Send us a textWelcome to LeanCast, hosted by Behrad Mirafshar, the founder and CEO of Bonanza Design GmbH. In this weekly podcast, Behrad invites industry experts for deep dives into their areas of expertise, discussing topics ranging from re-finding passion in business to staying curious with new technology.Joining Behrad in this episode is Johann Jenson, an ex-UN Canadian technologist with a Master's in conflict resolution. Johann's passion lies in developing elegant yet ambitious products that improve lives and the planet we inhabit. As a versatile professional, he has worked across a diverse portfolio of companies, including GoStudent, Grover, Hilti, SleepOut.com, UN Environment, and Nomad Inc.Throughout their conversation, Behrad and Johann explore a range of thought-provoking topics. They delve into the process of rekindling passion in business and finding effective ways to make people care about your product or service. They also discuss the importance of rebalancing power structures within organizations, ensuring that your product strategy remains relevant and up to date in a rapidly evolving market, and the significance of maintaining curiosity in the face of new technologies.LeanCast is the go-to podcast for those seeking insights into innovation, business strategy, and personal growth. Join Behrad Mirafshar as he uncovers the wisdom and experiences of industry experts, providing listeners with valuable lessons and inspiration to thrive in the ever-changing business landscape.Follow Johann Jenson on LinkedIn here.Join our Discord Community here. Interested in joining the podcast? DM Behrad on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/behradmirafshar/This podcast is made by Bonanza Studios, Germany’s Premier Digital Design Studio:https://www.bonanza-studios.com/

Send us a textWelcome to an electrifying episode of LeanCast! In this thrilling installment, your host Behrad sits down with a true legend and one of his personal heroes, Jeff Gothelf. Known for his unparalleled expertise in helping organizations build exceptional products and executives foster innovative cultures, Jeff is an extraordinary guest who will leave you inspired.Jeff Gothelf, the co-author of the critically acclaimed book "Lean UX" and the Harvard Business Review Press bestseller "Sense & Respond," joins Behrad to delve deep into the captivating world of Lean UX. But Jeff's expertise doesn't stop there. With a diverse background as a software designer turned coach, consultant, and keynote speaker, Jeff is a force to be reckoned with, bridging the gaps between business agility, digital transformation, product management, and human-centered design.In this awe-inspiring conversation, Jeff and Behrad explore a wide range of captivating topics. Prepare to be enthralled as they touch upon Jeff's heartfelt passion for playing the piano, an art form passed down from his father. They dive into the exhilarating realm of leveraging new technologies, while shedding light on the resistance companies often face when embracing innovation and experimentation.What's more valuable: AI or experience? Jeff and Behrad engage in a mind-bending discussion, dissecting the merits of each and uncovering the intricate interplay between them. Lean UX takes center stage as they explore its core principles, the transformative Lean UX mindset, and the pivotal focus on human customers that drives its success.Hold on tight as they break down the concept of the variable being the feature and unveil the captivating secrets of the impact-outcome tree. Whether you're an experienced designer or just starting your journey, this podcast episode is an absolute must-listen.LeanCast brings you an extraordinary encounter between two brilliant minds, filled with insights, revelations, and a wealth of knowledge. Get ready for an exhilarating auditory adventure that will ignite your creativity, challenge your perceptions, and leave you hungry for more.Tune in to LeanCast and join Behrad as he unlocks the secrets of Lean UX with the extraordinary Jeff Gothelf. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of design excellence.Follow Jeff Gothelf on LinkedIn here.Join our Discord Community here.Interested in joining the podcast? DM Behrad on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/behradmirafshar/This podcast is made by Bonanza Studios, Germany’s Premier Digital Design Studio:https://www.bonanza-studios.com/

