"The most difficult part was admitting that something was wrong and stopping the denial."

Guest:

Katarzyna Jurczak is an experienced Product Manager and IT leader with over 15 years of experience in product and people management. She has a wealth of expertise in developing digital products and managing agile transformations.

Episode Focus:

Burnout prevention for business professionals and Product Managers, featuring personal stories, insights, and strategies. Explore the causes of burnout, how to maintain a sustainable work-life relationship, and the importance of self-care and seeking professional support.

What you'll hear about:

Duration: Approx. 75 minutes

🔗 Links:

"The most important insight from Evidence-Based Management is that it's not just about metrics; it's about value.

Be prepared for transparency and the revelation that some ideas might not be as valuable as we thought."

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Guest:

Magdalena Firlit⁠, an Agile Transformation Consultant and accredited Professional Scrum Trainer (Scrum.org), brings over 20 years of experience across various industries, including IT, banking, marketing, sales, and HR.

Magdalena has trained over 12,000 people and collaborated with organizations from small startups to large corporate environments.

Magdalena is also a mentor, business coach, and active participant in the Women in Technology organization.

Episode focus:

This episode delves into the power of Evidence-Based Management (EBM) in transforming Product Owner roles, the distinctions between Product Owners and Product Managers, and strategies for maximizing product value.

Duration: Approx. 40 minutes

What you’ll learn:

Links:

If you found value in today’s discussion and are eager to deepen your professional skills and expertise, don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes!

Until next time - keep doing it your way 🌸

"Product Management is not just about the technology; it’s about understanding people and what drives their behaviour."

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Guest: Pooja Vithlani, Product Management leader and strategist who has shaped products at Microsoft and Kitopi. As the author of "The Product Managers Power-Up: Unlocking Essential Skills One Month at a Time," and the founder of a community for women in product management in the MENA region, Pooja brings a wealth of experience and insights.

Episode Focus: This episode explores practical product management skills and the role of supportive networks in advancing leadership and growth for women in tech.

Duration: Approx. 47 minutes

What you’ll learn:

Links:

If you found value in today’s discussion and are eager to deepen your professional skills and expertise, don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes!

Until next time - keep doing it your way 🌸

"By involving more people in product discovery process, you get a variety of ideas, creating products that really connect with users."

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Dive into the world of product management with Remigiusz Bondarowicz, a Senior Product Manager at Dolby Laboratories.

With over two decades of experience in the tech industry, from pioneering user-centric products like the Opera browser to leading innovative subscription-based platforms, Remigiusz is at the forefront of technological innovation.

Episode Focus:

The transformative power of clear mission and vision in product management, and how product-driven companies are redefining user experiences in the automotive industry.

What you’ll learn:

Duration: Approx. 64 minutes

Whether you are a product manager seeking to enhance your skills or just interested in the latest technological innovations, this episode provides valuable insights into the processes that drive successful product development in today's competitive landscape.

Links:

Enjoy the episode, and use the tools and strategies in Product Management to.. do it your way 🌸

"It’s essential to challenge the narrative that without being an expert, you can’t excel; we need all kinds of minds to solve problems."

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Today, I'm bringing you a conversation with Aga Sobczak, where we explore the themes of career changes, bold moves, and the power of belief.

Belief that the perfect role or place will manifest when we truly understand what we're looking for - and while it may take time to arrive, with patience, effort, and trust in our competences, we can either find it, create it, or both.

Aga is a woman defined by her relentless pursuit of learning and growth, marked by her boldness and authenticity. With over nine years of experience as a Finance & HR Manager in London, she brings a wealth of experience from leading diverse teams and managing complex projects. Aga excels in developing dynamic teams, driving organizational change, and enhancing employer branding, all within multicultural environments. Now, she continues her impressive career journey in the IT industry.

Episode Focus:

Duration: Approx. 80 minutes

What you can gain from the episode?

Links:

"The future of work isn't about where you are, but what you can achieve."

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Imagine this... It’s a warm summer morning. You're on your balcony with a cup of aromatic coffee. A gentle breeze tingles your skin, mingling with the soft, salty scent of the distant sea. The morning sun lightly caresses your face, its warmth soothing as the rhythmic lapping of the waves plays in the background. You close your eyes, fully immersed in the moment. Your body relaxes, your mind finds peace, and you just know - today is going to be a wonderful day.

And sometimes, that’s all we really need.

Perhaps with a remote role that lets you chase the sun and design your days exactly as you please, whether you're an early riser or a night owl.

How can you make this your everyday reality?

In this new episode, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Nadia Harris, the founder of remoteworkadvocate.com, international remote and hybrid work expert, remote work lawyer, keynote speaker, university lecturer and author of numerous flexible working publications, including her own book called “How to tackle hybrid working”.

Recording this episode with Nadia was truly delightful. Her enthusiasm and expertise for reshaping work environments are infectious, demonstrating how remote work isn't just feasible - it thrives!

Episode Focus:

We'll explore the transformative power of flexible work environments, discussing the advantages of remote work, the essentials for its success, and its impact on both personal and professional growth.

Topics Covered in the Episode:

➡️ Nadia Harris’s transition from skepticism to becoming a remote work champion.

🔗 Links:

Catch all episodes here: https://linktr.ee/doingitmywaybybeatamatras

Tune into this episode wherever you are. If you're curious about remote work and how it could lead to a more fulfilling professional life, don't miss out... and keep doing it your way 🛤

"We're like bridges, strong and connecting everything together. Let's be the bridge that connects, not divides and closes the way forward."

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In this episode, I'll take you through my journey, the challenges and plot twists during my transition in roles within product management, along with actionable strategies and personal stories that could help you become - well, not exactly a Taylor Swift, but let’s say - on the way there.

