Episodios

  • Rebelling Against Copy Culture

    Rebelling Against Copy Culture
    Apr 29 2025

    Ever feel like your product is slowly becoming just another version of the competition?

    In this episode, we talk about the pressures product managers and product leaders face when stakeholders push for feature parity and price wars. Joe Ghali, Ryan Cantwell, and Todd Blaquiere share real-world stories and practical strategies for resisting copycat requests, protecting your product strategy, and staying true to your customer value proposition.

    We’ll break down how to spot early signs of commoditization, how to align sales and product teams, and how strong market positioning—and a little courage—can set you apart.

    Tune in and learn how to lead with innovation, not imitation.

    References & Links

    - Dollar Shave Club Commercial
    - Liquid Death

    Time Stamped Notes:

    Introduction and Setting the Stage
    [01:05] Pressure to copy competitors - Ryan shares his frustrations from 15 years in product management.

    The Danger of Copycat Product Management
    [02:41] Hotels shift to experience - Joe recounts post-9/11 changes in the hotel industry.
    [03:58] Sales pressures - Todd discusses empathy for sales teams and roadmap challenges.
    [04:31] Copycat feature pitfalls - Risks of losing product identity by mimicking competitors.
    [05:40] Recognizing commoditization - How to identify early signs of a product becoming a commodity.

    Winning with Differentiation
    [06:39] Failed copycat products - Stories illustrating the cost of copying competitors.
    [08:27] Dollar Shave Club example - How unique monetization and branding created success.
    [10:30] Liquid Death example - Building differentiation through bold branding and distribution strategy.
    [12:00] Competing beyond price - Focusing on customer experience and unique value.

    How to Handle Copycat Requests
    [14:26] Strategies for handling requests - Asking for validation and de-risking decisions.
    [16:30] Finding a middle ground - Balancing stakeholder requests without losing strategic focus.
    [18:41] Communicating value - Helping sales teams reframe customer objections.
    [19:45] Talking points for stakeholders - Techniques for responding to "be like the competition" requests.

    Aligning Sales, Product, and Strategy
    [19:57] Sales incentives and product alignment - Adjusting commissions to support new product goals.
    [22:30] Box-checking feature risks - Recognizing when a feature request is just a checkbox.
    [23:54] RFP challenges - Shaping customer expectations before tenders are released.

    Positioning and Company Values
    [28:49] Values as a decision filter - Using company mission to prioritize product decisions.
    [31:59] Positioning the competition - Shaping how customers view both you and your rivals.
    [33:30] Lessons from "I'm a Mac" - How clear positioning drives customer perception.
    [34:30] Building differentiated positioning - Methods to keep the product distinct and memorable.

    Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts
    [35:25] Training and support as differentiators - Building loyalty through education.
    [37:13] Jobs-to-be-Done framework - Understanding emotional and social needs.
    [38:30] Importance of internal alignment - Selling your own team on the product vision.

    Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at Patreon.com/TheProductPorch.

    Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com
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    41 m
  • Is AI Saving Time—Or Just Making Us Busier?

