engaging go-to-market teams, understanding market fit in relation to product stage and the role of product leadership in managing business expectations. The hosts conclude by inviting listener feedback on effective processes and strategies adopted in their organizations.
00:00 Introduction and Role as Interim Head of Product
00:11 Challenges Faced by Emerging Startups
00:40 Discussion on Airbnb and Product Management
01:19 Innovation and Decision Making in Startups
02:04 The Struggle of Companies with Innovation
02:24 The Importance of Portfolio Product Management
04:16 The Role of Market in Product Development
05:22 Understanding the Product Lifecycle
05:57 The Role of Market Understanding in Product Maturity
07:06 The Challenge of Finding the Right Problem to Solve
08:07 The Impact of Over-investment in Go-to-Market Channels
09:14 The Trap of Enterprise Organizations
12:04 The Importance of Continuous Innovation
13:26 The Role of Market Conditions in Product Success
17:46 The Challenge of Competing with Oneself
19:33 Understanding the Changing Needs of Customers
21:57 Perfecting Customer Understanding vs Perfecting the Solution
22:13 Struggles of Balancing Different Phases in Companies
22:27 The Importance of Continuous Discovery Habits
22:40 The Impact of New Processes and Techniques on Understanding Core Fundamentals
23:19 The Role of Process in Differentiating Competing Organizations
23:52 The Importance of Customer Discovery
24:03 The Impact of LLMs on the Content Industry
24:38 The Importance of Understanding the Problem Over Time
25:01 The Role of Customer Interviews and Market Understanding
26:15 The Importance of Broader Market Analysis
26:44 The Role of Culture of Experimentation
27:40 The Importance of Challenging Your Own Ideas and Assumptions
28:11 The Struggles of Day-to-Day Product Team
28:51 The Role of Leadership in Innovation
31:35 The Challenge of Demonstrating Value in Product Discovery
32:11 The Importance of Managing Business Expectations and Priorities
33:42 The Role of Risk in Product Discovery
35:45 The Challenge of Predictability in Product Management
38:14 The Importance of Engaging with Go-to-Market Teams
42:06 The Challenge of Perfecting Your Understanding of Your Customer
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167. Empowering Teams & Navigating Reorganizations
In this episode of Product Coffee, Kevin & Lou discuss the complexity of empowering teams to do great work. They reflect on the challenges of team structuring, providing proper context, enabling autonomy, and holding teams accountable. They delve into the realities of no perfect answers, the traps of agile thinking, and the rigors of constantly changing priorities. They also discuss the jokey benefits and pitfalls of reorganizing their teams to maximize efficiency and productivity, including the balancing act of altering team structures while making sure that any change doesn't disrupt performance too much. Finally, they exchange thoughts on autonomy, skill sets, team sizes, and resource allocation – all critical aspects to consider when committing to a certain customer problem.
00:26 Empowering Teams for Great Work
00:48 Challenges in Team Structuring and Accountability
00:59 The Agile Development Approach
01:30 The Pitfalls of Restructuring and Reorganization
01:52 The Traps of Team Organization
02:20 The Reality of Reorganization
02:46 The Impact of Reorganization on Team Autonomy
03:29 The Role of Context in Team Reorganization
04:27 The Necessity of Tactical Reorganization
04:56 The Slow Process of Team Transition
05:32 The Dilemma of Shaping Work to Teams or Teams to Work
05:54 The Importance of Consistency in Team Structure
06:07 The Constant Change in Agile Mindset
06:48 The Challenge of Autonomy and Skill Sets
07:14 The Reevaluation of Team Strategy
07:24 The Philosophy of Team Organization
08:36 The Reality of Team Priorities
08:49 The Theme of Current Reorganization
08:59 The Impact of Layoffs on Company Priorities
10:47 The Policy Changes in Team Structure
15:21 The Challenges of Resource Skill Strategy
21:51 The Role of Product Management in Organizational Changes
24:43 Homework & Final Thoughts
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166. Understanding & Measuring Product Outcomes
In this episode of 'Product Coffee', Kevin & Taj discuss product outcomes and how teams can measure the success of their work, experimentation, and activities. The conversation focuses on the importance of identifying predictive directions or actions that drive business outcomes and the role of the product team in this process. Examples from sports and IT operations are used to illustrate the concept of setting up clear product outcomes to empower teams. Further, the hosts delve into the importance of defining a company or product's 'North Star' metric, understanding the value offered to primary users, and how to measure job success.
