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Product Coffee
Product Coffee
197 episodes
1 week ago
Product Management Leaders share stories, advice, and thoughts on all things product over a cup of coffee. ☕️ Grab a cup of joe and join us to level up your product career.
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Business
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All content for Product Coffee is the property of Product Coffee and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Product Management Leaders share stories, advice, and thoughts on all things product over a cup of coffee. ☕️ Grab a cup of joe and join us to level up your product career.
Show more...
Business
Episodes (20/197)
Product Coffee
197. Mastering Solopreneurship (w/Liz Steblay)

In this episode of Product Coffee, Kevin sits down with Liz Steblay, a two-time entrepreneur, solopreneur advocate, and founder of PICA (Professional Independent Consultants of America) and the ProCo Agency. Liz shares her insights from over 20 years of consulting experience, including her six keys to solopreneur success, advice on pricing, and strategies to build wealth while doing work you love.


🎙 Topics Covered:

  • Overcoming fear, uncertainty, and doubt (the “FUD Monster”).
  • The importance of narrowing your niche and being memorable.
  • How to grow and nurture your professional network for long-term success.
  • Why running your solopreneurship like a business is essential.
  • Tips for setting rates, pricing strategies, and transitioning to fixed pricing models.
  • Building wealth as a solopreneur through smart tax and financial practices.
  • Emerging trends in fractional leadership and productizing services.


📌 Episode Highlights:

  • 6 Keys to Solopreneurship: Practical steps to thrive in self-employment.
  • Vanquishing FUD: Identify and tame the fears holding you back.
  • Be Known and Memorable: Tips for creating a distinct brand and reputation.
  • Networking Insights: The power of outreach and building trust over time.
  • Wealth-Building Tactics: Tax strategies, retirement planning, and financial management.
  • Future Trends: The rise of fractional executives and solopreneur-friendly tools.


💡 Listener Homework:

Try Liz’s “More Of/Less Of” exercise:

  1. Draw a circle on a piece of paper.
  2. Write “MORE OF” inside the circle and “LESS OF” outside.
  3. Jot down tasks and activities over the next week to clarify what energizes or drains you.


📚 Resources & Links:

Liz’s Book: Succeeding as a Solopreneur: Six Keys to Taking the Leap, Winning Clients, and Building Wealth.

Learn More: Visit sixkeys.info for Liz’s courses, book, and more.

Platforms Mentioned: Thinkific, Kajabi, Squarespace.


☕ About the Show:

Product Coffee is your go-to podcast for insights, stories, and advice from product management leaders, served with a side of caffeine.

Got Feedback?

Share your thoughts, questions, or ideas for future episodes at ProductCoffeePodcast.com. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

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10 months ago
50 minutes 39 seconds

Product Coffee
196. The Future of QA (w/Khurram Javed Mir)

Discover how Khurram Javed Mir, Co-founder and Chief at Kualitatem, is revolutionizing quality assurance (QA) and software testing with automation and AI. In this insightful episode, Khurram shares his 15+ years of experience building a global QA consulting and product company, achieving TMMI Level 5 certification, and integrating AI into testing workflows. Learn about his journey from software test engineer to entrepreneur, the importance of embedding quality in every stage of product development, and how AI-driven test case generation and reporting can transform QA processes. Perfect for product managers, QA professionals, and aspiring founders, this episode offers actionable insights into problem-solving, team building, and the future of quality assurance.

Connect with Khurram Mir:

Khurram on LinkedIn

Support Product Coffee:

Merch: Get your Product Coffee mug and stickers at ProductCoffeePodcast.com.

Feedback: Share ideas or questions via a voice message—your input might be featured in an episode!

Subscribe & Review: Don’t miss an episode! Follow Product Coffee on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Timeline:

  • 00:28 Meet Khurram Javed Mir: QA Powerhouse

  • 01:00 The Journey to Kualitatem

  • 02:40 Challenges in QA and Testing

  • 05:00 The Importance of Early Testing

  • 06:48 Automation in QA

  • 08:26 AI's Role in Testing

  • 12:39 Future Trends and Opportunities

  • 20:42 Founding Kualitatem: A Personal Journey

  • 23:44 The Importance of Complementary Skills in Co-Founders

  • 24:23 Securing the First Customer: A Journey of Persistence

  • 26:39 Innovative Business Models and Customer Confidence

  • 28:44 Learning from User Feedback and Product Evolution

  • 32:05 The Role of Intuition in Product Management

  • 33:29 Future Horizons: AI and Reporting Innovations

  • 42:13 Balancing Work and Personal Growth

  • 44:39 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Founders

  • 46:05 Conclusion and Homework

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11 months ago
47 minutes 16 seconds

Product Coffee
195. Trust, Teams, & Transformative Leadership (w/Bob Ainsbury)

In this episode of Product Coffee, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Bob Ainsbury, Chief Product Officer at Granicus, for an engaging conversation on trust, team dynamics, and navigating complexity in the GovTech space. Bob shares his journey from software engineer to CPO, leading Granicus through remarkable growth—from a small team of 90 to over 2,200 people globally.

Discover how Bob approaches platform strategies, integrates AI/ML to deliver customer outcomes, and fosters trust within government systems and communities. The discussion dives deep into leadership insights, including empowering teams, managing ADHD in high-stakes roles, and balancing long-term vision with short-term priorities.

If you’re curious about scaling organizations, building trust in products and people, or actionable advice for leaders looking to make an impact, this episode is packed with takeaways for product managers at every level.

Takeaways this week:

• Challenge yourself to simplify and focus: What can you remove from your roadmap or scope to create more impact?

• Reflect as a leader: How can your actions better inspire and empower your team?

Tune in, level up, and discover how to lead with intention and adaptability.