Send us a textWelcome to LeanCast, the podcast where we explore innovative ideas and strategies for lean product development and user experience. In this episode, your host Behrad, CEO & Founder of Bonanza Design, sits down with special guest Teresa Cain, a driven technology executive with over 15 years of experience in building web and mobile apps, as well as leading product and user experience teams globally.Teresa's expertise spans across various industries, including entertainment, music, books, finance, retail, restaurant, airline, automotive, and education markets. With an impressive track record of working with high-profile clients and delivering solutions in social media, customer experience, subscriptions, marketplaces, and payments, Teresa brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.In addition to her extensive professional background, Teresa is also passionate about empowering women in the tech industry. She consults women-led startups in strategy and vision to help them secure venture capital funding, and actively participates in initiatives that promote professional growth and opportunities for young women.In this engaging episode, Behrad and Teresa dive deep into Teresa's groundbreaking concept of 2-hour design sprints, challenging the traditional notion that sprints should last 5 hours or more. They discuss effective techniques for managing stakeholder disagreements, persuading CEOs to actively participate in design workshops, and leveraging AI and ChatGPT to enhance the design process.As they bond over their shared experiences of parenthood, including Teresa's journey of being pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic, they emphasize the importance of maintaining a hands-on approach to user experience. They explore how staying connected with users and understanding their needs directly can lead to better product outcomes.Join Behrad and Teresa in this thought-provoking conversation as they shed light on the significance of UX, share practical tips for achieving tangible results, and uncover the secrets behind successful product development in today's fast-paced digital landscape.Follow Teresa on LinkedIn here.Join our Discord Server here. Interested in joining the podcast? DM Behrad on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/behradmirafshar/This podcast is made by Bonanza Studios, Germany’s Premier Digital Design Studio:https://www.bonanza-studios.com/

Send us a textWelcome to "Leancast" hosted by Behrad, where we delve into the world of UX research with inspiring experts. In this episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with Nikki Andersen, a remarkable user research coach and the founder of User Research Academy. Nikki's mission is to foster a supportive and empowering space for user researchers, where they feel motivated, heard, and part of a thriving community. Join Behrad and Nikki as they embark on an enlightening conversation about all things UX research. They explore the essence of UX research, dispelling the myth of perfection and emphasizing the importance of embracing imperfection as a means of growth. Nikki reminds us that validation requires more than just one approach, encouraging researchers to adopt a holistic perspective. In an industry often focused on positive outcomes, the duo urges listeners not to shy away from negativity and challenges, as these experiences can yield valuable insights and drive innovation. They discuss the true role of a researcher as a catalyst, igniting change and guiding teams towards user-centric design decisions. With refreshing authenticity, Behrad and Nikki highlight the inevitability of mistakes in the realm of user research and the transformative potential they hold. Through their engaging dialogue, they inspire both seasoned professionals and newcomers to embrace the learning process, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and resilience. Tune in to "Leancast" as Behrad and Nikki Andersen dive deep into the multifaceted world of UX research, unraveling its complexities, and offering valuable insights that will empower and elevate your skills. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on user research and become part of a supportive community that champions growth and collaboration.Interested in joining the podcast? DM Behrad on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/behradmirafshar/This podcast is made by Bonanza Studios, Germany’s Premier Digital Design Studio:https://www.bonanza-studios.com/

Send us a textLeanCast is back with host Behrad, chatting with Dan LaCivita: Co-Founder of Play, Entrepreneurial CEO, and “Servant Leader.” Dan's latest venture, Play, is revolutionizing how teams create mobile products by empowering them to design, build, and experience their product in real-time, all on their phone.But Dan's not all about work; he's also a family man and volunteer firefighter, staying sharp with fitness and service. Behrad and Dan delve into the differences and similarities between Dan's firefighting and CEO roles, emphasizing the importance of work/life balance.Dan shares his insights on the role of a producer and how it's similar to being a CEO or product manager, particularly in bringing people together. They discuss how his innovative product, Play, is changing the game for mobile product creation.And let's not forget about Figma - Dan and Behrad geek out over how amazing it is and look into its future, especially considering the recent acquisition by Adobe. Don't miss this episode of LeanCast for fascinating insights into the entrepreneurial mindset, the importance of balance, and the cutting edge of mobile product design.Follow up Dan LaCivita on LinkedIn here.Interested in joining the podcast? DM Behrad on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/behradmirafshar/This podcast is made by Bonanza Studios, Germany’s Premier Digital Design Studio:https://www.bonanza-studios.com/

