Elena Verna, a seasoned growth leader with a rich background at companies like SurveyMonkey and Dropbox, shares her insights on navigating career transitions and the journey from corporate life to solopreneurship. She emphasizes the importance of identifying one's 'superpower zone' and setting boundaries for sustainable success. The conversation dives into strategies for businesses transitioning from product-led growth to sales, alongside personal anecdotes about prioritizing tasks and finding joy in work, even amidst challenges.

Welcome to Growthmates with Kate Syuma — Growth advisor, previously Head of Growth Design at Miro. I’m building Growthmates as a place to connect with inspiring leaders to help you grow yourself and your product. Here you can learn how companies like Dropbox, Adobe, Canva, Loom, and many more are building excellent products and growth culture. Get all episodes and a free playbook for Growth teams on our brand-new website — growthmates.club, and press follow to support us on your favorite platforms.Listen now and subscribe on your favorite platforms — Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).In this episode: We’re wrapping up this incredible season with a special twist! For the first time, host Kate Syuma switches roles and becomes the guest. Kate is interviewed by her friend and former colleague, Lana Kul, in an honest and vulnerable conversation about her first year as a solopreneur.—Brought to you by Command.ai — a user-focused platform offering an alternative to traditional popups or chatbots. Their AI “Copilot” answers questions, performs actions, and simplifies complex tasks. Use “Nudges” to guide users with timely, relevant messages, all within a no-code platform. Perfect for Product, Support, and Marketing teams to positively influence user behavior while respecting their needs:—Key highlights from this episode 👇Reflections on a Transformational Year:* Recognizing the importance of building social capital and meaningful connections.* Taking time for reflection by blocking off two weeks to recharge and reassess priorities.* Acknowledging gratitude for support amidst challenges and moments of rejection.* ⭐️ “End of Year” Reflection framework: https://growthmates.notion.site/End-of-Year-Reflection-framework-15fadc80326980178cbff3754b6932b1?pvs=4This reflection framework includes five elements: Results, Gratefulness, Goodbyes (limiting beliefs), Dreams, and Priorities. Use it to structure your reflections and create a meaningful plan for the year ahead.—👉 Plan your 2025 with us — Join with 150$ discount before 31 Dec 🎁How do you decide where to grow? IC vs. Manager, in-house or solo? For 6+ years, we have supported career growth and hired 10+ people at Miro, helped with coaching and mentorship people from Loom, Intercom, Mentimeter, and more. Now, we want to share these practices with everyone who are on a cross-way in planning the next career step. For that, we created a special 1-week Design Career Accelerator (promo “endofyear”, valid by 31 December): https://maven.com/lena-kul-kate-syuma/product-design-career-accelerator?promoCode=endofyear —Embracing Creativity and Personal Growth:* Creativity stems from making space, allowing boredom, and trusting intuition.* Identifying limiting beliefs through self-reflection and aligning personal interests with professional goals.* Recognizing the importance of courage, consistency, and commitment in personal and professional endeavors.Navigating Professional Aspirations:* Combining growth advising and user experience to align with authentic goals.* Revisiting and redefining dreams regularly while accepting the evolution of aspirations.* Creating a structured approach to prioritize focus, recovery, and sustained creativity.Building Community and Expanding Horizons:* Building meaningful connections through community-driven initiatives.* Enhancing cultural understanding through conscious traveling experiences.* Leveraging platforms like podcasts to create unexpected opportunities and broader impact.Balancing Professional and Personal Priorities:* Prioritizing personal growth alongside professional aspirations for a well-rounded life.* Emphasizing recovery and self-care to sustain long-term productivity and creativity.—⭐️ Some exciting plans for Growthmates’ next season:“In the Company of Women,” premiering in January 2024. This season will spotlight amazing women leaders, like Elena Verna, Marie Martens, Jennifer Phan and explore their journeys in building groundbreaking products and organizations.—Follow Growthmates updates on:* Growthmates website with “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club* Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery):https://www.growthmates.news/p/what-4-years-of-advising-35-companies* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syuma* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates_/Where to find Kate Syuma, Growth Advisor (ex-Miro):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Growthmates website: https://growthmates.club/* Newsletter: https://www.growthmates.news/Where to find — Lena Kul:* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-kul/—What we covered:[00:00] Introduction & Reflection on GrowthMates[03:02] One Year as a Solopreneur[06:12] Building Social Capital & Unlocking Creativity[09:49] Planning for the Future[13:11] Support Systems and Gratitude[15:06] Lessons Learned from Challenges[18:06] Embracing Courage and Consistency[21:14] Turning Negatives into Positives[34:04] Dreams and Aspirations: A Year in Reflection[38:55] The Impact of GrowthMates: Stories of Connection[45:04] Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Embracing Change[54:01] Prioritizing Personal and Professional Growth [01:03:38] Exciting Announcements and Future Directions—📕 Useful Resources:* ⭐️ “End of Year” Reflection framework: https://growthmates.notion.site/End-of-Year-Reflection-framework-15fadc80326980178cbff3754b6932b1?pvs=4This reflection framework includes five elements: Results, Gratefulness, Goodbyes (limiting beliefs), Dreams, and Priorities. Use it to structure your reflections and create a meaningful plan for the year ahead.* Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés – A powerful guide on reconnecting with intuition and creativity. https://www.amazon.com/Women-Who-Run-Wolves-Archetype/dp/0345409876 * In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney – A collection of stories from 100 inspiring creative women. https://www.amazon.com/Company-Women-Inspiration-Artists-Entrepreneurs/dp/1579655971* Slow Productivity by Cal Newport – Insights on balancing work and intentional living. https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Productivity-Accomplishment-Without-Burnout/dp/0593544854* The Art of Accomplishment Podcast – A favorite for personal development and building a supportive system. https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/podcast—💫 Before the new season — check our featured 2024 episodes:* The Role of Design in PLG: Embracing Quality and Non-Linear Paths with David Hoang (ex-Webflow, VP at Replit): https://www.growthmates.news/p/the-role-of-design-in-plg-embracing* Top 1% Talent Tactics: Navigating Startup & Scale-up Hiring | Tom Scott, Founder at Verified: https://www.growthmates.news/p/top-1-talent-tactics-navigating-startup* How to Get Your Dream Job and Stand Out in the Crowd | Lena Kul (ex-Miro): https://www.growthmates.news/p/how-to-get-your-dream-job-and-stand* Unpacking a New Growth Playbook with Andrew Capland (Growth Coach, ex-Wisia): https://www.growthmates.news/p/unpacking-a-new-growth-playbook-with* Making Decisions with User Research from Startup to Scale-up | Behzod Sirjani (Advisor & Partner at Reforge, ex-Slack): https://www.growthmates.news/p/making-decisions-with-user-research—Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the show on growthmates.club and get the free playbook with frameworks and insights. If you find this valuable, please share it with your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to this show on your favorite platforms to get new episodes. Let’s keep growing together, and see you back in 2025!For sponsorship and other inquiries, reach out to hello@growthmates.clubThanks for reading Kate's Syuma Newsletter & Growthmates! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Growthmates with Kate Syuma at www.growthmates.news/subscribe

Welcome to Growthmates with Kate Syuma — Growth advisor, previously Head of Growth Design at Miro. I’m building Growthmates as a place to connect with inspiring leaders to help you grow yourself and your product. Here you can learn how companies like Dropbox, Adobe, Canva, Loom, and many more are building excellent products and growth culture. Get all episodes and a free playbook for Growth teams on our brand-new website — growthmates.club, and press follow to support us on your favorite platforms.Listen now and subscribe on your favorite platforms — Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).In this episode, Kate speaks with Chetana Deorah , a seasoned design leader who shares her journey across renowned companies like Yahoo!, Netflix, and Coursera, along with her transition to building a community-driven vegan pizza initiative. Chetana opens up about navigating the intersection of creativity, leadership, and self-reflection while balancing corporate and personal passions.—Brought to you by Command.ai — a user-focused platform offering an alternative to traditional popups or chatbots. Their AI “Copilot” answers questions, performs actions, and simplifies complex tasks. Use “Nudges” to guide users with timely, relevant messages, all within a no-code platform. Perfect for Product, Support, and Marketing teams to positively influence user behavior while respecting their needs:—Key highlights from this episode 👇* From Binge Watching to Binge Learning: Chetana reflects on her career’s evolution—from binge-watching at Netflix to binge-learning at Coursera—and how aligning with personal values reshaped her path.* Belonging vs. Fitting In: Drawing from @Brené Brown’s work, Chetana shares insights into workplace culture and how recognizing the difference between belonging and fitting in shaped her professional growth.* Balancing Creativity with Corporate Leadership: Creative professionals often feel stifled in structured environments. Chetana provides strategies to thrive without losing your creative spark.* The Power of Mentorship and Self-Reflection: Chetana emphasizes the importance of mentorship and learning to ask yourself the right questions to unlock growth opportunities.* From Corporate to Community: Discover how Chetana co-founded Pizza Valley, a vegan and sustainable initiative that fosters community and connection.