Resources:

  • Kevin Gentry on LinkedIn
  • Bob Ainsbury on LinkedIn


📍 Visit ProductCoffeePodcast.com for merch, voice messages, and more episodes!

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11 months ago
45 minutes 45 seconds

Product Coffee
194. Mastering Flywheels & OKRs (w/Brendan Fortune)

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.

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1 year ago
47 minutes 31 seconds

Product Coffee
193. Human-Centered Products (w/Nick McEvily)

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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1 year ago
47 minutes 2 seconds

Product Coffee
192. Consumer-Centric Innovation (w/Rani Al Hajji)

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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1 year ago
46 minutes 28 seconds

Product Coffee
191. Farther, Faster, & Far Less Drama (w/Jason Fraser)

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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1 year ago
48 minutes 37 seconds

Product Coffee
190. Untrapping Product Teams (w/David Pereria)

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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1 year ago
41 minutes 46 seconds

Product Coffee
189. Building Balance (w/Paul Ballenger & Leslie Kee)

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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1 year ago
42 minutes 42 seconds

Product Coffee
188. Impact-Driven Product Management (w/Matt LeMay)

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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1 year ago
52 minutes 17 seconds

Product Coffee
187. It Depends... (w/Phil Hornby)

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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1 year ago
49 minutes 32 seconds

Product Coffee
186. Strategies for AI-Driven Product Management (w/Ian Cairns)

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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1 year ago
44 minutes 3 seconds

Product Coffee
185. Trying Different (w/Hannah Clark)

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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1 year ago
44 minutes 4 seconds

Product Coffee
184. Navigating the Startup Journey (w/Elliott Poppel)

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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1 year ago
51 minutes 21 seconds

Product Coffee
183. The Two-Hour Design Sprint (w/Teresa Cain)

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 ☕️

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1 year ago
43 minutes 6 seconds

Product Coffee
182. Lessons on Product Leadership & Transformation (w/Nick Jemetta)
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/ ☕️
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1 year ago
41 minutes 43 seconds

Product Coffee
181. Effective Design & Empowered Teams (w/Scot Przybylski)

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 LinkedIn Timeline: 00:00 Introduction to Product Coffee 00:27 Meet Scot: A Journey in Product Design 01:08 Transitioning to UX and Product Management 02:39 Challenges in Organizational Change 04:56 Implementing Agile and Change Management 06:56 Design's Strategic Importance 08:35 Wins from Design and Usability Improvements 11:27 Building Effective Product Teams 14:12 Facilitating Design Critiques and Psychological Safety 16:13 Fostering Innovation in Product Development 21:21 Empowered Teams and Leadership Training 25:20 Accountability in Product Teams 27:48 Design Practices for Product Managers 30:37 Coaching and Mentoring in Design 33:59 Final Thoughts and Homework Check out our website @ ⁠⁠productcoffeepodcast.com⁠⁠ ☕️


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1 year ago
36 minutes 38 seconds

Product Coffee
180. Building A Product-Led Lifestyle Business (w/Gleb Gordeev)

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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1 year ago
46 minutes 5 seconds

Product Coffee
179. The Curly Paths to Product Success (w/Kenan Akbas)

In this episode of Product Coffee, Kenan, a seasoned entrepreneur with a rich background spanning from traditional Chinese medicine to technology, shares his unconventional journey into the world of startups and product management. Initially starting in the health and wellness space, Kenan co-founded Unified Practice, an EHR tailored for Chinese medicine, driven by personal frustration with existing systems. Now, as the co-founder and CEO of AlignWith, he discusses the challenges of managing product teams and go-to-market strategies, the importance of creativity in product development, and the role of customer support in product teams. Kenan emphasizes the value of preparation, the significance of having complementary skill sets in a founding team, and shares insights on allowing personal interests and professional endeavors to inform each other for better problem-solving and innovation.


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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1 year ago
25 minutes 14 seconds

Product Coffee
178. Transform Your Product Craft (w/Marty Cagan)

In this episode of Product Coffee, we have the privilege of hosting Marty Cagan, a renowned expert in product management. Marty dives into the key ideas from his latest book 'Transformed' and shares invaluable insights with our listeners. Throughout the conversation, Marty explores the significance of case studies, addresses common objections, and delves into the dynamic between empowered product teams and shipping features. He introduces thought-provoking concepts like 'time to money' versus 'time to market' and highlights the critical role of psychological safety and ethical considerations within product teams.

Throughout the episode, Marty underscores the urgent need for companies and individuals in the product space to adapt and adopt best practices from successful product companies in order to remain competitive and relevant. This podcast episode is a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone interested in product management and its transformative power.


Find Marty here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/

Find Kevin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevingentry/


00:00 Welcome to Product Coffee: Kicking Off with Marty Cagan

00:52 Diving Into 'Transformed': Insights and Feedback

01:41 Addressing Industry Objections and Empowerment

05:37 Global Product Management: Trends and Cultural Insights

11:28 The Role of Product Coaches and SVPG's Approach

14:41 Challenges and Learnings in Product Transformation

18:55 Ethical Considerations in Product Management and AI

25:38 Exploring the Impact of Generative AI on Engineering Teams

25:58 The Future of Product Teams and Leadership Dynamics

27:47 Navigating Psychological Safety in Competitive Product Teams

30:35 The Importance of Coaching and Developing Product Leaders

33:08 A Personal Journey: From Engineer to Product Expert

38:32 Addressing Listener Questions on Product Management Challenges

50:09 Final Thoughts and Future Endeavors


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

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1 year ago
52 minutes 3 seconds

Product Coffee
Product Management Leaders share stories, advice, and thoughts on all things product over a cup of coffee. ☕️ Grab a cup of joe and join us to level up your product career.