PRODUCTEA With Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership podcast

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We Have The Receipts

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Battle Camp S1: Reality Rivalries with Dana Moon & QT 1:00:36

vor 11 Tagen1:00:36

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1:00:36

Do you have fond childhood memories of summer camp? For a chance at $250,000, campers must compete in a series of summer camp-themed challenges to prove that they are unbeatable, unhateable, and unbreakable. Host Chris Burns is joined by the multi-talented comedian Dana Moon to recap the first five episodes of season one of Battle Camp . Plus, Quori-Tyler (aka QT) joins the podcast to dish on the camp gossip, team dynamics, and the Watson to her Sherlock Holmes. Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/WeHaveTheReceipts Text us at (929) 487-3621 DM Chris @FatCarrieBradshaw on Instagram Follow We Have The Receipts wherever you listen, so you never miss an episode. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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Honest, unfiltered conversations with the best from tech - spilling the tea about product, growth, and senior leadership topics.
www.leahtharin.com

105 Episoden

#Business #Leah Tharin #Productledgrowth #Productledsales #Plg #Pls #Growth #Scaleups #MBA #Entrepreneur #Productivity #ProductLed #Startup

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

updated vor 4 Tagen

Serie-Home•Feed

Honest, unfiltered conversations with the best from tech - spilling the tea about product, growth, and senior leadership topics.
www.leahtharin.com

105 Episoden

#Business #Leah Tharin #Productledgrowth #Productledsales #Plg #Pls #Growth #Scaleups #MBA #Entrepreneur #Productivity #ProductLed #Startup

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PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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105: Melissa Perri - Why "AI" is a terrible strategist 50:30

vor 4 Tagen50:30

50:30

Melissa Perri drops truth bombs about why most companies fail at AI integration, how legacy giants self-sabotage innovation, and why "slapping AI on it" is the fastest way to irrelevance. Timestamps & Key Moments 05:59 – AI: Innovation vs. Lipstick on a Pig Why QuickBooks is losing to startups like Digits. Melissa’s rule: If AI doesn’t make the problem 10x easier, you’re just checking a box. 12:36 – Corporate Innovation’s Dirty Secret Legacy companies fear self-disruption. Spin out autonomous teams with clear goals -not just “innovation theater” with beanbags and zero accountability. 20:19 – Boardroom Pressure & AI Hype When investors demand AI, ask: Is this solving a real problem or chasing valuation multiples? Most boards care more about exit multiples than customer value. 24:33 – The “Latent Need” Blind Spot Customers tolerate broken workflows (looking at you, QuickBooks). Spot problems people don’t even know they have. 29:55 – AI’s Mundane Superpower Forget flashy chatbots-AI shines in automating daily struggles (e.g., Superhuman’s email shortcuts). If your team isn’t 10x faster, you’re doing it wrong. 44:10 – AI Ethics: When Algorithms Attack Healthcare horror stories and why AI’s “brilliant insights” can backfire. Treat AI outputs as signals-not gospel-or risk ruining lives (and products). Hot Takes “AI Is a Terrible Strategist” Slapping AI on your product without solving a core customer problem is like putting a rocket engine on a horse cart. It’ll move faster… straight into a dumpster fire. “Legacy Companies Are Their Own Worst Enemies” Corporate innovation fails because leaders prioritize protecting outdated revenue streams over killing them. If your “innovation team” isn’t scared of disrupting you, they’re not trying. Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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104: John Cutler - How to Turn Team Chaos into Strategy 53:10

vor 11 Tagen53:10

53:10

Forget corporate utopias—John Cutler spills the real tea on why work sucks and why we are messy. On "organized anarchies," why 50% of your team is checked out, and how to turn chaos into strategy. Perfect for you if you are tired of performative frameworks. Timestamps & Key Moments 00:00 - Intro to the Chaos John’s AI-generated roast sets the tone: “Product management’s most unhinged mind” dissects why companies are glorified dumpster fires. 01:56 - Why Work Sucks The “garbage can theory” of organizations: Companies aren’t rational machines—they’re battlegrounds for competing agendas. 30-50% of your team? Pragmatists who’ve stopped rocking the boat. 16:48 - Empowered Teams ≠ Chaos Why autonomy beats bureaucracy: Faster decisions, local context, and fewer dependency hellscapes. Plus, the “mandate levels” model to avoid micromanagement meltdowns. 23:06 - Simplicity vs. Complexity Leah’s restaurant metaphor: A simple menu (3 priorities max) beats a crowded one. Cutler counters: Complexity isn’t the enemy—bad interfaces are. 31:35 - The Physics of Scaling Why SaaS companies implode: Multi-product sprawl and “sublinear complexity” myths. Spoiler: Design decisions > org charts. 40:49 - Force-Ranking Priorities The dark art of saying “not this year” to shiny objects. Why your #4 priority is the silent killer. 49:32 - Skills for the Future Read sociology, not another agile book. Cutler’s pick: Images of Organization to see companies as brains, prisons, or flux. Hot Takes 🔥 “Your ‘A Players’ Are Mythical” 50% of your team is smart-but-checked-out pragmatists. Healthy? Maybe. Terrifying for founders? Absolutely. 🔥 Companies Are Organized Anarchies Profit? Nah. Work is just humans negotiating needs. If your org chart looks rational, you’re lying to yourself. Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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103: CJ Gustafson - The Silent Recession: Why Product Leaders Need CFOs Now 47:50

vor 16 Tagen47:50

47:50

CJ Gustafson (ex-PWC tech CFO, finance provocateur) unpacks how tariffs and economic chaos are gutting SaaS valuations, why AI budgets are CEOs’ midlife crisis splurges, and how to recession-proof your product strategy. Timestamps & Key Moments 00:00 - Tariffs: The SaaS Killer You Didn’t See Coming $1.8T wiped from global equities overnight (worst drop since COVID). Median SaaS multiples crash below 5x forward revenue: “Your customers move atoms, even if you don’t.” 07:46 - CFO Survival Tactics Freeze hires, kill multi-year contracts, and review budgets monthly. Track pipeline exposure to non-tech buyers: “Lululemon’s cloud spend matters more than your roadmap.” 13:42 - Product vs. Finance: The Gross Margin Gap “PMs who ignore unit economics are selling features off the back of a truck.” Why product teams must align with CFOs: “If you don’t understand how you make money, you’re just hanging art in the Louvre.” 20:36 - Valuation Apocalypse: Who Survives? Infrastructure software (Snowflake) vs. niche tools: “Investors treat DCF models like horror movies now.” Recommerce platforms could quietly thrive as luxury retail stalls. 27:22 - The Silent Recession Playbook Over-communicate with employees: “Silence breeds panic.” Pivot to maintenance/workflow tools and re-commerce: “Nobody’s buying new brake pads? Fix the old ones.” 33:23 - Growth Teams: RIP? 49% of engineering budgets go to growth… for now. “AI nukes influencer marketing. Own niche communities or die.” 40:36 - “How Do We Make Money?” (The Only Question That Matters) CJ’s #1 question for PMs: “Stop building for the Louvre. Build for margins.” Why deodorant-branded swag won’t save your burn rate. 🔥 Hot Takes “Your SaaS Isn’t Tariff-Proof” Even if you sell software, your customers (Lululemon, Ralph Lauren) rely on physical supply chains. Their budget cuts will strangle your ARR. My Blog / Newsletter: www.leahtharin.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahtharin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeahThar #productledgrowth Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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102: John Zeratsky - Fake Products, Real Feedback: Sprinting to Validation 48:52

vor 26 Tagen48:52

48:52

John Zeratsky, co-creator of the Sprint Method and VC partner at Character, spills the tea on why "vision-driven" startups often fail, how to validate hypotheses before burning cash, and why your pitch deck needs more grit than glitter. Cue the rapid prototyping, competitor smackdowns, and hot takes on AI hype. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: John’s journey from Google Ads to VC (and why tall founders have an edge) 05:48 – “Vision-driven” is a red flag : Why early-stage startups should ditch grand visions for hypothesis-driven experiments. 11:10 – The Foundation Sprint : Building a business case in 2 days (customer, problem, competitors, differentiation) 23:34 – Slaying competitors (even if they’re “good enough”): Why substitutes and workarounds are your real rivals 30:05 – Fake it ’til you validate it: Prototyping fake products to get real feedback (no coding required)1. 39:48 – Case studies: How Slack, Gmail, and AI material science startups de-risk bets early1. 45:50 – Closing: Why your MVP’s “surface area” matters more than polish (and where to find John’s book) 🔥 Hot Takes “Vision-driven leaders are early-stage liabilities.” Hyping a “beautiful future” without validating assumptions? That’s a 50% failure rate waiting to happen “Your pitch deck is probably BS.” Founders: If your “hypothesis” section is just buzzwords, you’re already behind. Investors want actionable experiments, not fairy tales Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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101: Srikrishnan Ganesan - “MVPs Are Dead” & Other SaaS Heresies 45:38

