One Knight in Product

Debbie Levitt discusses the implications of non-specialists doing specialized tasks, the threat of AI replacing human jobs, the importance of human oversight in AI-generated work, and the evolving job landscape with AI. The podcast also delves into direct contact for CX and UX help and amusing disagreements on AI research methods.

Renowned author Melissa Perri and seasoned product leader Denise Tilles discuss Product Operations, focusing on better decision-making for product managers. They highlight the barriers faced by product managers and the three pillars of product operations. The podcast explores the significance of teamwork, communication, and collaboration in addressing challenges within scaled organizations.

Seasoned product coach Hope Gurion discusses the importance of knowing your customers, seeking evidence, and the balance between confidence and data-driven decisions. She emphasizes the challenges faced by product leaders without a background in product, the significance of defining target customers, and the value of collaboration in product development. Gurion also explores applying poker principles to decision-making and navigating transformation hurdles in leadership.

Marty Cagan discusses the Product Operating Model in his new book 'Transformed' to help companies improve. The episode also covers challenges in product management, leadership buy-in, organizational transformation, and the evolution of product operations. Learn how to navigate transformation challenges and advance in product roles.

Product manager and author Miloš Belčević discusses applying product management principles to life in his book 'Build Your Way'. They talk about prioritization frameworks, context switching, defining value, and the importance of prioritizing what's most important in our limited time.

Debbie Levitt, UX and CX consultant, discusses the importance of putting users at the center of the conversation. She highlights the value of quality user research and challenges the prioritization of speed over quality. The podcast also explores the differences between user experience and customer experience, the insights from Debbie's book 'Customers Know You Suck,' and the polarization between product managers and other roles in product development.

Lloyed Lobo, author of "From Grassroots to Greatness" and co-founder of Boast, shares his insights on community-driven growth. He emphasizes that community should be ingrained in a company’s DNA, not just a marketing tactic. With personal anecdotes from his childhood in Mumbai, Lloyed explores how showing up for your community fosters loyalty. He discusses the delicate balance of providing value without immediate expectations while also encouraging necessary sales conversations. His ideas challenge traditional business strategies with powerful, innovative approaches to growth.

Shyvee Shi, LinkedIn Product Lead, discusses the importance of generative AI for product managers, the fear of AI obsolescence, and the responsibility to focus on real user problems. The podcast also explores the role of a product leader at LinkedIn and provides information about Shi's book.

Becky Flint, CEO of Dragonboat and former Paypal employee, discusses the importance of product portfolio management and product operations. Topics include: the need for portfolio management even in one-product companies, the importance of explaining strategic decisions to stakeholders, the role of product operations in ensuring product teams deliver, and the importance of portfolio management for product operations professionals.

Orly Zeewy is an experienced marketer who "makes the fuzzy clear". She's passionate about helping startup founders get their branding right, and enabling them to identify their own "zones of genius" where they win. She does this through her consultancy, Zeewy Brands, as well as her book, "Ready, Launch, Brand". We spoke all about the ins and outs of branding, and why startup founders need to rethink marketing. A message from this episode's sponsor This episode is sponsored by Succeeding in B2B Product Management, a cohort-based, live course that Saeed Khan and I are launching on Maven in January. If you're a B2B product manager struggling to make an impact, a B2B product leader looking to promote healthy product practices, or a B2B founder looking to get your teams to be true business partners, check the course out here. You can use discount code OKIP to get $100 off the price of admission. Episode highlights:   1. Branding is not just a fancy logo and a cool company name The true definition of a brand is that it is the sum of all experiences that customers have with an organisation over time. Brands don't live in the minds of the company, or its founders. They live in the minds of their customers. 2. Marketing is not just a widget, it's a fundamental cost of running your business, and results take time Some startup founders either don't bother with marketing at all, or they give up as soon as the first thing they try doesn't work. But, you need to start early and invest for the long term. There are so many brands competing for mindshare and you need to make sure that you remain part of that in an attention-poor market. 3. Your company website is your front door, and you need to explain clearly why people should care about you It can be pretty common for companies to either ignore their website entirely or try to cram as much information as possible on there and overwhelm potential customers. Your website is likely to be the first touchpoint that a potential customer has with your brand, and you need to clearly and concisely explain why they should care about you. 4. Not everyone has done this work upfront, but it's important to meet people where they are Yes, it's easier to intercept avoidable problems before they occur, but there are plenty of good conversations you can have whatever the situation within the company. It's never too late to try to make a difference, and you can find that the entire company will get energised and rally to the cause once you've put the work in to define what the cause really is. 5. People, and organisations, have Zones of Genius and they should focus and stay in their lane It can be really common for founders and solopreneurs to try to solve every problem for everyone because they're interested in everything and they think that it will increase their chances of success. But, if you can find the thing you're uniquely good at and focus your efforts there then you have a much higher chance of sticking in someone's mind and being their go-to solution for that specific problem. Buy "Ready, Launch, Brand" "You may be familiar with the Silicon Valley expression about the iterative approach to software development, "We’re learning to fly the plane while we’re building it." If so, think of a startup―with all its moving parts, phases, and personalities―as flying a plane, while you’re building it, booking passengers, marketing the airline, interviewing co-pilots, and serving coffee. In this book, Orly Zeewy navigates the turbulence and provides a flight plan so you know when you’ve landed in the right airport." Check it out on Amazon. Contact Orly You can catch up with Orly on LinkedIn or visit Zeewy Brands.