In this episode, I sit down with David Fradin, a former product manager at Apple who succeeded Steve Jobs and even managed Steve Wozniak. With over 50 years of experience, David has built 75+ products and founded 11 startups. He is also the author of How to Build Insanely Great Products.🔑 What You'll Learn:How to build products customers loveUnderstanding your unique value propositionMastering stakeholder managementThe truth behind the myth: Did Steve Jobs ignore user research?The 16 areas of innovation every product manager should knowJoin us as we uncover the secrets behind insanely great products and much more!David Fradin Books: https://www.amazon.com/Books-David-Fradin/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ADavid+FradinDavid Fradin Website: https://spicecatalyst.com/Timestamps:0:00 – Intro: David’s journey at Apple and HP1:01 – How to build insanely great products2:36 – Why customers don’t know what they want (the Henry Ford story)5:00 – How to define your product market strategy8:03 – Stakeholder management tips from David9:43 – Unveiling the myth: Did Steve Jobs do user research?12:22 – The 16 areas of innovation for product managers15:00 – How David transitioned into product management at HP and Apple30:00 – Lessons from managing Apple’s iconic product launchesJoin my newsletter: https://mahmoudkhodor.com/

In this insightful episode, I sit down with Chris Jones, a partner at Silicon Valley Product Group and co-author of Empowered and Transformed with Marty Cagan. With over 30 years of experience, Chris has led product teams at both startups and Fortune 500 companies. We dive deep into the product operating model and explore how the best product-driven companies operate today. Chris shares valuable insights into transforming teams from shipping features to solving real problems, coaching product managers to take ownership, and navigating the common pitfalls of transitioning to a product-led organization.Topics Discussed:- The role of outcomes in product management- Shifting from features to outcomes- Building empowered product teams- Common pitfalls in product transformation- The role of leadership, especially the CEO, in driving change- How product managers, designers, and tech leads thrive in a product-driven companyKey Takeaways:- The significance of product discovery and the impact of shifting toward an empowered product model- How to effectively scale the product operating model across teams and departments- Coaching and building ownership in product managersChris's Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjonessvpg/https://www.svpg.com/team/chris-jones/Timeline: 0:00 - Introduction0:42 - Who is Chris Jones?2:05 - What is the product operating model?5:10 - Shifting from features to outcomes9:00 - The three dimensions of product transformation12:50 - Common pitfalls in transforming to a product-led organization17:00 - The role of the CEO in product transformation20:20 - How product leaders can build credibility and influence24:00 - Team topology: How to organize product teams effectively29:15 - Coaching ownership in product managers33:10 - Lessons from Chris’s mentors38:00 - Why building teams is more important than building products43:30 - Key competencies for product managers, designers, and tech leads48:55 - Role of tech leads in product discovery52:50 - Transitioning from feature teams to empowered product teams58:00 - Outcome-based roadmaps and scaling the product operating model1:06:00 - Ensuring customer-centric transformation1:10:00 - Lessons learned from companies that struggled with transformation1:12:00 - Conclusion and where to find Chris JonesSubscribe for more practical tips from product leaders around the world!https://mahmoudkhodor.com/

In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Christian Idiodi, a renowned product leader and partner at Silicon Valley Product Group. Christian shares how he helped launch a product that generated $32 million in just 90 days — using a technique far more powerful than user stories, PRDs, or acceptance criteria. He has worked with companies like Starbucks and McDonald's, helping them turn complex problems into successful products.We discuss the real role of a product manager, how to tackle customer discovery, and the importance of team collaboration in solving real problems. Christian also shares his thoughts on breaking into product management, even when junior roles are scarce.Key Topics:- The core responsibilities of a product manager- Why many companies don't need product managers- The difference between feature teams and empowered product teams- How to transition from delivering projects to solving real problems- Advice for breaking into product management in tough job marketsConnect with Christian Idiodi:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodiInnovate Africa Foundation - https://www.innovateafricafoundation.org/Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro0:07 – Christian’s $32M product launch story2:03 – The true role of a product manager5:02 – Feature teams vs. product teams9:05 – Solving the real problem, not just delivering features17:07 – The reference customer technique22:16 – Finding early adopters and building the right product35:40 – Case study: McDonald's & Starbucks hiring solution52:26 – Advice for aspiring product managers in difficult markets1:00:10 – Coaching and building great teams1:12:30 – Breaking into product management in the UAE & KSA1:20:00 – Christian’s work in Africa and how you can help

In this episode, I sit down with Lea Tharin, an experienced product leader and interim CPO, to discuss the secrets of Product-Led Growth (PLG) and how it can transform your business. With a wealth of experience from Microsoft, Smallpdf, and Gutfoto, Lea shares insights on how to create products that attract and retain customers while reducing marketing costs and boosting loyalty. We dive into the key benefits of PLG, the importance of interactive demos, and the one thing that can get product managers promoted—or fired!Whether you're new to Product-Led Growth or looking for actionable tactics to improve your product strategy, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons. Stay tuned till the end to hear Lea’s top tips for navigating PLG in a B2B world.Leah Tharin Newsletter - https://www.leahtharin.comLeah Tharin Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahtharinTimeline:0:00 - Introduction: Lea Tharin’s background0:07 - The truth about NPS as a metric0:25 - What is Product-Led Growth?1:02 - Understanding distribution frameworks in PLG2:24 - PLG benefits for small and enterprise companies3:43 - How PLG helps in testing and data collection5:42 - Expanding into enterprise value with PLG6:58 - Using interactive demos in Product-Led Growth8:53 - How free versions help in building advocacy10:03 - Creating a freemium model that works12:08 - The importance of data in product iteration14:03 - Identifying ‘aha moments’ in product usage16:20 - When to use sales-led growth vs. PLG21:55 - How cultural differences affect sales and PLG26:07 - The mistakes product managers make with PLG27:48 - How to manage up as a product manager30:10 - Understanding business case creation in PLG39:00 - The real metrics you should be tracking instead of NPS42:35 - Customer effort score and its importance47:15 - Lea’s final advice for product managersSubscribe to my newsletter for weekly insights around product management https://www.mahmoudkhodor.com