vor 5 weeks45:38

45:38

Why building opinionated products is the future, why skipping MVPs in established markets works, and how AI will reshape customer onboarding. When I met Srikrishnan Ganesan for the first time, he impressed me with his original framing of what it means to find (and refind) product-market fit constantly. Timestamps 02:23 – From SMB to Enterprise: Scaling Without Losing Vision Rocketlane’s year-long stealth build focused on unifying project management, docs, and customer portals. The secret? Start with SMBs to validate core workflows before adding enterprise bells and whistles. 07:58 – Pricing for Outcomes, Not Seats Why Rocketlane charges a premium over Asana: their customer portal drives faster time-to-value. But with AI automating workflows, Sri hints at consumption-based pricing coming soon. 22:32 – AI’s Role: Doing the Work, Not Just Organizing It Charge for work done, not headcount, as teams shrink. 31:52 – The Compliance Trap “Get SOC 2 early, even for SMBs.” Sri shares why skipping compliance torpedoes enterprise deals later. Pain now, payoff later. 37:37 – Roadmaps in the AI Era Their moat? Owning the system of record for onboarding to build AI agents that competitors can’t replicate. 42:31 – Enterprise Demands vs. Vision When some clients demanded features, Rocketlane delivered… 18 months later. Sri’s playbook: bake enterprise asks into broader platform goals to avoid becoming a custom dev shop. 🔥 Hot Takes “MVPs are dead for established markets.” Sri’s radical bet: Launch full-featured products from day one in mature categories. Partial solutions get pigeonholed as “just another X”. “SOC 2 isn’t optional—even for startups.” Compliance isn’t just for enterprises. Rocketlane prioritized SOC 2 early to avoid losing deals to legacy players. Painful upfront, critical long-term. Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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100: Matt Le May - The Product Manager’s Guide to Driving Business Impact 53:44

vor 6 weeks53:44

53:44

What’s up with the disconnect between product teams and business goals? Why vibes won't pay the bills, and how product teams can avoid the "elephant graveyard" of low-impact work. If you've ever wondered how to align your work with business outcomes - or why your CEO might be the "support worker of the board" - this one's for you. Chapters with Timestamps 00:00–04:30 The Vibes Economy: Why founders sell visions to investors but fail to communicate existential realities to their teams. The dangers of "pitch deck culture" infiltrating internal strategy. Matt's take: "Reality comes back to get you eventually." 04:30–15:00 Product Teams vs. Corporate Reality: Why product managers need to embrace their role as business contributors. Leah and Matt discuss the importance of standing up to "Gary" (or sales) while staying revenue-focused. Gut vs. Data: Are vibes just pattern recognition in disguise? 15:00–28:00 Simplifying Strategy: How Matt helps teams draw a direct line from their work to company goals. Christina Wodtke's "Radical Focus" approach: Orbiting company goals instead of cascading confusion. Real-world example: Turning multi-product chaos into measurable customer lifetime value gains. 28:00–40:00 The Cost of Low Impact Work: Why Product Managers Must Think Beyond Their Immediate Team Resources. Leah’s rule of thumb: A team’s roadmap should aim for $3–5M in value annually. Survival Metrics vs. Success Metrics: Knowing when to kill a project before it drains resources. 40:00–52:00 The Eye of Sauron Effect: Why teams avoid high-impact work and how to overcome it. Aligning incentives across teams and leadership to prioritize meaningful outcomes. Matt’s advice: Treat your CEO like a customer—help them tell the story that aligns work with business success. 52:00–End Long-Term Planning vs. Cadence Chaos: Balancing five-year plans with three-month cycles and monthly check-ins. Leah’s warning: Don’t let sales hijack long-term plans for enterprise promises. Final thoughts on commercially-minded PMs being the happiest (and most impactful) ones. Key Quotes Matt LeMay: "If you were the CEO, would you fund this team? Twice in my career, asking that question has prompted a team to proactively disband itself." Matt LeMay: "Don’t wait for a perfect strategy from leadership; connect your work directly to what the business cares about most." Resources Mentioned Books: Impact First Product Teams by Matt LeMay (available now). Radical Focus by Christina Wodtke (for goal alignment strategies). Key Concepts: Survival Metrics (via Adam Thomas). The "Eye of Sauron" phenomenon in corporate environments. Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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99: Mackenzie Hughes & Tara Goldman: From Jira Junkies to Profit Prophets 58:33

vor 7 weeks58:33

58:33

Connecting your work to business outcomes is a phrase we hear more and more in product and growth. Here's how Mackenzie Hughes and Tara Goldman from Goldhue lay it out and why we can't sleep on this anymore. Chapters with Timestamps 00:00-05:30 Meet the "Therapist for Type A Product Leaders" and the "Ops Whisperer" Tara Goldman's journey from VP of Product to coaching PMs on speaking executive Mackenzie Hughes' transition from GTM strategy to the "dark side" of product ops 05:30-15:00 The Great Disconnect: Why Product Teams Struggle with Business Impact The dangers of incentivizing output over outcomes Why most PMs can't answer "How much revenue do your ideas need to generate?" The critical importance of understanding churn at a granular level 15:00-30:00 Beyond Metrics: Building a Culture of Commercial Product Leadership Why having 40 metrics is worse than having none at all The power of driving a single metric through your entire organization Rethinking validation: "We've lost the art of experimentation" 30:00-45:00 The $5 Million Roadmap: Thinking Bigger (and Smarter) About Product Bets Why your product ideas need to generate 3-5x their cost (an article I recently wrote on this.) The counterintuitive truth: Bigger bets often require less upfront validation How to structure gates and learning milestones for major initiatives 45:00-60:00 Empowering Teams in an Age of Anxiety Why "empowered teams" is an overused term few actually implement How AI will shift the focus from shipping to go-to-market excellence Resources for product leaders looking to boost their business acumen Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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98: Ross Pomerantz - Cold Calls, CRMs, and Comedy Gold: Corporate Bro’s Unfiltered SaaS Diaries 47:39

vor 8 weeks47:39

47:39

Ross Pomerantz (aka Corporate Bro) pulls back the curtain on turning sales cringe into viral gold. The ex-Oracle SDR turned B2B comedy king reveals how he monetizes corporate absurdity, why "scalable AI solutions" make audiences snooze, and how to survive when algorithms decide your career. Contains NSFW cold call stories, LinkedIn rage-bait truths, and why Salesforce pays him to roast CRMs. Chapters with Timestamps 00:00–04:30 From MLB dreams to Oracle’s cold call trenches: “My first prospect told me to blow him – and my manager said ‘that’s normal’” Why 2013 Vine videos mocking sales culture became accidental career fuel 04:30–15:00 Influencer Economics 101 : Turning “drowning in SaaS spam” into $500B brand partnership opportunities Why Salesforce pays him to clown CRMs: “They know I’ve suffered through 9,462 pipeline updates” 15:00–28:00 AI’s Content Apocalypse : Why B2B marketers are “flooding the zone with bot-written bullshit” Survival Playbook: How to outlast AI-generated influencers and OnlyFans-for-CFOs nightmares 28:00–40:00 The Algorithm Trap : Why LinkedIn rage bait dies faster than a SDR’s first quota Ross’s non-negotiables: “Never let brands own your content – unless they pay stupid money” 40:00–01:00:00 Hot Takes : Why “product marketing language is corporate ASMR” and how to monetize exec foot pics (allegedly) Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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97: Adam Fishman - Killing Projects for a Living: Mozilla’s Stage-Gating Secrets 1:00:55

vor 9 weeks1:00:55

1:00:55

Adam Fishman, interim SVP of New Products at Mozilla, shares insights on zero-to-one product development, killing unsustainable projects, and navigating AI’s impact on B2B SaaS. He breaks down Mozilla’s stage-gating process for innovation, the challenges of balancing ambition with practicality, and why distribution often trumps product in today’s crowded market. Chapters with Timestamps 00:00–03:30 Adam’s role at Mozilla: Building beyond Firefox, managing innovation, and why “killing projects” is critical. 03:30–15:30 Stage Gating 101 : How Mozilla’s framework prioritizes ideas, allocates resources, and avoids “innovation theater.” The 5 stages: Discovery, Exploration, Viability, Growth, and Sustaining. 15:30–30:00 AI’s Double-Edged Sword : Turbocharging prototyping vs. drowning in “wrapper” tools. Why distribution (not product) is the new battleground for SaaS. 30:00–45:00 Corporate Innovation Realities : Avoiding “software sprawl,” managing founder-minded PMs, and surviving existential pivots. Adam’s take on AI-driven sales tools: “We’re flooding the zone with crap.” 45:00–01:00:00 Hot Takes : Why B2B SaaS companies built on “forms + databases” are doomed, and the future of AI agents. Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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96: Lidia Oshlyansky - 3 Skills That Outlast Any Tech Shift 58:12

