Episódios

  • On this episode of the podcast, we were joined by Abimbola Omotoyinbo, Program Manager at ProductDive.

    Follow Abimbola and ProductDive on LinkedIn

    We talked about:

    What ProductDive does

    Benefits of choosing ProductDive

    Things to consider before taking a product management course

    ProductDive’s success stories and the future of ProductDive

    Breakdown:

    0:00 Intro

    01:23 Icebreaker

    04:32 About Abimbola

    05:46 From quality control to program management

    09:10 Getting into program management

    10:23 What ProductDive does and how Abimbola joined the team

    13:10 What makes ProductDive stand out

    16:07 ProductDive's success stories

    17:52 Getting into ProductDive

    18:39 Things to consider before getting into the program

    20:37 Resources for someone looking to get into product management

    22:14 Product management launchpad

    23:20 The future of ProductDive

    24:27 What else ProductDive is working on

    25:14 Final words

    26:12 Outro

    We referenced:

    Product Manager Blueprint Program

    Product Management Foundation Program

    Pivot to Product Management

    Growth Product Management

    Don’t forget to follow The Spotlight Podcast on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also subscribe to our YouTube and newsletter

    If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the ⁠Q&A intake form⁠ or send me an email at [email protected]

    P.S: If you are interested in appearing on The Spotlight Podcast, please complete this form to indicate your interest.

  • On this episode of The Spotlight Podcast, we were joined by award-winning Product Manager, Elizabeth Ajao.

    Follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter

    We talked about:

    Shooting your career shot

    How she went from customer support officer to product manager

    What product managers do

    Why product management probably shouldn't be your first job and the importance of internships

    Transferable skills from other roles and skills every product manager should have

    Giving valuable feedback and accepting feedback

    Measuring success and the importance of being people-driven

    Breakdown:

    0:00 Intro

    1:44 Icebreaker

    6:34 Elizabeth's background

    8:21 Going from customer support to product management

    12:42 How customer support prepared her for product management

    16:17 What media is Elizabeth consuming?

    17:30 Elizabeth's career highlights

    19:53 Being impact-driven

    23:04 What being a product manager entails

    27:30 Can one be an effective product manager with little leadership experience?

    32:28 Skills every product manager should have

    35:20 Working with UX designers

    39:20 Tools every product manager should master

    45:23 Is product management as glam as people make it out to be?

    49:02 Elizabeth's perspective on product management interviews

    51:29 Challenges Elizabeth has faced as a product manager and how she handled them

    54:42 Dealing with problematic stakeholders

    57:35 Measuring success as a product manager

    59:55 What you should know before getting into product management

    1:01:49 Resources and advice for aspiring product managers

    1:07:33 Elizabeth's socials

    1:08:09 Other things Elizabeth is working on

    1:09:35 Outro

    We referenced:

    No-Code Tech Summit

    VFD Group

    Enyata

    Polaris Bank

    People in Product

    The Builders Summit by Founders Connect

    The 7 Perspectives of Effective Leaders: A Proven Framework for Improving Decisions and Increasing Your Influence

    Jira

    Trello

    ClickUp

    Azure

    Miro

    Whimsical

    Confluence

    Notion

    Google Analytics

    Mixpanel

    Amplitude

    MySQL

    The Product Book by Product School

    Lenny's Newsletter

    Become a Product Manager | Learn the Skills & Get the Job

    Don’t forget to follow The Spotlight Podcast on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also subscribe to our YouTube and newsletter

    If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the ⁠Q&A intake form⁠ or send me an email at [email protected]

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  • On this episode of the podcast, we spotlight the one and only Emmanuel Faith, a wonderful HR expert.

    Follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter

    We talked about:

    His HR journey and his work providing consulting services through HR Clinic

    The dwindling pool of mid-level talent in Nigeria’s tech pipeline

    The importance of succession planning for sustainable businesses

    The wisdom in hiring talent your business can reasonably afford instead of chasing “shiny” people

    Breakdown:

    00:00:00 Intro

    00:01:55 Icebreaker

    00:05:35 About Emmanuel Faith

    00:13:07 Getting into HR

    00:17:40 Best temperaments for HR professionals

    00:20:58 Emmanuel's proudest achievements

    00:28:35 Emmanuel's superpowers in HR

    00:34:17 Challenges faced while recruiting talent

    00:38:56 Why we don't have mid-level tech talent in Nigeria

    00:44:40 How HR Clinic helps organisations

    00:49:25 Unique strengths of Nigerian tech talents

    00:53:16 The technical talent vs non-technical talent conversation

    00:58:47 Emmanuel's perspective on The Peer shutting down

    1:05:24 Are people hiring "shiny" talent because of the lack of mid-level talent?

