In this episode of The Convergence Podcast, host Ashok Sivanand is joined once again by Ben Foster, Co-Founder of Prodify and co-author of "Build What Matters." This is the second part of their two-part conversation, focusing on the intricacies of product management and innovation, particularly in hardware. They delve into Ben's experience at Whoop, a fitness wearable company where he served as Chief Product Officer. The discussion highlights the complexities of managing separate teams for hardware, firmware, and software, and how these teams must work cohesively to deliver a unified product experience. Ben also shares insights into Whoop's unique subscription model for hardware, emphasizing the gamble on product quality and customer retention that such a model entails.

The episode also touches on the broader implications of hardware and software integration, especially in the context of IoT and AI advancements. Ben discusses the importance of understanding and catering to different customer personas, from elite athletes to health-conscious individuals, and how this understanding can drive product development and market expansion. The conversation underscores the necessity of having a clear product vision and strategy to align teams and make informed decisions. Ben's practical advice and real-world examples provide valuable lessons for aspiring Chief Product Officers and product teams aiming to navigate the challenges of innovation and market fit.

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Inside the episode...

• The role of product teams to create customer value that can be extracted to create business value 

• How data can be dangerous without a strong vision

• Stories from Whoop

• Investments flowing into hardware 

• Subscriptions and hardware subscriptions 

• Delighting your customers even when you have very different customer segments using the same product

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