    Is AI Saving Time—Or Just Making Us Busier?
    Apr 15 2025
    What should you actually do when AI shows up in your job?In this episode, we take a grounded look at how product managers can respond when a new era of technology—like AI—starts shifting expectations. Drawing lessons from the past (like the rise of email and automation), we unpack what’s really happening to productivity, why it feels like workloads are increasing, and how to tell whether you’re falling behind or just caught in the noise.We also share real strategies product managers are using today to stay valuable—like becoming the go-to for new tools, focusing on process improvements, and asking better questions at work.Listen in to get practical advice that cuts through the hype—and shows you how to stay valuable as your role evolves.References & LinksPMC Study – “Keeping up with work email after hours” by PubMed Centralhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8782676/Forbes Study – “AI tools and employee workload” (July 2024)https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2024/07/23/employees-report-ai-increased-workload/Economic Policy Institute – Research on productivity vs. wage growthhttps://www.epi.org/productivity-pay-gap/University of California Study – On task switching and cognitive load (23-minute recovery stat)https://ics.uci.edu/~gmark/chi08-mark.pdfHidden Figures (Film Reference)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4846340/Time Stamped Notes:From Hospital to Headset: Ryan’s Story[00:00] Opening and housekeeping - Todd kicks off with a Patreon plug and reviews ask.[01:03] Health scare - Ryan shares details about his emergency surgery and rare syndrome.[02:00] Living with cyclic vomiting syndrome - Raising awareness and encouraging empathy.Is AI Helping—or Just Raising Expectations?[02:35] Setting the stage - Joe questions whether AI is boosting productivity or shifting expectations.[03:58] Value versus velocity - The team considers if AI tools truly deliver what they promise.[04:59] The speed trap - Instant response culture and its impact on mental load.The Email Trap: A Warning from the Past[04:12] PMC study on email - Todd references research showing faster comms led to heavier workloads.[05:11] Expectation inflation - The crew explores how “faster” led to “more.”[06:10] Slack and Teams - Modern tools continue the trend of reactive work.When More Content Isn’t Better: A Real Story[07:08] LA Times video push - Todd tells a cautionary tale from his newsroom days.[11:00] Productivity vs. value - Making more content didn’t lead to better outcomes.[12:30] Cognitive overload - Quantity undermined creativity and quality.AI Tools Are Supposed to Help—So Why Are We Busier?[13:38] Forbes study - 77% of AI users say their workload increased.[14:32] Managing AI like an intern - Todd explains the care and feeding required for effective AI use.[16:30] Prompting matters - Why lazy prompts lead to bad output and more rework.[17:30] Smart, but exhausting - Comparing AI to the smartest intern you still have to manage.Lessons from the Automation Era: Staying Relevant in Tough Times[19:33] The productivity paradox - Productivity rises, but wages and jobs don’t.[22:05] The middle class squeeze - Historical parallels to today’s shrinking roles.[24:21] What workers did right - Becoming the go-to, learning new tools, and shifting mindset.How to Stay Valuable as the Rules Change[27:34] Six lessons from the past - Todd outlines a checklist for staying relevant.[28:30] Don’t just check the box - Ryan advises curiosity and experimentation over passive learning.[30:00] Architect your own processes - Todd encourages product pros to build new ways of working.[32:25] Watch cognitive load - University of California study on task switching shows 23 minutes lost per shift.[34:30] Play to human strengths - Better questions, better communication, better decisions.[35:40] Final reflections - The team wraps with advice: don’t just survive—engage with change on your terms. Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at Patreon.com/TheProductPorch.Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com
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    41 m
  • Before You Say Yes: Interviewing Your Next Boss

    Before You Say Yes: Interviewing Your Next Boss
    Apr 1 2025

    Ever wonder how to tell if a product leader is actually good—or just good in interviews? In this episode, we talk through what strong product leadership really looks like, how to spot warning signs, and what to do if you’re not getting the support you need. We also cover the questions you should be asking when you're interviewing for a new role and how to make the most of a good leader when you have one.

    If you’re thinking about your next move—or just want to get better at working with your current boss—this one’s for you.

    Transcript: Episode 21 - Before You Say Yes: Interviewing your Next Boss

    Introduction
    [0:00] Welcome Back – Kicking off the episode with a hill metaphor and the big question: what makes a great product leader?
    [2:00] A Tough Early Experience – A story of receiving poor leadership advice and the fallout with IT.

    Weak vs. Strong Leadership
    [4:36] Leadership Is Influence – Highlighting the power of cross-functional trust and respect.
    [6:00] What Great Leaders Do – Traits that matter: trust, vision, honesty, listening, decisiveness, and more.
    [8:26] Anti-Patterns – Indecisiveness, pass-through behavior, and leaders who don’t push back.

