The Way of Product with Caden Damiano

Hello listeners! This episode features Bryan Ferris, CEO of Goldfish Code.This episode explores the intersection of technology, strategy, and the essence of building communities within products.Bryan brings a wealth of experience from his tech strategy consulting firm and shares his unique approach to building scalable and engaging products.In this episode, he credits much of Goldfish’s success with his “motivation-driven design” process, which highlights the importance of aligning user motivations with business goals.We discussed:(04:41) Bryan’s background and the genesis of Goldfish Code(08:11) Insights on the role of a virtual CTO and strategic consulting(12:01) Building products with a motivation-driven design (15:18) The importance of community in product strategy(19:47) Effective client relationship management(24:30) Real-world examples of automation and efficiency improvements(30:18) Custom builds vs. leveraging existing solutions(35:45) The evolving role of AI in software development(41:04) How human needs drive business solutionsInterview Takeaways:Understanding Motivation-Driven DesignBryan’s approach focuses on user motivations to drive product development, such as loss avoidance and community belonging.Using behavioral psychology techniques, Goldfish Code ensures that products meet functional requirements and engage users emotionally.Community as a Core ElementBryan believes that effective products foster a sense of community among users.Whether it’s a FinTech application or an e-commerce platform, building features encouraging users to feel part of a larger group can drive engagement and loyalty.The Role of a Virtual CTOA virtual CTO brings strategic insights that can make or break a product. By starting with a minimum viable workflow and iterating based on real user feedback, Bryan’s team helps businesses avoid common pitfalls and build scalable solutions.Balancing Custom Builds and Existing ToolsRather than reinventing the wheel, Bryan emphasizes leveraging existing tools and frameworks. This approach not only speeds up development but also allows for more focus on the unique aspects of the product that differentiate it in the market. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

I enjoyed speaking with Allison Nulty from Contra a couple of weeks ago. This a fantastic case study on what happens when you build that muscle of customer obsession. Having active contact with your customers, getting them onboarded to your Slack instance, and the time it takes to understand what they are looking for deeply are uncommon traits in product leaders. Allison demonstrates this proactive energy through case studies with brands like Framer and Webflow!We go over: ⭐ How Contra enables the freelance economy by connecting top talent with companies. ⭐ The importance of building working relationships with customers, getting them onboarded to Slack instances, and developing rapport for candid conversations. ⭐ Allison's unique approach to fostering a culture of ownership on her team.⭐ The challenges of transitioning from traditional business roles like management consultant to leading product innovation in tech. ⭐ Real-life example of how Contra has helped companies like Framer manage and scale their freelance workforce effectively.Chapters01:00 Meet Allison Nulty: Product Leader at Contra03:06 The Vision and Mission of Contra06:46 Challenges and Strategic Decisions at Contra08:16 Building a Marketplace and Community09:11 Contra's Unique Business Model11:59 Scaling with Freelancers and Flexible Talent14:29 Customer-Centric Product Development22:20 The Power of Customer Feedback24:27 Customer Obsession and Building Relationships24:51 The Journey of Starting a Podcast26:30 From Consulting to Product Management28:06 Lessons from Working as a Managment Consultant to Product Management.33:23 Empowering Teams with Ownership39:43 The Importance of Communication and Transparency43:13 Final Thoughts and Reaching Out45:31 Outro and Special Offer This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

In this episode, I welcome Harry Max, an executive player-coach with experience in product design leadership and COO roles. You read that right; Harry has a wide range and can bridge the gap between experienced design leadership and operational excellence. Harry has led at DreamWorks, Hewlett-Packard, Rackspace, and Apple. We dive into the complexities of balancing operations and design, the challenges faced by product leaders, and the political nature of leadership and decision-making. Harry introduces his highly practical DEGAP framework for prioritization, emphasizing the importance of intentional decision-making and guiding me through the tangible steps involved. Finally, we explore how prioritization plays a crucial role in the lives of individual contributors, teams, and organizations. He aims to equip you with practical tools to significantly enhance your decision-making and leadership skills.20% of Harry Max’s book “Managing Priorities”: mp-twopYou can buy his new book “Managing Priorities” through this linkChapters00:20 The Unique Role of a Fractional Executive00:58 Bridging Operations and Design: A Dual Competency03:04 The Challenges of Product Leadership08:19 The Art of Prioritization in Leadership08:24 Unpacking the Book on Managing Priorities15:19 Real-World Prioritization: A Case Study from Rackspace27:22 The Five Steps of Effective Prioritization30:30 Unpacking the Prioritization Process31:01 Exploring Decision-Making Tools and Techniques35:47 Deep Dive into the D-GAP Methodology40:18 Applying Prioritization in Personal and Professional Contexts40:57 Insights on Individual Contributor Prioritization47:36 Concluding Thoughts on Prioritization and Productivity This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

