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  • In this exciting episode of Product Coffee, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Brendan Fortune, Director of Product at Customer.io. Brendan shares his unique journey from the music industry to product leadership, how Customer.io scaled from 60 to nearly 300 employees, and the key role OKRs play in aligning teams for success. They also explore the concept of flywheels, managing product roadmaps, and the challenges of remote work.

    Brendan was nice enough to share his Annual Planning via Product Flywheel Miro board. Check it out here!

    📅 Episode Timeline:

    [00:00] – Welcome & introduction to Brendan Fortune

    [00:34] – Brendan’s career journey: From music to product management

    [01:25] – Why Brendan thrives in startup & mid-sized companies

    [02:00] – Life in Minnesota: Remote work, family time, & hobbies

    [03:09] – Music-making with kids & the joys of Kung Fu

    [04:00] – The growth of Customer.io: From 60 to 300 employees

    [05:32] – Brendan’s challenge: Building OKRs that align with real outcomes

    [07:25] – Introducing the concept of a flywheel strategy

    [10:00] – How Customer.io's flywheel aligns data, messaging, & influence

    [14:21] – Structuring product squads & assigning objectives

    [20:00] – Using Prometheus & Mixpanel to track metrics & influence behaviors

    [25:19] – Combining annual & quarterly planning cycles

    [30:00] – Leadership’s strategic pillars & their impact on product teams

    [33:50] – Brendan’s "rock tumbling" ritual: Collaborative product reviews

    [37:00] – Navigating budgeting & resource allocation

    [41:29] – The shift from CapEx to OpEx & its impact on product planning

    [45:20] – Brendan’s advice: Discovering your flywheel & measuring success

    [46:26] – Where to connect with Brendan Fortune

    ---

    📩 Got a question or comment? Send it our way, & we might feature it on a future episode!

    ➡️ Where to Connect with Brendan:

    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/bfortune34

    Resources Mentioned:

    Good to Great by Jim Collins

    Measure What Matters by John Doerr

    Platform Revolution by Geoffrey G. Parker, Marshall W. Van Alstyne, Sangeet Paul Choudary

    Hooked by Nir Eyal

    Reforge resources on growth loops & flywheels

    Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to rate, review, & subscribe to Product Coffee on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!

    ☕ Grab some Product Coffee merch! Visit productcoffeepodcast.com to order your mug or sticker.

  • This episode is packed with insights from Nick McEvily, who takes us on a journey from his studies in human-centered design to founding and leading multiple startups. 🚀

    Nick drops wisdom on how to build customer-focused products, explaining core principles like empathy in design, the Jobs-to-be-Done framework, and how to nail those all-important customer interviews. He also shares stories from his work with Mode Mobile and Relivable, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at both the wins and the lessons learned. 💡

    To cap it all off, Nick discusses his current role as a fractional product leader and dishes out practical advice on turning customer insights into actionable strategies. You won’t want to miss his tips on building the right product-market fit muscle or his heartfelt take on balancing fatherhood with leadership. 👨‍👧‍👦

    Resources:

    Nick McEvily on LinkedIn

    Kevin Gentry on LinkedIn

    🕒 Timeline:

    00:56 - Meet the Guest: Nick McEvily

    01:13 - Nick's Career Journey

    01:59 - Deep Dive into Human-Centered Design

    02:52 - Nick's Startup Ventures

    04:09 - The Evolution of Mode Mobile

    07:56 - User Acquisition & Marketing Hacks

    15:38 - Design & UX Tips

    18:16 - Collaborating with Engineering Teams

    21:13 - Scaling & Retention Strategies

    23:31 - Joining Accelerator Programs

    24:17 - Starting Further, Faster: Nick's New Venture

    24:29 - Building That Product-Market Fit Muscle 💪

    25:14 - Crafting a Curriculum for Founders

    26:08 - The Art of Customer Discovery

    26:36 - Effective Interview Techniques

    27:06 - How to Make Data Believable 📊

    31:56 - Success Stories from Further, Faster

    34:52 - Fatherhood Meets Leadership

    36:43 - The Role of a Fractional Product Leader

    39:19 - New Ventures on the Horizon

    43:11 - Homework: Synthesis Methodology ✏️

    46:14 - Wrap-up & Final Thoughts

    Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy this caffeinated dose of product! ☕

    Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

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  • In this episode, Kevin chats with Rani Al Hajji, a seasoned expert in consumer goods and marketing, about the importance of staying focused on the end user. Rani shares insights from his career at L'Oreal and Colgate, emphasizing the importance of understanding consumer needs and maintaining a balance between product obsession and customer feedback. He also discusses his transition to advising startups, helping them define and articulate their value propositions. The conversation touches on the art and science of innovation, the significance of diverse perspectives, and practical steps for founders and product managers to stay customer-obsessed in their development process.

