Intro

Christian sits down with Doug Cullen and Thomas Fredell to recount how the trio transformed Merrill Corporation into Datasite. Learn from the real stories, strategies, and tactics that turned a 50y/o company into a modern product model powerhouse.

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Today’s discussion unpacks:

• The immense benefits of Datasite’s transformation

• The kinds of challenges that arise in a transformation process

• How to align stakeholders around a transformation

• The all-important interpersonal side of successful transformation

• Advice for anyone going through a transformation process

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References:

• Changing How You Solve Problems: https://www.svpg.com/changing-how-you-solve-problems/

• Cloud Foundry: https://www.cloudfoundry.org/

• Datasite (Formerly known as Merrill Corporation): https://www.datasite.com/

• Digital Transformations: Datasite: https://www.svpg.com/podcasts/digital-transformations-datasite/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

• Good to Great by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996

• Microservices Architecture Style: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/guide/architecture-styles/microservices

• MongoDB: https://www.mongodb.com/

• SVPG’s Transformation Series: https://www.svpg.com/transformation-series/ 

• Transformation Defined: https://www.svpg.com/transformation-defined/

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Where to find SVPG:

• SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/

• Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/

• Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/

• Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/

• Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/

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Where to find Christian Idiodi:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/

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Where to find Doug Cullen:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougcullen/

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Where to find Thomas Fredell:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredell/

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro 

(01:02) The results of this transformation 

(03:21) Why Doug and Thomas joined the company 

(07:07) The company before transformation 

(12:17) First steps on the transformation journey 

(15:11) Near misses on the road to success 

(16:37) How do you pitch transformation to a board? 

(18:56) Finding the courage to make difficult changes 

(20:24) Uniting teams around transformation 

(26:51) The importance of building trust

(31:29) Roadbumps on the transformation journey 

(37:18) Transforming the tech foundations

(41:01) The importance of real customer discovery 

(45:28) Shifting how choices are made 

(49:06) Merrill's key transformation outcomes 

(50:08) Closing advice for transformations

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Disclaimer:

While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/

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Production:

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