On #wayofproduct this week, join us as we dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Bryan Zmijewski, a veteran in the design world, design lecturer at Stanford, and a pioneer in integrating design thinking and engineering concepts. With his extensive experience in design and technology, Bryan shares his unique perspectives on how design fits into today's business ecosystems.In this episode, we explore:⭐ The origins of design thinking from engineering and its practical applications in business and design.⭐ Bryan's extensive experience in helping companies like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney craft great things through design.⭐ The evolving role of design in product development and the shifting dynamics between product design and UX design.⭐ The importance of system thinking in design and how it influences the creation of user experiences.⭐ Bryan's approach to design as a tool for facilitating organizational change and producing impactful products.⭐ The role of intuition in the design process and the balance between gut feelings and structured testing.⭐ A deep dive into understanding customer needs and integrating feedback loops into design and product development.⭐ Bryan's insights on successful product development despite team dysfunctions and the focus on creating great products.⭐ An introduction to Helio, Bryan's continuous discovery tool, and its impact on gathering rapid customer feedback for digital products.Subscribe and listen to The Way of Product on...🎧 Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pivot/id1442980948?mt=2&uo=4🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7dy9vYUPNj3dH9lKAVDheV🎧 Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy81ODQxMTc0L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz🎧 Audible - https://podcasters.amazon.com/podcasts/9ed01fe7-2dbd-4eb6-a114-12ed367e371fHow to tune in for the new releases:📺 Watch the podcast clips - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrBZL31DoAT7vW2vbYkeXhw📲 Watch Episode Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@caden.damiano?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc📲 Watch Episode Clips on X - https://twitter.com/Caden_Damiano📸 Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/caden.damiano/Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from Bryan Zmijewski's vast experience in design and technology on The Way of Product. Subscribe now for more thought-provoking conversations and cutting-edge strategies in product development.#DesignThinking#ProductDesign#UXDesign#Innovation#WayOfProduct#Technology#CustomerFeedback#Helio#ContinuousDiscovery This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

Product Discovery Isn't User Research w/ Teresa TorresTeresa Torres shares her invaluable insights into the intricacies of product discovery and the vital role of user research in product development.Highlights include:⭐ The distinction between user research and product discovery⭐ The importance of building fast feedback loops with customers⭐ The impact of implementing continuous discovery habits⭐ The evolution of product teams' understanding of their customers⭐ Practical tips for enhancing discovery practices and driving better outcomesPlus, much more!Subscribe and listen to The Way of Product on...🎧 Apple Podcasts - https://lnkd.in/ghs99F-G🎧 Spotify - https://lnkd.in/g2YU_eX4🎧 Google Podcasts - https://lnkd.in/gaXS6i_4🎧 Audible - https://lnkd.in/gy5EWw-rHow to tune in for the new releases:📺  Watch the podcast clips - https://lnkd.in/g-UVCNrN📲 Watch Episode Clips on TikTok - https://lnkd.in/gaEgR-ws📲 Watch Episode Clips on X - https://lnkd.in/gSTC5SRU📸 Follow me on Instagram - https://lnkd.in/gEzmaFS4Who is Teresa Torres?Teresa Torres is a renowned product discovery coach, author, writer, extensive blogger, and the author of "Continuous Discovery Habits." With over 12 years of experience, she has worked with numerous teams helping them make better decisions about what to build and how to build it. Teresa Torres believes that - in her own words - “Product teams need to move fast; we need to get fast answers. Some answers, even if they're less reliable than what we're getting from project-based research, are better than no answers.”Before becoming a prominent figure in the product discovery domain, Teresa has worn many hats, including research and product management roles, always striving to bridge the gap between customer needs and product development.Connect with Teresa at www.producttalk.org to access her course training and hire her to coach your team. 05:04 Distinguishing User Research and Product Discovery07:36 The Role of User Researchers in Product Teams08:26 Ideal Structure of a Product Team11:08 The Misinterpretation of the Book's Message12:28 The Importance of Externalizing Thinking in Product Discovery19:52 Real-life Application of Continuous Discovery Habits28:22 The Origin and Development of Continuous Discovery Habits30:55 Understanding Success and Working Backwards31:09 The Importance of Measurable Outcomes31:23 Exploring the Skill of Design Thinkers31:58 The Role of Expert and Novice Designers32:25 The Evolution of Understanding in Design33:05 The Importance of Teamwork in Product Discovery33:46 The Influence of Academic Research on Design Thinking34:59 The Challenge of Identifying Assumptions in Teams35:29 The Use of Story Mapping in Surfacing Assumptions36:33 The Practical Application of the Book's Content37:56 The Development of the Book's Methods38:12 The Iterative Process of Developing a Coaching Curriculum43:43 The Role of Luck and Process in Business Success51:23 The Journey to Becoming a Coach54:16 Final Thoughts and Resources for Further Learning This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