00:26 Discussion on Product Outcomes
01:10 Understanding Business Metrics and Goals
01:41 The Importance of Product Outcome
02:18 Sports Analogies and Product Outcomes
03:50 Breaking Down the Plus-Minus Factor
05:03 Challenges in Identifying Influencing Factors
05:29 Exercise on Identifying Product Outcomes
06:57 Understanding the User and Their Goals
08:47 The Role of Infrastructure in Product Outcomes
16:07 The Importance of Renewals in Business
18:00 The Role of Consultation in Product Outcomes
24:42 The Importance of Regular Check-ins and Adjustments
31:57 Understanding the Importance of User Testing
35:00 Homework
165. Democratizing Workplace Productivity with AI (w/Artem Koren)
164. Denver Startup Week LIVE: Coordination & Communication In Unprecedented Times Following Unprecedented Times
In this special LIVE recording at Denver Startup Week, Lindsey, Jake, Patrick, and Jodi discuss the challenges and best practices of distributed team communication and collaboration in a hybrid work environment. They share their experiences transitioning from fully in-office to fully remote during the pandemic, and now settling into hybrid models. Topics covered include the pros and cons of synchronous vs asynchronous communication, how to facilitate connection and alignment across distributed teams, tools and techniques for improving documentation and knowledge sharing, and measuring team health and morale in a hybrid setting.
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163. The Intersection of User Needs & Business Context
In this enlightening episode of Product Coffee, product management leaders Lou, Kevin, and Jake delve into the intricate dance of product discovery and user research. From the vital need for a comprehensive understanding of user problems to the significance of strategic context, our panelists underscore the balance between micro and macro perspectives in product decisions. Unpack insights on the role of continuous validation, the importance of holistic market comprehension, and the leadership dynamics in product discovery. Plus, don't miss out on their invaluable take on customer interactions and data capture. Tune in to glean insights, best practices, and actionable tips for your product journey!
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162. Setting the Right Metrics
In this episode of Product Coffee, we dive deep into the world of data strategy and how it seamlessly fits into the broader realm of product strategy work. Special guest Allegra Bishop, a seasoned product management leader, enlightens us on the intricate balance between qualitative and quantitative research. From the pivotal role of user research to pitfalls of incoherent data tracking, we journey through the foundations of setting meaningful product metrics. As Bishop aptly puts it, “Without qualitative conversations with users first, companies can't set the right quantitative metrics.” Ready to brew your product expertise with these insights? Pour yourself a cup and join the conversation!
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161. Balancing Creativity & Reality in Product Development (w/Josefina Tous Bercovich)
In this episode, we dive deep with Josefina Tous Bercovich from Vinoly, as she walks us through the intricate dance of product development. From understanding the client's idea and conducting market research to navigating technical constraints and continuously testing and iterating ideas, Josefina highlights the importance of striking the right balance. Listen in to gain insights on the value of user research, the necessity of being flexible and adaptable, and why sometimes, following your gut is the best approach to take. Whether you’re a product manager, a developer, or an entrepreneur, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and key takeaways that can help you navigate the challenges of product development.
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160. The Transformative Power of Team Offsites
Dive deep into the world of team offsites with Kevin & Lou as they unpack their immense value in building culture and camaraderie, especially through major company changes. From personal experiences in exotic locations to actionable insights for team leaders, this episode sheds light on why offsites should never be 'business as usual'. Explore how effective offsites can result in actionable plans, serve as indicators of team engagement, and be masterfully organized for maximum impact. Whether you're a leader or a team member, you'll come away with a fresh perspective on how to make offsites a transformative experience.
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️
159. From Product to Customer-Centric Service (w/Bob Lamendola)
This week we have Bob Lamendola of Ricoh USA on the show. He talks to Kevin about the company's transition from a product-oriented focus to a customer-centric service model. They explore Ricoh's "co-innovation" approach, involving customers in the development process, and the role of internships in driving innovation. Lamendola emphasizes the importance of being comfortable with discomfort as a catalyst for creativity and growth within the organization. This engaging conversation offers a unique glimpse into modern technology transformation, providing valuable insights for leaders and innovators in the field.
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158. Navigating Product Launches
This week we explore the critical roles and relationships between product marketing, product management, and the process of taking a product to market. It emphasizes the importance of a dedicated marketing function, highlights the responsibilities of product managers in handling launches, and discusses a step-by-step approach for product release. Kevin, Jake, and Lou share experiences and strategies that emphasize collaboration, clarity in roles, understanding of the target audience, and continuous refinement in the product launch process. It aims to provide valuable guidance for both enterprise products and sales-driven approaches, focusing on successful product delivery and market presence.
