Are you an aspiring Product Manager or a seasoned professional looking to sharpen your craft? In this engaging episode, Shravan (a.k.a. Swag Wala on YouTube) shares actionable insights, timeless wisdom, and practical strategies to elevate your product management game. We cover everything from cracking PM interviews to mastering the art of building impactful products. 🚀🔑 What you'll learn in this episode:- Why you DON'T need an MBA to become a Product Manager.- How to embrace failure as a stepping stone to growth.- The importance of being a generalist over a specialist in today’s world.- Combining emotional intelligence with technical skills for PM success.- Strategies for building trust and credibility in your first 90 days.- The future of Product Management: Why "PM" might not exist as a title in 10 years!Whether you're starting your PM journey or refining your craft, this episode is packed with actionable advice and deep insights.👋 Find Shravan here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shravantickoo/📌 Chapters for Easy Navigation:00:00 – Why You Don’t Need an MBA for Product Management02:00 – The Evolution of the PM Role07:30 – How to Embrace Failure and Build Resilience15:00 – The Power of Being a Generalist in a Specialist World23:00 – Building Your PM Portfolio and Network30:00 – What to Do in Your First 90 Days as a PM45:00 – Leveraging Empathy with Cross-Functional Teams55:00 – How AI Is Transforming the PM Role1:05:00 – Building Communities with Strong Core Values1:10:00 – The Philosophical Side of Product Management🔔 Subscribe for more actionable PM insights!

🚀 In this insightful episode, I'm thrilled to host Gökhan Polat, a seasoned product leader and Founder, who is redefining startup funding and collaboration through decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). With over a decade of experience scaling ventures and leading product teams, Goang dives deep into how Web3 and AI are transforming the way startups are built and operated.🎯 What you'll learn in this episode:- How DAOs are reshaping startup funding and talent collaboration.- Why equity ownership is being reimagined as a driver for growth.- The power of Web3 in reducing capital requirements for startups.- Gökhan's approach to research-driven product development and rapid product launches.- Insights into cross-functional leadership and future-proofing startups with AI.If you're a product leader, founder, or just curious about the future of startups, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you don’t want to miss.📌 Timeline:0:00 - Introduction to the Episode0:05 - Why all AI startups sound the same0:17 - Gökhan Polat's background and journey0:35 - The concept of DAOs and how they work1:32 - What it takes to build a startup in the AI and Web3 era2:39 - How R&DOW operates as a next-gen venture builder5:15 - Solving funding challenges for early-stage startups8:02 - How DAOs enable better collaboration and compensation11:13 - Why Web3 makes equity distribution more effective than ESOPs14:06 - Example: Together Crew's success in community analytics15:28 - Gökhan's strategies for rapid product launches17:30 - Incorporating a six-week product development cycle20:47 - Product discovery methodology and impactful user research24:11 - How user research shaped a real estate CRM tool27:50 - Leadership lessons in cross-functional, cross-cultural teams33:32 - Managing team dynamics and fostering collaboration37:21 - Lessons from 37signals and building in Web344:03 - Startups of the future: less admin, more AI, and Web3 at the core50:05 - Where to connect with Gökhan Polat's and explore R&DOW🌐 Resources Mentioned:Connect with Gökhan Polat on LinkedIn for insights on Web3 and product strategies. https://www.linkedin.com/in/polat/👉 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below!