I recently had an awesome discussion with Jeremy Miller, host of “Beyond UX Design,” about strategies for navigating meetings and gaining influence as a designer. We touched on:* Why corporate meetings are mostly a waste of time, and how to fix your approach to meetings. * Prioritizing which meetings to attend and gaining buy-in for design projects. * I walk through my approach to working with cross-functional partners using an underrated methodology. * Meeting one-on-one with key stakeholders early on to understand their concerns and bring them along on the design journey. * Different working styles and mindsets, from perfectionistic craftspeople to systems thinkers who embrace problem-solving.Building trust and credibility with stakeholders is crucial, and I highlighted the significance of making people feel understood and involved in the creative process. I emphasized the importance of competencies like good judgment over specific skills when aiming for higher levels of influence. Overall, the discussion provides excellent strategies for product people, designers, and creatives looking to protect their time, have a more significant impact, and shape company decisions. Learn how to design a business and subscribe to the Way of Product This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

Connect with Norma Løvhaugen on Linkedin.In this episode, Norma, a veteran in the video conferencing industry with 19 years of experience, shares her journey from starting in Hamburg and Cisco to becoming the Head of Product at Neat. This company blurs the line between the office and remote workers. I am in awe of what goes into seamless videoconferencing experiences. She discusses the magic of creating products that facilitate human connection across distances and the collaborative effort it involves, especially the intricate balance between design, technology, and user experience.Norma emphasizes the importance of design-driven approaches, the complexities behind the simplicity of video conferencing products, and how balancing various considerations like audio quality, compliance, and aesthetics leads to products highly valued by customers.She highlights the role of psychological safety and trust within teams, facilitating effective cross-functional collaboration, and the impact of directly engaging with customers and sales teams to understand better and meet their needs.Norma also touches on her reasons for joining Neat, the excitement of working in a startup environment, and the recent launch of Neat's second-generation video conferencing bar, encapsulating her passion for innovation in the industry.00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:05 Norma's Journey in the Video Conferencing Industry01:02 Inside the World of Video Conferencing Tech04:53 The Magic of Product Development and Design10:25 Learning from Mistakes: A Product Launch Story13:11 Building a Culture of Psychological Safety and Trust18:00 The Power of Inclusive Product Strategy23:51 Transitioning from Cisco to NEAT: A New Chapter26:51 Understanding Business Through Product Leadership28:18 The Role of Design in Product Success33:07 Collaboration Across Departments: A Key to Success This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

People don’t collect art; they collect the story. People will spend $200,000 on a Pokemon card, and the team at Rally understands that. On #wayofproduct this week, Rob Petrozzo, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Rally, shares his journey of creating a groundbreaking platform like a collectibles stock market. Rally has become a hub for trading everything from dinosaur fossils and classic cars to modern NFTs and trading cards, fostering a community of shared interests and passion.Here's what we're diving into:⭐ The inception of Rally and how it evolved from a concept to a thriving community around unique and emotional collectibles.⭐ Rob's personal journey and how his passion for tangible art and design influenced Rally's development.⭐ The challenges and strategies in making high-value collectibles like classic cars and Warhol paintings accessible to more people.⭐ Insights into the storytelling aspect of products, emphasizing that it's not just the item but its story that creates value and captivates people.⭐ How Rally's approach differs from traditional financial platforms by focusing on user experience, akin to exploring a museum, rather than just transactions.⭐ The importance of authentic marketing and design that resonates with consumers on an emotional level, especially in a world where traditional advertising methods are becoming less effective.⭐ Rally's strategy to build a strong community by offering a platform that's as engaging and informative as it is transactional.Subscribe and listen to The Way of Product at www.wayofproduct.com————————————————————Hi! I'm Caden Damiano, I'm an interaction designer, collaboration coach, and lifelong student of the craft of product development.I believe that product development is a liberal art, meaning you must experience multiple disciplines and perspectives to know how to make something that customers tell their friends about.In short, I believe great products have free word-of-mouth marketing.Follow me here on LinkedIn for daily clips from my interviews with product professionals and insights on making great products. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