vor 11 weeks58:12

58:12

Lidia Oshlyansk reflects on navigating decades of tech evolution - from webmaster days to AI - and shares tactical advice for product operatives. Drawing parallels between today’s AI boom and past shifts (web/mobile revolutions), we talk about transferable skills (negotiation, systems thinking) over fleeting tools, debunks "future-proofing," and advocates curiosity-driven adaptability . Key Timestamps 01:58 - Lidia’s unconventional path: From "business architect" to CPO roles at Spotify/Google 04:07 - Case Study: How "information architects" evolved into modern UX strategists 08:51 - Reality Check: "GPT-5 won’t fix human-centered leadership" (critical systems thinking) 14:21 - Data Point: 27 COBOL developer jobs in Sweden today (adaptation > prediction) 20:21 - Framework: Transferable skills that outlast tools (with PM/UX examples) 27:46 - Leadership Hack: Building "future-proof" teams through skill adjacency mapping 34:39 - Candid Talk: Why existential crises plague tech leaders (and how to reframe them) 42:02 - Tactical Takeaway: "Block 30 min/week for AI upskilling – no agenda required" 50:26 - Counterintuitive: "Stop future-proofing careers – start curiosity-proofing" 3 Strategic Themes for GTM Leaders Navigating AI Disruption Why AI adoption curves mirror mobile/web revolutions1 The critical human skills that remain automation-resistant (e.g., negotiation, prioritization) Building Resilient Teams Identifying "evergreen" skills (e.g., information architecture → modern UX strategy)1 Creating psychological safety for continuous reskilling Personal Adaptation Playbook Curated peer learning networks > generic upskilling platforms Career capital vs. career comfort tradeoffs Quotes "Your ability to negotiate priorities with engineers/designers/execs is the ultimate transferable skill" – Lidia "We don’t need future-proof careers – we need curiosity-proof humans" – Leah Guest Background Current Role : CPO @ Gillian (building the world’s largest growth platform for founders) Career Highlights : Scaled products at Spotify, Google, and Eschew PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (early web/UX focus) Pioneer in animated GIFs and 1990s web design Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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95: Tal Raviv - AI for PMs: Stop Overthinking, Start Tinkering 48:41

vor 11 weeks48:41

48:41

From streamlining user research to improving cross-functional alignment, Tal Raviv shares practical tips for PMs to embrace AI without fear. The key? Start small, experiment often, and use AI as a thought partner - not a replacement. Whether it’s summarizing transcripts, building custom assistants, or leveraging tools like ChatGPT and Notion AI, the future of PM work isn’t about avoiding AI - it’s about mastering it. Key Takeaways AI Won’t Replace PMs, But It Will Change the Job: AI is a tool, not a threat. PMs who learn to use it effectively will thrive. Start Small & Iterate: Don’t wait for the “perfect” AI solution. Experiment with tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Whisper to find what works for you. Cross-Functional Alignment Gets Easier: AI can surface insights from unstructured data, helping PMs align teams and avoid conflicts. AI as a Thought Partner: Use AI to generate ideas, simulate scenarios, and streamline workflows—but always stay connected to the raw data. The Future is Contextual: Tools like Notion AI and Slack AI are powerful because they have access to your company’s unique context. 01:36 - 04:16 Why Product Management Feels Less Fun (And AI Isn’t Helping) Tal dives into why product management has become less enjoyable in recent years, citing increased pressure, fewer PMs per team, and the added uncertainty of AI. He emphasizes the importance of staying hands-on and experimenting with AI tools to cut through the noise. 04:16 - 07:59 AI’s Impact on PM Workflows: From Discovery to Go-To-Market AI isn’t just changing how PMs work—it’s reshaping entire workflows, team structures, and even job applications. Tal breaks down the four key areas where AI is shaking things up and why PMs need to adapt quickly. 07:59 - 10:07 The Antidote to AI Fear: Small Experiments & Tinkering Instead of fearing AI, Tal advocates for small, hands-on experiments. He shares practical tips for PMs to start tinkering with AI tools, like dedicating time each week to test new tools and iterate on prompts. 10:07 - 14:20 AI for User Research: Summarizing Transcripts & Building Craft Leah and Tal discuss how AI can streamline user research, from summarizing transcripts to identifying key insights. Tal emphasizes the importance of iterating on prompts and staying connected to the raw data to maintain product intuition. 14:20 - 18:25 Trusting AI Outputs: When to Double-Check & When to Let Go Leah shares a practical tip: test AI with data you already know well to gauge its accuracy. Tal adds that even when AI gets it right, PMs should still engage with the raw data to keep their intuition sharp. 18:25 - 22:54 Cross-Functional Alignment Made Easier with AI AI can help PMs connect the dots across departments, like spotting conflicts between marketing campaigns and product launches. Tal and Leah discuss how AI can surface insights from unstructured data, making cross-functional collaboration smoother. 22:54 - 27:14 Building Custom AI Assistants: From SQL Queries to API Docs Leah shares how she built a custom ChatGPT bot to handle SQL queries and API documentation, saving hours of manual work. Tal highlights the importance of giving AI context to make it truly useful. 27:14 - 29:53 AI Isn’t Magic: Start Small & Iterate Tal debunks the myth that AI requires “magic spells” (aka perfect prompts) to work. He encourages PMs to start small, iterate, and not overthink the process. Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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94: Julia Chatain - Misconceptions and How to Crush Them like a Scientist 53:13

vor 13 weeks53:13

53:13

Senior Scientist Julia Chantin unpacks how cognitive biases and flawed feedback loops sabotage learning—and why SaaS leaders need to care. From debunking misconceptions (like why “proving” someone wrong often backfires) to the power of embodied learning, Julia reveals how diverse perspectives and physical interaction drive breakthroughs. Learn actionable strategies to challenge assumptions, build resilient teams, and design products that align with how humans actually learn - not just how we think they do. "We need to reward effort, not just success." 01:20 - 07:30 Why Feedback Loops Fail (And How to Fix Them) Julia breaks down why homogeneous feedback reinforces biases, the danger of “echo chambers,” and why SaaS teams need diverse perspectives to challenge assumptions. 07:30 - 14:45 Embodied Learning: The Science Behind VR, Physicality, and Retention Deep dive into Julia’s research: How physical interaction (e.g., movement, touch) reshapes learning, why traditional education often misses the mark, and implications for SaaS product design. 14:45 - 22:00 From Theory to Practice: Actionable Strategies for Leaders Tactical advice: Building resilient teams, designing experiments that embrace failure, and fostering curiosity over “convincing.” Includes Leah’s relatable analogies (e.g., gym consistency vs. learning). 22:00 - 28:50 The Emotional Side of Learning: Fear, Identity, and Incentives Julia explains why emotional engagement matters (e.g., imposter syndrome, fear of failure), and how leaders can align incentives with sustainable learning processes. 28:50 - 33:00 Key Takeaways & Closing Julia’s final wisdom: Why “explaining to understand” beats “explaining to convince,” and how SaaS leaders can start small (e.g., toy projects, cross-functional feedback). Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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93: Emily Kramer - The Death of Marketing Channels 52:45

vor 14 weeks52:45

52:45

The amazing Emily Kramer talks with me about B2B Marketing, the rise and fall of influencer marketing, and the challenges of navigating the 2025 social media noise. What does the future of marketing look like while everything changes so rapidly? takeaways Influencer marketing is becoming less effective. Sound Bites "The death of channels might be more accurate." "You have to figure out your strengths first." "You need to shut up about the other things." "Don't run your startup like an enterprise." Chapters 00:00 Understanding Marketing Channels 05:06 The Evolution of Marketing 10:07 Influencer Marketing in B2B 15:13 Navigating the Noise of Social Media 19:58 Identifying Unique Marketing Advantages 25:13 The Importance of Focus in Marketing 26:39 Navigating Brand Messaging and Differentiation 29:02 The Importance of Focus in Marketing Strategies 31:11 Balancing Ideas and Execution in Marketing Plans 33:05 Marketing as a Product: A New Perspective 35:51 Lifecycle Marketing: Engaging Existing Customers 39:20 Rethinking Marketing Goals and Metrics 42:39 The Evolution of Marketing Structures 45:02 The Future of Marketing: Innovation and Adaptation Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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92: Kris Rudeegraap - New Marketing Channels for 2025 and Product-Led Sales 49:23

vor 15 weeks49:23

49:23

Kris Rudeegraap, Co-CEO of Sendoso, talks about Sendoso’s journey from plg to sales-led back to plg and what all of this has to do with personal branding in B2B marketing. Why is Sendoso betting on physical advertising channels like gifts and direct mail as a provider, and what does he see the future of getting attention from the market looking like with AI changing everything? Takeaways Companies are exploring underutilized marketing channels for 2025. Direct mail and gifting are emerging as effective marketing strategies. The evolution of Sendoso reflects the need for both sales-led and product-led growth. Sales and product-led growth must be balanced for success. Sound Bites "The inbox on LinkedIn is broken." "Resumes are almost dead." Chapters 00:00 Exploring Underutilized Marketing Channels 05:00 The Evolution of Sendoso: From Sales-Led to Product-Led Growth 09:49 Navigating the Challenges of Product Development 13:50 The Importance of Personal Branding in B2B 20:11 The Future of Content Creation and Marketing Strategies 24:39 The Evolving Landscape of Business Growth 25:57 Rethinking Go-to-Market Strategies 27:48 The Renaissance of Employee Education 29:44 Building a Sustainable Outbound Engine 31:10 Balancing Sales and Product-Led Growth 33:20 Navigating Customer Success and Sales Dynamics 35:35 The Future of Account Management 38:26 AI Agents in Customer Interaction 41:43 The Integration of AI in Customer Support 43:37 The Expanding Definition of Go-to-Market 45:31 The Future of Cross-Functional Teams 47:27 The Role of AI in Product Optimization Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
91: Dave Kellogg - Organizational design: Signs of Health vs. Conflict 1:01:10

