Hey Listener,

Here's the latest interview with Brendan Fortune, Director of Product Management at Customer.io.

Connect with Brendan on Linkedin.

Listen now on Apple and Spotify.

In it, he shares his journey and insights into building effective product management teams and when it’s time to hire the first product manager.

Brendan's Approach to Product Management:

Brendan Fortune emphasizes the necessity of creating teams with the right balance of skills and passions. He advocates for the triad model consisting of a product manager, product designer, and engineer to ensure all critical areas are covered, thereby mitigating risks and accelerating growth.

Actionable Takeaways

💪 Understanding the role of product managers and how it ties into leadership, particularly in startup environments.

🔥 The pitfalls of hiring product managers prematurely and how to determine the right timing based on product-market fit.

✌️ How customer behavior can inform product flywheels and lead to sustainable growth.

Risk Doesn't Need a Title

Brendan discusses how risk management should not be confined to a job title but should align with the right person. Leaning into team members' strengths often results in better outcomes.

"I think it's on display at every startup that I've worked at. You need to be flexible and figure out how you fit into the solution."

"Leaning into someone's skills and passions can lead to amazing outcomes, as the team reforms around that individual's idea."

Action Tip:Encourage flexibility within your team by aligning roles with individual strengths and passions rather than strictly defined job titles.

The Flywheel Concept When Deciding Team Topologies

Brendan talks about focusing on the flywheel—a sequence of customer actions and reactions—to streamline growth and optimize product management.

"The idea of having a clear sense of your product flywheel can guide product organization and help plan when to hire new team members."

Action Tip:Identify your product's core flywheel and ensure your team is structured to facilitate its natural progression.

Pitfalls of Early Product Management Hires

Hiring a product manager too soon can stall growth. Brendan suggests waiting until the financial metrics justify the hire, ideally outside VC funding.

"Can you economically support a salary for a good product manager? That's a good indicator of reaching product-market fit."

Action Tip:Evaluate whether your business has generated enough value to invest in a product management hire responsibly.

The Importance of Story:

Creating meaningful work often hinges on the story being told. Brendan highlights how product managers can foster excitement and drive within a team by crafting a compelling narrative.

"People want to do meaningful work and the best product manager helps make the work feel meaningful."

Action Tip:

Focus on the narrative that ties your team's work to broader company goals, fostering a shared sense of purpose and clarity.

Best,

Caden Damiano

[email protected]

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

Hey everyone,

I recently had a fantastic conversation with Tammy Alvarez (LinkedIn) on the podcast, and she really got me thinking about how we approach our careers. She is also the author of “Escaping the Career Trap,” a guide to taking charge of your career and getting excited about Monday mornings again. Get it on Amazon

Listen now on Apple and Spotify.

Tammy has been through the corporate grind on Wall Street and now runs the Career Winners Circle; they shared game-changing insights on how we can break free from the corporate rat race and really own our career paths, even if it’s in-house.

Here are some of my thoughts from this episode:

Actionable Takeaways

Table of Contents

✅ Failure is only a moment, not an identity

✅ Your personal brand is key to having career agency

✅ Be the CEO of your own career

✅ Build your power base, your personal board of directors

Failure is only a moment, not an identity.

Instead of tying everything to success or failure, she suggests viewing every career move as a chance to try new things and learn. It's all about experimenting, seeing what works, and tweaking your approach until you hit your stride.

"Too often we think we're either success, fail, pass, good, bad, black, white. Whereas when you do everything in your career, in your life, in your business, taking that experimental mindset, knowing that you're going to iterate."

-Tammy Alverez

Takeaway: Failure is only a moment, not an identity; if we define ourselves by our bad moments, we will never achieve mastery.

Mastery takes grit, resilience, and being willing to keep trying until you master your craft.

Your personal brand is key to having career agency

Even if you're not big into self-promotion, your reputation—or personal brand—is constantly being shaped. Tammy pointed out that if you’re not defining how people see you, someone else will. So, why not take charge?