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Jeffrey Pfeffer, the world-renowned Stanford professor and author of "7 Rules of Power". In this powerful discussion, Jeffrey shares unfiltered insights on how anyone—not just CEOs or politicians—can harness power to achieve success.🔑 Key Topics Covered:Why confidence often beats competenceHow to stop sabotaging yourself and get out of your own wayThe hidden power of networking and personal brandingWhy breaking the rules can lead to spectacular successPractical exercises to project confidence and powerThis is not just a theoretical discussion—Jeffrey offers actionable advice that you can implement today to build influence, lead effectively, and make a lasting impact.📚 Resources Mentioned in the Episode:- Jeffrey Pfeffer’s podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@pfefferonpower/videosd- Website: jeffreypfeffer.com- LinkedIn: Jeffrey Pfeffer on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-pfeffer-57a01b6/Recommended things to watch:- Amy Cuddy – Presence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-_Mh1QhMc&ab_channel=TED- Herminia Ibarra – Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAG2SSf9NQc&ab_channel=LondonBusinessForum- Deborah Gruenfeld – Acting with Power https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mLFUtv0pCo&ab_channel=StanfordAlumni⏰ Episode Timeline:0:42 - Why '7 Rules of Power'?3:46 - The Defining Moment5:17 - Denial of Power Realities6:43 - Rule #1: Get Out of Your Own Way9:46 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome11:05 - Daily Confidence Habit12:45 - Confidence vs. Competence13:20 - Rule #2: Break the Rules15:15 - When to Break Rules17:57 - Cultural Differences in Power18:50 - Rule #3: Appear Powerful19:47 - Authenticity in Leadership21:53 - Are Leaders Emotional?22:55 - Rule #4: Build a Brand24:16 - Branding for Introverts27:14 - Rule #5: Network Relentlessly30:35 - Staying Connected31:34 - Rule #6: Use Your Power33:32 - Ethical Power Use35:47 - Rule #7: Take Initiative36:24 - Universal Applicability of Power Rules38:05 - Unique Challenges for Women and Minorities39:16 - Start with Rule #141:22 - Daily Power Habit43:55 - Final Takeaways46:28 - Connect with Jeffrey Pfeffer

In this episode, we sit down with the legendary Dr. Robert Cialdini, author of "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion". Known as the father of influence science, Dr. Cialdini unpacks the seven principles of persuasion and shares actionable insights on how to ethically influence others, build trust, and drive collaboration.🚀 Key Takeaways from the Episode:The difference between persuasion vs. manipulationWhy asking for advice instead of opinions leads to better collaborationThe psychology behind reciprocation and loyaltyThe power of scarcity, authority, and social proof in decision-makingHow small changes can lead to massive improvements in influenceWhether you're a product manager, leader, or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with strategies you can apply immediately.🔗 Resources Mentioned:Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Dr. Robert CialdiniThe Cialdini Institute: www.cialdini.com📢 Share your biggest takeaway in the comments below!#Influence #Persuasion #RobertCialdini #Leadership #ProductManagement #Psychology #Podcast🕒 YouTube Episode Timeline0:00 Introduction – Welcoming Dr. Robert Cialdini0:32 The 7 Principles of Persuasion – Overview of the episode1:03 The Motivation Behind Discovering the Principles3:01 Persuasion vs. Manipulation – Key differences5:01 Why Asking for Advice, Not Opinions, Works Better8:28 The Power of Small Changes in Influence8:34 Principle 1: Reciprocation – The psychology behind giving first10:33 Improving Customer Loyalty Through Reciprocation12:12 The McDonald's Balloon Study – A real-world example13:10 What Makes a Gift Most Effective?16:01 The Art of Personalization in Gifts19:02 Principle 2: Liking – How similarities build rapport22:45 Negotiation Study: The Power of Commonalities24:22 How to Defend Against Manipulative Liking Techniques27:29 Shared Values: The Foundation of Long-term Relationships30:45 Principle 3: Social Proof – Reducing uncertainty33:34 Trends vs. Statistics in Social Proof38:04 Spotting Fake Reviews – Specific vs. General Comments40:19 Using Influencers for Social Proof41:09 Principle 4: Authority – Being 'an' authority vs. 'in' authority46:12 Why Precise Numbers Build Credibility48:20 Using Testimonials Effectively52:04 Red Flags for Biased Authority Opinions53:39 Principle 5: Scarcity – Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)**54:50 The Psychology of Loss Aversion56:37 Creating Ethical Scarcity Without Manipulation57:48 Principle 6: Commitment and Consistency1:00:56 Getting Team Accountability Through Public Commitment1:02:04 A Personal Example: Helping a Parent Quit Smoking1:05:10 Principle 7: Unity – From Similarity to Belonging1:09:07 Leveraging Shared Identity for Influence1:13:00 The Power of Storytelling in Communication1:16:41 How Writing Improves Clear Thinking1:17:02 Who Embodies Persuasion Principles in Business? (Warren Buffett Example)1:18:15 Where to Learn More About Dr. Cialdini's Work1:19:05 Closing Remarks & Gratitude