vor 15 weeks1:01:10

1:01:10

“The only time where I saw all the VPs align is when they all hated the CEO” Why do we keep getting organizations wrong? How should you think about your team, the team of teams, and the organization you’re in? Our five principles of organizational design and how to navigate growth and scaling challenges, particularly in startups. takeaways Growth should be a collective responsibility across all departments. High internal conflict is a sign of poor organizational health. C-level executives must act as translators between departments. Internal curiosity is as important as external curiosity. Smaller companies often scale too quickly without solid foundations. Founders should maintain humility about what they don't know. Sound Bites "We start out with a high-level idea, then complicate it." "You should measure MQLs, not celebrate them." "Make sure you're alive to fight in the next round." Chapters 00:00 Understanding the Dual Role of a CMO 06:08 The Ownership of Growth: A Collective Responsibility 12:12 Organizational Design: Indicators of Health and Conflict 17:51 The Complexity of Metrics and Data Overload 23:56 Cross-Functional Collaboration: The Role of C-Level Executives 30:38 The Importance of Internal Curiosity 31:36 Lessons from the GE Hawthorne Experiments 32:32 Feedback and Communication in Organizations 34:21 Five Principles of Organizational Design 36:14 Designing for Healthy Conflicts 37:40 Rethinking Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) 40:02 The Role of Incentives in Organizational Success 42:17 Establishing Fail-Safe Processes 44:13 Challenges Faced by Smaller Companies 45:08 The Need for Humility in Startups 48:57 The Complexity of Large-Scale Projects 50:50 Understanding Time vs. Money in Enterprise Sales 52:00 Practical Advice for Implementing Change 56:41 Managing Big Projects Effectively 59:01 Staying Alive in the Competitive Landscape Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
90: Harini Gokul - How to keep things "simple" at scale 57:41

vor 17 weeks57:41

57:41

The evolution of sales models, the critical role of customer success in driving revenue, and the responsibilities of C-level executives in fostering cross-functional collaboration with Harini Gokul, CCO @ Entrust, from a first principle perspective. The challenges of implementing product-led sales strategies and the importance of simplifying metrics for effective decision-making. Why traditional customer metrics don’t work that well anymore and why it’s all about two things in business, no matter the scale: Securing and growing customers. Takeaways C-level roles require a focus on company-wide outcomes, not just departmental interests. Cross-functional problems often feel dangerous with little upside. Sales teams often lack the skills to interpret data effectively. Transforming organizations requires a willingness to challenge the status quo. Sound Bites "Revenue happens everywhere." "What does good look like?" Chapters 00:00 Rethinking Sales Models for Modern Business 12:04 The Role of Customer Success in Revenue Generation 24:06 Understanding C-Level Responsibilities and Cross-Functional Collaboration 28:19 Bridging Data Silos in Organizations 32:34 The Challenge of Product-Led Sales 36:47 Simplifying Metrics for Better Decision Making 39:11 Rethinking NPS and Customer Success Metrics 42:56 Time to Value: A Key Metric for Success 46:48 External Benchmarks and Customer Perspectives 49:40 Transforming Organizations for Modern Business 55:50 Closing Thoughts and Future Connections Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
89: David Yockelson - Revolutionizing Sales with Interactive Demos 51:48

vor 17 weeks51:48

51:48

We explore the rising significance of interactive demos in B2B SaaS. How these demos serve as a bridge between potential buyers and products, improving all relevant pipeline numbers. The evolution of demo technology, the role of Gen.AI in enhancing demo creation, and the shifting dynamics of the sales process towards a more self-service model. How does the future of marketing in a product-led world look like for Sales? Takeaways Gen.AI will revolutionize demo creation and usage. The market for interactive demos is expanding rapidly. Buyers prefer to explore products independently before engaging sales. Budget holders are becoming more flexible and decentralized. Value-driven marketing will replace traditional methods. Sound Bites "Interactive demos are a stepping stone towards PLG." "Stop playing with words, play with value." Chapters 03:57 Defining Interactive Demos 09:46 The Evolution of Demo Technology 14:02 The Impact of Gen.AI on Demos 20:04 The Future of Sales and Interactive Demos 26:05 The Evolving Role of Sellers in Tech Sales 27:05 Changing Dynamics of Budget Holders 28:54 The Shift in Market Approach 30:15 The Importance of Market Understanding 32:05 Navigating the Competitive Landscape 33:32 The Power of Buyer Enablement 34:32 The Role of Interactive Demos 36:50 The Future of Interactive Demos 39:22 The Impact of Interactive Demos on Sales 41:13 The Fragmentation of the Interactive Demo Market 44:05 The Integration of Sales and Product Analytics 48:50 The Future of Marketing in a Product-Led World Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
88: Teresa Torres - Under the hood of Solopreneurship 38:54

vor 21 weeks38:54

38:54

Teresa Torres offers a rare sneak peek behind the curtain of how she runs her business. How can you maximize your chances when you’re reaching out to people like us who have limited attention to go around? What is our pricing strategy for what we do, and how did we come up with it? How does Teresa’s demand generation differ from Marty Cagan's or mine? takeaways Coaching should be a mutual investment of time and resources. Not all requests for help are equal; specificity matters. Sound Bites "I charge a speaking fee to protect my energy." "Be brief when reaching out for help." Chapters 01:13 Understanding Introversion in a Social World 04:02 Setting Boundaries: The Challenge of Social Requests 08:15 The Value of Speaking Engagements and Energy Management 12:09 Crafting Effective Requests: The Importance of Specificity 15:27 Navigating the Landscape of Help Requests 20:30 Monetization and Value: Setting the Right Price 30:12 The Evolution of Pricing Strategies 37:19 Final Thoughts: The Importance of Investment in Coaching Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
87: Francesca Cortesi - From Market fit to IPO 47:17

vor 22 weeks47:17

47:17

Why is it so difficult for most companies to shift gears after reaching product market fit? Why can’t we just keep doing what made us successful? Francesca Cortesi shares with me insights on the difficult journey from finding product market fit to getting to an IPO. We particularly explore the details of Hemnet, a Swedish B2B2C SaaS marketplace and how they dealt with this challenge. takeaways Defending existing revenue becomes a priority as companies scale. Diluting your value proposition can occur when scaling too quickly. Sustainable growth should be prioritized over rapid expansion. Post-market fit requires speed within control and structured decision-making. Founders must transition from product-centric to organizational leadership roles. titles From Market Fit to IPO: The Hemnet Journey Scaling Strategies for Product Leaders Navigating Growth Stages in Tech Companies The Role of Innovation in Sustaining Growth Sound Bites "It's a matter of taking down your ego." "Don't forget about your core product." Chapters 04:53 The Journey of Hemnet: From Startup to IPO 09:57 Navigating Company Growth Stages 14:57 The Importance of Innovation Post-IPO 20:09 Challenges of Scaling: CFO and CPO Perspectives 23:53 The Challenges of Scaling and Alignment 27:59 Mindset Shifts for Sustainable Growth 30:18 Navigating Post-Market Fit Dynamics 35:22 The Lottery Win: Managing Growth Expectations 39:34 Focus and Structure: Keys to Avoiding Pitfalls 44:27 B2B2C Dynamics: Balancing Customer Needs Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
86: Joan Palmiter Bajorek: Layoff Anxiety in Tech and Career Optionality 51:23

vor 23 weeks51:23

51:23

The pervasive issue of layoff anxiety in the tech industry, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, overvaluation and the rise of AI. Dr. Joan Palmiter explores with me the importance of networking and personal branding as essential tools for job security and career advancement. Are multiple income streams and optionality realistic to mitigate the fear of job loss? How does personal career development overlap with product management? The significance of networking and communication skills and the evolving field of AI and how to adapt to it. takeaways 70% of job seekers find opportunities through personal connections. It's important to be open and generous in networking efforts. Finding personal goals is crucial; not everything is monetizable. Continuous learning and adaptation are vital in the tech landscape. Sound Bites "Don't stay in one lane; connect two lanes." Chapters 12:47 The Importance of Networking and Personal Branding 24:07 Exploring Optionality and Income Streams 26:10 Leveraging Product Management Skills in Diverse Fields 27:09 Finding Personal Goals: Money vs. Joy 28:31 The Importance of Passion in Career Success 30:34 Navigating Career Choices and Social Status 32:54 Building a Career Roadmap: Steps and Strategies 34:23 Overcoming Hurdles: Grit and Resilience in Career 37:18 The Art of Follow-Up: Networking and Communication Skills 41:00 Understanding AI: Getting Started in a New Field 46:28 The Future of AI: Learning and Adapting to Change Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
85: Wes Kao - Strategies for communicating with leaders 1:01:03