—⭐️ Special announcement — Join the Design Career Accelerator, coming in January ❄️ How do you decide where to grow? IC vs. Manager, in-house or solo? For years, I’ve collected frameworks that helped me and my coaching clients from Loom, Intercom, and more. This year I want to share these practices with everyone who are on a cross-way in planning the next career step. To help you dedicate time for that at the end of the year, we created a special 1-week Design Career Accelerator — learn more about the program and grab your slot in December with 120$ discount: https://maven.com/lena-kul-kate-syuma/product-design-career-accelerator?promoCode=growthmates—Follow Growthmates updates on:* Growthmates website with “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club* Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery): https://www.growthmates.news/p/what-4-years-of-advising-35-companies* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syuma* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates_/Where to find Kate Syuma, Growth Advisor (ex-Miro):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Newsletter: katesyuma.substack.comWhere to find our guest* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chetanadeorah/—What we covered:[00:00] Introduction[03:42] Career journey[07:41] Pizza business[12:19] Work culture[15:15] Fitting in[29:26] Mentorship[35:08] Recharge & reflect[37:58] Yoga asana[42:05] Lifestyle[48:52] Favorite app[52:22] Chetana suggestion[53:49] Outro—📕 Useful Resources and other related Podcasts:The Culture Map by Erin Meyer – A guide to navigating cultural differences in global business.The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin – Insights into nurturing creativity and finding inspiration in life.Dare to Lead– Brené Brown’s podcast exploring leadership, values, and human connection.—Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the show on growthmates.club and get the free playbook with frameworks and insights. If you find this valuable, please share it with your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to this show on your favorite platforms to get new episodes. Let’s keep growing together!For sponsorship and other inquiries reach out to hello@growthmates.clubThanks for reading Kate's Syuma Newsletter & Growthmates ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Growthmates with Kate Syuma at www.growthmates.news/subscribe

Benjamin Humphrey, Co-founder and CEO of Dovetail, transitions from a designer at Atlassian to an entrepreneur tackling UX and research challenges. He shares insights on the emotional dynamics of teamwork in business and the evolution of Dovetail into a powerhouse for over 3,700 organizations. The conversation explores the importance of user experience, the balance of product-led growth strategies, and how design skills play a crucial role in leadership and startup success. Additionally, Benjamin reflects on the value of mentorship and personal well-being in the entrepreneurial journey.

Yuriy Timen, a former growth leader at Grammarly who helped scale the company to impressive revenues, shares his journey into the advisory world. He discusses the emotional shift from corporate life to advisory roles, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and personal growth. The conversation touches on enhancing user experiences, the challenges of redefining professional identities, and the rewarding aspects of teamwork. Yuriy also reflects on the deeper engagement found in advisory roles versus founding ventures, providing valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Welcome to Growthmates with Kate Syuma — Growth advisor, previously Head of Growth Design at Miro. I’m building Growthmates as a place to connect with inspiring leaders to help you grow yourself and your product. Here you can learn how companies like Dropbox, Adobe, Canva, Loom, and many more are building excellent products and growth culture. Get all episodes and a free playbook for Growth teams on our brand-new website — growthmates.club, and press follow to support us on your favorite platforms.Listen now and subscribe on your favorite platforms — Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).In this episode, we chat with Emily Campbell, VP of Design at HackerRank. Emily shares her fascinating journey, from starting in economics to leading design at HackerRank, where she focuses on creating design systems that integrate AI while maintaining a human-centered approach. She is also the founder of Women in AI and The Shape of AI, where she explores how AI is reshaping design, creativity, and human interaction. In this conversation, Emily dives deep into how AI can augment human potential, the ethical implications of AI in social media, and why maintaining a human-centered approach is critical as AI evolves.—Brought to you by Command.ai — a user-focused platform offering an alternative to traditional popups or chatbots. Their AI “Copilot” answers questions, performs actions, and simplifies complex tasks. Use “Nudges” to guide users with timely, relevant messages, all within a no-code platform. Perfect for Product, Support, and Marketing teams to positively influence user behavior while respecting their needs:—Key highlights from this episode 👇* AI can be your design co-pilot, not your replacement: While AI is becoming more integrated into design workflows, it shouldn’t replace human creativity. Emily emphasizes that AI works best when it augments human decision-making, allowing designers to focus on the more meaningful, creative aspects of their work. AI can automate the mundane, but the heart of design remains human.