In this episode, I sit down with Sudipt, the visionary founder behind Digital of Things and UserQ. From leaving a stable corporate career to building a UX research powerhouse in the Middle East, Sudipt shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. He discusses the importance of user experience, the cultural nuances of building digital products in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and the strategies behind launching two successful ventures.This conversation is packed with actionable insights on building partnerships, conducting effective user research, and creating products that resonate across diverse markets. Whether you're a product manager, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a UX professional, this episode is brimming with valuable lessons.🔗 Learn More About Digital of Things: https://www.digitalofthings.com🔗 Explore UserQ: https://www.userq.com🔗 Connect with Sudipt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sud18/If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insightful interviews!Timeline:00:00 – Introduction to the Episode00:05 – Sudipt's Corporate Journey and the Leap into Entrepreneurship02:05 – What is Digital of Things and its Core Offerings?04:01 – Key Steps to Localizing a Product in the Middle East06:04 – The Strategic Planning Behind Digital of Things’ Launch09:01 – Building a Partner Network for Business Growth13:06 – The Role of Usability Labs in UX Research19:00 – Real-World Insights from Usability Testing22:31 – Why Invest in a Usability Lab as a Startup?23:42 – Cultural Differences Between UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the UK26:38 – Common Mistakes Companies Make in User Research30:50 – How to Influence Stakeholders with Research Insights35:02 – The Birth of UserQ: From Service to Product Business39:13 – Key Differentiators of UserQ in the Market42:12 – Ensuring Quality in User Testing Participants44:19 – Building a Passionate and Mission-Driven Team50:47 – The Reality Behind UX Salaries and Market Adjustments54:45 – Why UAE is a Global Hub for UX and Product Talent57:16 – Surviving the Pandemic: Challenges and Lessons Learned1:02:20 – The Hardest Decisions as a Founder1:04:41 – Sudipt’s Passion for Teaching UX in the Region1:07:03 – Key Lessons for B2C Companies About UX1:09:57 – Why Inclusivity in Design Matters1:13:31 – How a Diverse Team Elevates UX Research1:14:26 – How to Work with Digital of Things and UserQ