"You always have a brand, whether you want one or not. And so who would you rather influence your brand, you or other people?"Tammy Alvarez

Takeaway: Think about the top three words you want people to associate with you. Make sure your actions at work reflect those qualities every day.

Be the CEO of Your Own Career

Tammy’s advice to treat your career like a business really hit home for me. Imagine you're the CEO of your own life: you set the goals, figure out the strategy, and pivot as needed to reach your aspirations. By taking ownership, you can align what you do with what truly excites you.

"Congratulations, you just got promoted because now you are the CEO of your career and you're the CEO of you incorporated."

Tammy Alverez

Takeaway: Start seeing yourself as the CEO of You, Inc., and make decisions that align with your personal and professional goals.

Every action you take raises or lowers your stock price and your market value. Act accordingly.

Build Your Power Base

Networking isn’t just about LinkedIn connections; it’s about nurturing real relationships with people who have your back. Tammy calls this your power base—the folks who will champion your ideas when you’re not in the room and help propel you forward.

"Who are your sponsors and who are the people who are saying good things in the room when you're not there?"

Tammy Alverez

Takeaway: Identify key allies both inside and outside your organization who can support your growth, and do the same for them.

In short, Tammy’s approach is all about empowerment—finding your voice, nurturing your strengths, and making bold decisions to get where you want to be. If you're itching to shake things up in your career, her insights could be just the push you need.

Catch the full episode if you haven’t already, and feel free to share your thoughts on how you're taking control of your career. Happy exploring!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

Hey Listener,

I'm excited to share my latest conversation with Trevor Nielsen, the design mind behind the popular Chrome plugin for LinkedIn: Kleo. Listen now on Apple and Spotify.Trevor's journey from a traditional nine-to-five job to successful self-employment is inspiring.

This episode dives deep into the nuances of personal branding on LinkedIn, designing a fractional design career, and being a founding designer for Kleo, which just launched its pro plan.

**Trevor’s LinkedIn**

Building Kleo - Fueling Success for LinkedIn Content Creators

In our discussion, Trevor shares his experiences of replacing his previous income post-layoff and nearly doubling it with strategic client work. He's also developing Kleo, a tool designed to assist regular LinkedIn users to get more active on LinkedIn.

Highlights:

00:00 Starting Content Creation for Personal Branding

00:44 Transition to Freelance and Building Kleo

01:36 LinkedIn Personal Branding and Self-Employment Wins

02:42 Journey from Layoff to Self-Sustaining Business

04:16 Challenges and Epiphanies in Freelance Work

08:31 Consistency and Strategy in LinkedIn Posting

19:26 The Importance of Content Creation and Overcoming Barriers

23:47 The Myth of Creativity

24:37 Connecting Ideas for Niche Markets

25:34 Content Creation and Audience Engagement

26:26 The Power of Video Content

27:36 Building a Personal Brand

31:34 Leveraging Community and Feedback

41:29 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Listen now on Apple and Spotify.

Building a Sustainable Career Path

Trevor has created a blueprint for freelancers who aspire to build a sustainable and rewarding career path by diversifying income streams while working on passion projects. His insights into balancing side hustles and main gigs highlight the importance of planning and perseverance.

Highlights include:

💪 Trevor’s tactical steps in creating a stable income stream post-layoff

🔥 The exponential benefits of engaging consistently and meaningfully on LinkedIn

✌️ The vision behind Kleo and its potential to transform how creators interact and grow on LinkedIn

Actionable Takeaways

1. Embrace Client Work as a Core Commodity:

"Client work should not be viewed as supplementary to a full-time job but can be structured to be full-time through strategic partnerships." - Trevor Nielsen

Action Tip: Methodically assess part-time opportunities to ensure a stable recurring income, equating to a traditional full-time salary. Prioritize recurring partnerships for stability.