    Resources:

    Rani Al Hajji on LinkedIn

    Kevin Gentry on LinkedIn

    Timeline:

    00:32 The Importance of Customer Focus

    02:52 Rani Al Hajji’s Background & Experience

    05:35 Challenges & Insights in Startups

    08:58 Balancing Innovation & Customer Feedback

    14:55 Corporate Innovation at L'Oreal & Colgate

    25:41 Advising Startups: Value Proposition & Market Fit

    42:16 Practical Advice for Founders & Product Managers

    Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

  • Kevin chats with the amazing ✨ Jason Fraser ✨, a well-known author and advisor, about his journey from linguistics to product management. Jason shares leadership tips from his popular book 'Farther, Faster, and Far Less Drama,' co-authored with his wife Janice. He talks about team transformation, creating a software lab for the Air Force, and the importance of feeling safe at work. Jason also covers key ideas from his book like being honest, focusing on results, using team skills, and making lasting decisions. The episode ends with advice on staying well in tough times. If you're into leadership and product management, you'll get great tips from this chat.

    Episode Resources:

    Leverage the Brains - Jason’s YouTube Channel

    Jason Fraser on LinkedIn

    BUY JASON’S BOOK: Farther, Faster, and Far Less Drama: How to Reduce Stress and Make Extraordinary Progress Wherever You Lead

    Kevin on LinkedIn

    Timeline:

    00:00 Introduction to Jason Fraser

    00:53 Jason's Unique Background

    01:58 Current Ventures and Future Plans

    02:49 Musical Journey and Learning

    03:41 About the Book: Farther, Faster, and Far Less Drama

    06:07 The Four Leadership Motions

    09:03 Implementing Leadership Motions

    13:18 Challenges with Goaling Systems

    16:50 Transforming Organizational Culture

    21:48 Balanced Teams and Design Integration

    26:27 Prioritization Decisions in Product Management

    29:36 Understanding Organizational Missions

    32:58 Navigating Organizational Transformations

    40:25 The Power of Collaboration and Partnership

    44:07 Self-Care and Personal Growth

    46:10 Final Thoughts & Plugs

    Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

  • Kevin Gentry welcomes back David Pereira, who shares insights about his new book Untrapping Product Teams. They delve into David's journey from a software engineer in Brazil to a leadership role in Germany, touching on his experiences and learnings in product management. David discusses the core themes of his book, including facing reality, overcoming dangerous traps, and remaining untrapped. He also shares practical advice on writing, leadership, and team management, offering valuable perspectives for product leaders and managers.

    Resources:

    Untrapping Product Teams on Amazon

    David’s Website

    David Pereira on LinkedIn

    Kevin Gentry on LinkedIn

    Timeline:

    00:00 Introduction & Welcome

    01:07 David Pereira's Background

    01:54 Introduction to the Book: Untrapping Product Teams

    03:56 The Writing Journey

    15:10 Collaborative vs. Coordinative Work

    20:51 Investing in Capital Projects

    21:25 Driving Change in a Startup

    21:50 Evaluating Team Performance

    22:53 Experimenting with Outcome-Focused Teams

    23:41 Overcoming the Interest Trap

    24:33 The Ingredients of Product Management

    26:58 Learning from Top Restaurants

    29:06 Adapting Strategies for Success

    30:47 Remaining Untrapped with Health Checks

    35:08 Leadership and Hard Decisions

    38:56 Practical Homework for Listeners

    Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

  • This week on Product Coffee ☕️, Kevin chats with guests Leslie Kee and Paul Ballenger about their journey in building businesses like Auctus Security and Ally Assist. They cover military and business leadership, work-life balance, adaptability, and teamwork in high-stress environments. Leslie and Paul share tips on planning, delegation, and work-life balance for new entrepreneurs and product pros.

