Product Agility

The world of Product Discovery and Creation is becoming increasingly challenging due to mistakes and missed opportunities that are prevalent in agile teams, large-scale Scrum and all other agile frameworks. History has shown that when organisations try and scale their product development to more than one cross-functional team, mistakes are made that cut short many chances of getting all possible benefits.The route of this for many is the need for more attention paid to the incredible advancements in Product Management driven by hordes of professional Product People who prove that making their customers happier is not a pipe dream but a hard and fast reality.This podcast exists to explore all topics related to Product and Agility and Coaching. How do you marry the agile principles with Product discovery?Is it really possible to have hundreds of cross-functional teams (or Product Teams) all working from an effectively prioritised single Product Backlog and a dedicated Product Owner?How can you embrace continuous improvement and empirical process control for your product, people and processes?Ever wondered how to overcome the problems people face when trying to scale the Product Owner role and how it relates to Product Management and Product Teams?Baffled by how to define a product in such a way that enables Feature Teams (aka Product Teams) and why doing wrong means you will only ever be stuck with technical teams? Scrum Teams are not compatible with modern product management techniques.Want to know what Product Focus means and how the right focus makes creating a shippable product less painful?Need to get your head around how to blend modern product management techniques with Sprint Planning and Sprint Reviews to achieve Product Increments that cover the entire product?This podcast's original focus was on Scaling Scrum vs Single-Team Scrum and how organisations can reap the benefits of Scrum when working on a larger product but still keeping a single product backlog. We found many Product People liked what we said, and then the penny dropped. This isn't a podcast about scaling Scrum or the limitations of single-team Scrum.This podcast is for Product People & agile advocates who coach or get their hands dirty with Product creation.We promise there is no Taboo topic that we will not explore on your behalf. We aim to transcend the conversations about a single team, Daily Scrums, Scrum Masters and the double-diamond and bring everyone together into responsible teams dedicated to working on the entire product to make their customers happier and their lives more fulfilling.Come and join us on our improvement towards perfection, and give us your feedback (we have a strong customer focus, too), and who knows, perhaps we will discover the magic wand that we can wave over all the broken agile and sudo-products to create a more resilient and adaptable future by bringing the worlds of Product, Agility and coaching together.This podcast has the conversations and insights you need.

Latest episodes

Feb 15, 2024 • 40min

Life's Too Short for Bad Meetings: Make Meetings Worth Your Time (With Evan Unger)

Send us a textEvan Unger is a visionary leader dedicated to revolutionising virtual collaboration in the digital workplace. As the Founder of Schwartz + Associates, Evan understands the complexities of making virtual meetings not only productive but transformative. His innovative approach, highlighted in the 4-day Collaborative Leadership: Virtual Facilitation Skills Program, focuses on group decision-making, prevention strategies, agenda design, and the art of high-stakes facilitation. Through Evan's guidance, organisations can thrive in the new-age digital workplace, fostering enhanced attitude, confidence, and skill transfer for increased performance and productivity🚀Listeners interested in Evan's program can save up to $2,000 by contacting him directly.Ever felt that meetings are the bane of your work life? Say goodbye to those draining hours, because Evan Unger joins us to turn the tide on ineffective meetings. With his extensive background in rejuvenating corporate collaboration, Evan shares transformative insights that promise to convert your meeting dread into anticipation for dynamic, outcome-oriented workshops.This episode isn't just about complaining over lost time; it's a treasure trove of strategies to elevate meeting efficiency and productivity. We dissect the anatomy of a meeting from takeoff to landing and arm you with the tools to ensure each participant's voice is not only heard but valued. Evan's mastery in facilitating virtual meetings post-pandemic is an invaluable guide for those looking to cut through the digital disconnect and foster true collaboration.Wrapping it all up, we tackle the elephant in the room—managing challenging personalities in high-stakes meetings. Discover how to navigate the complexities of group dynamics and maintain focus, driven by clear objectives and well-structured agendas. Your meetings can be powerful catalysts for change; join us and learn how to control the reins from an expert who has seen—and transformed—it all.Key Highlights:🔍 10:15 - Empowering Voices For Inclusive Decision-Making🔍 15:14 - Meeting Madness: The Time Drain🔍 21:51 - Mastering Facilitation: Purpose, Process, Roles 🔍 28:57 - Effective Meeting ProcesHost Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Feb 8, 2024 • 36min

Building Your Model For Leading Change (With Marsha Acker, Founder & CEO of TeamCatapult)