* Creativity thrives on curiosity: Emily’s journey highlights the power of relentless curiosity. Whether exploring the history of cybernetics or diving into AI’s role in product design, she underscores that staying curious is essential for innovation. Cultivating curiosity helps you see problems differently, driving fresh solutions and creative breakthroughs.* The ethics of AI are urgent, not optional: As AI technology evolves, its societal impact grows. Emily stresses that designers and developers have a responsibility to ensure that AI is used ethically. This includes transparency around algorithmic decisions and addressing the biases that can emerge in AI-driven systems. Regulation is critical to ensure AI benefits society rather than exacerbating existing problems.* AI adoption takes time—but that’s okay: Many companies, including HackerRank, are integrating AI tools, but widespread adoption takes time. Users often need guidance and clear use cases to embrace AI features. Emily discusses the importance of building trust with users by showing how AI can improve their workflows without feeling intrusive or overwhelming.* Design systems must evolve to accommodate AI: As AI becomes more embedded in products, design systems need to adapt. Emily explains that traditional patterns of interaction may break down in AI-powered experiences, requiring designers to rethink how users engage with digital products. The key is designing flexible systems that evolve with new technologies while keeping the user’s experience intuitive.* Fostering diverse collaboration sparks innovation: Cross-disciplinary collaboration is critical in today’s fast-evolving tech landscape. Emily emphasizes how diverse teams—comprising engineers, designers, and AI experts—can generate more innovative and inclusive solutions. Diversity in thought and expertise leads to better products and stronger teams.—Follow Growthmates updates on:* NEW! Growthmates website with “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club * Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery): https://katesyuma.substack.com/podcast* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syuma* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates_/Where to find Kate Syuma, Growth Advisor (ex-Miro):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Newsletter: katesyuma.substack.comWhere to find our guest — Emily Campbell (VP of Design):* LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emily-campbell* Website: emilycampbell.co* Substack: https://shapeofai.substack.com* Women in AI: https://womeninai.xyz* Shape of AI: https://www.shapeof.ai/—What we’ve covered in this episode:[00:00] Cybernetics and AI history[00:28] The importance of AI regulation[02:19] Emily's career journey and inspirations[02:19] Transitioning from Coffee Startup to Tech[06:09] Improvisation and AI-driven design[13:00] The ethical deployment of AI in social spaces[19:54] How AI can unlock creativity and reduce friction[36:33] AI, human patterns, and society—📕Useful Resources from this episode:* Cybernetics: Second Edition by Norbert Wienerhttps://www.amazon.com/Cybernetics-Second-Control-Communication-Machine/dp/026273009X* The Shape of AI: Navigating the Future of Design in Tech by Emily Campbellhttps://www.shapeof.ai* AI Superpowers by Kai-Fu Leehttps://www.amazon.com/AI-Superpowers-China-Silicon-Valley/dp/132854639X* The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwabhttps://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Industrial-Revolution-Klaus-Schwab/dp/1524758868—Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the show on growthmates.club and get the free playbook with frameworks and insights. If you find this valuable, please share it with your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to this show on your favorite platforms to get new episodes. Let’s keep growing together!For sponsorship and other inquiries reach out to hello@growthmates.clubThanks for reading Kate's Syuma Newsletter & Growthmates! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Growthmates with Kate Syuma at www.growthmates.news/subscribe

Welcome to Growthmates with Kate Syuma — Growth advisor, previously Head of Growth Design at Miro. I’m building Growthmates as a place to connect with inspiring leaders to help you grow yourself and your product. Here you can learn how companies like Dropbox, Adobe, Canva, Loom, and many more are building excellent products and growth culture. Get all episodes and a free playbook for Growth teams on our brand-new website — growthamtes.club, and press follow to support us on your favorite platforms.Listen now and subscribe on your favorite platforms — Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).In this episode, we chat with Randy, Head of Design at Notion. Join us as we explore Randy's incredible journey from crypto and coffee startups to becoming the Head of Design at Notion. He shares how he blends craftsmanship, simplicity, and user-centered design into Notion’s core values. Randy also provides valuable insights into the balance of functionality and emotional design, his approach to building talent-dense teams, and how to foster creativity within high-performing groups.