vor 24 weeks1:01:03

1:01:03

The nuances of executive communication and the importance of building buy-in for ideas with Wes Kao. The role of credibility, understanding bandwidth in conversations, and strategies for framing discussions to enhance clarity and reduce cognitive load. De-risking strategies to avoid surprises and the significance of celebrating good decision-making processes rather than just successful outcomes. Takeaways Working autonomously means communicating more, not less. Surprises in the workplace are generally unwelcome. Celebrate the process of good decision-making, not just results. Make your proposals easy for others to present. Communication should be proactive, not reactive. Chapters 01:51 Introduction to Wes Cowell and His Journey 02:51 Obsession vs. Discipline in Achieving Success 06:30 The Art of Executive Communication 07:51 Building Buy-In for Ideas 11:10 The Role of Credibility in Communication 15:24 Understanding Bandwidth in Conversations 19:34 Framing Conversations for Clarity 22:22 Reducing Cognitive Load in Communication 27:31 Cross-Functional Communication Strategies 30:51 Effective Communication in Leadership 34:06 De-risking Proposals and Feedback Loops 39:38 Celebrating Good Decisions Over Results 44:10 The Importance of Rigorous Thinking 54:30 Preparing Others for Success in Presentations Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
84: Kristi Faltorusso - Aligning Customer Success and Product Management 47:19

vor 25 weeks47:19

47:19

Kristi Faltorusso, a CS executive and coach, joins me in this high-energy conversation about customer success-assisted onboarding, alignment, and the dreaded realities of cross-functional working with product & sales. We explore effective onboarding strategies, the importance of aligning customer success with product development, and the necessity of quantifying challenges faced by customer success teams. What’s the importance of defining effective KPIs for customer success, focusing on leading indicators rather than lagging ones? How DO we measure customer happiness? Is the NPS as useless as I believe it is? takeaways Onboarding strategies must focus on delivering value quickly by measuring time to value. Consultative approaches to customer success add significant value. Customer success teams often act as advocates for product improvements. Focus on leading indicators for customer success. Customer segmentation should be based on use cases, not just size. Chapters 04:45 Understanding Customer Success and Onboarding Strategies 09:48 The Role of Customer Success in Product Development 14:50 Bridging the Gap Between Customer Success and Product Teams 19:56 Quantifying Customer Success Challenges and Solutions 23:41 Understanding Product Impact on Business Metrics 28:19 Defining Effective KPIs for Customer Success 33:06 Measuring Customer Engagement and Value 38:07 The Myth of Customer Happiness 43:11 Data-Driven vs. Data-Informed Decisions Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
83: Tadas Labudis - Overcoming the fear of founder-led selling 54:33

vor 26 weeks54:33

54:33

Founder-led sales done well has a lot of power especially in product-led companies. Tadas Labudis shares his experiences with founder-led sales and how it helped him build confidence in the product and himself. How to embrace your vulnerabilities and the importance of leaving a positive impression in sales interactions while getting insights you would never get just by looking at data. How to balance product-led growth with effective sales strategies before its too late. takeaways Sales can be enjoyable once you find your own style. Calculated risks in entrepreneurship are often misunderstood as reckless. Product-led growth can coexist with sales-led strategies. The definition of product growth is evolving. Founder-led sales is crucial for early-stage startups. Hiring salespeople too early can be risky. Sound Bites "I learned to enjoy sales." "Entrepreneurship is not as risky as it seems." "You cannot hurry your clients." "Sales is about refining the ICP and messaging." "Product-led growth is about cost efficiency." Chapters 03:09 Understanding Risk in Entrepreneurship 05:59 The Psychology of Product Development 08:48 Balancing Product-Led and Sales-Led Approaches 12:06 Navigating Early Sales Challenges 14:52 The Importance of Customer Retention 18:11 Building a Product That Sells Itself 21:00 The Role of Paid Pilots in Sales 23:57 Leaving a Lasting Impression in Sales 27:36 The Power of Founder-Led Sales 30:26 Misconceptions About Sales and Selling Styles 33:16 The Importance of Personal Sales Experience 36:19 Leveraging Sales Insights for Product Development 43:01 Refining Messaging and Understanding Customer Expectations 48:03 Balancing Product-Led Growth and Sales Strategies Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
82: Maranda Dziekonski - When selling never ends - CS in 2024 and beyond 56:38

vor 27 weeks56:38

56:38

Maranda Dziekonski on the evolving landscape of customer success, the importance of driving value for customers, and owning revenue outcomes for a function that traditionally never has. Like product. Why the traditional role is shifting to a more integrated approach and how this works when “the sale never ends” We discuss the complexities of customer success, the impact of budget constraints on customer retention, and the importance of understanding customer churn. What it means to build around mission-critical services and having the correct timing to introduce customer success to a company. How does sales compensation integrate with customer success actions and how can we transition customers smooth between sales and customer success? What do “Head of” titles mean if anything? Without a doubt one of my favorite episodes I have ever recorded. takeaways The role of customer success is evolving to include revenue ownership. Customer success can be seen as an extension of sales but with a different approach. The sale never truly ends; it's an ongoing relationship. Customer success leaders need to demonstrate their impact on revenue. Customer success should be integrated into product development. Sales compensation should align with customer success goals. Sound Bites "Own revenue outcomes ." "The sale never ends." "A ‘head of’ is a lawyer for their function." Chapters 06:46 The Evolution of Customer Success 13:48 Revenue Ownership in Customer Success 19:57 The NPS Debate: Metrics and Insights 28:21 Understanding Customer Churn and Budget Constraints 31:08 The Role of Customer Success in B2B SaaS 33:59 When to Introduce Customer Success Management 36:14 Sales Compensation and Customer Success Integration 39:37 The Importance of Smooth Handoffs in Customer Success 40:34 Connecting Product Usage Data to Sales 45:22 Navigating Titles: Head of vs. VP in Organizations Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
81: Kyle Poyar - Rethinking pipeline responsibility and MQLs 54:05

vor 28 weeks54:05

54:05

What is driving a company's value in 2024? How do we identify and copy trends that work until they don’t anymore? Why is product-led growth no longer a differentiator but becoming a table stake fast? Why is everyone suddenly providing a pipeline from product, marketing, sales, and customer success while the only way that most companies measure pipeline is through Marketing and their MQLs (Marketing Qualified Leads)? Why does this old model not work anymore? takeaways Demand comes from various sources, but visibility is lacking. MQLs are often an arbitrary measure of lead quality. Valuations in the market are not always reflective of true value. Building a sustainable company requires a focus on customer conversion. MQLs often lead to inefficient marketing practices. Sound Bites "There's very little visibility into what's actually working." "MQLs are an arbitrary definition of leads." "It's very spray and pray-oriented." Chapters 04:56 The Evolution of Growth Strategies 10:01 The Dichotomy of Product-Led and Sales-Led Growth 15:05 The Importance of Founders and Team Dynamics 19:54 The Future of CRM and Data Integration 25:07 Rethinking MQLs and Sales Incentives 27:30 Rethinking MQLs: A New Approach to Marketing 30:55 Defining Success: The Role of ICPs in MQLs 34:41 The Interplay of Marketing, Sales, and Customer Success 39:42 Navigating Customer Journeys: The Role of Support 44:03 The Future of Investment: AI and Market Dynamics 49:10 The Evolution of Inbound Marketing: Finding New Channels Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
80: Leah Tharin - The Art and Pain of Public Speaking 1:02:35

vor 29 weeks1:02:35

1:02:35

Vincent Pierri interviews me (Leah Tharin) about my journey into public speaking, particularly within the tech industry. How I found a platform, overcame stage fright, and built confidence. How does it feel to speak to different audience sizes? How do you train this muscle? And where do memes fit into our dry tech industry? Why is building a brand such a painful experience due to the needed consistency, Interview conducted by Vincent Pierri 🙏 (Public Speaking Voice Coach), who offered his time to generously donate his time to turn me into a guest for once about a topic I don’t specifically talk about. Takeaways Different audience sizes require different speaking strategies. Feedback loops are essential for improving public speaking skills. Humor can be a powerful tool in public speaking. Consistency is key in building an online presence. Having a unique point of view is essential for engagement. Rising recognition can lead to a more isolated experience. Sound Bites "Public speaking is not just in the public." "You should not be a senior leader if you cannot speak well." Chapters 02:45 The Journey into Public Speaking 09:11 The Importance of Content and Delivery 12:00 Navigating Different Audience Sizes 14:53 The Role of Feedback in Public Speaking 18:10 The ROI of Public Speaking for Tech Leaders 20:52 Crafting Effective Presentations 26:52 Gary: The Memorable Character from Sales 29:50 Preparing for Talks and Finding Your Voice 38:14 The Value of Podcasting 42:02 Navigating LinkedIn for Audience Building 47:01 The Pain of Personal Branding 51:49 The Journey of a D-List Celebrity Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
79: Erin Papworth - Transitioning a product upmarket from B2C to B2B 47:55

vor 30 weeks47:55

47:55

Learnings from the transition from B2C to B2B in the fintech space focus on what can be carried over and what not. Forming behavioral habits and the challenges of building a sustainable business model while addressing the social determinants of financial health were just a few topics in this fascinating episode I recorded with Erin Papworth. The complexities of navigating the B2B sales landscape suddenly after selling to individuals. takeaways “The core concept was how can we get people to do something for less than three minutes a day around their finances.” The shift from B2C to B2B requires different strategies. Internal tools often fail to meet market needs. Navigating the complexities of B2B sales is a learning process. Chapters 06:00 Innovative Approaches to Financial Health 11:48 Engagement Strategies in Fintech 18:12 The Human Connection in Financial Services 24:06 Building a Sustainable Business Model 27:22 Financial Stress and Mental Health Nexus 30:39 Challenges in Internal Tooling for HR 32:31 Pivoting from B2C to B2B Strategies 36:03 Data-Driven Insights for HR 40:56 Navigating the B2B Sales Landscape Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
78: Radhika Dutt - The Power of Shared Vision 1:04:40