    1:10:42 Hard skills vs soft skills

    1:12:33 Advice for aspiring HR professionals

    1:14:18 Other things Emmanuel is working on

    1:18:31 Final words

    1:19:14 Outro

    We referenced:

    Cowrywise

    BCM

    Fervora’s African Women’s Football Report

    SHRM Podcast on Spotify

    HRCI

    Why You Act the Way You Do by Tim LaHaye

    Spirit-Controlled Temperament by Tim LaHaye

    Myers-Briggs Personality Test

    16 Personalities

    ProductDive

    AltSchool

    Geneza Brands

    Geneza School of Design

    Innovating Africa: The Rise of Tech in Nigeria by Peace Itimi

    HR Clinic

    Bloomberg

    Asana

    No-Code Tech Summit

    Luminous Consult

    Don’t forget to follow The Spotlight Podcast on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also subscribe to our YouTube and newsletter

    If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the ⁠Q&A intake form⁠ or send me an email at [email protected]

  • On this episode of The Spotlight Podcast, we had data expert and Dataphyte CEO Joshua Olufemi with us.

    Follow him on LinkedIn and follow Dataphyte on Twitter

    We talked about:

    How he went from a secondary school Economics teacher to the CEO of Dataphyte How data can drive change and social impact Nigeria’s data problem and the unique challenges of collecting and reporting with data The importance of having a focused and reliable team

    Breakdown:

    00:00:00 Intro

    00:02:00 Icebreaker game

    00:03:32 Fun facts about Joshua

    00:05:37 From economics teacher to CEO

    00:09:39 Being a part of the National Endowment for Democracy Fellowship

    00:14:44 Proudest achievements of Dataphyte

    00:21:20 The Dataphyte and Goloka teams

    00:28:54: Major challenges in collecting accurate data

    00:37:37 How can Nigeria be more data-driven?

    00:43:55 Joshua's dream for Dataphyte and Goloka

    00:45:24 Advice for people building something around data

    00:47:42 Final words

    00:48:30 Outro

    We referenced:

    Dataphyte Goloka National Endowment for Democracy

    Don’t forget to follow The Spotlight Podcast on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also subscribe to our YouTube and newsletter

    If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the ⁠Q&A intake form⁠ or send me an email at [email protected]

  • On this episode of The Spotlight Podcast, we had product designer Ayodeji Olagbaiye with us.

    Follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter

    We talked about:

    What your portfolio MUST contain if you want to land a UX design role in 2024 What NOT to do when designing your portfolio How to get your first UX design job The best platform to host your UX design portfolio How often you should update your portfolio if you want to stay relevant

    Breakdown:

    00:00:00 Intro

    00:01:52 Icebreaker

    00:11:02 Deji's background

    00:13:03 Working with developers

    00:15:50 What media is Ayodeji consuming?

    00:17:18 How Ayodeji got into UX design

    00:25:34 Joining Kuda

    00:29:06 Working remotely

    00:30:05 What he would have done differently

    00:34:00 Getting your first job and having a portfolio

    00:36:30 What he wishes he knew when building his first portfolio

    00:43:26 Key things in a portfolio

    00:50:50 Updating your portfolio

    00:54:46 Can you get a job without a big project on your portfolio?

    00:58:40 What not to do in your portfolio

    01:01:39 Is there a best place to host your portfolio?

    01:09:06 Can AI help with your portfolio?

    01:10:54 Unpopular opinion about design portfolios

    01:13:45 Some of the best portfolios Ayodeji has seen

    01:21:40 Resources to build your portfolio

    01:24:10 Advice for designers

    01:31:22 Outro

    We referenced:

    Tintype Daniel Abayomi Notion Framer Webflow Wordpress Wix Polywork Kuldar Ekemini's portfolio Dennis Snellenberg's Portfolio 90% of designers are unhirable? | UX Collective UX Collective Dribbble Behance Layers

    Don’t forget to follow The Spotlight Podcast on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also subscribe to our YouTube and newsletter

    If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the ⁠Q&A intake form⁠ or send me an email at [email protected]

  • After a long hiatus, we're back with a new episode.

    On this episode, the amazing Tochy Udunwa shared some insights on marketing, the unpredictability of the industry, and how to navigate it.

    Follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram

    We also we talked about:

    Conversion and brand loyalty The role of branding in marketing Picking the right strategy for your organisation Defining success in marketing What to know/do if you want to become a marketer

    Breakdown:

    (00:00:00) Intro

    (00:02:05) Icebreaker

    (00:11:35) Digital Marketing vs Traditional Advertising

    (00:12:43) Conversion and community building

    (00:18:49) The role of branding in marketing

    (00:22:30) Tochy’s background

    (00:31:25) The importance of domain experience in marketing

    (00:35:47) Tochy’s superpower (project management)

    (00:36:37) Tochy’s career milestones

    (00:47:25) How to pick the right strategy for an organisation

    (00:51:45) What makes the industry so unpredictable?

    (00:54:32) Navigating the uncertainties

    (00:57:40) Tochy’s future publications

    (00:59:31) Defining the success of your strategy

    (01:05:10) Advice for aspiring marketing professionals

    (01:13:42): Tochy’s online presence

    We referenced:

    Google Project Management: Professional Certificate | Coursera Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate | Coursera Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate | Coursera EDai MyShopLauncher GradientFI Microsoft Clarity Pretty Little Marketer Mad Over Marketing (M.O.M) Capturing the Moment: Maltina Cans Drop from a Billboard on a Lagos Street

    Don’t forget to follow The Spotlight Podcast on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also subscribe to our YouTube and newsletter

    If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the ⁠Q&A intake form⁠ or send me an email at [email protected]

  • In episode 15 of the podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Isaac Durotoye, a tech whiz who is deeply entrenched in the world of fintech. Our conversation revolved around the intriguing topics of Banking as a Service (BaaS) and APIs, and how they're reshaping the financial technology landscape.

    Together, we dissected the unique challenges and opportunities facing fintech in Africa, broke down the opportunities presented by Baas, and reflected on the critical role of technical expertise in product management practice. If you're passionate about fintech, product management, and the future of digital finance, this episode holds insights you won't want to miss.

    Book mentioned:

    Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nil Eyal

    Subscribe now and engage with us on our social media, links below.

    Don't forget to follow Isaac Durotoye on ⁠LinkedIn. Check out his blog at blog.jnrjose.org

    Follow The Spotlight:

    on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (The Spotlight Podcast),

    on ⁠Twitter⁠ (@_spotlightpod) and

    on ⁠Instagram⁠ (@_spotlightpod).

    Follow Iwalola Sobowale on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Twitter⁠ (@iwalolasobowale)

    Also, check out and subscribe to my ⁠Substack newsletter⁠ ⁠“The Spotlight”⁠.

    New episodes of the podcast will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the ⁠Q&A intake form⁠ or send me an email at [email protected]

  • In our 14th episode, we uncover why Product Management can sometimes hit roadblocks in organisations with Nnamdi Azodo, a distinguished Product Manager with over 12 years of experience. Nnamdi, known for transforming the financial landscape in Nigerian banks and fintech startups, shares his journey, insights, and solutions.

    We dig deep into the challenges and misconceptions surrounding Product Management, the impact of organisational structures, the power of clarity, and how to overcome resistance to change. Join us for an engaging conversation that sheds light on the intricacies of this vital discipline. If you're looking for inspiration and practical insights into Product Management, this episode is a must-listen.

    Subscribe now and engage with us on our social media, links below.

    Don't forget to follow Nnamdi Azodo on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and Twitter. Check out his Substack newsletter WorkplaceHQ and his course The Complete Product Management Course

    Follow The Spotlight:

    on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (The Spotlight Podcast),

    on ⁠Twitter⁠ (@_spotlightpod) and

    on ⁠Instagram⁠ (@_spotlightpod).

    Follow Iwalola Sobowale on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Twitter⁠ (@iwalolasobowale)

    Also, check out and subscribe to my ⁠Substack newsletter⁠ ⁠“The Spotlight”⁠.

    New episodes of the podcast will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the ⁠Q&A intake form⁠ or send me an email at [email protected]

  • In this episode, we discussed the importance of tech advocacy and community building with Elizabeth Okaome, a passionate Developer Relations Community Manager and founder of Empower Her Community. Elizabeth shares her journey, highlighting the crucial role of developer relations in the tech ecosystem.

    She discusses community engagement, advocating for developers, and leveraging feedback for product improvements. We also talked about the importance of NOT comparing Tech to fraud “yahoo”.

    This episode offers valuable insights and inspiring stories for tech enthusiasts and community builders. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on the significance of developer relations in tech.

    Book mentioned: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k by Mark Manson

    Follow Elizabeth Okaome on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and Twitter and be sure to check out Empower Her Community!

    Follow The Spotlight:

    on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (The Spotlight Podcast),

    on ⁠Twitter⁠ (@_spotlightpod) and

    on ⁠Instagram⁠ (@_spotlightpod).