In this in-depth conversation, I sit down with Roman Pichler—author of "Strategize" and a leading expert in Agile product management—to uncover what truly separates a grand product vision from a clear, actionable product strategy. We delve into Roman’s proven four-part framework that seamlessly connects your overarching product vision with practical roadmaps and backlogs, ensuring every step you take is value-driven.Discover how to validate your product strategy with real-world data before investing heavily, identify when it’s time to pivot, and recognize the right moment to push ahead or cut your losses. We also discuss differentiating business strategy from product strategy, working with outcome-based roadmaps, and how continuous review can keep your product thriving in dynamic markets.What You’ll Learn:- How to define a strong product strategy distinct from vision, roadmap, and backlog.- The importance of testing assumptions and validating market needs early.- Using quarterly reviews and outcome-based roadmaps to drive continuous alignment.- Strategies for knowing when to pivot, persevere, or even kill a product initiative.- Best practices for balancing desirability, feasibility, viability, and ethicality in product decisions.Get More From Roman Pichler:🚀 Attend training courses: https://www.romanpichler.com/training-courses/📖 Read Roman's book STRATEGIZE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0993499244➡︎ CONNECT with Roman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romanpichler/https://x.com/romanpichler If you enjoy this episode, please like, share, and subscribe for more deep dives into product strategy and Agile product management.Keywords: product strategy, product vision, Agile product management, product validation, product roadmap, Roman Pichler, pivoting strategies, Lean Startup, product portfolio, business strategy, OKRs, outcome-based roadmapsSuggested Timeline / Chapters:00:00 – Intro: From Dating Sites to Video Sharing – How Companies Pivot Their Products01:02 – Defining Product Strategy: Difference Between Vision, Strategy, Roadmap & Backlog03:08 – Vision vs. Strategy: How a Grand Vision Translates into a Practical Strategy05:01 – Strategy to Roadmap: Making Outcomes and Goals Actionable07:05 – Why Create Strategy Templates: The Birth of Roman’s Product Vision Board & Roadmap Tools10:00 – Business Strategy vs. Product Strategy: Understanding Their Distinct Roles13:00 – Scaling Strategies: When Products Become Portfolios and Need Portfolio Strategies17:00 – Choosing the Right Framework: Roger Martin’s Business Strategy vs. Product-Level Strategy19:30 – Common Struggles in Articulating Strategy: Empowerment, Knowledge, and Stakeholder Alignment22:00 – Communicating Strategy Effectively: Involving Teams and Stakeholders Collaboratively25:00 – Avoiding Design by Committee: Balancing Collaboration with Clear Decision-Making Authority26:30 – Building Evidence-Based Strategies: Market Discovery, Validation, and Iteration30:00 – Validating Your Strategy: Identifying and Testing Key Assumptions and Risks33:00 – When to Pivot or Persevere: Using Data to Guide Strategic Decisions40:00 – Product, Feature, or Portfolio?: Differentiating and Strategizing at the Right Level45:00 – Continuous Strategizing: Quarterly Reviews, Staying Ahead of Trends & Competition50:00 – Real-World Pivots: YouTube, Flickr, and the Apple Watch as Case Studies54:00 – Ethicality in Products: Ensuring No Harm to Users, Society, or the Planet58:00 – Outcome-Based Roadmaps: The Advantages of Goals Over Features1:05:00 – Integrating OKRs & Strategic Outcomes: Aligning Roadmaps with Organizational Goals1:10:00 – Closing Advice: Courage, Focus, and Continuous Validation in Strategy Work1:20:00 – Wrap-Up & Where to Find Roman: Learn More Through Roman’s Website, Book, and Resources

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of growth hacking with Sean Ellis, the entrepreneur who coined the term and helped scale companies like Dropbox and Eventbrite. Learn what growth hacking really means, how it differs from traditional marketing, and why product-market fit is essential before you grow. Sean shares actionable frameworks, data-driven experimentation techniques, and insider tips on activation, retention, and building a culture of continuous improvement. Whether you’re a startup founder, marketer, or product manager, this interview is packed with insights to help you drive sustainable growth.Where to find Sean Ellis:• X: https://x.com/seanellis• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanellis/• Website: https://www.seanellis.me/• Substack: https://substack.com/@seanellisKey Topics:- Growth hacking vs. traditional marketing- Achieving product-market fit- The "aha" moment & activation- Running effective experiments- Building a cross-functional growth teamTimestamps (Clickable Chapters):0:00 – Introduction & Defining Growth Hacking2:05 – Key Components of a Successful Growth Strategy4:07 – Cohort Analysis & Measuring Product-Market Fit5:24 – The Sean Ellis Test for Product-Market Fit9:59 – Who to Survey & Sample Size Guidelines12:16 – Using Product-Market Fit Insights to Drive Growth14:48 – Prioritizing Growth Opportunities with Limited Resources18:06 – Activation: The Critical Funnel Step Most Overlook23:30 – Generating & Ranking Growth Experiment Ideas26:57 – Common Mistakes When Starting Growth Hacking Efforts32:58 – Real-World Example: LogMeIn’s 10x Activation Improvement37:07 – Network Effects, Referral Loops, & When to Scale41:00 – Cross-Functional Collaboration for Growth Teams47:02 – Implementing Growth Hacking in Established Companies55:58 – Survey Questions for Understanding & Improving Your Product1:02:00 – Identifying Your North Star Metric1:13:00 – Surprising Applications of the Sean Ellis Test (NuBank, TikTok)1:20:00 – Closing Thoughts, Recommended Resources, & How to Connect with Sean