In this episode, I sit down with Lloyed Lobo, co-founder of Boast.AI and Traction, a renowned speaker, and the author of "From Grassroots to Greatness." We dive deep into the power of community, bootstrapping a company to eight figures, and the art of building something meaningful from scratch.🎥 Watch to learn:- The importance of community in today's age of AI- How Lloyed built Boast.AI from scratch using no-code tools- The mindset of a successful entrepreneur- Lessons from startup failures- Insights on balancing family and entrepreneurshipTimestamps:0:00 Intro0:05 Bootstrapping to 8 figures with 30 employees1:06 The role of community and collaboration in startups2:59 Lloyed's personal story: From Kuwait to entrepreneurship5:05 The importance of community in times of crisis10:23 Building a startup ecosystem from the ground up16:00 The philosophy of luck and hard work in entrepreneurship20:55 Early sales jobs and lessons learned28:50 The concept of "Spin Selling" and how it applies to product management35:12 Bootstrapping with no code: Building Boast.AI's first product44:00 Validation and product-market fit: Key takeaways for founders52:32 Starting Traction community & the role of media in building community1:09:00 Product market fit vs. Product channel fit1:17:45 Creating a meaningful conference with no budget1:26:00 How Lloyed’s community-driven approach built credibility for Boast.AI1:33:35 Balancing entrepreneurship and personal life1:39:00 The impact of having a supportive partner1:47:33 Lloyed’s thoughts on the power of community and movementsGiveaway Alert! We're giving away 10 copies of Lloyed's book, "From Grassroots to Greatness"! To enter the giveaway, register for our newsletter https://mahmoudkhodor.com/

In this episode, I sit down with Khaled, a Forbes-listed tech CEO and royal advisor, whose incredible journey took him from humble beginnings as a village kid in Africa to becoming a globally recognized thought leader. With over 25 international awards in innovation, technology, and business, Khaled shares his insights on problem-solving, scaling businesses, and leadership. We dive deep into his personal story, starting at age 10 when he created his first software, all the way to advising Fortune 500 companies and governments around the world.Khaled's linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalidmachchate/Highlights:[0:06] Solving problems as a founder[0:18] Khaled’s rise from a small town in Morocco to a Forbes-listed CEO[3:52] Building his first software at age 10[9:08] The importance of persistence and learning from failure[27:31] How to build and validate a blended learning platform[41:58] Innovating deep-tech solutions for life-saving products[1:01:52] The role of neurodivergence in creativity and leadershipMake sure to follow Khaled on LinkedIn for more insights into leadership and innovation.☕ Sponsor:Tonic Grind is more than just coffee; it’s where art, lifestyle, and premium coffee beans intersect. Check them out on Instagram for sustainably sourced beans and top-notch brews!Subscribe to my newsletter for more interviews with industry leaders and practical advice for product managers and founders: https://mahmoudkhodor.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Roger Martin, renowned strategist, author of 13 books, and former Dean of Rotman School of Management. Roger is here to talk about strategy like you've never heard before. We cover the myths of KPIs, why strategy isn’t just a plan, and how business schools might be getting it all wrong. Stick around for practical insights that can help you implement a winning strategy today. Plus, we’re giving away 20 copies of Roger’s book "Playing to Win"! Don’t miss out—details at the end of the episode.Key topics we discuss:- Why 10% of S&P 500 CEOs come from Procter & Gamble- The truth about KPIs and why they aren’t a strategy- How to craft a winning strategy using Roger's 5-question framework- Business strategy vs. military strategy: the big difference- How to integrate your long-term and short-term goals effectively- What makes Roger Martin’s approach to strategy controversial in business schoolsTimestamps:0:00 – Welcome to Dubai, Roger’s first impressions1:10 – Why Procter & Gamble produces 10% of S&P 500 CEOs4:45 – The secret behind P&G's strategic discipline5:54 – What is strategy? Roger Martin’s definition10:07 – Why traditional business school teachings are failing students15:05 – Common misconceptions about strategy and KPIs25:30 – How to develop a winning strategy: Roger’s practical guide32:00 – The difference between strategy and a product roadmap37:45 – Why OKRs and KPIs are not a strategy45:00 – Real-world examples of effective strategies52:00 – Military strategy vs. business strategy54:15 – How Roger led Rotman to become a global leader in research and teaching1:09:40 – Roger’s thoughts on integrative thinking and why it matters in business1:19:15 – Roger’s journey as a writer and why writing is key to strategic thinking1:22:00 – Giveaway details for "Playing to Win" bookRoger L Martin Website : https://rogerlmartin.com/Roger L Martin Medium page https://rogermartin.medium.com/Newsletter: https://mahmoudkhodor.com/