—Brought to you by Command.ai — a user-focused platform offering an alternative to traditional popups or chatbots. Their AI “Copilot” answers questions, performs actions, and simplifies complex tasks. Use “Nudges” to guide users with timely, relevant messages, all within a no-code platform. Perfect for Product, Support, and Marketing teams to positively influence user behavior while respecting their needs: —Key highlights from this episode 👇-Design for Emotion: Randy explains how Notion prioritizes emotional connection in user experiences.-Craftsmanship with Efficiency: The importance of talent density and focusing on fewer resources for more impact.-Marketplace Insights: How working in multi-sided marketplaces influenced Randy’s approach to product design.-Visual Design Mastery: Randy’s tips on typography and user interaction to improve design quality.-Creative Collaboration: Discover how Notion encourages team improvisation and shared creativity, much like a jazz ensemble.How to make your collaboration more creative? 🎨* Improvisation and Team Dynamics: Notion encourages team members to express their creativity, similar to a jazz ensemble, fostering spontaneous collaboration that leads to innovative solutions.* Cross-Functional Teams: By promoting collaboration across different functions, Notion leverages diverse perspectives to enhance the design process.* Regular Feedback: Open communication and constructive feedback sessions help refine ideas and improve team dynamics.* Design Sprints: Quick prototyping and testing through design sprints allow teams to iterate rapidly while staying aligned with user needs.* Empowerment: Team members are encouraged to take ownership of projects, boosting morale and encouraging boundary-pushing creativity.* Utilizing Notion's Tools: The product itself is used as a collaboration platform, enhancing documentation, feedback, and progress tracking—Follow Growthmates updates on:* NEW! Growthmates website with “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club* Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery): https://katesyuma.substack.com/podcast* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syuma* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates_/Where to find Kate Syuma, Growth Advisor (ex-Miro):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Newsletter: katesyuma.substack.comWhere to find our guest — Randy Hunt (Head of Design at Notion):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randyjhunt/—What we’ve covered in this episode:[00:00] Introduction[00:06] Randy’s Career Journey[01:12] Working at Notion[02:19] Transitioning from Coffee Startup to Tech[04:04] Leadership at Etsy[05:00] Music and Entrepreneurial Spirit[06:09] Notion’s Craft and High Standards[07:33] Talent Density at Notion[09:16] Interview Process at Notion[13:27] Side Projects and Passion[19:54] Design and Product Collaboration at Notion[24:20] Prototyping and Ideation Process[29:55] Design Execution and Strategic Influence[36:33] Simplicity and Systems Thinking[41:51] Jam Sessions and Design Reviews[43:17] Final Thoughts and Lightning Round—📕Useful Resources from this episode:*  The Lean Product Playbook by Dan OlsenA comprehensive guide on how to apply lean principles to product management and design: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Product-Playbook-Innovate-Products/dp/1118960874 * The Design of Everyday Things by Don NormanThis book offers insights into user-centered design and how good design can enhance usability and user experience: https://www.amazon.com/Design-Everyday-Things-Revised-Expanded/dp/0465050654/ref=sr_1_1* Inspired: How To Create Products Customers Love by Marty CaganThis book discusses how successful product teams work and how to build products that meet user needs: https://www.amazon.com/INSPIRED-Create-Tech-Products-Customers/dp/1119387507/ref=sr_1_1 * Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir EyalA guide to understanding user behavior and how to create products that encourage habitual use: https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/B00HZY1N0K/ref=sr_1_1 * Lean UX: Designing Great Products with Agile Teams by Jeff Gothelf and Josh SeidenThis book emphasizes collaboration and the importance of user experience in agile development: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-UX-Designing-Products-Agile/dp/1491953608 * Design Sprint: A Practical Guidebook for Building Great Digital Products by Richard Banfield, C. Todd Lombardo, and Tracey W. K. McCaffertyA detailed guide on how to run design sprints to solve problems and validate ideas: https://www.amazon.com/Design-Sprint-Practical-Guidebook-Building/dp/1491923172—Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the show on growthmates.club and get the free playbook with frameworks and insights. If you find this valuable, please share it with your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to this show on your favorite platforms to get new episodes. Let’s keep growing together!For sponsorship and other inquiries reach out to hello@growthmates.clubThanks for reading Kate's Syuma Newsletter & Growthmates! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Growthmates with Kate Syuma at www.growthmates.news/subscribe