    When Your Boss Isn’t a Great Leader
    [9:25] Taking the Right First Steps – The value of seeking out learning and acting independently.
    [11:08] Pushing Change Without Buy-In – The mistake of skipping the “why” when introducing new ways of working.
    [13:01] The Importance of Positioning – How to position yourself well when you have a weak leader
    [14:09] Show Your Work – Tips for demonstrating your impact in a way your leader will understand and support.

    External Pressures on Leaders
    [16:00] How Strong Leaders Can Become Weak – How organizational pressure can derail even the strongest leaders.
    [18:45] Why It All Matters – Weak leadership affects career growth, team success, and even headcount.

    Taking Control of Your Narrative
    [20:34] What You Can Control – Focus on your communication, relationships, and personal brand.
    [21:37] What Not to Do – Avoid sabotage, complaints, and repeating broken patterns.
    [22:08] Find Support Elsewhere – You don’t have to rely on your manager for growth and mentorship.

    How to Identify a Strong Leader in an Interview (Role Play)
    [22:30] Role Play: Product Launch – A side-by-side of strong vs. weak leadership responses.
    [25:23] Spotting the Difference – Look for accountability, clarity, and thoughtful process.
    [27:01] Role Play: Talent Development – Coaching vs. control and the risk of "mini-me" management.
    [29:30] Interpreting the Signals – What good answers sound like—and what they reveal.
    [30:26] Ask About Vision – Great leaders can clearly explain product and team direction.
    [32:20] Accepting Risk – Not every role is perfect, but know what matters most to you.

    Selecting a Leader Based on your Career Goals
    [34:32] Know What You Need – What motivates you may change over time.
    [35:25] Setting Criteria – Define what you want from a company, role, and manager.
    [36:04] Learning by Example – Good senior leaders model behaviors worth following.

    Getting the Most from a Strong Leader
    [37:03] Soak It Up – Watch how they respond and model their soft skills.
    [38:03] Be Curious – Ask questions to uncover the thinking behind their actions.
    [39:39] Ask for Feedback – Strong leaders will invest in you—if you’re ready for it.
    [40:18] Show Initiative – Be proactive and bring your A-game.
    [40:52] Values and Fit – Great leaders aren’t always a perfect fit—know what you need.

    Final Thoughts
    [41:44] No One Is Perfect – Take ownership and learn from what’s in front of you.
    [42:29] Don’t Take Great Leaders for Granted – The right leader is worth more than just a salary bump.

    Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at Patreon.com/TheProductPorch.

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    44 m
  • User Discovery: How to Reach the Right People

    User Discovery: How to Reach the Right People
    Mar 18 2025

    Every product manager hears it: “Go talk to users.” But what if you don’t know how to find them? In this episode of The Product Porch, hosts Todd Blaquiere, Joe Ghali, and Ryan Cantwell tackle the challenge of getting in front of the right users for discovery—without relying on guesswork.

    We explore real-world strategies for identifying and connecting with users, whether you’re working in B2B or B2C. How do you leverage customer success and sales teams? What’s the best way to reach users when there’s a gatekeeper in the way? And how can you build a system that ensures continuous access to valuable user insights?

    If you’ve ever felt stuck wondering where to start, this episode delivers practical, battle-tested approaches to help you stop assuming and start learning from the right people.

    References & Links

    - Respondent.io
    - Guidepoint
    - Continuous Discovery Habits, by Teresa Torres

    Time Stamped Notes:

    Introduction
    [1:00] The Struggle to Find Users – Ryan shares frustrations with finding users for research.
    [2:00] Superman & Stats – Over 80% of new products fail—why?

    Why Customer Understanding Matters
    [4:30] Skipping Discovery? Big Mistake. – The risk of assumptions in product development.

    Finding B2C Users
    [5:17] Where to Start – Buyer vs. user personas and key differences.
    [6:10] No Users? No Problem. – Where to find early users.
    [8:40] Recruiting Tactics – Using tools like Respondent.io and direct outreach.

    Challenges in B2B Discovery
    [9:14] B2B Buyer Personas – Engaging decision-makers in complex sales.
    [10:28] Getting Past Gatekeepers – Building trust with sales and success teams.