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157. Tuning Into Disruption (w/Brian Peterson)
"And it was like, okay, we got Jewel, we got Taylor Swift. We got a couple other people. It was like, this is, there's something here. This is, this is a business. And so that's when we, we decided to make the leap and yeah."
This episode of Product Coffee features Brian Peterson, an innovator and leader in the Colorado product space. Listeners can expect to hear about Brian's diverse and interesting career journey and how he has worked in product for two decades, founding his own startup and holding leadership positions at some of the biggest global music organizations. Brian will bring his experience to life with stories of building a product from nothing, and his insights into the early days of the music industry's disruption. Tune in to hear about Brian's journey and gain valuable advice about product management.
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156. Building Software Product Businesses (w/Kareem Mayan)
This week, we have Kareem Mayan on the show! Kareem is a seasoned product professional and entrepreneur, and co-founder of Savio. Kevin Gentry and Kareem discuss his journey in product management, his experiences working in big name companies (MYSPACE), his entrepreneurial ventures, and his thoughts on product positioning and planning.
Key Insights:
- Solve your own problems first when starting a venture for a strong foundation & real need.
- MVPs should be built by 2-3 devs, a product hat, & take 2-4 months.
- Leveraging a marketplace can be a powerful acquisition channel, especially for new products.
- Building a brand around an idea is a powerful differentiator in a crowded market.
- Listening to customer feedback & using it to inform product decisions is crucial for creating a product that meets customer needs.
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155. Co-Creating Career Growth
Join us this week as Kevin Gentry and Lou Cirillo discuss coaching and leveling up junior PMs. They explore the transition from APM to PM, developing diverse skills, handling increasing ambiguity, and the connection between team success and leadership success. They review the importance of product competency frameworks and the process of creating a strategic narrative. Gain actionable insights to guide junior PMs and enhance your own product management journey. Don't miss this episode packed with expert advice and practical strategies.
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154. From Agency to In-House (w/Michael Agombar)
In this episode of Product Coffee, we have Michael Agbar on the show, a product leader at Cledara. Kevin Gentry and Michael discuss the differences between product management in an agency setting versus an in-house setting, the process of product market fit expansion, and the importance of data-driven decision making.
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153. Community-Led Growth & User Segmentation (w/Kate Syuma)
This week, Kate Syuma, Head of Growth Design at Miro is on the show!!! We cover career growth, user onboarding, community-led growth, and challenges in growth design leadership. Kate shares her insights on user segmentation and how asking the right questions during onboarding can provide valuable data for personalizing the user experience. She also mentioned the potential for expanding Miroverse in the future, stating, "It's happening on the background as we speak". 🙌
You can find Kate, here on LinkedIn.
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152. The Pitfalls of Over-Leveling
This week we discuss the over-leveling of Product Managers, its impact on design career paths, and how to identify and address these issues in the workplace.
Here are some of the takeaways from this episode:
- Over-leveling of PMs can lead to poor expectations and career dissatisfaction
- Importance of clear roadmaps and strategy for PMs
- Balancing outcomes and outputs in product management
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151. The AI Revolution & Product Management
In this episode of Product Coffee, Kevin & Lou discuss the emergence of AI and its impact on product management. They share their experiences with AI tools like Chat GPT and how it has made their work more efficient and creative. Explore the potential of AI in content creation, user experience enrichment, and even product design. While acknowledging AI's limitations and ethical concerns, they emphasize the importance of product-led growth and the potential disruption it can bring to industries like journalism. How can you leverage technology to enhance your products and user experience? Let us know!
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150. Product Leader to Founder (w/Holly Vezina)
This week we discuss the power of neurodivergence in boosting productivity. Join Kevin as he chats with Holly, a neurodivergent founder, who shares insights and strategies for leveraging her unique brain-wiring to excel in product management. From harnessing hyperfocus to managing dopamine-driven tasks, learn practical tips for maximizing your potential and finding your genius in the fast-paced world of product development. Don't miss this enlightening discussion on embracing neurodiversity and unlocking productivity.
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149. Coaching Product Managers to Navigate Ambiguity
In this episode, we discuss the challenges of navigating ambiguity as a product manager. We talk about how to help product managers develop the skills they need to think critically and make decisions in the face of uncertainty. We also share some tips on coaching product managers to be more comfortable with ambiguity.