Send us a textJoin Behrad as he sits down with Radek Zaleski, a product visionary and founder/CEO of API CALL TO GPT-3, for an in-depth conversation on all things business. With Radek's practical mind and years of experience building effective teams and beautiful web products from scratch, he offers invaluable insights into achieving profitability without sacrificing growth, navigating the impact of trends like web 3, NFTs, and AI, and maintaining cash flow positivity. In this episode, Behrad and Radek dive deep into the world of business. They explore the age-old question of profitability versus growth, discussing how businesses can find a balance between these two priorities to achieve sustainable success in the long term. They also delve into the impact of emerging trends like web 3, NFTs, and AI on the business world, and how companies can stay ahead of the curve to remain competitive. But it's not all about cutting-edge technology and market trends. Behrad and Radek also discuss the nitty-gritty of running a successful business, including how to maintain cash flow positivity and the challenges of hiring and building an effective team. The episode also addresses the perennial question for business leaders: is there ever a point at which you can relax, or do you always have to stay on top of new emerging markets and technologies? Radek offers his own perspective on this issue, drawing on his experience as a successful entrepreneur and product visionary to offer some valuable advice for anyone looking to achieve long-term success in the business world. Don't miss this engaging and informative episode of the podcast, featuring one of the brightest minds in the industry!Follow Radek Zaleski on LinkedIn here.Interested in joining the podcast? DM Behrad on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/behradmirafshar/This podcast is made by Bonanza Studios, Germany’s Premier Digital Design Studio:https://www.bonanza-studios.com/

Send us a textIn this exciting episode of LeanCast Podcast, we have a special guest, Sam McAfee, Founder & Managing Director of Startup Patterns, joining us to delve into the fascinating world of tech industry leadership and its impact on business growth. Sam shares his extensive experience in helping C-level leaders and their product teams grow businesses that can scale long-term.We discuss the frictions and obstacles that are often enforced by organization culture and environmental surroundings, which can pose challenges for startups trying to achieve sustainable growth. Sam candidly shares the difficulties he has observed in growing startups and provides insights on how to overcome them.As we explore the topic of building a business that creates a meaningful impact in people's lives, Sam elaborates on the crucial role of a leader and the impact they have within their team and clients. We delve into the growing power of technology workers and the evolving tech job market with its new tendencies, including recent massive layoffs. Sam sheds light on how leaders can foster a culture of accountability within their organizations to promote sustainable growth.Join us in this thought-provoking conversation with Sam McAfee as we uncover valuable insights on tech industry leadership, overcoming obstacles, and building businesses that make a positive difference in the lives of people. Tune in to LeanCast Podcast and be inspired by Sam's wisdom and experience in helping businesses thrive in the fast-paced world of technology.Follow Sam McAfee on LinkedIn here.Join our Discord Community here.Interested in joining the podcast? DM Behrad on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/behradmirafshar/This podcast is made by Bonanza Studios, Germany’s Premier Digital Design Studio:https://www.bonanza-studios.com/

