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Product Coffee

Product Coffee

By Product Coffee

Product Management Leaders share stories, advice, and thoughts on all things product over a cup of coffee. ☕️ Grab a cup of joe and join us to level up your product career.
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66. Player / Coach - Manager of Product Managers

Product CoffeeMar 22, 2021

00:00
22:56
175. Identifying Market Opportunities
Mar 18, 202427:33
174. Building with AI (w/Pieter van Noordennen)

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.

Pieter on LinkedIn

Product.codes

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 ☕️


Looking to hire strong product leaders at your company? - Schedule a time here to see what we can do for you!

Mar 11, 202445:20
173. From Wall Street to Startups & the Importance of Taking Risks (w/Karthik Suresh)

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 ☕️


Looking to hire strong product leaders at your company? - Schedule a time here to see what we can do for you!

Feb 27, 202451:60
172. Matching the Right Talent in Product Recruitment (w/James Jordan)

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


James on LinkedIn / Producto


Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️


Looking to hire strong product leaders at your company? - Schedule a time here to see what we can do for you!

Feb 19, 202451:51
171. Navigating Careers & Making Informed Decisions (w/Michelle Bassett)

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.


Check out Michelle here 🦄


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


Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️


Looking to hire strong product leaders at your company? - Schedule a time here to see what we can do for you!

Feb 12, 202453:52
170. Confronting Burnout with Senior Product Managers

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


Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️

Jan 29, 202453:07
169. From Software Developer to CEO (w/Adam Oliver)

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

Jan 05, 202449:40
168. Balancing Product Development and Innovation in Startups

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


Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️

Dec 04, 202344:10
167. Empowering Teams & Navigating Reorganizations

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


Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️

Nov 27, 202327:24
166. Understanding & Measuring Product Outcomes

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

Nov 13, 202338:04
165. Democratizing Workplace Productivity with AI (w/Artem Koren)

165. Democratizing Workplace Productivity with AI (w/Artem Koren)

Artem Koren, Chief Product Officer at Sembly AI, joins the show to discuss how his company is using AI to increase team productivity in the workplace. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or X & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️
Oct 23, 202351:35
164. Denver Startup Week LIVE: Coordination & Communication In Unprecedented Times Following Unprecedented Times
Sep 25, 202348:15
163. The Intersection of User Needs & Business Context
Sep 18, 202333:24
162. Setting the Right Metrics
Sep 05, 202329:13
161. Balancing Creativity & Reality in Product Development (w/Josefina Tous Bercovich)
Aug 28, 202347:56
160. The Transformative Power of Team Offsites
Aug 21, 202321:19
159. From Product to Customer-Centric Service (w/Bob Lamendola)
Aug 14, 202345:56
158. Navigating Product Launches
Aug 07, 202329:44
157. Tuning Into Disruption (w/Brian Peterson)
Jul 31, 202345:01
156. Building Software Product Businesses (w/Kareem Mayan)
Jul 24, 202344:31
155. Co-Creating Career Growth
Jul 10, 202319:21
154. From Agency to In-House (w/Michael Agombar)
Jul 03, 202339:59
153. Community-Led Growth & User Segmentation (w/Kate Syuma)
Jun 20, 202345:10
152. The Pitfalls of Over-Leveling
Jun 12, 202321:25
151. The AI Revolution & Product Management
Jun 05, 202322:04
150. Product Leader to Founder (w/Holly Vezina)
May 30, 202334:42
149. Coaching Product Managers to Navigate Ambiguity
May 15, 202315:51
148. B2B Product Leadership Mastery (w/Ibrahim Bashir)
May 08, 202347:56
147. Building the Product Greenhouse
Apr 24, 202319:34
146. Unleashing Team Potential
Apr 17, 202317:23
145. Katie Johnson - The Art of User Research
Apr 03, 202328:08
144. Developing Market Expertise
Mar 27, 202320:13
143. Intuition & OKRs
Mar 20, 202317:31
142. Courage to Commit: Exploring Product Entrepreneurship
Mar 13, 202318:33
141. Launching Your Product: A Walkthrough with Madiha Faisal
Feb 27, 202319:46
140. Mastering Market Expertise
Feb 20, 202321:06
139. Paul Ortchanian
Feb 06, 202349:54
138. Product Paradigm Shifts: How to Influence Change for the Better
Jan 23, 202314:09
137. Adam Tornes
Jan 09, 202338:41
136. Navigating Turmoil and Finding Your Competitive Advantage
Dec 26, 202223:00
135. Monetization (w/Chris Mele)
Dec 19, 202249:55
134. Test Coverage in Product (w/Adam Wanninger)
Nov 28, 202225:25
133. What Product Managers do off the clock
Nov 21, 202217:52
132. Getting a seat at the table
Nov 15, 202218:49
131. ✔️
Nov 07, 202223:42
130. Focused on the mission amid turmoil
Oct 31, 202218:16
129. Product in Public (w/Nikhil Nandagopal)

129. Product in Public (w/Nikhil Nandagopal)

Nikhil Nandagopal is the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Appsmith, a quickly growing open-source project that is used by over 7,000 teams, employs people in sixteen countries, and has raised over $51 million in capital. 

Kevin & Nikhil discuss everything from building products in public to building scalable product teams from 0 to 1. 

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter & check out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️

Oct 25, 202241:01
128. Customer Focus in Product Strategy
Oct 17, 202217:35
127. Making time in your day
Oct 10, 202222:57
126. Context is gold ⭐️ (w/Hubert Palan CEO of Productboard)
Oct 03, 202252:05