Welcome to Growthmates with Kate Syuma — Growth advisor, previously Head of Growth Design at Miro. I’m building Growthmates as a place to connect with inspiring leaders to help you grow yourself and your product. Here you can learn how companies like Dropbox, Adobe, Canva, Loom, and many more are building excellent products and growth culture. Get all episodes and a free playbook for Growth teams on our brand-new website — growthamtes.club, and press follow to support us on your favorite platforms. Listen now and subscribe on your favorite platforms — Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).In this episode, I chat with Jason Giles — a VP of Product Design at UserTesting.com. We dove into his journey, from working as an electronic musician to becoming a leader in the tech industry. Jason shares his unique story about transitioning into the UX field during his time at Microsoft, his experiences with design leadership, and how human-centered design became his foundation. We also dive into the importance of research, debunking 3 myths about its cost and time, and Jason’s insights into democratizing research within organizations.—Brought to you by Command.ai — a user-focused platform offering an alternative to traditional popups or chatbots. Their AI “Copilot” answers questions, performs actions, and simplifies complex tasks. Use “Nudges” to guide users with timely, relevant messages, all within a no-code platform. Perfect for Product, Support, and Marketing teams to positively influence user behavior while respecting their needs: https://command.ai/—Key highlights from this episode 👇- How Jason transitioned from music to UX design;- The role of human-centered design in successful products;- Revealing 3 myths about User Research and sharing actionable tips:* Research takes a lot of time, it’s expensive, and we basically don’t have resources for that. * Research doesn’t give any measurable impact and it’s impossible to to measure* It’s risky to democratize research, as it can become a weapon in the “wrong” hands- Quantifying the ROI of user experience research- Democratizing research across teams for better user insights—Follow Growthmates updates on:* NEW! Growthmates website with “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club * Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery): https://katesyuma.substack.com/podcast* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syuma* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates_/Where to find Kate Syuma, Growth Advisor (ex-Miro):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Newsletter: katesyuma.substack.comWhere to find our guest — Jason Giles (VP of Product Design at UserTesting):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaygiles/—What we’ve covered in this episode:[00:00] Introduction and welcome to the conference[00:07] Jason’s journey: From electronic musician to UX designer[00:20] Joining Microsoft and the early stages of his career in UX[03:00] Joining UserTesting and how the mission aligns with his personal goals[05:30] The myths about UX research and the challenges of starting with limited resources[09:30] Conducting research with minimal budget and engaging customers[12:41] Measuring the ROI of UX research[16:00] Case study: Saving $1.2 million by using validated designs[20:00] The role of democratizing research within teams[24:00] How leadership can support a user-centric mindset[26:30] Audience Q&A: Advice on how to involve the entire team in UX research[31:00] Final thoughts and closing remarks—📕Useful Resources for User Research* “The Holistic Growth Playbook" by Growthmates with insights from 100+ companies on Growth and UX: https://growthmates.club/playbook* “The Design of Everyday Things” by Don Norman: https://www.amazon.com/Design-Everyday-Things-Revised-Expanded/dp/0465050654* UserTesting.com — the platform for user research to transform how you build products and experiences: https://www.usertesting.com/* Advanced Techniques: Continuous Discovery by Aakash Gupta: https://www.news.aakashg.com🎙️ More Growthmates episodes on User Research * Making Decisions with User Research from Startup to Scale-up | Behzod Sirjani (Advisor & Partner at Reforge, ex-Slack): https://katesyuma.substack.com/p/making-decisions-with-user-research* Running UXR in Growth teams | Andrej Balaz (UXR at Miro): https://katesyuma.substack.com/p/running-uxr-in-growth-teams-andrej-9df* Driving a Positive Behavioural Change with Your Product | Amy Bucher (Lirio, Author of "Engaged"): https://katesyuma.substack.com/p/driving-a-positive-behavioural-change—Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the show on growthmates.club and get the free playbook with frameworks and insights. If you find this valuable, please share it with your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to this show on your favorite platforms to get new episodes. Let’s keep growing together!For sponsorship and other inquiries reach out to hello@growthmates.clubThanks for reading Kate's Syuma Newsletter & Growthmates! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Growthmates with Kate Syuma at www.growthmates.news/subscribe