    Overcoming Internal Barriers
    [13:57] WIIFM & Sales Buy-in – How to align with sales teams.
    [15:00] Prepping Stakeholders – Avoiding risks when bringing others into discovery.

    Finding B2B Users
    [18:20] Titles Don’t Unlock Access – Trust matters more than job roles.
    [20:30] The Power of Listening – Why humility is key to discovery.
    [22:30] Building Access Over Time – Joe’s "5-minute" method.

    Why Discovery Saves Money
    [24:16] The ROI of Discovery – Companies save 20-30% in development costs**.**

    Helping Teams Value Product Management
    [26:45] Todd’s Intro Formula – "My job is to add value to your life."
    [26:54] Sharing Learnings – Why knowledge-sharing strengthens teams.

    Finding Competitor’s Customers
    [27:54] Tactics for Competitive Research – Engaging users ethically.
    [30:02] Where to Look – Reddit, LinkedIn, industry events.
    [31:00] Paying for Access – Tools like Guidepoint deliver targeted insights.

    Working with Internal Users
    [34:25] Internal Customers – Are they easier to reach, or do we get lazy?
    [35:56] Risks & Landmines – Pitfalls when engaging internal users.

    Lightning Round: Best Interview Questions
    [38:07] Go-To Questions – How do you measure success? How painful is this problem on a scale of 1-5?
    [40:45] The Uncomfortable Pause – A simple but powerful interviewing technique.

    Takeaways
    [42:28] Key Lessons – Finding the right users, building internal trust, and making discovery a habit.

    Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at Patreon.com/TheProductPorch.

    Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com
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    45 m
  • How To Prototype 4X Faster With AI

    How To Prototype 4X Faster With AI
    Mar 4 2025
    AI is transforming product management, but where does it actually fit in your workflow? In this episode of The Product Porch, Zac Hays, Chief Product Officer at Luxury Presence, shares how his team used AI-powered prototyping to cut their design sprint time in half and generate 12 prototypes in a single day.Ryan, Todd, and Joe dig into what worked, what didn’t, and how AI is changing the product playbook. You’ll learn practical ways to integrate AI into your process, why speed doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity, and which tools can help you iterate faster and test ideas with real users—without waiting on designers or engineering. References & LinksFollow Zac Hays at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacthepm/Read Zac’s article on AI-Powered Design Sprints: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-powered-design-sprint-playbook-v01-zac-hays-iu1dc/?trackingId=Z%2FCq7FJmQ8O6PgubHhrTng%3D%3DV.0 Coding Tool: http://v0.dev/Bolt.new Coding Tool: http://bolt.new/User Feedback Tool: https://www.usertesting.com/Guy Kawasaki’s Remarkable People Podcast: https://guykawasaki.com/remarkable-people/ Show Notes: Episode 19 - How to Prototype 4X Faster with AI[1:30] Welcome Zac Hays to The Product PorchIntroducing Zac, Chief Product Officer at Luxury Presence, and why AI is shaking up product design.[2:40] “I don’t know if our playbook is relevant anymore.”Zac questions if traditional product processes still work in an AI-driven world.[3:42] Trying out new AI prototyping toolsIf a prototype can be built in minutes, how does that change the design sprint process?[5:51] Show and tell: Rapid-fire prototype demosEveryone builds and shares a 90-second prototype—what happens next?[7:10] Was there a lack of originality using AI?AI prototype tools work like ChatGPT—give a one-sentence prompt and watch the magic happen.[9:11] Apprehension and pushback: Is AI replacing jobs?Some skepticism, even from Zac. But every team member saw it through a different lens.[10:50] Bringing the team up to speed on AI toolsRyan puts AI to the test—writes two sentences, and Bolt builds an app instantly.[12:55] What was the real impact of this AI-powered sprint?Zac breaks down how the new process helped his team move faster and smarter.[15:15] Fast feedback: Validating and invalidating assumptions quicklyWithin a single sprint, the team learned what worked—and what didn’t.[17:57] The power of quickly invalidating your ideasWhy knowing what won’t work is just as valuable as knowing what will.[18:37] How explicit were assumptions in this AI-driven process?Turns out, it was ad hoc—but led to surprisingly valuable prototypes.[20:40] How often did AI hallucinate?When does AI “hallucination” turn into real creativity?[21:18] Unexpected discoveries: AI finds new sources of dataHow AI-led insights saved time and uncovered new possibilities.[23:00] How does this change the role of the product manager?The lines between PM, design, and engineering are getting blurry.[25:10] Expanding PM skills and abilitiesThis new approach makes explaining product vision easier than ever.[26:30] PM as an executive producer?Leveraging user video snippets to tell a story—way more powerful than a PRD.[27:45] The “Code Red” threat—will AI replace PMs?Zac shares which PM skills will survive (and thrive) in an AI-driven world.[29:02] Want to start using AI tools? Find a buddy!Grab a friend, experiment, and debrief. These tools are built for you![31:20] Todd’s silly story: Don’t be a dinosaurAt some point, you have to embrace AI—or risk becoming that person.[32:30] Joe asks: What’s the first step?Start small—go to bolt.new, type an idea, and see what happens.[33:30] Todd overachieves with AIZac says no need to overdo it. Ryan reminds us—be polite to AI. (Yes, say “thank you.”)[36:05] Todd goes full caveman—will grunting be the next AI skill?[36:54] What’s next for Zac?Limiting the number of people, getting user feedback faster—Prototype on Day 1, feedback on Day 2, refine on Day 3.[38:19] Where to find Zac? (Hint: LinkedIn!)[40:00] Key Takeaways Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at Patreon.com/TheProductPorch.Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com
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    42 m
  • PM Soft Skills That Matter

