Episodes
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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
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📩 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.
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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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Missing episodes?
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 SprintsTimeline:
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 ThoughtsCheck out our website @ productcoffeepodcast.com ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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 ☕️
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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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