2. Utilize LinkedIn for Personal Branding:

LinkedIn isn't just a job board. Developing your personal brand through consistent posting and interaction can open doors you never expected. - Trevor Nielsen

Action Tip: Start posting regularly. Begin by sharing insights from your professional journey, and gradually engage with your network by commenting on posts and joining relevant conversations. The highest impact is providing relevant comments on the people’s posts you follow. Post for exposure and comment for opportunities.

4. Transform Setbacks into Opportunities:

“Following the layoff, I turned to freelancing, redefining my career and turning what could have been a setback into a successful voyage of self-employment.” – Trevor Nielsen

Action Tip: In career transition or upheaval, view unexpected changes as opportunities to pivot and innovate rather than setbacks.

Thank you for tuning in, and I hope you glean as much insight from Trevor’s journey as I did.

Best,

Caden Damiano

[email protected]

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

I recently spoke with Jason Monberg (LinkedIn Here), a seasoned tech entrepreneur and product leader. Our discussion covered a lot of ground, from navigating the tech industry to evolving roles in product management and the importance of continuous learning.

Listen now on Apple and Spotify.

Here’s what really stood out to me:

Actionable Takeaways

Table of Contents

✅ Rethinking Product Management Roles

✅ The Power of Team Chemistry

✅ Embracing Continuous Learning

✅ Simplifying Technology Adoption

✅ Rethinking Product Management Roles

We dove into the actual role of a product manager, debunking the myth that they should act like CEOs of their products. Jason explained how the essence of effective product management lies in influence and collaboration rather than authoritarian control.

Takeaway: Influence is Key

"Ultimately you have to get a team oriented around a vision and they have to buy in on their own. You can't force them to..."

-Jason Monberg

Action Tip:

👉 Build a collaborative atmosphere where team members feel heard. Your job is to have a vision and sell it.

👉 If you can’t sell it, return to the drawing board; don’t promise things to the leadership team of customers that you can’t sell internally. 👉 If you can’t sell it, you may not be the right person for that role. Product Managment is a leadership position. Make sure you make sure you are pointing everyone is the right direction.

✅ The Power of Team Chemistry

Our talk emphasized the importance of team chemistry and dynamics. Successful projects often hinge on how well team members communicate and work together rather than just the tech stack they use.

Takeaway: Foster Team Cohesion

"If the chemistry with the leadership of the product management team isn't spot on, that's always going to be a mess."

-Jason Monberg

Action Tip: 👉 Keep tabs on team dynamics and encourage open communication to ensure everyone is moving in the same direction.

✅ Embracing Continuous Learning

Continuous learning came up as a must for staying competitive in tech roles. Jason highlighted the importance of viewing yourself like a professional athlete, always training and upskilling for those pivotal moments.

Takeaway: Keep Learning

"Think about yourself as an elite athlete... take pride in yourself no matter what you're doing."

Jason Monberg

Action Tip: 👉 Make it a habit to explore new skills and tech platforms weekly. Staying informed helps keep you agile and relevant.

👉 Read “Chop Wood, Carry Water” to learn more about this philosophy.

✅ Simplifying Technology Adoption

We discussed the balance between tech adoption and business needs. Sometimes, the best tech decisions involve simplifying rather than complicating your processes.

Takeaway: Simplify for Success

"I'm excited to see a simplification of technology... You don't need all the technology all the time."

-Jason Monberg

Action Tip:

👉 Review your tech setup regularly to streamline operations and align them more closely with business goals.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

My chat with Seamus MacIsaac, VP of Product @ HelcimThis episode will be a goldmine of insights for those interested in the intricacies of digital transformation, product management, and navigating the complexities of various industries.

Listen now on Apple and Spotify.

Seamus MacIsaac offers a wealth of experience. Having transitioned from a small-town upbringing in Nova Scotia to spearheading product management in various industries, including construction and payments.