    PM Soft Skills That Matter
    Feb 18 2025

    Are soft skills the secret weapon of great product managers? In this episode of The Product Porch, hosts Todd Blaquiere and Joe Ghali welcome special guest Claudia Saleh, Lead Product Manager at The Walt Disney Company, to break down the essential soft skills every PM needs—and why they matter.

    We explore real-world insights—including how soft skills shape leadership at Disney—and tackle big questions like: Can emotional intelligence be developed? How do great PMs navigate difficult stakeholders? And what role do adaptability and communication play in product success? With expert perspectives and practical takeaways, this episode will help you sharpen the skills that set top product managers apart.

    References & Links
    Follow Claudia at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiasaleh/

    Show Notes: Episode 18 - The Hard Things About Soft Skills

    [1:04] Welcome Claudia to The Product Porch
    Introduction and why soft skills are essential in Product Management

    [2:08] Soft skills define a PM’s success
    Why stakeholder management, communication, and collaboration are non-negotiable

    [4:00] Can PM soft skills be taught?
    The role of emotional intelligence and situational awareness

    [6:00] Soft skills for career growth
    Why mastering influence without authority helps PMs get ahead

    [8:00] Joe’s early career story – shoutout to Ray!
    A real-world lesson in learning product leadership skills the hard way

    [10:00] Essential skills for early-stage Product Managers
    How empathy, adaptability, and critical thinking lay the foundation for success

    [12:00] Can you teach a PM to be adaptive?
    Why PMs must be comfortable with uncertainty and change

    [13:09] Bumper sticker wisdom: “Embrace the Grey”
    Product Management is rarely black and white—so how do PMs navigate ambiguity?

    [14:32] Owning personal growth as a PM
    Claudia shares why acknowledging weaknesses is key to improvement

    [17:30] Tailoring communication for different audiences
    How PMs adjust their messaging between business teams and engineering teams

    [20:00] Fun fact: Claudia’s fear of bears 🐻 (yes, this is relevant!)

    [21:30] Presentation skills = Product Management superpower
    Why strong presentation and storytelling skills are crucial for PMs

    [22:42] Claudia’s ultimate mom tip (because life is product management too!)

    [23:35] Game time: How different careers build PM soft skills
    Todd throws out different job backgrounds—what skills transfer to Product Management?