    Follow Iwalola Sobowale on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Twitter⁠ (@iwalolasobowale)

    Also check out and subscribe to my ⁠Substack newsletter⁠ ⁠“The Spotlight: Product Research and Strategy”⁠.

    New episodes of the podcast will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the ⁠Q&A intake form⁠ or send me an email at [email protected]

  • Join us as we take a look back into the inspiring journey of Evans Akanno, founder of Vzy. With a remarkable track record in entrepreneurship and design, Evans shares his experiences from bootstrapping ventures like Cregital and Disha to the creation of Vzy.

    His insights reveal the power of strategic thinking, customer-centricity, and creativity in achieving impressive revenue milestones while overcoming budget constraints. Learn from Evans' stories of challenges, triumphs, and the potential rewards of bootstrapping, as he aims to democratise digital brand design through Vzy.

    Don't miss this episode for valuable advice and inspiration for entrepreneurs and design enthusiasts. Subscribe now and engage with us on our social media, links below.

    Follow Evans Akanno on LinkedIn and be sure to check out Vzy www.vzy.co to create websites 10x faster with AI!

    Follow The Spotlight:

    on LinkedIn, on Twitter and on Instagram

    Follow Iwalola Sobowale on LinkedIn and Twitter (@iwalolasobowale)

    Also check out and subscribe to my Substack newsletter ⁠“The Spotlight: Product Research and Strategy”⁠.

    New episodes of the podcast will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the Q&A intake form or send me an email at [email protected]

  • Join us as we explore work-life harmony, conquer imposter syndrome, and navigate the comparison trap with the brilliant UX designer, Jennifer Daniel. Tune in for wisdom, inspiration, and growth!

    Mentions:

    Work therapy podcast

    Follow Jennifer on Instagram @uxoamaka_

    Follow Jennifer on LinkedIn

    Check out UX Resource Hub: https://www.uxresourcehub.com/

    'Designerbabe' Mitchelle Chibundu’s Instagram profile

    Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter ⁠“The Spotlight: Product Research and Strategy”⁠ and follow me on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ for more UX research resources and insights

    New episodes will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the Q&A intake form or send me an email at [email protected]

  • Two Truths and a Lie: Guess the lie and win 50% discount off a one-on-one with Grace AND a Filmhouse cinema ticket to see a movie of your choice - Follow The Spotlight on Twitter (@thespot_light) and send me a DM here

    In this episode, we are joined by Grace Ademola-Adenle, LinkedIn's Top Voice in Design! Her journey is nothing short of awe-inspiring, from disrupting the tech education space to bagging those impressive 6-figure offers from top-notch companies like Meta. Want to know the secrets behind standing out in the competitive recruitment game and negotiating your dream salary? Grace spills all the beans! Plus, she'll show you how to maintain a stellar work-life balance. If you're an aspiring product designer, this is a must-listen episode! Tune in now to soak up all the wisdom and supercharge your UX career journey!

    Mentions:

    Get a free copy of Grace's book: From Zero to Overbooked

    Book a free 20-minute discovery call with Grace here

    Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter ⁠“The Spotlight: Product Research and Strategy”⁠ and follow me on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and Twitter for more resources and insights on user-centric product development.

    New episodes will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the Q&A intake form or send me an email at [email protected].

  • In this episode, we have a multifaceted guest, Hilary Umeche, who is a creative powerhouse in brand design. We discuss the role of creative brand design and the power of visual storytelling in crafting captivating brand experiences that resonate with customers and drive business success. Our guest brings a wealth of experience and expertise and provides valuable insights into his creative process and the challenges he navigates in his role. His expertise and passion for creating visually compelling designs are evident and truly inspiring.

    Join us as we explore the art of branding, the power of visual storytelling, and the strategic approach to creating memorable brands.

    Connect with Hilary Umeche on LinkedIn

    Logo Design Course: From Concept to Presentation by Sagi Haviv on Domestika

    Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter ⁠“The Spotlight: Product Research and Strategy”⁠ and follow me on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ for more UX research resources and insights.

    New episodes will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the Q&A intake form or send me an email at [email protected]

  • In this episode, we have the opportunity to delve into the mindset of a talented Growth Marketer, Emmanuel Ojo, exploring his unique experiences, perspectives, and aspirations. We'll uncover the challenges he has faced, the lessons learned, and the intersection between product, research, strategy, and growth.