    Resources:

    Paul Ballenger on LinkedIn

    Leslie Kee on LinkedIn

    Auctus Security

    Ally Assist

    Kevin Gentry on LinkedIn

    Timeline:

    00:00 Introduction to Product Coffee Podcast

    00:28 Meet Leslie Key & Paul Ballinger

    00:59 Paul's Background & Journey

    02:07 Leslie's Background & Partnership with Paul

    03:22 The Dynamics of Their Partnership

    05:03 Challenges & Successes in Entrepreneurship

    07:45 Military Influence on Business Leadership

    09:55 Building Effective Teams & Maintaining Morale

    12:22 Adapting to Virtual Work Environments

    15:53 Current Ventures & Future Plans

    21:51 Automating Business Processes

    22:35 The Importance of Delegation

    22:50 Assessing Executive Team Strengths

    23:12 Building Effective Teams

    25:59 Challenges Faced by Small Businesses

    28:20 Tailored Solutions for Business Needs

    32:03 Measuring Success & Client Feedback

    36:15 Balancing Work & Personal Life

    39:42 Conclusion & Final Thoughts

    Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

  • This week on Product Coffee, Kevin Gentry talks with Matt LeMay, a product leader, consultant, and author known for his work with Google, Mailchimp, Spotify, and Bitly. Matt shares his journey from musician and music journalist to product management, highlighting how his communication and team-building skills from his music career translated into tech. They discuss the importance of goal clarity, embracing facilitative roles in product management, and balancing creative work with business needs. Matt also previews his upcoming book on 'Impact First Product Teams,' offering advice on setting high impact, high specificity goals to drive team success. The episode ends with Matt reflecting on the challenges and joys of writing his new book and his broader views on maintaining balance between professional and personal creative projects.

    Episode Resources:

    Kevin Gentry on Linkedin

    Matt LeMay’s Website

    Timeline:

    00:23 Meet Matt LeMay: Product Leader & Author

    02:00 Matt's Journey into Product Management

    03:25 From Musician to Product Manager

    09:20 Career Growth & Key Lessons

    12:25 Embracing Facilitative Work in Product Management

    21:07 Challenges & Insights in Agile Transformation

    28:00 Resource Allocation & Team Collaboration

    28:09 High Specificity in Goal Setting

    28:51 Consulting Insights on High Impact Goals

    30:42 Challenges of Innovation Teams

    32:39 The Importance of Specific Goals

    34:11 Project-Based vs. Team-Based Approaches

    41:58 Writing Process & Creative Work

    48:09 Balancing Work & Creativity

    51:04 Homework & Plugs

    Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

  • Kevin Gentry chats with Phil Hornby, a product leader and coach with over 20 years of experience. Phil shares insights on collaboration, context-driven leadership, and the significance of coaching workshops. He discusses his journey from an engineer to a product manager and leader and provides valuable advice on effective decision-making, team empowerment, and organization design. Phil also reveals details about his upcoming book, tentatively titled 'It Depends,' which focuses on improving product decision-making. The conversation covers practical tips for building better product teams, addressing common challenges in product management, and enhancing leadership techniques to foster high-impact outcomes.

    Find out more:

    Kevin Gentry on LinkedIn

    Phil Hornby on LinkedIn

    For Product People

    Taking Roadmaps

    Timeline:

    00:26 Introducing Phil Hornby

    01:16 Phil's Journey from Engineer to Product Leader

    06:50 Challenges in Product Management

    08:57 Phil's Coaching Approach

    19:22 Workshops & Practical Examples

    22:56 Analyzing Competitor Strategies

    23:29 Measuring Success & Compromises

    24:25 Effective Workshop Techniques

    25:20 Empowered vs. Entitlement Culture

    30:41 Hiring for Product Skills Over Domain Knowledge

    33:38 Small Teams vs. Large Enterprise Teams

    38:16 Aligning Teams for Success

    47:02 The Importance of Product Coaching

    48:25 Conclusion & Final Thoughts

    Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

  • This week on Product Coffee, Kevin interviews Ian Cairns, CEO & Co-Founder of Freeplay, a company that helps product teams with generative AI. Ian talks about his career journey, challenges of using AI in product development, evolving product management roles, and the importance of hands-on experimentation. He also explains how Freeplay supports teams in building AI-driven products, and provides amazing advice for product managers and leaders in AI.

    Episode Resources:

    Kevin Gentry on Linkedin

    Ian Cairns on Linkedin

    Freeplay’s Website

    Timeline:

    00:00 Introduction

    00:27 Meet Ian Cairns: CEO and Co-Founder of Freeplay

    00:56 Ian's Journey in Product Management

    17:04 The Inspiration Behind Freeplay

    20:47 Challenges and Innovations in Generative AI

    23:36 Exploring Dimensions of Quality in AI

    23:51 Operational Workflows and Non-Engineers in AI

    24:14 Understanding FreePlay's Customer Base

    24:31 FreePlay's Product and Features

    25:27 AI Integration Examples and Challenges

    27:53 The Promise and Complexity of Multi-Step AI

    28:42 Building and Learning in Generative AI

    29:11 FreePlay's Approach to Product Development

    29:48 The Evolution of Data Handling and AI

    32:16 FreePlay's Vision for the Future

    32:28 Current State and Market Fit of FreePlay

    34:53 Team Dynamics and Operational Models

    41:10 Homework and Plugs

    Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

  • This week, we are welcoming, Hannah Clark! A renowned content strategist and host of The Product Manager Podcast. Hannah shares her unconventional career journey from tech to content, and how she combined both worlds at her current tech-focused media company. They delve into Hannah's experiences with startups, discussing the challenges of scaling teams, managing pivots, and mitigating the risks of burnout. Key topics include the importance of transparent communication, active recovery, building strong leadership relationships, and the impacts of organizational stress on individual contributors. Practical advice is offered for both leaders and team members on maintaining engagement and actively managing stress in fast-paced environments.

    Episode Resources:

    Hannah Clark on Linkedin

    Kevin Gentry on Linkedin

    The Product Manager Podcast

    Timeline:

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    00:15 Hannah Clark's Background and Career Journey

    01:05 Life in Winnipeg and Personal Background

    01:52 Startup Experiences and Challenges

    04:03 Current Role and Company Structure

    06:27 Discussing Burnout and Motivation

    08:10 Strategies for Managing Stress and Burnout

    12:39 Building Relationships and Communication

    19:06 Practical Tips for Personal and Professional Growth

    40:33 Final Thoughts and Homework

    Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

  • In this episode of Product Coffee, Kevin Gentry sits down with Elliott Poppel, a seasoned entrepreneur with a diverse background in venture capital, ad tech, and product management. Elliott shares his career trajectory, highlighting pivotal moments from his early days at a VC firm, his leadership role in pivoting App.io to a successful acquisition, to founding his own startups like RobinHealth. He delves into the lessons learned from both successes and failures, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. The discussion also covers his time at Facebook, where he navigated the complexities of working in a large corporate environment and contributed to innovative projects like the Portal device. Elliott offers valuable insights into go-to-market strategies, user research, and the significance of being open to change, providing listeners with actionable advice to elevate their product management careers.

    Dive in more:

    Elliott Poppel on Linkedin

    General Collaboration

    Kevin Gentry on Linkedin

    00:00 Introduction to Product Coffee Podcast

    00:28 Guest Introduction: Elliot Popple

    00:58 Elliot's Career Beginnings in Venture Capital

    01:17 First Startup Experience and Pivot to Enterprise SaaS

    01:37 Founding Robin Health: An On-Demand Pharmacy

    02:02 Joining Facebook and Founding General Collaboration

    02:27 Early Career and Education: From Boston to San Francisco

    03:05 Networking into Venture Capital

    04:33 Challenges and Successes in Ad Tech

    06:46 Pivoting to Customer Support Software

    08:07 Lessons from Leading a Startup

    09:41 Exploring New Business Models and User Research

    13:21 The Reality of Startup Failures and Learning from Mistakes

    18:13 Fractional Work and Modern Startup Strategies

    20:39 Reflecting on Robin Health's Missed Opportunities

    24:51 Transition to Facebook

    25:01 Challenges and Learning at Facebook

    27:01 Dynamic Ads and Team Dynamics

    27:41 Navigating Facebook's Corporate Environment

    32:20 Building 8 and Hardware Innovations

    34:51 Founding General Collaboration

    38:35 Product Development and Market Positioning

    48:31 Final Thoughts and Advice

    Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠ ☕️

  • In this episode of Product Coffee, Kevin Gentry interviews Teresa Cain, an award-winning FinTech product director renowned for pioneering the two-hour design sprint. Teresa discusses her method for condensing the traditional five-day design sprint into a two-hour session, detailing its efficiency and effectiveness. She reflects on her journey, the impact of the pandemic on product development, and the integration of AI tools such as ChatGPT in the sprint process. Teresa also shares insights from her recent attendance at the Women in Product conference and touches on the evolving landscape of UX design in the era of AI and automation. The episode concludes with practical advice for product leaders and highlights Teresa's resources for implementing the two-hour design sprint.