Join us as Neil Patel, digital marketing legend, reveals his bold strategies for scaling businesses in competitive markets. Discover why he believes common advice like “riches in niches” is misleading, and hear the story behind his $8.6M “experiment” that changed the game. Packed with insights on branding, SEO, and risk-taking, this episode challenges traditional business wisdom and offers practical tips for entrepreneurs, product managers, and marketers.Timeline:0:00 – Introduction and welcome to Neil Patel0:20 – Neil’s thoughts on Dubai and surprising observations1:39 – Neil’s contrarian view on market research and product-market fit2:04 – Entering competitive markets: why Neil copies competitors and adds his spin3:00 – The "niches" myth debunked: Why big markets matter more3:38 – The UberSuggest story: $8.6M experiment and lessons learned8:44 – Buying "Answer the Public" and turning it into a profitable asset10:59 – Neil on branding: How long it really takes to build a brand12:34 – Key SEO changes and what matters most now13:52 – Clickbait done right: Creating curiosity while delivering value15:11 – Personal vs. corporate brand: Why corporate brands generate more revenue19:44 – The truth about viral content: Why Neil doesn’t chase views24:46 – Managing a growing business: Neil’s view on leadership and "getting in the trenches"29:58 – Challenges of being a CEO: Why Neil prefers flexibility over titles32:04 – Reputation and customer service: Why every client interaction matters38:14 – How Neil prioritizes long-term opportunities over short-term gains46:39 – Advice for entrepreneurs in the Middle East market49:12 – Closing thoughts: How to stay objective and data-driven in business

In this riveting episode, Muhammad Chbib, one of the MENA region's most accomplished entrepreneurs, shares his incredible journey from a $25M deal collapse to building billion-dollar startups. Starting his entrepreneurial path at age 12, Muhammad delves into lessons learned from failure, insights into leadership, and his vision for empowering the MENA startup ecosystem. Don't miss this episode packed with inspiration, practical tips, and fascinating stories!💡 What you'll learn:How to pivot after setbacksBuilding impactful businesses in MENALeadership lessons from startup to scale📌 Chapters:00:00 - Introduction02:15 - Starting a Business at Age 12: Muhammad’s Early Days06:30 - The $25M Deal Collapse and What It Taught Him10:40 - Lessons from the Plastic Industry Startup Failure16:20 - Pivoting and Resilience: Moving Beyond Failure21:45 - Joining McKinsey: Leadership and Humility27:30 - The Role of Vision in Building Startups34:00 - Scaling AlMosafer to $1B in Sales40:15 - Key Leadership Traits for Entrepreneurs46:10 - Building the MENA Startup Ecosystem50:20 - The Role of Culture in Startup Success55:45 - How to Recruit and Retain Top Talent01:01:10 - The Power of Followership in Leadership01:05:00 - Muhammad’s Vision for a Global Middle Eastern Brand01:10:20 - Closing Thoughts: Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs✨ Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights from top entrepreneurs!

Ever wondered how to set product goals that drive rapid growth? 🚀 In this episode, we dive deep with Andrey, a product growth expert with over 19 years of experience and former VP of Product at Flo Health. Andrey has a knack for transforming good products into industry leaders, and today he shares the secrets behind:- Setting effective product goals aligned with business metrics- Creating seamless feedback loops within product teams- Real-life examples from his consulting experience- Strategies to avoid common goal-setting mistakes- Whether you're a product manager, business leader, or just passionate about product growth, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you can't miss! 🎯📅 Timeline:00:00 - Intro to Andrey and his background01:15 - Common mistakes in setting product goals03:50 - Connecting product goals with business metrics07:30 - The importance of feedback loops in product teams12:10 - Real-life examples from Andrey’s consulting experience18:40 - Key OKRs for tracking progress23:50 - How Flo Health monetized in a competitive market32:00 - Launch strategies and experiments for product success39:50 - Advanced growth strategies and experimentation52:00 - Jobs to be Done framework and how to apply it1:10:00 - Onboarding-driven product development explained1:17:00 - Web-to-web funnels and their effectiveness1:24:30 - Closing thoughts and where to find Andrey🔗 Follow Andrey on LinkedIn: https://cy.linkedin.com/in/mikhaylyuk🔗 Check out Andrey's website: https://amgrowth.top/If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share! 💡#ProductManagement #GrowthStrategy #AndreInterview #ProductGoals #BusinessMetrics #Podcast