How I Tested That

Ann Carden is a renowned business growth consultant and international best-selling author who shares her journey of building and exiting multiple businesses. She delves into the critical importance of testing business ideas and understanding market needs. Ann discusses how to effectively target premium clients and the challenges within the coaching industry. She also emphasizes the value of writing purposeful books that align with business goals, and shares insights on creating premium business models that enhance profitability and audience engagement.

In this episode we interview Deon Crasto.  Deon started his product management career at OnDeck Capital, a small business lending platform, where he focused on payments growth. He currently leads payments and ML- driven risk assessment at Velocity Global. Deon and I discussed the importance of curiosity and problem-solving in product management. We talked about the significance of metrics, and in particular, how to avoid vanity metrics. Deon shared some of the challenges of aligning teams with company goals and navigating regulations in experimentation.  Use the discount code PODCAST for $50 off a ticket to our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop on April 29th: www.eventbrite.com/e/1309306534089/?discount=PODCAST

In this conversation, Chris Hood shares his diverse background in storytelling across various media, including movies, video games, and digital marketing. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in engaging consumers and how it connects to business strategies. The discussion explores the iterative nature of game development, the significance of customer feedback in marketing, and the evolving role of AI in media. Chris also highlights the challenges of balancing creativity with market demands and the necessity of testing ideas with real audiences. Use the discount code PODCAST for $50 off a ticket to our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop on April 29th: www.eventbrite.com/e/1309306534089/?discount=PODCAST

Erich Archer, an Emmy award-winning television producer and AI video production pioneer, shares insights into the transformative power of AI in content creation. He discusses his journey from traditional video production to embracing AI tools for efficiency, emphasizing iterative testing and human creativity. The conversation explores the evolution of video tools, the impact of remote work on production practices, and the innovative possibilities of using AI, like custom GPTs, to enhance creative workflows while maintaining thoughtful decision-making.

In this conversation, David J Bland and Michael Clifford discuss the intersection of habitat design, conservation, and design thinking. Michael shares his unique journey from zookeeper to strategy director for Reverse the Red, a global coalition aimed at halting species extinction. They explore the importance of challenging assumptions in habitat design, the role of observation in understanding animal behavior, and the need for context-specific strategies in conservation efforts. The conversation emphasizes the significance of collaboration, the necessity of creating environments conducive to desired outcomes, and the value of indigenous knowledge in addressing biodiversity loss. Use the discount code PODCAST for $50 off a ticket to our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop on April 29th: www.eventbrite.com/e/1309306534089/?discount=PODCAST

In this engaging podcast episode, David J Bland hosts Bruce McCarthy and Melissa Appel, who share their insights on product management, stakeholder alignment, and the journey of writing their new book, 'Aligned.' They discuss the challenges of managing stakeholders, the importance of face-to-face communication, and the iterative process of testing ideas and content for their book. The conversation also dives into marketing strategies post-publication and the exploration of new audiences and formats to enhance the book's impact. Use the discount code PODCAST for $50 off a ticket to our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop on April 29th: www.eventbrite.com/e/1309306534089/?discount=PODCAST

In this conversation, Amer Abu Khajil shares his journey from civil engineering to the tech world, emphasizing the parallels between building physical structures and developing products. He discusses the importance of testing and validation, drawing lessons from his engineering background, and outlines the process he created at TTT Studios for product development. Amer highlights the distinction between problem and solution validation and offers techniques for conducting effective customer interviews, ultimately stressing the need for a structured approach to understanding customer needs and segmenting them effectively. We explore the journey of building Perceptional, a tool designed to enhance user research through AI. Amer and David discuss the importance of understanding customer segments, the process of validating ideas, and the balance between automation and human interaction in research. Amer shares insights on product development, testing methodologies, and the challenges of creating a sustainable business model in the startup landscape. Use the discount code PODCAST for $50 off a ticket to our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop on April 29th: www.eventbrite.com/e/1309306534089/?discount=PODCAST

In this conversation, David discusses his journey with Lawline, the largest provider of online continuing legal education in the U.S. He shares insights on building resilience in business, the importance of experimentation in product development, and navigating pricing strategies. David also highlights the role of conferences in fostering B2B relationships and the balance between B2B and B2C strategies. We explore the transformative power of experimentation in business, particularly in the context of legal education and the integration of AI. We discuss the importance of understanding customer behavior, the challenges of operating within regulatory constraints, and the need for innovative approaches to education and service delivery. The dialogue emphasizes the value of shutting down non-viable projects to increase efficiency and the potential of new technologies to enhance learning experiences.David concludes with reflections on launching his own podcast as a personal growth experiment.  Use the discount code PODCAST for $50 off a ticket to our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop on April 29th: www.eventbrite.com/e/1309306534089/?discount=PODCAST

In this conversation, David J Bland and Lex Roman explore the evolution of experimentation in tech, discussing how perspectives on experimentation practices have shifted over the years. They dive into the role of social proof, ethical considerations, and the balance between experimentation and actionable insights. Lex shares her experiences working with non-tech industries, particularly journalism, and the challenges of measuring marketing effectiveness. The discussion wraps up with Lex's innovative approach to helping journalists grow their reader subscriptions and the creation of a playbook for success. Use the discount code PODCAST for $50 off a ticket to our upcoming Testing Business Ideas with ChatGPT Workshop on April 29th: www.eventbrite.com/e/1309306534089/?discount=PODCAST

Jeff Gothelf, a best-selling author and co-founder of Sense and Respond Learning, joins fellow author Josh Seiden to discuss scaling their training business. They share fascinating insights on testing assumptions and balancing qualitative and quantitative success metrics. The duo emphasizes the importance of community building and effective outreach in a post-pandemic world. They also explore the excitement of navigating uncertainty in entrepreneurship, highlighting how patience and diverse perspectives are crucial for success.