Product Confidential: The reality of PM life!

What separates successful products from those that flop? In this insightful episode, Evie Brockwell and Michael Palmer sit down with Teresa Torres, a leading expert in product discovery, to uncover the secrets behind building products that truly resonate.They dive into:🚀 Why products fail and how to prevent it🔍 The power of assumption testing in product strategy👥 Engaging stakeholders to drive better decisions🌍 How culture impacts product discovery🔄 The continuous discovery mindset and why iteration is keyTeresa shares practical frameworks for testing assumptions, defining outcomes, and keeping customer needs at the heart of product development. If you're a product manager, designer, or founder looking to build smarter, more impactful products, this episode is a must-listen!Links mentioned in the episode:✔️ Story mapping: https://jpattonassociates.com/story-mapping/✔️ Testing business ideas: https://www.amazon.es/Testing-Business-Ideas-David-Bland/dp/1119551447✔️ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Continuous-Discovery-Habits-Discover-Products/dp/1736633309Teresa's Website: https://www.producttalk.org/Workshops: https://learn.producttalk.org/Link to their podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ke77wqSgstk3nd048oIGoAnd don’t miss the chance to see Evie, one of your Product Confidential hosts, speak at an upcoming event! Get your tickets now and use the code productconfidential20 to score a 20% discount. Grab yours before they sell out!Link to the event: https://ti.to/sequel-media/product-led-summit-amsterdam-2025/discount/productconfidential20

Buzzwords and trends dominate the product world, but how much of it is just noise? In this episode, Evie Brockwell & Michael Palmer sit down with Mirela Mus to cut through the hype and uncover what truly drives product success. They dive into the risks of blindly following trends, the dangers of over-hiring, and why cultural sensitivity can make or break a product strategy.From understanding local markets to leveraging external consultants for fresh perspectives, this conversation is packed with insights for product teams looking to create real impact. Whether you're a product leader or just starting out, this episode will challenge the way you think about innovation, strategy, and value creation.🎧 Tune in to learn how to focus on what really matters and avoid the common pitfalls in product management.Follow Mirela Mus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirelamus/Website: https://www.getproductpeople.com/

Great product decisions don’t just happen, they’re crafted with careful thought and strategy. In this episode of Product Confidential, Phil Hornby, a seasoned product leader, dives into the critical aspects of product management, with a focus on decision-making and how AI is reshaping these processes. He reflects on the evolution of his book and the importance of thoughtful decision-making that balances data, evidence, and intuition. Phil also highlights the role of human accountability in decision-making, even as AI tools become more prevalent. He discusses the shift from feature-based to problem-based roadmaps, the need for tailored roadmaps to meet diverse audience needs, and the efficiency of streamlined roadmapping processes. Additionally, Phil emphasizes the value of discovery roadmaps in managing uncertainty and ensuring clarity throughout product development.Takeaways✅ Making a good product requires extensive discovery and research.✅ AI will become a standard tool in product management, but human decision-making remains crucial.✅ High-quality decisions are more important than labeling decisions as good or bad.✅ Data alone does not inform decisions; it must be interpreted alongside evidence and intuition.✅ Reflection on past decisions is key to improving decision-making skills.✅ Different organizations may prioritise intuition or data differently in their decision-making processes.✅ Combining data, anecdotes, and intuition leads to better decision-making outcomes.✅ The role of product managers will evolve as AI tools enhance productivity. Understanding your own emotions versus intuition is crucial.✅ Explicit thinking helps in making informed decisions.✅ Roadmaps should evolve from features to problems.✅ Tailoring roadmaps for different audiences enhances communication.✅ Efficient roadmapping should not consume excessive time.✅ Discovery roadmaps help clarify the unknowns in product development.✅ Visual storytelling can improve roadmap engagement.✅ Different views of roadmaps cater to various stakeholders.✅ Aligning roadmaps with strategic goals is essential for success.✅ Choosing the right tools for the conversation is key. Books mentioned:✨ Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish: https://a.co/d/fqtrIO1✨ Data Story by Nancy Duarte: https://a.co/d/cI22QNSFind Phil Hornby here:Website: https://www.forproductpeople.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philhornby/Read Phil's book:It Depends: https://www.forproductpeople.com/content/books/it-dependsIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps others discover Product Confidential! 🎧✨

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant juggle of work, parenting, and life’s demands? In this episode of Product Confidential, hosts Evie Brockwell and Michael Palmer are joined by Hannah Clark. They explore the challenges of maintaining balance amidst the chaos. They discuss the early warning signs of burnout, the power of routine in managing ADHD, and the importance of self-compassion when things don’t go to plan. Hannah shares her personal journey, offering practical strategies for reducing decision fatigue, staying resilient, and finding joy in small wins. Throughout the conversation, they highlight how mindset and self-awareness can help you navigate life’s ups and downs and ultimately thrive—both at work and at home. Takeaways:✔ Spotting burnout early can prevent bigger problems down the line.✔ Routines are essential for managing ADHD and maintaining stability.✔ Structured habits help reduce decision fatigue.✔ Self-compassion is key when life feels overwhelming.✔ Mindset and self-awareness play a huge role in overcoming challenges.✔ Burnout can distort your sense of self-worth, but small wins can rebuild confidence. Join us for this insightful discussion on creating balance in a demanding world. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps others discover Product Confidential! 🎧✨

Join Karl Abbott, a seasoned product manager at Microsoft with a rich background in open source from Red Hat, as he shares his insights on navigating the world of open source software. Discover how Microsoft's relationship with open source has evolved, the challenges of collaboration in these communities, and the nuances of managing open source products. Karl also discusses strategies for monetizing open source without compromising community trust, along with practical advice for those looking to enter this exciting field!