Send us a textMarsha Acker, CPCC, PCC, CPF, brings a wealth of expertise and passion to the conversation. As the host of the Defining Moments of Leadership podcast, founder, and CEO of TeamCatapult, and the author of the groundbreaking book, The Art and Science of Facilitation, Marsha is internationally recognised for her role as a facilitator, coach, and agile enthusiast. With over 28 years of experience, Marsha specialises in coaching technical leaders and their teams, emphasising executive and leadership coaching, organisational change management, and team assessments. Known for empowering leaders and teams globally, Marsha's unique approach draws on systems thinking, structural dynamics, and agility, offering invaluable insights into navigating growth, change, and creating positive impact🚀🎙️ In our latest episode, we had the privilege of digging into the intricate world of change leadership with the brilliant Marsha Acker. Marsha shared invaluable insights on mastering change, navigating conversations, and empowering both individuals and teams through self-awareness and group dynamics.Key Highlights:🔍 4:04 - Mastering Change: Balancing Knowledge And Curiosity🔍 5:02 - Enrolling People In Change: Navigating Conversations🔍 6:20 - Empowerment Through Self-awareness And Group Dynamics🔍 9:27 - Real-time Feedback: Key To Leadership Growth🔍 15:51 - Leading Change: Behavioural And Communication Models🔍 35:30 - Overcoming Self As Obstacle: A Recap🌟 Tune in to the Product Agility podcast and immerse yourself in the wealth of knowledge shared by Marsha Acker and your host Ben Maynard. Don't miss the chance to enhance your leadership skills and navigate change with confidence! 🚀✨ Host Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Jan 11, 2024 • 34min

Product Catastrophes & Finding the Right Crew (With Mirela Mus, Founder & CPO of Product People)

Send us a textMirela Mus, the esteemed Founder & CPO of Product People, graces the Product Agility podcast with the first episode of 2024 to reveal her expert insights on averting product mishaps and championing rapid product delivery. With a wealth of experience spanning over a decade, Mirela has honed her expertise in product discovery, OKRs, and operations, making significant strides in multiple industries, from mobility to fintech, for giants like Zalando and Tier to Techstars startups.In this episode, delve into the mind of Mirela Mus as she discusses the fulcrum of crafting great products: understanding cultural fit, surviving high-pressure environments, and the essence of product management synergy amidst challenges. Navigate the intricate dynamics of team compatibility, hiring processes, and transformational growth through Mirela's experienced lens 🚀Mirela on LinkedIn - [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirela-m/]Tune in as Ben and Mirela delve deep into the core of Product People's mission, the intensity of interim roles, and the strategic significance of fitting into corporate cultures. Listen closely for tactics on surviving rigorous environments like Amazon's high-bar interviews and how to give candidates a fair warning about the pressure that accompanies interim positions💡Discover Mirela's compelling outlook on accommodating diverse workforce expectations and fostering team efficiency🧠Key Highlights:🔍 03:37 - Navigating Regulatory Challenges In Crypto🔍 05:22 - How To Kill Your Start-Up - Ignore Regulation🔍 09:14 - Challenges And Complexities Of Crypto Start-Ups🔍 14:57 - Culture Fit and Process Failures🔍 19:52 - Beating Company Culture Challenges🔍 23:50 - Office Gossip: A Hidden Agenda🔍 27:37 - Winning At Salary NegotiationsSeize the opportunity to glean Mirela's valuable strategies and broaden your perspective on product management and agility. This conversation with Mirela Mus is a treasure trove for anyone eager to excel in the cross-intersection of products, teams, and markets. Tune in to harness her rich insigHost Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Dec 21, 2023 • 35min

Mind the Ego - The Importance of Ethics (With Shane Hastie)

Send us a textShane Hastie, Global Delivery Lead at SoftEd, joins the Product Agility podcast this week for a deep dive into the ethics behind technology and the crucial importance of maintaining ethical standards in an ever-evolving digital landscape. With a background in coaching, leadership, and Agile learning, Shane brings to the table a perspective that bridges the gap between human values and technological advancement.Get ready to delve into a conversation that marries the intricacies of ethics with the principles of Agile in this revealing episode with Shane Hastie 🚀Shane on LinkedIn - [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanehastie/]In this engaging episode, Shane Hastie converses with host Ben Maynard about the intersection of ethics and technology within the Agile framework. Shane unpacks the challenges faced by organisations in upholding ethical standards and the role that leaders must play in fostering an environment that emphasises moral responsibility✨Join us as Shane elucidates on the concept of 'Mind the Ego' and the importance of ethics in technology. He highlights the impacts of ethical considerations on global delivery and the significance of integrity in Agile practices💡Experience the blend of Shane's professional coaching expertise and his extensive background in Agile learning as he navigates through the nuances of ethical technology management and empowers listeners to integrate these values into their own practices🧠Key Highlights:🔍 4:08 - Getting Client Answers Through Agile Coaching🔍 6:00 - Balancing Roles In Agile Coaching🔍 15:17 -The Need For Professional Coaching Supervision 🔍 16:47 - Ethical Training For Agile Coaches🔍 18:33 - Balancing Confidentiality And Accountability🔍 23:21 - The Importance Of Trust In Coaching🔍 29:51 - The Power Of Co-coaching🔍 30:58 - Empowering Peer Support In Professional DevelopmentTune into this episode to explore with Shane Hastie the intersection of ethics and technology in the Agile space, and uncover strategies to ensure that your team operates not only with efficiency but with a strong ethical compass. Engage with us now to learn how tHost Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Dec 18, 2023 • 2min