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148. B2B Product Leadership Mastery (w/Ibrahim Bashir)
Ibrahim Bashir leads Amplitude's analytics product team. With a background in engineering, he transitioned to product roles, working at Amazon on Kindle and Kindle Fire, Twitter on platform strategy, and Box on developer products. Now at Amplitude, he helps build better digital products. Kevin and Ibrahim discuss product leadership in B2B and how PMs can access more proxies for user research and stitch together insights from sales, solution consulting, and professional services. They discuss discovery vs. delivery mode when experimenting. How CSMs are valuable partners for insights. Why achieving product-market fit early is crucial, especially in the SMB space, and why asking the right questions and understanding context helps improve product strategy.
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibrahimbashir
- Twitter https://twitter.com/ibscribe
- Substack newsletter https://runthebusiness.substack.com/
- Criya site https://www.criya.site/ibscribe
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147. Building the Product Greenhouse
In this episode, Kevin & Jake dive into the "greenhouse" concept of leadership, inspired by the late Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh. Learn how to build an empowering environment for your team, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and adapt your role as a leader to foster growth and success.
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146. Unleashing Team Potential
In this episode, Kevin and Lou discuss Marty Cagan's new book under development, "Transformed", and break down the core questions to assess a team's health. They also delve into the framework of measuring four different metrics - lead time, deployment frequency, time to restore, and change failure rate - and provide insights on how to benchmark against them. They discuss the importance of tracking metrics in DevOps, specifically the change failure rate. They also touch on the role of QA teams and the importance of team health and wellness.
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145. Katie Johnson - The Art of User Research
This week on Product Coffee, Katie Johnson, a lead UX researcher at Google, shares her insights on innovation and user research. She discusses the importance of understanding both end-users and cross-functional stakeholders, as well as their decision-making processes. To ensure relevance and value, Katie interviews all decision-makers on a team and conducts a 90-minute workshop to address misalignments.
She also explains how teams can develop a framework for innovation by identifying core competencies, industry orthodoxies, user needs, and megatrends. Teams should spend a quarter working on these areas and then combine their findings to create a "Lego kit" of innovation building blocks, ensuring user needs are at the heart of product development.
If a team lacks a dedicated UX researcher, Katie recommends utilizing product managers or UX designers who are comfortable talking to users. They can consult with experienced UX researchers to learn about different research methods and execution. This approach helps companies tap into the potential of UX research early in the product lifecycle, addressing users' needs from the beginning and fostering strategic innovation.
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144. Developing Market Expertise
In this episode of Product Coffee, Kevin, Lou, and Lindsey engage in a thoughtful discussion on the role of product managers in understanding market trends and driving innovation. They explore the importance of balancing vision and execution, uncovering market opportunities, and leveraging external input for fresh ideas. With insights from UX research and various PM frameworks, they share valuable tips on prioritizing information and navigating the problem and solution spaces. Join us as we unpack the challenges and opportunities for product managers to excel in their roles and level up their craft.
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143. Intuition & OKRs
In this episode, David Odukoya, Taj Moore, and Kevin Gentry dive deep into the world of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and discuss the challenges, evolution, and best practices in growing companies. They share their experiences on how teams adapt to change, pivot with purpose, and strike the right balance between intuition and OKRs in a dynamic business landscape. Listen in as they explore how to align teams, objectives, and strategies for success and how to redefine relevance in the face of new challenges and opportunities. Packed with valuable insights and recommendations, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to level up their OKR game.
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142. Courage to Commit: Exploring Product Entrepreneurship
Kevin and Lou explore the similarities between product managers and entrepreneurs. They discuss the opportunities for PMs to explore entrepreneurship as a side hustle and the challenge of deciding when to commit to an idea fully. Lou shares his experience with starting three tech startups with varying degrees of success and his current situation with two side hustles: a physical product called Cole's Cup Clips and a service called South Park Spa Works. He talks about validating hypotheses for both businesses and using his experience as a PM to improve the product and service. They also delve into the speed and cost of product development and the importance of scaling the business, discussing the steps involved in the process from prototyping with a 3D printer to manufacturing at scale with injection molding. They also discuss the challenges of distribution paths and supply chains and how to lower the cost per unit.
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141. Launching Your Product: A Walkthrough with Madiha Faisal
In this episode, Madiha shares her experience launching a new login experience for her customers. She discusses how her team identified customer pain points and used qualitative and quantitative analysis to create an action plan to improve the login experience. She also emphasizes the importance of getting buy-in from stakeholders and crafting a solution that focuses on the bare minimum of what users need to log in easily. This episode offers valuable insights for product managers looking to improve their product launch process, including tips on testing and gathering stakeholder feedback before launching.