Table of Contents

✅ What Empathy Looks Like in Product Management

✅ Don’t Over-Engineer Before You Have Demand

✅ Digital Transformation Isn’t Just About Adding Technology

✅ Iterate with the “Scooter, Honda Civic, Ferrari” Framework

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

Hey Listener,

I’m thrilled to share my latest interview with Adam Nash, the Co-Founder and CEO of Daffy, a fintech company dedicated to making charitable giving more accessible and impactful.

* Adam’s Linkedin

* Donate $25 to any cause of you choosing using this link

Adam has a full-stack background in managing, designing, and engineering products, having held key roles at companies such as Dropbox, LinkedIn, and eBay and recently as CEO of Wealthfront. Highlights

👉 The multidisciplinary approach to innovation in technology he developed in his career where His experiences span notable companies such as Apple, LinkedIn, and Dropbox,

👉 The importance of combining engineering, design, and business insights and how he used his diverse skill set to drive innovation.

👉 Adams career advice: How to be fluid and adapt roles to create impactful solutions.

👉 We get tactical in designing to promote a desired behavior. It’s fun to talk shop with a CEO with excellent design taste.

Adam’s latest venture

Daffy stands for the Donor Advised Fund for You. It’s a unique platform inspired by the belief that everyone should have a straightforward way to put money aside for charity, much like a 401(k) for retirement.

Daffy is designed to automate the giving process, making it easier for people to commit financial resources to causes they care about.

Highlights include:

💪 Daffy’s mission to help people be more generous by simplifying the giving process

🔥 How their latest launch of Daffy Campaigns campaigns encourages more people to donate.

✌️ How Daffy leverages technology to create a communal space for philanthropy.

Chapters:00:00:00 Adam Career From Apple to CEO of Wealthfront

00:05:37 The Importance of Multidisciplinary Innovation

00:11:35 Pushing the Creative Process at Apple

00:15:28 Donor Advised Funds

00:22:49 Daffy is like Acorns for giving

00:29:12 Solving Emotional Problems with Design

00:36:28 Problems, especially with software, are emotional

00:39:54 Daffy and the Future of Giving

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.wayofproduct.com

Hey Listener, Today, I introduce you to Taha Ebrahimi, the author and illustrator of the book "Street Trees of Seattle, an Illustrated Walking Guide."

Taha's journey from Director at Tableau Public to an accidental author is filled with insights about curiosity, the power of storytelling, and the intersection of technology and nature.

Chapters

00:00 The Value of Curiosity and Exploration

01:12 Introducing Taha Ibrahimi

03:09 Taha's Eclectic Career Journey

04:36 The Birth of a Book During COVID

10:06 Challenges in Identifying Trees

12:51 Combining Data and Drawing

15:22 Validating Data with Field Work

26:08 The Role of AI in Video Editing

26:46 Empowerment Through Technology

29:23 Cultural Significance of Trees

30:50 The Unexpected Success of the Book

33:10 The Power of Storytelling

37:49 Curiosity and Data Visualization

45:10 Exploring Seattle's Diverse Tree Collection

46:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

47:56 Special Offer for Listeners

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.wayofproduct.com

Hello listeners! This episode features Bryan Ferris, CEO of Goldfish Code.

This episode explores the intersection of technology, strategy, and the essence of building communities within products.

Bryan brings a wealth of experience from his tech strategy consulting firm and shares his unique approach to building scalable and engaging products.

In this episode, he credits much of Goldfish’s success with his “motivation-driven design” process, which highlights the importance of aligning user motivations with business goals.

We discussed:

(04:41) Bryan’s background and the genesis of Goldfish Code

(08:11) Insights on the role of a virtual CTO and strategic consulting

(12:01) Building products with a motivation-driven design (15:18) The importance of community in product strategy

(19:47) Effective client relationship management

(24:30) Real-world examples of automation and efficiency improvements

(30:18) Custom builds vs. leveraging existing solutions

(35:45) The evolving role of AI in software development

(41:04) How human needs drive business solutions

Interview Takeaways:

Understanding Motivation-Driven Design

Bryan’s approach focuses on user motivations to drive product development, such as loss avoidance and community belonging.