In a reflective solo dive, the host unpacks the alarming prevalence of burnout in product management, revealing that 92% of professionals are affected. Personal anecdotes intertwine with insightful research, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and ownership over one’s well-being. Listeners are encouraged to identify personal stressors and implement small, impactful changes. The conversation highlights mindset shifts as vital to overcoming burnout, offering a kickstart for setting up for success in the new year.

Ever felt swamped by the myriad frameworks in product management? We get into all of the details on the pros, the cons (hello imposter syndrome), and how to use frameworks effectively. Our guest is Ed Walsh. Ed is the Head of Product at Zapmap - the UK's leading EV charging platform shares all of his views in this episode. Discover why frameworks aren't one-size-fits-all, when they're genuinely useful, and how they can sometimes hinder more than help. Ed spills the beans on his favourite tools like the Business Model Canvas and Jobs to be Done, and offers candid advice on avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you're a startup hustler or a corporate climber, this chat is packed with invaluable insights that'll help you lead your team more effectively. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:30 The Overwhelming World of Product Frameworks 01:51 The Role of Frameworks in Career Development 03:20 Advice for Using Frameworks Effectively 04:22 Understanding the Purpose of Frameworks 05:39 Identifying and Solving Problems with Frameworks 07:54 Transitioning Away from Framework Dependence 13:04 The Downsides of Over-Reliance on Frameworks 15:33 Principle-Based Leadership and Framework Flexibility 22:18 Favorite Frameworks and Their Applications 25:26 Frameworks in Startups vs. Big Corporates 27:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Ed is an incredible coach in the product world, if you'd love to see more of his views - you can connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmund-walsh-61223a47/

Join us in this engaging episode as we sit down with Claire, the Director of Sustainable Business Consulting at Transform. Claire shares her inspiring journey from her early passion for sustainability, her roles in digital product spaces, to her current position at Transform. She delves into the concept of digital sustainability, the environmental impact of digital products, and practical steps product managers can take to make more sustainable choices. Through insightful discussions and real-world examples, Claire provides a roadmap for integrating sustainability into product design and business practices, emphasizing the interconnected benefits for the environment, society, and business prosperity. Tune in to discover how small changes can lead to significant positive impacts and how you can be a part of the solution. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:06 Claire's Journey into Digital Sustainability 02:38 Understanding Digital Sustainability 06:19 The Role of Product Managers in Sustainability 12:23 Practical Steps for Implementing Sustainability 16:05 Balancing Sustainability with Consumer Behavior 19:47 Overcoming Overwhelm in Sustainability Efforts 23:41 Positive News and Upcoming Events 24:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links to events and thoughts from Claire https://www.linkedin.com/posts/transformuk_sustainability-netzero-sustainabledesign-activity-7227324081518366724-YA5e https://www.transformuk.com/pages/towards-a-sustainable-business-blueprint Find Claire on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbolina/

Have you ever really thought about what it takes to become an insane product leader? Have you been thinking that you might want to take this career path, but you're not sure how to make it happen? These are all of the insights that we're sharing with you today. From progressing my career to lead 5 teams worth $1 billion at the age of 27 & coaching over 20 product leaders, to Michael's current journey - you're in for some gems. In this episode we cover: What it takes to be an effective product leader Our experiences with product leaders (the good and the bad) Looking after yourself when you hit the leadership spot The best strategies you can implement to grow your own career You'll leave this episode reflecting on how you want to show up and lead, and with tangible take-aways to really grow your career. If you want to become an unstoppable product leader, sign up to the waitlist here: https://eviebrockwell.ck.page/e9e6c21769 If you want to see more from us: ⁠⁠⁠Follow the show on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Michael⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Evie⁠ Do subscribe & leave a review if you love this episode, Evie & Michael

Have you ever found yourself feeling like you ‘need to do it all’ to be good at Product? Has it led you to feeling stressed and overwhelmed? If so, you’re not alone. 92% of product people have either been burnt out, or close to burnout. We spent the last 6 months finding out exactly why this is happening, and what can be done about it. In this bonus episode, I’m joined by Nick Jemetta, Evelina Dzimanaviciute  and Graham Reed, who are all experts on wellbeing in the workplace. You’ll get to know: Exactly why working in Product is the perfect storm for burnout How to recognise the signs and symptoms of burnout What you can do to stay on top of this Why burnout is so high in Product Leadership How product leaders can support others, whilst taking care of themselves If you’ve ever felt stressed, anxious or overworked in Product - then this episode is for you. Burnout in Product workshop This workshop will be covering everything you need to know to understand: Why you’ve experienced burnout The patterns that lead you down this path How to unpick the deep routed behaviours that contribute to burnout Your own personalised plan to continuously prevent burnout Join us on the last week of June to create the plan that you need. Join the waitlist here: https://eviebrockwell.ck.page/ea1bd26aaa If you want to see more from us: ⁠⁠⁠Follow the show on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Michael⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Evie ⁠ Subscribe & leave a review if you love this episode, Evie & Michael