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140. Mastering Market Expertise
In this episode, Kevin, Lindsey, and Lou explore how product managers can increase their market expertise. They cover how to get up to speed on a new market or product segment quickly and effectively and how to broaden your knowledge as you progress in your career path. They also discuss building a network and evaluating inputs and competitive analysis as ways to stay updated with industry trends and changes.
They share insights on building connections outside of your discipline, reading conference agendas, and identifying key players and competitors. They emphasize the importance of getting outward-focused and broadening your strategy as you grow in your career. This episode is perfect for product managers looking to expand their expertise and knowledge of the market.
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139. Paul Ortchanian
Join us this week on Product Coffee, where we welcome, Paul Ortchanian from Bain Public as we delve into the world of product management and explore the importance of mapping out the customer experience. Paul shares his expertise on how to create a blueprint that associates across every aspect of the customer journey and how to assign product managers to various verticals to ensure seamless execution. We also discuss the role of product managers in shaping the overall product ecosystem and what to do when a product manager is not producing results. Don't miss this insightful podcast that will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the "making of the sausage" and help you understand the inner workings of a successful product.
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138. Product Paradigm Shifts: How to Influence Change for the Better
This week, we're delving into the ever-evolving field of product development. We'll discuss the challenges of driving change and aligning product strategy with organizational values. From the resurgence of "green" initiatives to the impact of structural incentives on product development, we'll explore the complexity of creating products that make a meaningful impact. Join us as we examine the best practices for shaping a value-driven product team that is dedicated to fostering long-term success.
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137. Adam Tornes
Adam Tornes, formerly of Twitter and now the Chief Product Officer at Swing U, discusses his journey in product management and leadership, beginning as a junior engineer at a startup in the web analytics field and later attending business school to round out his skillset in strategy and marketing. He then worked at a company in Boulder called Gnip before being acquired by Twitter, where he spent eight years and took on more and more responsibility before transitioning to a GM model and eventually moving on to Swing U. He also discusses his involvement in building a community of practice around product management in Colorado through the Colorado Product Foundation.
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136. Navigating Turmoil and Finding Your Competitive Advantage
In this week's podcast, Kevin, Lou, & Madiha discuss the importance of understanding the mission and vision of a team to guide decision-making and navigate turmoil. We also explore the concept of product market fit and the importance of identifying competitive advantage. We encourage listeners to consider answering the questions of direct, secondary, and indirect competitive advantage and to start a dialogue within their organization to build a shared understanding of their place in the market. We also encourage listeners to be honest about the reality of a situation and to ask questions to fully understand the scope of a problem before making any strategic pivots. Finally, we discuss the importance of considering whether or not it is necessary to take action in response to a problem and the potential value of "doing nothing" in some situations.
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135. Monetization (w/Chris Mele)
In this episode of Product Coffee, we dive into the world of monetization in product management. Our guest is Chris Mele, a seasoned product pricing expert with over 13 years of experience successfully monetizing products and driving revenue.
We discuss how powerful monetization can be in your product and how much risk it can be if you don’t do it right.
Chris shares insider tips and best practices for determining the right monetization strategy for your product and target market.
We also explore the importance of evaluating and adjusting your monetization strategy over time to ensure it aligns with your business goals and stays relevant in a constantly evolving market.
Whether you're a product manager looking to monetize a new product or want to learn more about the ins and outs of monetization, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical advice on monetizing your product and driving revenue effectively.
Check out softwarepricing.com and reach out for access to their resource center.
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134. Test Coverage in Product (w/Adam Wanninger)
Adam Wanninger is on the show! Adam is a FinTech Product Leader at Fortune 100 companies, including JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo.
Kevin and Adam discuss how test coverage contributes to building a resilient and reliable product experience for customers.
Learn more about Adam Wanninger
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133. What Product Managers do off the clock
Lindsey, Kevin, Taj, and Lou discuss what they do off of the clock. Whether it’s contracting, inventing, tinkering, or just spending time to recharge, hear what the crew has to say about their experience when they are off of the clock.
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132. Getting a seat at the table
Kevin and Lou discuss what it’s like not getting the full picture and how we can do better when contributing to a situation where not everyone has the context to do their best work.
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131. ✔️
Kevin, Lou, Jake, & Madiha for part two of our Twitter headlines evaluation. They discuss blue checkmarks.
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130. Focused on the mission amid turmoil
Taj, Jake, & Kevin discuss the recent events of Elon Musk acquiring Twitter and what it means to follow the mission and not the individual or company.
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