vor 31 weeks1:04:40

1:04:40

The importance of vision, careful pivots, and the balance between innovation and optimization. Her concept of a vision is, to me, one of the very few that I think is actually cutting through the noise and has an impact aside from the cookie-cutter frameworks we had so far. It’s beyond processes over mere goal-setting in achieving long-term success in startups. takeaways Pivots should be treated as silver bullets, used deliberately. A strong vision can save not just a product line but also sanity. Innovation should not be sacrificed for optimization. Processes should be prioritized over mere goal-setting for better outcomes. Chapters 17:28 The Importance of Vision in Startups 36:54 Aligning Teams Through Vision and Strategy 51:26 Balancing Innovation and Optimization 01:02:17 The Role of Processes Over Goals Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
77: Amanda Daering - Effective Team Management Strategies, Leaders vs Managers 53:52

vor 32 weeks53:52

53:52

We discuss the complexities of change management, the importance of direct communication, and the evolving dynamics of workplace relationships vs in the past. How to build trust within teams, the significance of clarity in roles, and the challenges of hiring in today's market, particularly for executive positions. What’s the difference between really good leaders and bad managers? Takeaways Change management should simplify processes, not complicate them Workplace dynamics are influenced by external advice. Hiring should focus on long-term vision and fit. Leadership requires balancing urgency with pragmatism. Sound Bites "People are getting too much of their work advice from TikTok." Chapters 02:55 The Art of Direct Communication 05:50 Navigating Workplace Dynamics 09:07 Building Trust in Teams 11:55 The Evolution of Work Structures 14:48 Effective Team Management 18:05 The Importance of Clarity in Roles 24:04 Hiring for the Future 26:54 The Role of Leadership in Change 30:01 The Challenge of Executive Hiring 33:13 The Impact of AI on Recruitment 36:02 Networking in Today's Job Market Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
76: Malte Scholz: Product Management in 2024 and beyond 43:06

vor 33 weeks43:06

43:06

The dynamics of leadership in product management, the importance of a low-hierarchy organization, the challenges of founder mode, and the balance between control and empowerment. Data in product management, the limitations of traditional tools, and the future of product management with AI. Takeaways Founders often struggle with letting go of control. Micromanagement can be necessary but should be balanced with empowerment. Traditional product management tools often fall short in meeting modern needs. AI will transform the way product management operates. Unshipping features is essential for product evolution. Sound Bites "Ego should really never play a role here." "I never make any decisions here alone." "There's nobody more incentivized to make this whole thing work than the founders." Chapters 03:12 The Journey of AirFocus 05:59 Navigating Founder Mode and Micromanagement 09:13 Balancing Control and Empowerment 11:59 The Role of Data in Product Management 14:53 Challenges of Traditional Product Management Tools 18:03 The Future of Product Management with AI 20:55 Empowering Engineers in Product Development 23:49 Unshipping Features and Product Evolution 27:03 Connecting Sales and Product Management 29:51 The Importance of Customer Insights Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
75: Kevan Lee & Shannon Deep - Understanding Brand beyond visuals 52:05

vor 34 weeks52:05

52:05

Summary The branding experts Shannon Deep and Kevin Lee dig into exploring the multifaceted nature of brand measurement and strategy. Misconceptions surrounding brands and risks associated with brand decisions, the importance of aligning brand strategy with business goals, and the challenges faced by founder-led brands in maintaining their identity. What does marketing look like in the future? Where does product marketing sit? Takeaways Many senior leaders conflate brand with just design and visuals. Brand is an additional filtering mechanism for attracting the right customers. Measuring brand effectiveness can be complex but is crucial for growth. Founder-led brands face unique challenges in separating their identity from the company. Brand marketing is becoming increasingly important in the current business landscape. You can measure brand through various metrics, including share of search and brand awareness. Sound Bites "Brand is the sum total of all experiences." Chapters 07:31 Understanding Brand Beyond Visuals 14:41 Navigating Brand Decisions and Risks 22:46 The Role of Brand in Business Strategy 30:43 Measuring Brand Effectiveness 37:28 The Challenge of Founder-Led Brands Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
74: Ami Vora - Unconventional Lessons in Senior Leadership 52:33

vor 35 weeks52:33

52:33

Ami Vora, CPO at Faire, brilliantly lays out a lot of concepts about how she views senior leadership: How to build a strong bench of performers, balancing authenticity and urgency. How do you make yourself care about boring topics and find joy in work? Why feedback loops and building team connections become more important as an organization scales. How do we deal with weak performers, skip-level meetings, and when to invest in strong performers? Why growing others is always paying dividends and make you more secure. Takeaways Balancing authenticity and urgency is a challenge in leadership, but it is important to be true to oneself while maintaining a sense of urgency. Transitioning from an operative role to a product leadership role involves a shift in power dynamics and the need to build connections with team members. Managing weak performers can be challenging, but it's important to depersonalize the conversation and focus on finding the right match for the role. Skip-level meetings provide unique insights and opportunities for career development. Generosity and supporting others in their growth are key qualities of a secure leader. Sound Bites "Invest in what you think the future looks like" "Recognize and address mistakes, then move forward" "What I do like is like calling everyone on the phone and saying like, 'How are you? What's going on with your career? What can I help with?'" Chapters 00:00 Investing in the Future: Building a Strong Bench 06:03 Balancing Authenticity and Urgency in Leadership 08:19 Forgiving Oneself: Learning from Mistakes 18:13 Finding Motivation: Understanding Why 25:08 Building Connections: Fostering Unity in Scaled Organizations 26:03 Navigating the Shift in Power Dynamics 27:28 Building Connections through One-on-One Conversations 28:55 The Importance of a Growth Mindset and Feedback 31:20 Managing Weak Performers with Empathy 32:17 The Role of Skip-Level Meetings 34:07 Investing in Strong Performers for the Future 36:27 The Power of Generosity in Leadership Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
73: Austin Hay - BS Marketing, Dogfooding and the future of CRMs 1:03:09

vor 35 weeks1:03:09

1:03:09

Cringe Marketing, Dogfooding, and the limitations of Hubspot and Salesforce with Austin Hay, the Co-Founder of Clarify (CRM). I talked with Austin on the rise of superficial marketing tactics and what they do to the importance of building a strong brand. We discuss why Product Managers cannot ignore Marketing anymore and the value of good dogfooding in product development when everyone tells you to “listen to your customer”. How to transition from being your own ideal customer to targeting a different market segment. Takeaways Marketing is moving from a deterministic approach to a more probabilistic approach, where marketers have less control and understanding of who and how to reach people. The rise of superficial and cringe-worthy marketing tactics on platforms like LinkedIn is a result of increased competition and the need to stand out. Traditional CRMs have limitations in terms of speed, data entry, and automation. Sound Bites "Marketing is moving back to the ways things were done in the 1960s to the 1990s, where you're not going to have as much control and understanding about who and how to reach people." "We're just shifting market shares around without deriving value to the customer." "You can be a really good dog fooder of your product, but you may not be the ideal ICP for your product in the future." "The core product is never done. Whenever you add something else, it becomes a little bit worse, and then you need to repatch it up." Chapters 08:12 The Rise of Superficial and Cringe-Worthy Marketing Tactics 13:55 The Importance of Building a Strong Brand 23:40 The Role of Marketing in Product Development 29:03 The Value of Dogfooding in Product Development 31:25 The Value and Challenges of Dogfooding 38:12 The Never-Ending Process of Product Development 39:07 Balancing Customer Feedback and Vision 53:46 The Limitations of Traditional CRMs 01:00:15 Introducing Clarify: Disrupting the CRM Market Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
72: Rand Fishkin - Why paid advertising sucks in 2024 47:17

vor 37 weeks47:17

47:17

If you spend money on paid ads, chances are that you’re being taken advantage of. The biggest providers do it to you because they can and they optimize their systems more and more towards it. Rand Fishkin and me discuss the challenges and limitations of paid advertising, the role of AI in marketing, the importance of organic initiatives and why you can’t skip good quality audience research. Takeaways Many marketers spend money on ads that are shown to people who would have converted anyway. The best marketing channels are often the hardest to measure. Paid advertising can be limited and may not always provide the desired results because you don’t see how they really perform. Sound Bites "There's lots of people being taken advantage of in the digital marketing and advertising ecosystem today." "There are literally hundreds of billions of dollars that flow into that ecosystem that don't necessarily have careful accounting." "We're going to need to do these sketchy things that essentially take credit for sales that would have already happened, show people more ad results, reduce the quality of the organic results, make it harder to identify ads, force people to scroll down further, lazy load the organic stuff and quick load the paid stuff." "Treat digital advertising the way Coca-Cola treated billboards in 1965. Test different messages and campaigns in specific markets and analyze the lift in same-store sales to determine effectiveness." Chapters 06:30 The Issues with Digital Advertising 10:22 Taking Advantage of the Digital Marketing Ecosystem 13:14 The Challenge of Proper Accounting and Attribution 18:29 The Misleading Nature of Digital Metrics 23:03 The Difficulty of Measuring the Best Marketing Channels 23:59 The Limitations of Paid Advertising and the Need for Innovation 25:27 The Impact of AI on Marketing and the Changing Web 28:10 The Value of Organic Initiatives in Marketing 29:31 Testing and Experimentation in Marketing 34:13 The Importance of Working with Competent Experts 41:26 The Significance of Qualitative Metrics in Marketing Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
71: John Cutler - How to structure a product organization 1:18:08