    [26:05] Beyond your career: Where else do PMs develop soft skills?
    Coaching, volunteering, parenting—real-world leadership lessons

    [27:40] Need travel advice? Claudia has you covered

    [29:52] Pop culture moment: Todd drops a Tombstone metaphor
    The PM lesson? Play to your strengths!

    [30:32] Soft skills for leading Product Managers
    What’s different when you go from IC to leading a product team?

    [34:15] Leveraging life experiences in Product Management
    Some things can’t be learned in a course—it’s about experience and reflection

    [36:00] Todd’s story about his new CTO—learning through leadership

    [37:30] Is deep focus (aka “being alone and coding”) a soft skill?

    [38:00] Claudia’s secret: She spent 10 hours coding the day before this podcast

    [40:00] Key Takeaways

    Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at Patreon.com/TheProductPorch.

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    43 m
  • Two Roles One Job The PM and PMM Dilemma

    Two Roles One Job The PM and PMM Dilemma
    Feb 4 2025

    Should Product Managers and Product Marketing Managers be separate roles or one? In this episode of The Product Porch, we break down their key differences, where they overlap, and how organizations define their responsibilities.

    We share real-world examples—including how Airbnb structures these roles—and tackle big questions like: Who owns the buying journey? Where should PMMs report? And how does role clarity drive product success? With fun analogies and practical insights, this episode will help you collaborate more effectively and navigate this ongoing debate.

    [2:00] The Big Question
    Should we have two separate roles—the Product Manager and the Product Marketing Manager?

    [2:30] Defining the PM Role
    Product Managers connect customer values to business outcomes.

    [3:20] Defining the PMM Role
    Product Marketing Managers focus on awareness, messaging, and proof points.

    [5:00] Wearing Both Hats
    Joe shares his experience working with a dedicated PMM role vs. managing both the PM and PMM responsibilities himself.

    [8:15] How Airbnb Does It
    A look at how Airbnb structures the PM and PMM roles.

    [9:30] Office Space Moment
    Todd’s I have people skills reference sparks a discussion on communication in both roles.

    [10:20] PMM as Execution?
    Are Product Marketing Managers seen as tactical executors rather than strategic partners?

    [11:00] The Role of Personas
    Ryan shares his perspective on how personas shape PM and PMM responsibilities.

    [12:42] Todd’s Cinnabon Confession
    A side tangent on Todd’s unexpected connection to Cinnabon.

    [16:00] Role Accountability
    Why defining clear responsibilities helps delineate the PM and PMM roles.

    [18:30] Wizard of Oz Analogy
    How Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Lion, and the Scarecrow represent a well-balanced product team.

    [20:19] Splitting the Roles
    Ryan shares his experience during a past company transformation when the PM role was split.

    [21:23] Reporting Structure Debate
    Does it matter where the PMM role reports within an organization?

    [22:45] Marketing vs. Product Outcomes
    Do Product Marketing Managers lose sight of product outcomes when reporting to marketing?

    [24:00] Measuring Success
    Defining the right success metrics for both the PM role and PMM role.

    [26:24] Who Owns It Game
    Ryan leads a fun round of Who Owns It—PM or PMM?

    [31:00] Sales Enablement Ownership
    Who should train the sales team on new products?

    [33:00] The Buying Journey Debate
    Todd argues that the PMM role should own the buying journey.

    [36:10] GTM Strategy
    Are Product Marketing Managers truly empowered to lead go-to-market strategy?

    [38:23] Key Takeaways
    Clear role definition is critical for strong team collaboration and product success.

    Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at Patreon.com/TheProductPorch.

    Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com
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    44 m
  • What Product Managers Get Wrong About UX

    What Product Managers Get Wrong About UX
    Jan 21 2025
    Are you struggling to navigate the overlap between Product Management and User Experience roles?In this episode of The Product Porch, we dig into the common friction between PMs and UX Teams, starting with a question from a listener about role clarity. We explore where the two roles typically overlap—like discovery—and discuss how both contribute unique value to solving problems. You’ll hear about prioritization techniques like the “IFD” method, the importance of team working agreements, and practical steps to align goals and avoid silos.We also dive into what makes a great UX Designer, share examples of UX antipatterns, and discuss how to foster better collaboration by understanding each other’s strengths. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a stronger partnership with your UX team, this episode will give you ideas you can put into action. References & Links:Prioritizing Problems- the IFD modelhttps://medium.com/management-matters/prioritize-your-problems-now-with-the-intensity-frequency-matrix-481ec156eecaTodd's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-blaquiere-mba-42a1262b/Joe's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephghali/Ryan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantcantwell/ Show Notes: Episode 16 - What Product Managers Get Wrong About UX[1:01] Listener QuestionA UX friend of the Porch, Holiday, asks if we have ever dealt with the overlap between UX and Product Management responsibilities, highlighting the need for role clarity.[4:00] Sarcasm from RyanRyan jokingly claims there is "never" any overlap of roles within product management, underscoring the ambiguity in the PM role and UX role.[4:30] Clarifying RolesDiscussion about the distinctions and clarity between UX and UI roles, emphasizing the role of UX in design and research.[7:30] Discovery OverlapEmphasis on discovery as a key area where the role of the product manager and UX roles often overlap, showcasing their shared focus on user needs.[8:34] The Value of DiscoveryExploring the unique contributions of PM roles and UX roles in the discovery process, with a focus on UX research and market insights.[11:39] Prioritizing ProblemsTodd poses an important question for UX leaders: How do you prioritize problems within the UX design and product framework?[12:01] Ryan's "IFD" MethodRyan introduces his favorite "problem" prioritization framework, "IFD." (Details in show notes.) This method is applied to both the PM role and the role of UX in problem-solving.[14:30] Market and PersonasTodd highlights the value PMs bring to problem discussions through their understanding of market needs and personas, complementing the insights from UX research.[17:25] Joe's ApologyJoe apologizes to Elise, his best UX friend ever, for any oversight of the vital role of UX in product success.[18:20] Strengthening RelationshipsHow to open the door to building a stronger relationship between Product Management and UX roles, focusing on role clarity and mutual respect.[19:30] What Makes a Great UX DesignerCharacteristics and traits of an effective UX designer, highlighting the importance of collaboration with the PM role.[21:20] Integrating UX into Product TeamsShould UX be fully integrated within the product team? Todd finds it hard to disagree with Joe, noting that aligning the PM role and the UX role can improve outcomes.[23:00] Aligned ObjectivesTodd argues why UX roles should roll up into the same team as Product Management to ensure aligned business objectives and outcomes.[24:00] Techniques for AlignmentDiscussion of strategies for aligning PM and UX roles and helping them better understand each other’s responsibilities and contributions.[25:45] Team Working AgreementsJoe introduces the concept of Team Working Agreements to set clear expectations and accountabilities, ensuring role clarity and collaboration.[28:00] Avoiding SilosExploring how culture influences the prevention of PM and UX silos, with an emphasis on fostering collaboration between these roles.[30:00] Advocacy for RolesDiscussion on how PMs and UX teams can effectively advocate for their respective roles and contributions.[34:17] Lightning Round - UX AntipatternsA rapid-fire segment on common UX antipatterns to watch out for, focusing on their impact on the UX role and product outcomes.[35:10] Ideal Team SetupsTodd discusses his "Discovery Squad" concept as an example of an ideal setup between UX and PM roles, emphasizing collaborative discovery.[37:10] Discovery BacklogRyan introduces the idea of a shared "Discovery Backlog" for PMs and UX designers, highlighting its value in aligning priorities and fostering role clarity.[38:00] Key TakeawaysBuilding strong relationships between PMs and UX teams starts with making friends, learning each other's strengths, and collaborating effectively, while ensuring clarity in their respective roles. Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at Patreon.com/TheProductPorch.Join our email list and never miss an episode at ...
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    40 m
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