People of Product

The path to product management can be an unconventional one. This week, Jessica Dubin shares her story of transitioning from the education sector, where she graduated from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education, to becoming Chief Product Officer at Remesh, an AI-focused research platform. Along the way, she observed how context influences how we work, serve our users, and develop products.In this episode, we’ll discuss:

* navigating leadership and organizational challenges

* balancing transparency and focus

* understanding what motivates teams

* setting up new employees for success by gathering context for them

* customer context and user engagement

* the importance of retrospectives

Join the conversation 👇🏼 Jessica’s path from education to product management shows how diverse experiences can shape leadership. What unconventional career shift or unique background have you encountered in your own journey, and how has it influenced the way you work or lead?

We all want our teams to be agile, but when is agile too agile? This week I’m joined by Hannah Clark, editor at TheProductManager.com and host of The Product Manager Podcast. Hannah shares insights from startup project managers at various levels who navigate challenges like “shiny object syndrome,” lack of collaboration while working remotely, and other issues that arise in rapidly scaling startups.

Topics covered include:

* the disconnect between product development and people management

* balancing innovation with stability

* the cost of switching directions

* balancing trust and change in leadership + shiny object syndrome

* empowering teams and maintaining momentum

* navigating psychological safety and feedback

* the value of the “complainer” in teams

* intentionality in remote work

* the future of work culture

Join the conversation 👇🏼How do you ensure your team stays focused on long-term goals without stifling the innovative spirit that drives startups forward? Share your experiences with balancing agility and stability in fast-paced environments.

Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams.

Currently serving as President of Diode Ventures, the infrastructure development arm of Black & Veatch, Brad Hardin has worked as a LEED-accredited architect, construction manager, and technology leader in a national and international capacity with a focus on business development/procurement, technology strategy, and growth. Join me in this week’s conversation with Brad as we discuss the crucial role of infrastructure development for the future of artificial intelligence and how to integrate advanced technology effectively and sustainably while highlighting the significance of a strong, collaborative team and a culture of continuous learning.Topics covered in this episode include:

* the challenges of archaic systems

* benefits of prefabrication and automation in construction

* the fascinating possibilities of quantum computing

* community engagement and public perception

* the role of humans in a tech-driven world

Join the conversation 👇🏼

What antiquated legacy systems do you notice in your professional or personal life that need to be updated? Are they updates technology can achieve, or are they better left for humans to handle?

Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams.

Imagine the job site of the future, where autonomous drones are moving material across the worksite and earth is being moved by vehicles being operated by people across the world, all driven by AI. These are a few of the things we get to talk about this week on the podcast with Jeff Danley. Jeff Danley, is the Director of Innovation at Burns & McDonnell, and he has over 20 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of technology and business. He’s been at the forefront of technological evolution, from the early days of the internet to the transformative impact of mobile devices, and now he leads the charge in leveraging AI to redefine industry standards. The topics we cover in this episode include:

* the future of construction sites driven by AI

* autonomous drones

* the importance of connectivity

* the challenges of integrating new tech into a traditionally laggard industry

* building a “digital fabric” to connect people, equipment, and materials

* enhancing safety on job sites using AI

Join the conversation 👇🏼

What issues involving safety, efficiency, and connectivity have you encountered in your professional environment that could be remedied by AI?

Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams.

Join me in a conversation with Eric Whobrey, VP of Innovation at ARCO Construction, as we explore the parallels between the design-build process in technology and construction and how Eric navigates the tension between making sure that the organization is rowing in the same direction while also giving permission to experiment, innovate, and maybe even stretch the rules a little bit every once in a while.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

* challenges and opportunities in balancing organizational efficiency with the need for innovation

* the importance of solving 'gray area' challenges

* the role of AI and robotics in construction

* training, communication, and empathy in innovation

* overcoming adoption and scalability challenges

Join the conversation! 👇🏼What are some ways that organizations can encourage growth and innovation while maintaining consistent deliverables for our clients?

Where to find Eric: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericwhobrey/

Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams.

00:00 Introduction to the Intersection of Technology and Construction

01:20 Meet Eric Whobrey: VP of Innovation at Arco

01:58 Exploring Gray Areas and Innovation Challenges

04:48 The Role of AI and Robotics in Construction

10:18 Design-Build Collaboration and Agile Methodologies

20:05 Operational Challenges and Data Management

29:57 Adoption and Change Management in Construction

35:37 Looking Ahead: The Future of Construction Innovation

38:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Construction leaders, this one is for you! This week on the podcast, we hear how J.E. Dunn Construction is piloting cutting-edge technology within their 100-year-old organization. They acknowledged that legacy and tradition are important, but so is future casting. Mark Stocks, VP and Director of Enterprise Architecture and his team are successfully balancing practicality and genuine innovation in an industry where it’s tough to do. In Q3 of 2024, Mark’s team is focusing on clean data and the ‘big three’ — AI, ML, and citizen development — to drive growth and efficiency. Hear how this major general contractor is adopting Microsoft’s CoPilot for meeting summaries and form-building, integrating Autodesk for project management, and utilizing low-code/no-code platforms to streamline business processes.

Where to find Mark: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markstocks/

People of Product is back from a hiatus! In this brief episode, we'll fill you in on what to expect from the next season.

Technology is changing the way we approach construction - from planning and visualization to project management. In this week's episode, Aaron Henderson of STACK Construction Technologies shares insights from his perspective after having shifted from traditional construction consulting to the tech-driven realm. George and Aaron talk about showcasing some of the exciting aspects of construction to attract new talent, niching down to specialize in specific markets, and picking the right technologies when each project is unique.

In 2024, the core principles of PdM haven’t changed. The number one role of a product manager is getting to the root of how serve your customer better. How do you make them LOVE your product and your business. Innovation is the name of the game, but how can you front new technologies while still creating value for customers? This and more on the episode with guest Blake Reichenbach, a product manager at Hubspot.

George Brooks interviews Anna Jordan-Douglass, the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Makefully Studios. Anna shares her profound journey through the realms of technology and creativity. Basked with an innate passion for making learning more interactive and fun, Anna explains the sheer magic of assimilating play with education and shares insights into her collaboration with the Jim Henson Company, and how she gathered experiences that later led to the creation of her very own Makefully Studios. With a strong team that shares a similar vision of fostering creativity and enhancing learning, Makefully Studios has emerged as a vibrant platform for crafting playful learning environments for children. Tune in to delve deeper into the insightful world of creative learning and Anna's impactful work in the field.