vor 38 weeks1:18:08

1:18:08

John Cutler on the challenges of scaling and operating a collaborative product organization. We discuss different mental models for how different functions work together as teams and why it’s important to clarify and document the operating model, especially during times of growth, turnover, or changing strategies. John talks about the concept of scaffolding is introduced as a way to navigate the process of change and improvement and why most crossfunctional initiatives fail. Takeaways Define in an operating model team sizes, roles, and responsibilities Reduce single points of failure and promote shared accountability Establish a shared language around team and domain evolution Stay firm on the chosen operating model and evaluate it within a specific timeframe Sound Bites "We invest in teams, products, and outcomes, not individual projects and deliverables." "What are the valid reasons to ask for money and what kind of rigor are you going to put for them for their team?" "Teams respond well if there are a small number of things that people are stubborn about." Chapters 06:45 The Need for an Operating Model in a Growing Company 08:04 Running a Collaborative Product Organization 14:32 The Challenges of the CPO and CTO Tandem 19:26 The Importance of Clarifying and Documenting the Operating Model 29:00 Scaffolding and Navigating Change 38:23 Team Size and Misalignment in SaaS Teams 39:18 Investing in Teams, Products, and Outcomes 41:27 Valid Reasons to Ask for Money and Team Rigor 45:03 The Importance of Being Stubborn 46:46 The Power of Enable Constraints 51:54 Defining Team Sizes and Roles 01:05:30 The Role of Engineering Managers in Teams Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
70: Pedro Goés - Building for enterprise customers in an oversaturated market 42:37

vor 39 weeks42:37

42:37

Summary Pedro Góes, the founder and CEO of InEvent, discusses with me the challenges and strategies of selling to enterprise clients in the event tech industry. Why in-person interactions and relationship-building can’t be beat by pure self-serve. The value of certifications and how they contribute to higher retention rates. He shares insights on the event tech market, the role of AI in their product, and the differences between doing business in the US and Europe. Takeaways In-person interactions and relationship-building are important for establishing trust and are not just limited to sales. Expanding in-person operations and support can be a key differentiator. The challenges and regulations of doing business in Europe and the US differ. Finding a niche and focusing on a specific market segment can lead to success in an oversaturated market. Sound Bites "We have been trying to focus on this type of clients because it's better retention." "We have been building this for 12 years and it's not ready yet." Chapters 04:43 The Value of Certifications 09:48 Challenges and Opportunities in Enterprise Sales 18:07 Focusing on Key Product Offerings 23:30 The Importance of In-Person Interactions 28:41 Overcoming Sales Challenges 32:30 Expanding In-Person Operations 39:30 Navigating the European and US Markets 42:21 Conclusion Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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69: Janna Bastow - The challenges and opportunities AI brings to Product Management. 51:18

vor 40 weeks51:18

51:18

What is the role of product managers in the age of AI and the potential impact of AI on roadmapping and expectation management? Janna Bastow, CEO & Co-Founder ProdPad / Co-Founder of Mind the Product, shares her perspective on how AI is just another tool that can help product managers synthesize feedback and speed up certain aspects of their job. Why AI should not replace the human element of product management, such as getting alignment from stakeholders and gathering feedback from real users and how we can think about evaluating roadmaps when they all look the same. Why product managers being skilled in asking the right questions and validating their ideas with real customers is not optional anymore. Takeaways The value of a roadmap lies in the roadmapping process, not just the document itself. AI can be used as a sense checker and sidekick to provide feedback and support decision-making, but human judgment is still crucial. Creating a company culture where employees feel comfortable challenging ideas is crucial for innovation and growth. Product managers need to understand how their work connects to revenue and develop roadmaps that align with the company's strategy. Sound Bites "The job of a product manager is to get out of the building and understand what users and the market want. Especially with AI being around" "Nobody's getting fired for using AI." "Product managers who do not understand how their work connects to revenue will be in trouble in the future." Chapters 00:00 The Role of Product Managers in the Age of AI 09:08 AI as a Tool for Feedback Synthesis and Speeding Up Product Management 23:17 Human Judgment and Decision-Making in Evaluating Roadmaps 25:34 Creating a Culture of Innovation and Openness 26:22 The Role of Product Managers in Driving Growth 27:41 The Impact of AI on Product Management 32:26 The Importance of Asking the Right Questions 35:19 Adapting to the Changing Landscape of Product Management Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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68: Vijay Iyengar: Unbundling PLG and why BI tools are not good for analysis 53:26

vor 41 weeks53:26

53:26

When is PLG just a fad? Vijay Iyengar, Senior Director of Product at Mixpanel discusses with me about the misconceptions around PLG and the role of analytics in driving business growth and why first principles is in our field the only thing we have. Do PM’s really need to have a basic understanding of data and how it is stored and analyzed with LLMs being the norm? Why business intelligence (BI) tools are not the answer. Which key metrics and questions are correct to start with if you’re trying to get your data under control? Takeaways PLG is not suitable for every business Business intelligence (BI) tools are good for consumption and reporting, but not for analysis. Data quality is a challenge, and engineers need to care about data and be involved in tracking. Sound Bites "There's no best practices the way there are in other fields. Like it's all being written. It's all first principles." "There's plenty of businesses that can monetize much better and grow much better focusing on a different segment of the market where PLG isn't the appropriate sales motion." "Core root analysis, just following people around this is very, very underappreciated." "BI tools are good at consumption. It's good when you've predefined a set of metrics and dimensions and you want to push that out for general consumption." "Reporting is great to just keep a pulse on things, but nobody ever found an insight from reporting or nobody ever found something that's needle moving from a report." Chapters 03:23 The Relevance and Overrating of Product-Led Growth (PLG) 05:15 Finding the Right Sales Motion for Your Business 09:28 The Importance of Tracking and Analytics in Sales Motions 13:44 Focusing on Churn and Retention for Sustainable Growth 22:14 Understanding the First Week Experience and Power Users 26:27 Understanding Data in Product Management 27:52 Limitations of BI Tools 29:19 Challenges of Data Quality and the Need for Engineers to Care 31:44 The Role of the CTO and CPO in Driving Data-Driven Decision-Making 46:34 Getting Started with Data Analysis: Focusing on Key Metrics Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
67: Laura Schaffer: Layering self-serve into a Sales-led gig at Amplitude 58:40

vor 42 weeks58:40

58:40

Laura Schaffer, VP Product Growth @ Amplitude shares her experience of launching a self-serve paid plan and a free plan at Amplitude, a sales-led organization. We discuss the changing landscape of selling, the power of self-serve product experiences, and the expectations of users. The conversation also delves into the tensions between sales and self-serve motions, the importance of buy-in and clear decision-making frameworks, and the structure and purpose of trials and freemium offerings. We also talk about the disappearance of classical websites, questioning the need for a separate website and sign-up flow. What’s the role of Product, Growth and Marketing in that future? Takeaways The digital landscape has changed, and users now expect self-serve product experiences that allow them to try and evaluate products themselves. Product-led growth (PLG) is a powerful approach that can drive pipeline and accelerate sales, but it requires buy-in and clear decision-making frameworks. Trials and freemium offerings are effective ways to lower the friction of pricing and onboard users, but they need to provide enough value to get users over the next hurdle. Digital web experiences and digital product experiences are becoming more similar, and the need for a separate website and sign-up flow is being questioned. Sound Bites "Whenever you layer in a self-serve motion into a sales led company, it will shed spotlight on any issues that are there at the company." "Companies will start merging the website and product experience to avoid losing potential customers in the funnel." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Challenges of Implementing Self-Serve Motion 06:42 The Changing Landscape of Selling and the Power of Self-Serve Experiences 13:54 Tensions Between Sales and Self-Serve Motions: Navigating Conflicts and Gaining Buy-In 21:02 Trials and Freemium: Lowering Friction and Onboarding Users 26:02 Balancing Self-Serve and Sales-Led Motions: Serving Lower-End and Enterprise Segments 29:09 The Blurring Line Between Digital Web Experiences and Digital Product Experiences 37:01 Merging Website and Product Experiences 44:30 Measuring Success in a Product-Led Growth Model 50:36 The Importance of Support in the Self-Serve Environment My Blog / Newsletter: www.leahtharin.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahtharin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeahThar #productledgrowth Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
66: Henrique Cruz - AHA! How to define and reach User activation 47:09