Welcome to Growthmates with Kate Syuma — Growth advisor, previously Head of Growth Design at Miro. I’m building Growthmates as a place to connect with inspiring leaders to help you grow yourself and your product. Here you can learn how companies like Dropbox, Adobe, Canva, Loom, and many more are building excellent products and growth culture. Get all episodes and a free playbook for Growth teams on our brand-new website — growthamtes.club, and press follow to support us on your favorite platforms. Listen now and subscribe on your favorite platforms — Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).In this episode, I chat with Enzo Avigo, CEO of June.so. We delve into the journey of product management and the shift from being a Product Manager at companies like Zalando and Intercom to becoming a Startup founder. Enzo shares his insights on the key differences between product management in large companies and startups, and how that experience shaped his approach to building June.so, a platform for B2B SaaS companies that provides customer analytics for product-focused teams. We discuss positioning, product-market fit, and how to align multiple aspects like brand, marketing, and product into what Enzo calls "Position Market Fit."—By the end of this episode, you’ll gain insights on:- The transition from PM to Founder  - The role of design and user experience in creating a strong product position  - How to build a memorable product experience that stands out  - Practical examples of positioning, including how Enzo applies it at June.so  - Lessons learned on when to outsource brand work and when to handle it in-house—Brought to you by Command.ai — a user-focused platform offering an alternative to traditional popups or chatbots. Their AI “Copilot” answers questions, performs actions, and simplifies complex tasks. Use “Nudges” to guide users with timely, relevant messages, all within a no-code platform. Perfect for Product, Support, and Marketing teams to positively influence user behavior while respecting their needs: https://command.ai/— Self-Serve Onboarding course is coming back! Get 100€ off 🎁We open enrollment for the new cohort of the Self-Serve User Onboarding course. As an early-bird gift, we give all subscribers a discount of 100$ with a promocode “growthmates”. Reserve your spot now and join me on live sessions starting from September 16, 2024 (only 5 spots left): https://maven.com/growth-course/self-serve-onboarding—Key highlights from this episode 👇1. From PM to Founder: Enzo discusses the dream many Product Managers have of founding their own company and why it's so challenging to take the leap.2. Key Differences Between Large Companies & Startups: Enzo dives into why traditional product management techniques don't always translate into startup success.3. Position Market Fit: We discuss the metaphor of aligning multiple "planets" (product, brand, marketing, pricing, etc.) to achieve Position Market Fit, a crucial aspect for startups today.4. Importance of Memorable Experiences: Learn how creating a distinct and memorable product experience helps cement your product in users’ minds.5. In-House vs. Agency: Enzo shares the pros and cons of working with an agency for brand and product design versus keeping it in-house, with real-life examples from June.so.Listen now and subscribe on your favorite platforms — Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).—Follow Growthmates updates on:* NEW! Growthmates website with “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club* Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery): https://katesyuma.substack.com/podcast* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syuma* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates_/Where to find Kate Syuma, Growth Advisor (ex-Miro):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Newsletter: katesyuma.substack.comWhere to find our guest — Enzo Avigo: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enzoavigo/* June Website: https://june.so—What we’ve covered in this episode:[00:00] Introduction  [00:39] Enzo Avigo’s journey from Product Manager to Founder  [02:08] Differences between product management in large companies vs. startups  [06:52] What is Position Market Fit?  [13:20] How user experience and design drive a product’s position  [17:36] The role of memorable product experiences  [22:32] In-house vs. Agency branding — when to choose which  [30:57] Aligning multiple elements (product, brand, marketing) to achieve Position Market Fit  [42:24] Lightning Round: Memorable experiences, brands, and recommendations—📕 Resources Referenced* Position Market Fit article on Aakash Gupta Newsletter: * June.so — Enzo’s B2B SaaS company, Customer analytics for product-focused teams: https://june.so* “The Holistic Growth Playbook" by Growthmates with insights from 100+ companies on Growth and UX: https://growthmates.club/playbook—Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the show on growthmates.club and get the free playbook with frameworks and insights. If you find this valuable, please share it with your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to this show on your favorite platforms to get new episodes. Let’s keep growing together!For sponsorship and other inquiries reach out to hello@growthmates.clubThanks for reading Kate's Syuma Newsletter & Growthmates! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Growthmates with Kate Syuma at www.growthmates.news/subscribe