Send us a textIn this episode of LeanCast, our host Behrad Mirafshar sits down with Vahe Baghdasaryan, Senior Growth Marketing Manager at CoinStats, to delve into the exciting world of marketing growth hacking and creating a growth engine for businesses.Kicking off the conversation, Behrad asks Vahe about his journey in the marketing industry and what inspired him to pursue this career path. Vahe shares his personal experience and how his passion for data and analytics drove him to explore the realm of marketing growth hacking.As a Senior Growth Marketer, Vahe gives us a glimpse into his daily responsibilities and the skill set required to excel in this role. He highlights the importance of working collaboratively with both the product and marketing teams to ensure a cohesive strategy for driving product growth and overseeing lifecycle marketing activities.Vahe also delves into the differences between lifecycle marketing and product-led growth marketing, explaining how the two strategies complement each other and why businesses need to leverage both for long-term success.Drawing on his experience, Vahe stresses the importance of learning from mistakes and capitalizing on wins, emphasizing that growth is a continuous process that requires a proactive and iterative approach. He also shares insights on growth models and formulas, and how businesses can optimize these to serve their customers better.Moving on to a topic that's been making waves in the industry, Vahe and Behrad explore the potential for growth hacking in the NFT market. Vahe explains that while there is significant interest in NFTs, the market is still evolving and there is still plenty of room for growth. He shares his thoughts on defining onboarding goals for the product team, and how businesses can leverage growth scenarios to capitalize on the NFT market's potential.Overall, this episode of LeanCast provides valuable insights into the world of marketing growth hacking and how businesses can leverage these strategies to create a growth engine for long-term success. Tune in now to catch all the action!Follow Vahe on LinkedIn here.Interested in joining the podcast? DM Behrad on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/behradmirafshar/This podcast is made by Bonanza Studios, Germany’s Premier Digital Design Studio:https://www.bonanza-studios.com/

Send us a textIn this episode, our host Behrad Mirafshar welcomes Loïc Sattler, the Director of Design Experience at Valtech, and that had the opportunity to work with impactful brands like Adidas, Mercedes, Dior, Caran d'Ache, Piaget, Volkswagen, Vacheron Constantin, Hublot, IKEA, l'Oreal, BMW, Sony, Leica, to name a few. The conversation kicks off with the topic of Experience Design and the crucial need for businesses to undergo digital transformation in this day and age. Loïc shares his insights on Design Thinking and Systematic Design, emphasizing the importance of adopting a conscious attitude towards growth.The duo also talks about how to deal with situations where businesses approach with a pre-existing knowledge of their problems, and how as designers, it's essential to spot the challenges, map them, and push people to transform.Managing client expectations can be a daunting task, and Behrad and Loïc delve into their experiences in managing design projects and dealing with executives and stakeholders. They highlight the importance of hiring a talented team that can address client problems and transformations, with a diversity of designers that bring different traits and complement each other.Building trust between the client and you as a manager is paramount, and Loïc shares his tips on how to achieve this. Finally, they wrap up the episode with a discussion on circular design and its significance in creating sustainable design solutions.Tune in to this insightful episode and get a glimpse of the world of experience design and digital transformation through the eyes of an expert!Follow Loïc Sattler on LinkedIn here.Interested in joining the podcast? DM Behrad on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/behradmirafshar/This podcast is made by Bonanza Studios, Germany’s Premier Digital Design Studio:https://www.bonanza-studios.com/

Send us a textIn this episode, our host Behrad Mirafshar sits down with Sam Beek, Head of Product at VEED.IO, an online video editing platform.Sam shares his journey from software engineering to product development and how he found his passion for building products that users love. He also talks about the product development process at VEED.IO and the challenges they face in the highly competitive video editing market.The conversation then moves on to the importance of building a network for entrepreneurs and how it can help in building a successful product. Sam shares his experience in building relationships with customers, investors, and other entrepreneurs, and how it has helped him in his career.As a product leader, Sam talks about his role in building and managing a product team. He shares his insights on how to hire the right people, foster a culture of innovation, and motivate the team to deliver their best work.The conversation concludes with a discussion on the entrepreneurial mindset and the importance of people and product management. Sam shares his thoughts on how to balance the needs of the business with the needs of the team and how to build a product that creates real value for customers.Tune in to this episode of LeanCast to hear from Sam Beek, a seasoned product leader, and learn about his journey, insights, and experiences in product development and entrepreneurship.Follow Sam Beek on LinkedIn here.Interested in joining the podcast? DM Behrad on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/behradmirafshar/This podcast is made by Bonanza Studios, Germany’s Premier Digital Design Studio:https://www.bonanza-studios.com/