Michele Hansen

Michele Hansen, co-founder and CEO of Geocodio and author of "Deploy Empathy," shares her insights on user research in an AI-driven world. She emphasizes that while AI can assist with tasks like transcription, it cannot replicate the invaluable insights gained from real customer conversations. Michele explores the role of curiosity in interviews, the pitfalls of relying solely on synthetic users, and how research should transform teams, not just products. Her core message? Engage with real people for genuine understanding, even in the age of AI.

My guest today is Michele Hansen (@mjwhansen) and she is here to challenge the stereotype that developers fear talking to customers and are naturally bad at it. We'll also get into specific principles and tactics from her recent book, "Deploy Empathy: A Practical Guide to Interviewing Customers."Read Deploy Empathy: https://deployempathy.com/Follow Michele on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjwhansenCheck out her podcast: https://softwaresocial.dev/

Michele and Mathias Hansen, founders of Geocodio, share their journey from a personal need to a thriving SaaS. They discuss the joys and challenges of growing a business as a married couple, emphasizing the importance of communication and intentional hiring in a remote environment. The duo explores the strategic use of contractors and virtual assistants to enhance flexibility. They also highlight valuing user feedback and reflect on their contentment in collaborating while balancing work and personal passions.

In this engaging conversation, Michele Hansen, CEO of Geocodio and author of Deploy Empathy, shares her insights on customer interviews and product development. She emphasizes the importance of understanding user workflows to inspire better product tweaks. The hosts also chat about Aaron's upcoming vision quest and skincare tips, while Michele raises attention to the need for hands-on learning in coding through real-world projects. They touch on Geocodio's innovative geocoding solutions and Michele's plans for updating her book with fresh content on AI.

Michele Hansen, an author and expert in customer research, discusses her latest book on mastering customer interviews. She highlights the transformative power of user feedback in building startups. Topics include the importance of empathy in understanding customer needs and how to leverage feature requests for deeper insights into user intent. Hansen offers practical advice for conducting effective interviews and compares her approach to the Jobs to Be Done framework, emphasizing the need for alignment between product vision and customer expectations.