vor 43 weeks47:09

47:09

Summary Activation and aha moments in product growth with Henrique Cruz, Head of Growth at Rows.com. How to find the right activation metric that predicts retention and how to iterate on the onboarding flow to improve activation. Examples of activation metrics and the challenges of tracking and improving activation. The importance of branding, the land and expand strategy, and positioning a brand against larger competitors. Benefits of dropping the homepage and allowing users to immediately access the product. Takeaways Importing a CSV file has no correlation with week one retention for Rows, while pulling data from an integration is strongly correlated with retention. The onboarding flow and the post-onboarding flow are both important for activation. Start by analyzing the actions of high engagement users to form hypotheses about activation metrics. Separate core users from less engaged users to focus on retention. Send churn emails to users who have stopped using the product to understand the reasons for churn. Dropping the homepage and allowing users to immediately access the product can increase sign-up rates and provide valuable data for experimentation. Sound Bites "Importing a CSV file has basically no correlation with week one retention." "Activation really only starts after onboarding." Chapters 08:59 Iterating on the Onboarding Flow for Better Activation 10:53 Analyzing User Behavior to Improve Activation 18:02 Understanding Churn and Retention 23:00 The Impact of Embeds on Activation 23:30 Branding and Positioning 34:27 Dropping the Homepage and User Data 37:34 Selling to Enterprise Customers 46:42 Generating Curiosity Through Social Media My Blog / Newsletter: www.leahtharin.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahtharin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeahThar #productledgrowth Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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65: Guillaume "G" Cabane - The Future of Marketing in an AI-Dominated Landscape 57:48

vor 44 weeks57:48

57:48

Summary Guillaume Cabane and I discuss the future of marketing and the role of humans in a landscape dominated by AI and automation. We’re talking about what does drive marketing and sales teams, and how their future will look like. The conversation touches on topics such as product-led growth, market penetration, and the role of content marketing in engaging target audiences. The conversation touches on the use of automation and human interaction in customer reactivation, as well as the ethical considerations of growth marketing. They conclude with insights on understanding churn and implementing effective re-engagement campaigns. Takeaways The role of humans in marketing is being challenged by AI and automation, raising questions about the future of engagement and trust. Sophisticated scams and phishing techniques require marketers to find new ways to build trust with their audience. Engagement and consumption metrics provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of marketing efforts and the level of interest from potential customers. Long sales cycles and complex products require a different approach to customer activation. The NPS metric can be valuable for gathering feedback and identifying churn reasons, but it should be used in conjunction with other data sources. Sound Bites "Marketing generally has an incentive to over-promise, because that is what brings the people in." "Why hand over to a human, which is a risk of failure at this point? Just automate the touch." Chapters 07:31 Building Trust in the Face of Sophisticated Scams 13:13 Aligning Incentives and Metrics for Long-Term Customer Success 27:29 Measuring Engagement and Consumption for Effective Marketing 28:54 Customer Activation and Long Sales Cycles 31:22 The Importance of Customer Data and Tools 34:43 Automation vs. Human Interaction 39:18 Understanding Churn and Reactivation 49:18 The Limitations of NPS and Rebates 52:07 Timing and Strategies for Customer Reactivation My Blog / Newsletter: www.leahtharin.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahtharin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeahThar #productledgrowth Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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64: Kristen Berman - Behavioral science and product growth 54:37

vor 45 weeks54:37

54:37

Summary Kristen Berman, the Co-Founder of Irrational Labs discusses with me the psychology behind decision-making, the importance of understanding human behavior in product design, and the limitations of traditional research methods. We are exploring the challenges of balancing friction and value in user experiences, the role of context in shaping behavior, and the need to focus on the first day of user onboarding. The concept of getting customers out of their status quo and the various strategies to achieve this, such as offering immediate benefits or making the onboarding process easier. Takeaways Traditional research methods, such as interviews, may not accurately predict future behavior. The environment and user experience can significantly impact user behavior. The first day of user onboarding is crucial for capturing user attention and driving engagement. Context and reference points play a significant role in determining pricing and creating value for customers. Sound Bites "The psychology of not wanting to be cheated or feel like it's unfair can be pretty universal." "Your job as a product person is to get me out of my status quo." "Try to set your team up to do experiments. Starting higher is better because you can always come down if you start lower." Chapters 00:00 The Psychology of Decision-Making and Product Growth 09:00 The Limitations of Traditional Research Methods 21:02 The Importance of the First Day of User Onboarding 24:16 Understanding the Context and Mindset of Users 27:06 Getting Customers Out of Their Status Quo 35:34 The Importance of Experimentation and Research in Pricing 43:28 Context and Reference Points in Pricing and Value Creation My Blog / Newsletter: www.leahtharin.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahtharin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeahThar #productledgrowth Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
63: Kyle Pursell - Paths into Growth with the Head of Growth Optimization at Shopify 1:10:31

vor 46 weeks1:10:31

1:10:31

Summary Kyle Pursell, the Head of Growth Optimization at Shopify, talks about impactful business strategies for growth. What is the challenge of moving upmarket, and the role of product-led growth in driving this success. And why cross-functional collaboration in growth initiatives is often undervalued. We also talk about the different paths to getting into growth roles and share their favorite podcasts and books. Takeaways Building alignment and getting feedback before important meetings is never optional. Cross-functional collaboration is essential for effective growth initiatives Focus on maximizing user engagement in the first session to drive activation Implement strategies to retain customers who are canceling, such as offering compromises Consider different paths to getting into growth roles, such as starting in customer service or marketing Sound Bites "Growth is not an overcomplicated craft. It's just identifying levers, using data to make decisions, experiment." "The aim of important meetings like that are just like a rubber stamp. Everyone is aligned." "Do not go into a meeting that is important to you without knowing how it ends." "Drive people as far down the funnel as possible in that first session as early as possible." Chapters 07:01 Understanding GMV and Leveraging Metrics 14:28 The Power of Product-Led Growth 28:19 Optimizing Site Speed for Engagement and Conversion 32:10 The Importance of Cross-Functional Collaboration 35:30 The Importance of Stakeholder Alignment in Meetings 38:22 Maximizing User Engagement in the First Session 39:20 Strategies for Retaining Customers Who Are Canceling 51:34 Different Paths to Getting into Growth Roles 01:03:49 Unwinding with Podcasts and Books Outside of Your Field Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

1
62: Kieran Flanagan: The state of AI in 2024 in Tech 1:01:46

vor 47 weeks1:01:46

1:01:46

Summary In the second conversation with Kieran Flanagan, SVP Marketing at Hubspot we talk about how we see AI really being used in tech and not just being a flashy thing you use once. From Sales, to Marketing to Product. Where are we today and where is all of this going? The conversation explores the role of AI in strategy, the potential for AI-driven social networks, the impact of AI on user interfaces and customer service, the importance of data in AI tools, and the need for iterative refinement when using AI. Takeaways AI can assist in strategy, but it requires human knowledge and the ability to ask for specific output. AI can improve user interfaces and customer service, but there is a risk of increased isolation and loneliness. Marketers and business leaders need to have a deep understanding of their own business before leveraging AI. Challenges and limitations of AI include the need for large datasets and the resistance to adopting new software in sales. Sound Bites "It’s not that AI cannot do strategy. You can't do strategy. You don't actually know how to talk to the AI and give it instructions in a way that would actually be helpful towards building a strategy." "AI can do a better job than nothing for people who are missing companionship, for people who feel like they are isolated, for people who just crave someone to be there at all times and talk to." "You give AI context, you teach it what good looks like before you use it productively." Chapters 03:04 The Potential for AI-Driven Social Networks 05:59 AI and the Evolution of User Interfaces and Customer Service 08:52 The Importance of Data in AI Tools 14:17 The Limitations of AI in Understanding Context and Reasoning 31:12 Optimizing Workflows and Efficiency with AI 34:28 Enhancing Lead Generation and Conversion with AI 38:41 Improving the Customer Onboarding Experience with AI 44:26 Challenges and Limitations of AI in Sales 50:38 Using AI to Solve Real Problems and Create Value Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

PRODUCTEA with Leah, Growth & Senior Leadership

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61: Dennis R. Mortensen - How to win with building for productivity 51:16

vor 48 weeks51:16

51:16

Dennis R. Mortensen is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of LaunchBrightly, which makes money by automating the most annoying things in our work lives (through AI). We talk about why it’s important to own your own data set for competitive advantage and the misconception that successful entrepreneurs should become investors. Dennis refuses to do anything else other than focussing on his startups. No boards, no investing, just focus. We conclude with a discussion on the future of user interfaces and the potential for voice-first products. Takeaways Owning your own data set is the only way to stay in business Successful entrepreneurs are not obligated to become investors; they can continue to jump into the next startup Genuinely hating a problem is the number one reason for motivation and success in solving it. The future of user interfaces is uncertain, but voice-first products and more intelligent assistants are expected. Sound Bites "There is this belief, which I hate, that once you've had a little bit of success, say you make a startup, you get to the end, you make a few monies, you kind of won in that particular game, then you're supposed to become an investor, angel investor, something in between." "I invite a bunch of folks to come and convince me to not do it." "If we do more of this, everybody's happy." Chapters 00:00 Owning Your Own Data Set for Competitive Advantage 03:03 Misconception of Successful Entrepreneurs as Investors 09:46 Automating the Process of Creating Product Screenshots 13:34 The Role of AI in Increasing Productivity 25:30 Genuinely Hating a Problem 26:28 Challenging and Deconstructing Business Cases 31:56 Tracking and Measuring KPIs 36:18 Owning and Operating Proprietary Data Sets 43:30 The Future of User Interfaces and Voice-First Products Send us a text Leah on Linkedin / Twitter / Youtube…

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