A Special Festive Message

Send us a textTune in for a heartwarming bonus episode as we bid farewell 🎅 to 2023, hot on the heels of our enlightening chat with Shane Hastie🌟 We're decking the halls and taking a festive break, but not before we spread some Christmas cheer and look back on a fantastic year with gratitude🙏 We'll be on hiatus, soaking up the holiday spirit 🎄, and returning with fresh episodes from January 11th🗓️ Wishing all our listeners a magical Christmas 🎁 and a prosperous New Year!✨ See you in 2024!🎊🍾Host Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Dec 14, 2023 • 46min

Analysis is Dead! Long Live Analysis! (With Shane Hastie)

Send us a textShane Hastie, Global Delivery Lead at SoftEd, joins us this week to delve into the ever-changing landscape of product analysis and the profound insights from his latest endeavours. With an extensive 40-year career, Shane has shaped the agile and product development communities, advocating for methods that genuinely work and stepping into a variety of roles from practitioner to leader across the development sphere.Prepare to journey through a thought-provoking discussion with Shane Hastie on refining analysis and enhancing product development processes 🚀Shane on LinkedIn - [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanehastie/]In this episode, Shane shares his wealth of knowledge with host Ben Maynard, tackling the pitfalls of traditional backlog management and the innovative concepts from his recent work. He emphasises the importance of discerning idea value, streamlining scrum delivery, and aligning cross-functional teams with diverse perspectives for effective product design✨Listeners will discover how to transform a bloated product backlog into a dynamic value delivery system, employing strategies like "The Rock Crusher" for filtering ideas and the crucial "wastegate" mechanism for discarding non-valuable concepts💡Tune in as Shane advocates for the pivotal role of various skill sets in understanding customer needs and managing cross-business prioritisation, underscoring the idea that successful product ownership is truly a collective effort🧠Key Highlights:🔍 2:55 - Agile Before It Was Spoilt🔍 16:24 - Poor Communication = Unused Features 🔍 18:00 - Backlogs: Where Ideas Go To Die🔍 19:11 - The Trash Can Method For Backlog Improvement🔍 23:40 - Essential Skills For Business Analysts🔍 25:56 - Embracing Diversity In Product Ownership🔍 27:03 - Managing Cross-Business Prioritisation Challenges🔍 28:30 - Solving Conflicting Needs In Organisations Don't miss this episode for an in-depth look at optimising product analysis through agile principles and practices. Shane Hastie's insights are invaluable for those looking to drive their product development towards meaningful innovation. Tune in to gHost Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

Dec 7, 2023 • 43min

Make Product Play Nice with Agile (With Mike Moran)

Send us a textMike Moran, Director of Product at The Floow and seasoned product leader, brings his second round of insights on integrating product management into Agile workflows. With his rich experience across various industries, Mike shares the significance of fostering a collaborative environment that propels products from conceptualisation to successful market adoption.Prepare to explore the synergy between Agile methodologies and product innovation in this revealing conversation with Mike Moran 🚀Mike on LinkedIn - [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-moran-4a05251/]In this insightful episode, Mike Moran returns to converse with host Ben Maynard about the symbiotic relationship between product management and Agile development practices. Mike dissects the importance of creating organisational dynamics that nurture effective communication and idea exchange, advocating for cross-functional team engagement and stakeholder alignment✨Join us as Mike elaborates on employing design thinking, utilising prioritisation frameworks like the Kano model, and enhancing interface dynamics between product and engineering teams💡Revel in the wisdom shared by Mike as he tackles the practical aspects of fostering a culture that not only comprehends the 'why' behind product initiatives but also participates actively in each stage of the product lifecycle🧠Key Highlights:🔍 14:20 - Marketing + Product = Delivery Success🔍 19:35 - Lean Start-Up Is Not Just For Startups SHOCKER! 🔍 20:37 - A Crucial Lesson In Product Development🔍 27:12 - Kah-No or Kano? Who Cares If It's Working🔍 32:12 - Juggling = Critical Product Manager Skill🔍 40:02 - Product Ideas To Actionable Data🔍 41:44 - Embrace Failure, Learn, SucceedCatch this episode to gain first-hand knowledge on how to amalgamate Agile practices with a product-centric approach, ensuring that your development teams are inspired and knowledgeable about the products they are crafting. Tune in now to discover the strategies that will facilitate dynamic communication and successful product development!🎙Host Bio Ben is a seasoned expert in product agility coaching, unleashing the potential of people and products. With over a decade of experience, his focus now is product-led growth & agility in organisations of all sizes. Stay up-to-date with us on our social media📱! Ben Maynard 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmaynard-sheev/ 🐦 https://x.com/BenWMaynard 💻 https://sheev.co.uk/ Product Agility Podcast 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/productagilitypod/ 💻 https://productagilitypod.co.uk/ 🖇️ https://linktr.ee/productagility Listen & Share On Spotify & iTunes Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0lkwAYJzVSuk5zfJ1vIDZq?si=4c691fb12f124a56 iTunes - https://apple.co/3YvTX8p Want to come on the podcast? Want to be a guest or have a guest request? Let us know here https://bit.ly/49osN80

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