People of Product

Currently serving as President of Diode Ventures, the infrastructure development arm of Black & Veatch, Brad Hardin has worked as a LEED-accredited architect, construction manager, and technology leader in a national and international capacity with a focus on business development/procurement, technology strategy, and growth. Join me in this week’s conversation with Brad as we discuss the crucial role of infrastructure development for the future of artificial intelligence and how to integrate advanced technology effectively and sustainably while highlighting the significance of a strong, collaborative team and a culture of continuous learning.Topics covered in this episode include:* the challenges of archaic systems* benefits of prefabrication and automation in construction* the fascinating possibilities of quantum computing * community engagement and public perception* the role of humans in a tech-driven world Join the conversation 👇🏼What antiquated legacy systems do you notice in your professional or personal life that need to be updated? Are they updates technology can achieve, or are they better left for humans to handle?Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Imagine the job site of the future, where autonomous drones are moving material across the worksite and earth is being moved by vehicles being operated by people across the world, all driven by AI. These are a few of the things we get to talk about this week on the podcast with Jeff Danley. Jeff Danley, is the Director of Innovation at Burns & McDonnell, and he has over 20 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of technology and business. He’s been at the forefront of technological evolution, from the early days of the internet to the transformative impact of mobile devices, and now he leads the charge in leveraging AI to redefine industry standards. The topics we cover in this episode include: * the future of construction sites driven by AI * autonomous drones* the importance of connectivity* the challenges of integrating new tech into a traditionally laggard industry* building a “digital fabric” to connect people, equipment, and materials* enhancing safety on job sites using AI Join the conversation 👇🏼What issues involving safety, efficiency, and connectivity have you encountered in your professional environment that could be remedied by AI? Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Join me in a conversation with Eric Whobrey, VP of Innovation at ARCO Construction, as we explore the parallels between the design-build process in technology and construction and how Eric navigates the tension between making sure that the organization is rowing in the same direction while also giving permission to experiment, innovate, and maybe even stretch the rules a little bit every once in a while.In this episode, we’ll talk about:* challenges and opportunities in balancing organizational efficiency with the need for innovation* the importance of solving 'gray area' challenges* the role of AI and robotics in construction* training, communication, and empathy in innovation* overcoming adoption and scalability challengesJoin the conversation! 👇🏼What are some ways that organizations can encourage growth and innovation while maintaining consistent deliverables for our clients?Where to find Eric: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericwhobrey/Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams.00:00 Introduction to the Intersection of Technology and Construction01:20 Meet Eric Whobrey: VP of Innovation at Arco01:58 Exploring Gray Areas and Innovation Challenges04:48 The Role of AI and Robotics in Construction10:18 Design-Build Collaboration and Agile Methodologies20:05 Operational Challenges and Data Management29:57 Adoption and Change Management in Construction35:37 Looking Ahead: The Future of Construction Innovation38:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Construction leaders, this one is for you! This week on the podcast, we hear how J.E. Dunn Construction is piloting cutting-edge technology within their 100-year-old organization. They acknowledged that legacy and tradition are important, but so is future casting. Mark Stocks, VP and Director of Enterprise Architecture and his team are successfully balancing practicality and genuine innovation in an industry where it’s tough to do. In Q3 of 2024, Mark’s team is focusing on clean data and the ‘big three’ — AI, ML, and citizen development — to drive growth and efficiency. Hear how this major general contractor is adopting Microsoft’s CoPilot for meeting summaries and form-building, integrating Autodesk for project management, and utilizing low-code/no-code platforms to streamline business processes. Where to find Mark: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markstocks/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

People of Product is back from a hiatus! In this brief episode, we'll fill you in on what to expect from the next season. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Technology is changing the way we approach construction - from planning and visualization to project management. In this week's episode, Aaron Henderson of STACK Construction Technologies shares insights from his perspective after having shifted from traditional construction consulting to the tech-driven realm. George and Aaron talk about showcasing some of the exciting aspects of construction to attract new talent, niching down to specialize in specific markets, and picking the right technologies when each project is unique. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Blake Reichenbach, a product manager at Hubspot, discusses the importance of serving customers and making them love your product. They also explore the role of innovation while creating value. Other topics include building trust within a product team, navigating infrastructure in a large tech organization, the significance of good intentions in collaboration, and finding passion beyond work.

Anna Jordan-Douglass, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Makefully Studios, shares her insights on the intersection of technology and playful learning. She discusses the significance of play in education and explains how creativity, design, and technology can be used to engage children. Anna also shares her journey into the field and highlights the evolution of educational technology. Tune in to learn more about her impactful work and current projects.

George Brooks interviews Lamees Butt, the Senior Vice President of Global Alliances and Channels at Zoovu. Lamees shares her passion for improving the customer experience and reducing employee workloads through AI-powered solutions, the importance of focusing on customer value, and reimagining the customer journey to drive growth. They discuss the role of AI in personalizing the buying experience and helping businesses make data-driven decisions. Lamees also highlights the opportunities for B2B organizations to transform their processes and create better digital experiences. Tune in to gain insights into the future of AI and how it can revolutionize business operations and customer satisfaction. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

George interviews Ryan Glasgow, CEO of Sprig, discussing the power of asking the right questions, user feedback transforming a mobile app, customer-centricity in product management, unconventional team structures, and early 'aha!' moments.