    Emmanuel Ojo’s LinkedIn profile

    Mentions:

    Zero to One by Peter Thiel

    The Product Podcast

    Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter ⁠“The Spotlight: Product Research and Strategy”⁠ and follow me on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ for more UX research resources and insights

    New episodes will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the Q&A intake form or send me an email at [email protected]

  • In this episode, we had another guest, Gloria Imevbore, a seasoned digital marketing manager with extensive expertise in building and nurturing brands in the digital space. We discussed the impact of digital marketing on brand development, its intersection with product research, and the strategies that can be employed to create memorable brand experiences. Gloria shared some valuable insights and advice for successful brand building in today's ever-evolving digital landscape.

    Mentions:

    Gloria’s LinkedIn profile

    Niel Patel’s website

    The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

    Google Hustle Academy

    Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter ⁠“The Spotlight: Product Research and Strategy”⁠ and follow me on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ or Twitter for more UX research resources and insights

    New episodes will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the Q&A intake form.

  • I discussed the nuances and complexities of delivering tough news as a UX researcher, with the aim of sharing valuable insights and strategies for effectively communicating findings in challenging situations. I hope this episode is helpful in preparing you to navigate the delicate balance between honesty and diplomacy, foster collaboration, and deliver impactful user experiences.

    “Unveiling User Experience: Applying Design Research to Enhance UX Design'' webinar by Research Bookmark

    Currently reading: Zendesk CX Trends 2023 “Consumers expect AI to radically transform service.”

    Podcast I’m listening to: HBR’s Women at Work

    Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter ⁠“The Spotlight: Product Research and Strategy”⁠ and follow me on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and Twitter for more resources and insights on user-centric product development.
    New episodes will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the Q&A intake form or send me an email at [email protected].

  • In this episode we had a seasoned product manager Omotolani Ketiku, share the unique challenges and hurdles faced by product managers. From navigating regulatory frameworks to staying ahead of emerging technologies, Omotolani shares her firsthand experiences and insights, providing us with a glimpse into the exciting yet demanding world of product management in payment and financial services.

    Podcast Mentioned: The Open Africa Podcast

    Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter ⁠“The Spotlight: Product Research and Strategy”⁠ and follow me on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ for more UX research resources and insights.

    New episodes of the podcast will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the Q&A intake form or shoot me an email at [email protected].

  • Today, we are joined by Odun Odubanjo, the co-founder & CEO of Insight7. Insight7 is a customer insights AI tool that is revolutionising how product teams analyse customer feedback to make data-driven decisions 10 times faster.

    Get a free trial of ⁠Insight7⁠

    We explore the impact of customer insights, product strategy, and innovation, gaining valuable knowledge from Odun's extensive entrepreneurial experience. From the transformative potential of AI-driven customer feedback analysis to the strategic importance of data-driven decision-making, we uncover the keys to success in product development.

    Odun Odubanjo’s LinkedIn profile

    The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick

    The Four Steps to the Epiphany by Steve Blank

    Y Combinator Channel on Youtube

    Inspired and Empowered by Marty Cagan

    Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter ⁠“The Spotlight: Product Research and Strategy”⁠ and follow me on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ for more UX research resources and insights

    New episodes will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the Q&A intake form or send me an email at [email protected]

  • In this episode, we talk to Dipo Apelehin, a B2B SaaS product designer to learn about his struggles and triumphs. Dipo shares how he navigates the unique obstacles to UX design in Nigeria and how he has managed to leave a mark with his work.

    Mentions:

    Dipo’s LinkedIn profile

    C Programming Language by Brian W. Kernighan

    Smashing magazine

    NNgroup

    The New Breed by Kate Darling

    Nkowa Okwu Igbo English dictionary

    Dipo’s Case study for Nkowa Okwu

    Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter ⁠“The Spotlight: Product Research and Strategy”⁠ and follow me on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ for more UX research resources and insights. New episodes will be published weekly.

    If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the Q&A intake form.

  • In the second episode of “The Spotlight” podcast, the host, Iwalola Sobowale, talks about a day in her life as a UX researcher. She talks about what she’s currently reading, podcasts she listens to, and interesting tidbits from her day.

    Mentions:

    Miro webinar titled “Reach next-level engagement in user research with Miro”.

    Currently reading:

    The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

    Sprint: How to solve big problems and test new ideas in just 5 days by Jake Knapp

    Podcasts:

    Mckinsey’s “Inside the strategy room”

    Freddie Wong “Started from the bottom”

    “Strategy Skills” by FirmsConsulting

    I said what I said

    234 Essential

    Please subscribe to my Substack newsletter “The Spotlight: Product Research and Strategy” and follow me on LinkedIn for more UX research resources and insights

    New episodes will be published weekly. If you have any suggestions or questions, please complete the Q&A intake form.