Duration: Approx. 28 minutes

Topics covered:

I hope this episode makes you feel ready to develop and grow in your current role, or in product management, facing its challenges and... rewards with confidence and ease.

Links:

And until next time.. keep doing it your way ;)

P.S. - I’m really eager to get to know you, my listeners, so drop me a message or comment. This journey can feel a bit solitary and lonely from time to time.

"A leader never stops learning, no matter how senior you are or where you are, there's always things to change, there's always things that you can improve"

- Ania McLaughlin

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Speaking with Ania was an absolute delight. Her extensive knowledge, experience, and wisdom as a leader - and as a woman in the business world - are profound.

I am confident that her insights will resonate deeply with anyone who listens to this episode.

I must apologize for my moments of silence during our conversation, a proof to my ongoing learning journey. I found myself repeating "thought-provoking" more times than I can count, often listening in awe.

Meeting a role model like Ania tends to have that effect: you find yourself listening more and speaking less, completely captivated by the wisdom shared, and your mind either races with new concepts or pauses in reflection.

Thank you Ania for being my guest.

And welcome to "doing it my way" by beata matras.

Ania McLaughlin serves as the Senior Leader and General Manager at StoneX Poland. Her impressive career also includes roles such as Global Head of Client Experience at OANDA and various VP positions at BBH and UBS. Ania's innovative problem-solving, effectiveness, and leadership qualities, especially as an inspiration to women in finance, set her apart in the industry.

Whether you're just starting your career or navigating the complexities of a leadership role, Ania's story and wisdom are sure to motivate and guide you towards your own path of success.

🌟 Episode Focus: The nonlinear nature of career progression, the critical role of mentorship, confronting leadership challenges, and exploring strategies for managing work-life balance in senior roles.

🌟 Topics covered in the episode:

🔗 Noteworthy Links:

Join us for an episode full of empowering discussions and tips on leading with integrity, fostering growth, and… doing it your way.

"Both roles are important. Sometimes we pick what suits us best. It's not about being better or worse. It's just different."

- Judyta Wolak

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I met Judyta at work.

It's fascinating how often we connect with people on a deeper level in professional settings. There’s that spark, a mutual understanding, even when we're supposed to maintain a strictly professional image.

We find ourselves reading between the lines, and gradually, our conversations become more open, more honest.

It's in these moments we see reflections of ourselves, discover shared stories, and watch as connections blossom into genuine relationships.

This is the story of my friendship with Judyta Wolak - a bond based on mutual support and understanding.

So.. welcome back to "doing it my way by beata matras," where today we're diving into the worlds of project and product management with Judyta Wolak.

At OANDA, she’s at the forefront of business process modeling, solution design, and PMO operations. Her journey through the fintech and automotive industries has blessed her with invaluable insights. A mentor in the TechLeaders program and recognized as one of the Strong Women in IT, Judyta is joining me for the third time on my podcast to share her wisdom and spark inspiration once more.

In this episode, we're unraveling the intertwined roles of project and product managers. We’re demystifying the differences and showcasing how each role is pivotal to the success of an organization.

And yes, we’re talking a lot about our superpowers too ;)

🌟 What We Cover:

🌟 Value for You:

Whether you're facing career transitions, aiming to make a significant impact within your organization, or seeking guidance on collaboration and leadership, our shared experiences and advice are here to guide you.

🌟 Duration: Approx. 90 minutes

🔗 Dive Deeper:

Hope you found something valuable in our chat.

And until next time.. keep doing it your way ;)

"Self-confidence and humility are key to recognizing that the smartest person in the room can be anyone on your team."

- Monika Bieda

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Hi All!

Posting this feels a bit surreal. When I was planning this episode release, it was a quiet Saturday morning in a bustling coffee shop. Instead of enjoying the usual weekend activities like meeting friends or running, I found myself nestled among strangers, wrestling with the thought that what I'm doing is more than just extra work - it's a hobby, a passion, and yes, sometimes a solitary journey.

It's not always about the highs; embracing the hard work behind a passion project is a choice, one that comes with its own set of challenges and rewards..

And this episode is particularly close to my heart.

It's the result of a unique collaboration between myself, Monika Bieda, and Michal Wawszczak - a gift to the charity auction by my company, IG Group.

It's a tradition in our Krakow office to contribute to charity at our annual big party. Holding something as dear to me as my podcast, I decided to share an episode for the good cause.

And together, Monika, Michal, and I transformed IG office's relax room into a makeshift studio one Monday evening.

The result? For me, it's pure magic 🤲

I couldn't be prouder or more grateful for this experience and the fantastic team that made it happen. It was an endeavor of giving, learning, and growing together, and I couldn’t have asked for better companions on this journey.

Diving into the episode details, I'm thrilled to bring you a conversation with Monika Bieda. Monika isn’t just any leader; she’s someone who’s adeptly navigated the complex worlds of startups, agencies, and global companies like the IG Group. Currently, she is steering Local Marketing Operations with resilience and a visionary approach.

In this special episode of 'doing it my way by beata matras,' we delve into Monika's eclectic journey, exploring the different aspects of leadership, the art of adapting, and the strategies that make a lasting impact across diverse business environments.

🌟 Episode Focus:

🌟 Topics Covered:

🌟 Duration: Join us for about 70 minutes of insightful conversation on leadership and self-development.

🔗 Noteworthy Links:

I hope that our conversation will remind you that leadership is about morphing challenges into avenues of opportunity, both for ourselves and those we guide.

Let’s continue to embrace our paths with empathy, strategic insight, and a readiness to both learn and contribute.

So tune in, get inspired, and remember... keep doing it your way! 🌏

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Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EE9RPCA53oM