Understanding this secret will set you up for success as a product designer in this AI age. AI is “autocomplete” on steroids in its current form. On #wayofproduct this week, we're thrilled to have Michael Tinglin back on the show!Michael is a design leader who has worked at places like 7-Eleven, and Fannie Mae, and recently was Head of Design at Confluence. He taught me about the non-linear career path, where you can jump between management and IC work depending on your interests. A designer from Dallas, Texas, Michael has a passion for UX and product design. Michael brings his unique insights into AI and product design, emphasizing that AI is not “a magic bullet” but a tool that, when utilized thoughtfully, can be transformative.In this episode, we dive into:⭐ The state of AI in the media and marketing world and how it's not as “new” as many think.⭐ The importance of not just adding AI for the sake of it but ensuring it adds real value and ROI.⭐ How AI might be the next phase of true personalization in e-commerce, moving beyond creepy ads to genuinely valuable recommendations.⭐ The conversation around strategy in design and product management and how agile is often a tactic rather than a strategy.⭐ Michael's perspective on innovation as a business growth mechanism and how companies like Berkshire Hathaway transformed from furniture stores to investment giants through innovative thinking.Subscribe and find where to listen to “The Way of Product” atway+of+product+dot+com (LinkedIn will throttle this post for sharing a link)———————————————————Hi! I'm Caden Damiano; I'm an interaction designer, collaboration coach, and lifelong student of the craft of product development.I believe that product development is a liberal art, meaning you must experience multiple disciplines and perspectives to know how to make something that customers tell their friends about.In short, I believe great products have free word-of-mouth marketing. Follow me here on LinkedIn for daily clips from my interviews with product professionals. #UXDesign#AI#ProductDesign#Innovation#WayOfProduct#CreativeStrategy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

On #wayofproduct this week, we're joined by Mitch Clements, a seasoned product design manager whose career journey has taken him from a budding startup in a basement to a pivotal role in a billion-dollar unicorn. Mitch shares his transformative experiences and insights on leading design innovations and influencing company culture in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.Here's what we're diving into:⭐ Mitch's unique journey from a small basement startup, Simple Nexus, to its acquisition by nCino, valued at $1.2 billion.⭐ The critical role of design vision and strategy in propelling a company's growth and maturation.⭐ How continuous user-focused design and customer listening shaped Simple Nexus's success and acquisition appeal.⭐ The power of sharing and collaborating on design visions company-wide, creating a unified direction and excitement.⭐ Mitch's transition from hands-on design to empowering and leading a team of designers in a larger corporate environment.Subscribe and listen to The Way of Product on...🎧 Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pivot/id1442980948?mt=2&uo=4🎧 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7dy9vYUPNj3dH9lKAVDheV🎧 Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy81ODQxMTc0L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz🎧 Audible - https://podcasters.amazon.com/podcasts/9ed01fe7-2dbd-4eb6-a114-12ed367e371fHow to tune in for the new releases:📺 Watch the podcast clips - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrBZL31DoAT7vW2vbYkeXhw📲 Watch Episode Clips on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@caden.damiano?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc📲 Watch Episode Clips on X - https://twitter.com/Caden_Damiano📸 Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/caden.damiano/Who is Mitch Clements?Mitch Clements is a dynamic leader in the world of product design, whose passion for creating impactful user experiences has driven his career from a hands-on designer to a strategic manager. Starting at Simple Nexus, a small basement startup, he played a significant role in the company's rapid growth and eventual acquisition by nCino. Mitch's approach goes beyond aesthetics; it's about deeply understanding user needs and crafting strategies that align with the company's vision. His journey is a testament to the power of design thinking and its role in transforming not just products but entire companies.For more of Mitch's inspiring story and insights into leading design in the tech industry, check out the episode and don't forget to subscribe to The Way of Product for more enlightening conversations.#ProductDesign#StartupGrowth#Leadership#WayOfProduct#InnovationConnect with Mitchell Clements https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-clements/00:00 The Journey of a Startup01:08 Acquisition by nCino01:28 Transition to a Manager Role02:03 The Importance of Design in Unconventional Industries03:56 The Challenges of Scaling a Startup05:31 The Role of Design in Streamlining the Home Ownership Journey06:45 Creating a Vision for the Future08:16 The Impact of Design on Acquisition09:01 The Importance of a High-Level Vision10:30 The Role of Design in Company Strategy12:36 The Power of Collaborative Vision23:59 The Transition from Designer to Manager29:15 Conclusion This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com