    Find Teresa on the interweb:

    Teresa on LinkedIn Teresa's book, Solving Problems in 2 Hours: How to Brainstorm and Create Solutions with Two Hour Design Sprints

    Timeline:

    00:00 Intro 00:30 Meet Teresa Cain: FinTech Product Director 01:46 The Evolution of the Design Sprint 04:04 Challenges with the Five-Day Design Sprint 05:57 The Two-Hour Design Sprint: A Research-Driven Approach 08:08 Implementing the Two-Hour Design Sprint 11:10 Understanding Your Users and Exploring Problems 18:18 Solutioning and Validating Ideas 22:35 Understanding User Personas 23:01 Challenges in Design Sprints 24:19 The Two-Hour Design Sprint Solution 26:38 Impact of AI and Automation on Design 32:49 Women in Product: A Growing Community 34:48 The Future of Product Management 36:51 Navigating Competitive Job Markets 37:50 Effective Roadmap Strategies 41:24 Homework and Closing Thoughts

    Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️

  • This week on Product Coffee ☕️... Join host Kevin Gentry as he interviews Nick Jemetta, a distinguished product coach and mental health advocate, renowned for his outcome-focused approach in product management. With over a decade in the field, Nick shares his journey from telco to retail, through transformative experiences at companies like BT, Argos, and Ricoh, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication, stakeholder trust, and iterative improvement. Dive into practical insights on achieving success in product transformations, building effective teams, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration. Whether you're looking to elevate your product career or lead your team through complex transformations, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Grab your coffee and join the conversation!

    Timeline:
    00:00 Intro
    00:27 Meet Nick Gemetta: Product Coach and Advocate
    01:24 Nick's Journey into Product Management
    06:13 Transformation at Argos: Challenges and Milestones
    11:11 Building Trust and Effective Teams
    25:24 Releases and Continuous Deployment
    31:46 Practical Advice for Product Managers
    38:58 Coaching and Culture in Product Management
    41:05 Conclusion and Next Steps

    Check out our website @⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.productcoffeepodcast.com/ ☕️

  • In this episode of Product Coffee, Kevin Gentry interviews Scot Przybylski, a seasoned designer and product manager with extensive experience in UX and product design. Scot discusses his journey from graphic design to UX design, his work with notable companies like Dish Network and Pivotal Labs, and the challenges and strategies involved in transforming traditional product teams into empowered, collaborative units. He shares insights on change management, the critical role of design in product development, and the importance of innovation and psychological safety within teams. Scot highlights specific examples of successful transformations and innovations in product design and development, offering valuable advice on managing relationships, fostering accountability, and driving organizational change.Find out more!- Find Scot on LinkedIn- Find Kevin on LinkedInTimeline:00:00 Introduction to Product Coffee00:27 Meet Scot: A Journey in Product Design01:08 Transitioning to UX and Product Management02:39 Challenges in Organizational Change04:56 Implementing Agile and Change Management06:56 Design's Strategic Importance08:35 Wins from Design and Usability Improvements11:27 Building Effective Product Teams14:12 Facilitating Design Critiques and Psychological Safety16:13 Fostering Innovation in Product Development21:21 Empowered Teams and Leadership Training25:20 Accountability in Product Teams27:48 Design Practices for Product Managers30:37 Coaching and Mentoring in Design33:59 Final Thoughts and HomeworkCheck out our website @ ⁠⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠⁠ ☕️

  • In this episode of Product Coffee, Gleb Gordeev is on the show to share his journey in product management, from working in Germany to founding his product agency, CodeBusters, in Bali. Gleb discusses the challenges and rewards of building a remote lifestyle business, his approach to product management, leveraging no-code tools for rapid product development, and the importance of customer feedback in the early stages. Additionally, Gleb shares insights on work-life balance and the significance of starting with money-focused projects for aspiring entrepreneurs. The episode wraps up with Gleb's advice to learn about AI in product management and to attempt building a product or gathering sign-ups as a hands-on learning experience.

    Dive in more:

    Find Gleb on LinkedIn

    Find Kevin on LinkedIn

    Gleb’s Agency Kodebusters

    Timeline:

    00:26 Meet Gleb: A Product Management Journey

    02:08 Gleb's Transition to Bali and Remote Work

    03:39 From Product Expert to Entrepreneur

    05:24 Launching a Product Agency with a Unique Approach

    07:39 The Power of Free Workshops for Client Acquisition

    11:03 Crafting Effective Workshops for Product Discovery

    14:01 Strategic Outreach and Building Trust with Clients

    18:10 Exploring No-Code Solutions for Rapid Product Launch

    23:56 Exploring AI's Impact on Product Development

    23:59 The Future of Product Design with AI Integration

    25:31 Revolutionizing Prototyping and Development with AI

    27:21 Launching and Marketing Your Product: A Strategic Approach

    29:45 Gathering Feedback and Iterating Post-Launch

    35:42 Building a Lifestyle Business and Work-Life Balance

    43:31 Final Thoughts and Homework Assignment

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

  • 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.

    Kevin Gentry on LinkedIn

    Kenan Akbas on LinkedIn

    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

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

  • 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 ☕️

  • 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 ☕️

  • 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

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  • 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 ☕️

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