Welcome to Growthmates with Kate Syuma — Growth advisor, previously Head of Growth Design at Miro. I’m building Growthmates as a place to connect with inspiring leaders to help you grow yourself and your product. Here you can learn how companies like Dropbox, Adobe, Canva, Loom, and many more are building excellent products and growth culture. Get all episodes and a free playbook for Growth teams on our brand-new website — growthamtes.club, and press follow to support us on your favorite platforms. Listen now and subscribe on your favorite platforms — Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).—In this episode, I chat with Amy Bucher, Chief Behavioral Officer at Lirio and author of Engaged. We delve into the world of behavioral design, exploring how understanding human behavior can lead to more ethical and effective product development. Amy shares her journey from academia to leading behavioral design teams, and how frameworks like the COMBEE model and Behavior Change Wheel are essential tools for influencing user behavior.By the end of this episode, you'll learn how to apply behavioral science principles to your product, understand the importance of ethical design, and gain insights into leveraging AI for personalized user experiences 💡—Brought to you by Appcues — the platform that helps you design, deploy, and test captivating onboarding experiences.Appcues created the Product Adoption Academy to help you level up your product adoption for free. Check out the template to uncover meaningful improvements with an example of Dropbox Onboarding inside: appcues.com/growthmates—Self-Serve Onboarding course is coming back! Get 100€ off 🎁We open enrollment for the new cohort of the Self-Serve User Onboarding course. As an early-bird gift, we give all subscribers a discount of 100$ with a promocode “growthmates”. Reserve your spot now and join me on live sessions starting from September 16, 2024 (the cohort is limited to 20 participants): https://maven.com/growth-course/self-serve-onboarding—Key highlights from this episode 👇1: Behavioral Design Defined: Understand the fundamentals of behavioral design and how it differs from traditional UX/UI design.2: COMBEE Model and Behavior Change Wheel: Learn how capability, opportunity, and motivation drive behavior change and how to apply these concepts in product design.3: Ethical Design: Discover how to avoid dark patterns like over-gamification and notification fatigue.4: AI and Personalization: Explore how AI can be used to create personalized and effective user experiences.Listen now and subscribe on your favorite platforms — Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).—Follow Growthmates updates on:* NEW! Growthmates website with “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club* Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery): https://katesyuma.substack.com/podcast* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syuma* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates_/Where to find Kate Syuma, Growth Advisor (ex-Miro):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Newsletter: katesyuma.substack.comWhere to find our guest — Amy Bucher:* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybucher/* “Engaged”: Designing for Behavior Change: https://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/engaged-designing-for-behavior-change/—What we’ve covered in this episode:[00:00] Introduction[00:39] Amy Bucher’s Journey: From Academia to Chief Behavioral Officer[02:08] Defining Behavioral Design and Its Importance[06:52] The COMBEE Model and Behavior Change Wheel[13:20] Understanding and Driving Internal Motivation[17:36] Ethical Considerations in Design: Avoiding Dark Patterns[22:32] Meeting Psychological Needs: Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness[30:57] Writing Outcome Stories and Designing for Growth[42:24] Leveraging AI for Behavioral Design and Personalization[46:03] Lightning Round: Society’s Behavioral Gaps and Recommended—📕 Resources Referenced* “Engaged”: Designing for Behavior Change by Amy Bucher: https://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/engaged-designing-for-behavior-change/* “The Holistic Growth Playbook” by Kate Syuma: https://growthmates.club/playbook* Behavioral Insights by Elspeth Kirkman and Michael Halsworth: https://www.amazon.com/Behavioral-Insights-Press-Essential-Knowledge/dp/0262539403* Actionable Gamification by Yukai Chu: https://www.amazon.com/Actionable-Gamification-audiobook/dp/B06XSWX7BN/* Power and Prediction by A.J. Agrawal, Joshua Gans, and A.V.I. Goldfarb: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Prediction-Disruptive-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1647824192* Subtract by Lydie Klotz: https://www.amazon.com/Subtract-Untapped-Science-Leidy-Klotz/dp/1250249864—Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the show on growthmates.club and get the free playbook with frameworks and insights. If you find this valuable, please share it with your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to this show on your favorite platforms to get new episodes. Let’s keep growing together!For sponsorship and other inquiries reach out to hello@growthmates.clubThanks for reading Kate's Syuma Newsletter & Growthmates! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Growthmates with Kate Syuma at www.growthmates.news/subscribe