David Zimmer, Chief Product & Strategy Officer at dunnhumby, shares insights on product thinking, digital transformation challenges, driving behavioral change, speed and horizons in product thinking, and the importance of product thinking in achieving success in the B2B sector.
Digital native companies prioritize technology investments based on business contribution, while traditional businesses struggle to prioritize platform investments and non-customer facing innovations.
Driving behavioral change requires being directive, using exemplars, setting horizons, and making continuous improvement and customer-centricity part of day-to-day operations.
Deep dives
Introduction to the podcast
This podcast episode introduces the 'Power of Product Thinking' series, where leaders who have embraced a product thinking approach in their organizations are interviewed. The aim of the series is to explore strategies for creating exceptional products that deliver value to customers, teams, and businesses.
About Dom Humby and their role
David Zimmer, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Dom Humby, provides an overview of the company's focus and operations. Dom Humby is a customer data science platform that collaborates with retailers and consumer package goods manufacturers to leverage data from loyalty cards and point of sale systems. Their advanced data science capabilities help optimize pricing, promotions, and supply chain strategies, enabling retailers and CBGs to make informed decisions based on data-driven insights.
Differences between digital native and traditional businesses
David highlights the differences he has observed between digital native businesses and traditional ones as a product leader. Digital native companies view technology as an integral part of their business strategy, not just an enabler. They measure technology investments based on business contribution rather than just cost. In contrast, traditional businesses often struggle to prioritize platform investments and non-customer facing innovations. They also face challenges in transitioning from legacy systems and working methods.
Key factors in driving behavioral change
David emphasizes the importance of driving behavioral change in organizations. He suggests being directive at times instead of waiting for everyone to be ready, and using exemplars to inspire and influence others. Setting horizons is also crucial, providing a clear view of what each stage of transformation looks like. David believes that making continuous improvement and customer-centricity part of the day-to-day operations helps create lasting change. He also emphasizes the need for a focus on execution and a hybrid approach to sales and marketing in product-led growth.
It seems like everyone’s talking about product thinking, but do we truly understand what it means in practice? dunnhumby’s Chief Product & Strategy Officer, David Zimmer, shares his learnings as a product leader whose career spans both traditional and digital-native organizations. This episode will give product and business leaders valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities of becoming a product organization.
Host: Kimberly Boyd, Head of Customer Marketing & Insights, Thoughtworks
Guest: David Zimmer, Chief Product & Strategy Officer, dunnhumby
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