Using behavioral psychology techniques, Goldfish Code ensures that products meet functional requirements and engage users emotionally.

Community as a Core Element

Bryan believes that effective products foster a sense of community among users.

Whether it’s a FinTech application or an e-commerce platform, building features encouraging users to feel part of a larger group can drive engagement and loyalty.

The Role of a Virtual CTO

A virtual CTO brings strategic insights that can make or break a product. By starting with a minimum viable workflow and iterating based on real user feedback, Bryan’s team helps businesses avoid common pitfalls and build scalable solutions.

Balancing Custom Builds and Existing Tools

Rather than reinventing the wheel, Bryan emphasizes leveraging existing tools and frameworks. This approach not only speeds up development but also allows for more focus on the unique aspects of the product that differentiate it in the market.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

I enjoyed speaking with Allison Nulty from Contra a couple of weeks ago. This a fantastic case study on what happens when you build that muscle of customer obsession. Having active contact with your customers, getting them onboarded to your Slack instance, and the time it takes to understand what they are looking for deeply are uncommon traits in product leaders. Allison demonstrates this proactive energy through case studies with brands like Framer and Webflow!We go over: ⭐ How Contra enables the freelance economy by connecting top talent with companies. ⭐ The importance of building working relationships with customers, getting them onboarded to Slack instances, and developing rapport for candid conversations. ⭐ Allison's unique approach to fostering a culture of ownership on her team.⭐ The challenges of transitioning from traditional business roles like management consultant to leading product innovation in tech. ⭐ Real-life example of how Contra has helped companies like Framer manage and scale their freelance workforce effectively.

Chapters

01:00 Meet Allison Nulty: Product Leader at Contra

03:06 The Vision and Mission of Contra

06:46 Challenges and Strategic Decisions at Contra

08:16 Building a Marketplace and Community

09:11 Contra's Unique Business Model

11:59 Scaling with Freelancers and Flexible Talent

14:29 Customer-Centric Product Development

22:20 The Power of Customer Feedback

24:27 Customer Obsession and Building Relationships

24:51 The Journey of Starting a Podcast

26:30 From Consulting to Product Management

28:06 Lessons from Working as a Managment Consultant to Product Management.

33:23 Empowering Teams with Ownership

39:43 The Importance of Communication and Transparency

43:13 Final Thoughts and Reaching Out

45:31 Outro and Special Offer

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com

In this episode, I welcome Harry Max, an executive player-coach with experience in product design leadership and COO roles. 

You read that right; Harry has a wide range and can bridge the gap between experienced design leadership and operational excellence. Harry has led at DreamWorks, Hewlett-Packard, Rackspace, and Apple. 

We dive into the complexities of balancing operations and design, the challenges faced by product leaders, and the political nature of leadership and decision-making. Harry introduces his highly practical DEGAP framework for prioritization, emphasizing the importance of intentional decision-making and guiding me through the tangible steps involved. 

Finally, we explore how prioritization plays a crucial role in the lives of individual contributors, teams, and organizations. He aims to equip you with practical tools to significantly enhance your decision-making and leadership skills.

20% of Harry Max’s book “Managing Priorities”: mp-twop

You can buy his new book “Managing Priorities” through this link

Chapters

00:20 The Unique Role of a Fractional Executive

00:58 Bridging Operations and Design: A Dual Competency

03:04 The Challenges of Product Leadership

08:19 The Art of Prioritization in Leadership

08:24 Unpacking the Book on Managing Priorities

15:19 Real-World Prioritization: A Case Study from Rackspace

27:22 The Five Steps of Effective Prioritization

30:30 Unpacking the Prioritization Process

31:01 Exploring Decision-Making Tools and Techniques

35:47 Deep Dive into the D-GAP Methodology

40:18 Applying Prioritization in Personal and Professional Contexts

40:57 Insights on Individual Contributor Prioritization

47:36 Concluding Thoughts on Prioritization and Productivity

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wayofproduct.com