Kickoff’s Post

🌳 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟭 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲? 𝗬𝗲𝘀, 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗜! 🚀 As a Product Coach, I know firsthand the challenges of explaining and training product teams on the intricacies of Teresa Torres' 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 (𝗢𝗦𝗧). Despite its immense power, I often see slow adoption, concepts misunderstood and frustration, resulting in time wasted without practical results. Motivated to overcome this challenges, I started developing custom GPT prompts months ago to accelerate the onboarding allowing teams to train the OST process on illustrative use cases. These prompts have significantly streamlined the product discovery with OST, and helped prioritize opportunities, potential solutions for validation based on different criteria and scenarios and finally brainstorming potential experiments to execute. Now with the collaboration of other passionate product enthusiasts, we’re excited to introduce "𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁" in Rowsup.io (still in the Discovery phase) to the Product Community. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗽𝘂𝘁, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘀: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dcVugYAQ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: An AI-powered mental health and wellness app offering personalized therapy sessions, mood tracking, and mindfulness exercises. Its unique selling proposition is the integration of AI to provide customized mental health support and resources based on the user’s emotional state and personal progress. 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: - High churn rate post-free trial. - Underperformance in long-term user retention. 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀: 1. High Churn Rate Post-Free Trial: - Users are not transitioning from the free trial to paid subscriptions as expected. - Reasons include insufficient demonstration of the app's full value during the trial, lack of engagement, or users not feeling adequately supported. 2. Underperformance in Long-Term User Retention: - Despite initial engagement, users are not maintaining long-term use of the app. - This is due to a lack of new content, insufficient personalization over time, or users not seeing continued progress or benefits. 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘀 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dcVugYAQ T𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘁! 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲! https://bit.ly/4bvoV78 #ProductManagement #ProductDiscovery #OpportunitySolutionTree #OST #Rowsup #ProductInnovation

🤔 How can Polish cuisine help you overcome people-pleasing in Product Management? 🥘 Maggie and I, though totally different, connected beyond work at IG. From visiting each other's homes to sharing meals of traditional Polish cuisine, our bond grew beyond just colleagues 🏠 I started working closely with her as an Agile Business Analyst. She opened my eyes to new ways of working with tech teams and trusted me to bring my own improvements. That's where I started building my reputation 🚀 When Maggie moved teams, an opportunity popped up for a Product Manager role. Driven by my motto "If I want it, I'll go for it," I stepped up - and succeeded. 😰 But with the new title came new challenges. More responsibilities, more stress, and suddenly, I felt lost. 😰 I found myself trying to PLEASE everyone, and I paid the price - more tiredness, health issues, ruined relationships.. and my peace of mind. Then, slowly, things started to change.. Together with my eating habits, my appearance, my attitude.. ..I began to speak up, to seek new roles, to immerse myself in different environments.. ..I started to learn more about the company, the users, their needs and wants.. ..and how the Discovery part of Product Management role looks like, instead of focusing on constant Delivery 📦 Yet, that urge to please has been (and sometimes still is) hard to shake off. It made leading and being assertive difficult for me. Every time I tried to voice my thoughts, old demons held me back. I was scared of how others might perceive me and what they would say or think about me, as if I had control over it. But I battle these demons daily 🏋️♀️ I question, participate, seek help, and.. invite diverse voices to my podcast or create posts like this one. Each day, I step further away from pleasing everyone. Reviewing my podcast episode with Maggie reminded me of an important lesson: "You're never gonna be successful as a Product Manager if your aim is to people please. Because you can't be all things to all people." 🥘 In Poland, we say, “You are not a tomato soup to be liked by everyone.” It's a humorous, yet profound reminder that it's IMPOSSIBLE to please everyone, and that’s completely fine 🤗 So, if you feel tired with pleasing everyone around, I encourage you to start small: each day, do one thing that aligns more with your true self than with others' expectations. Just one thing. And don't let guilt or shame dictate who you are. It's simply not worth it 😉 🎧 To hear my full conversation with Maggie, check out the episode here: https://tr.ee/4m8sLOBe5c And until next time, remember to stay true to yourself and keep doing it your way! 🌸 #product #productmanagement #productmanager #careergrowth #peoplepleasing

MUMMY, WHO IS A PRODUCT MANAGER? That was my ever curious 8 year old Son when I told him about my new certification. I knew that I needed to break it down in Simple words to make him understand. So I said, "Darling, a Product Manager is like a Chef or an Orchestra Conductor." He made a face & asked "So are you saying Product Managers cook or lead a Choir?" I laughed and said " No, Darling. Remember, I said they are LIKE?" "Oh! Yes, you did." He said. "So let me break it down for you." I said & began. "First, let's start by breaking both words down. "A Product is anything that you can pay money to get. Bread is a Product, cake is a Product, your lovely ice cream is a..." "PRODUCT!" He shouted. I smiled and said " My Smart Baby. Give Mummy a High Five!" We gave ourselves a lovely High Five. 🙏 "Now a Product could be physical like Bread and cake or digital like WhatsApp and Facebook. And a Manager is someone who is in charge and directs something or someone." "Mom, you mean like a Bank Manager, right?" "Exactly! Like a Bank Manager or like your Dad who is the Manager of this home while I am his Deputy Manager. We are both in Charge of you & your brother and we direct the both of you in all that you do and everything that happens around here." "Okay. Mom. Your job sounds like an interesting job, Mummy." "It is an interesting job, Darling. Now we aren't done. When we put both words together what we get is that A Product Manager is a professional who is trained to lead the process of making of a Product and direct how it is released and gets to the people who need to use it" "Okay, Mom." "Remember, I said Product Managers are like Chefs or Orchestra Conductors. Right?" "Yes, you did, Mom." "Here is how they are alike. Chefs usually work with various food items and kitchen equipments to prepare the meal that their guests requests and ensures that it tastes great so that they enjoy it. Sometimes, they ask if the people who ate the meal enjoyed it. Just like Chefs, Product Managers also work with various professionals and tools to make a Product based on what the users suggest. They ensure that the users get what they want from the Product and also enjoy using the Product. They also ask their users if they loved using their Products and we call that FEEDBACK." "Okay, Mom. I understand that. But, how are they like Orchestra Conductors?" "Okay, Baby. Orchestra Conductors lead a team of different musicians to ensure that they play their musical instruments together to produce a beautiful piece of music that listeners would enjoy. Like Orchestra Conductors, Product Managers also lead a team of different professionals who use their tools and knowledge to produce a wonderful product that users would enjoy using." "Okay, Mom. I understand what you do now." "Now let's go get you some Ice Cream." "Yes! Thank you, Mom. I love you!" He squealed in excitement. #Day1of30 #ProductManagement

𝑻𝒐𝒑 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑵𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 Are you looking to carve your space in the vast digital world? Look no further! Here's a breakdown of the popular niches to explore: 1. 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒊𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔: 𝑩𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒖𝒓𝒖 𝒐𝒇 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 *Fitness Blogs and Nutrition Guides: Offer detailed meal plans, workout routines, and expert interviews. *Workout Videos and Fitness Challenges: Host live sessions, launch challenges, and review fitness equipment. *Podcasts on Health and Fitness: Discuss current trends, debunk myths, and offer practical advice. 2. 𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝑼𝒑 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒆 *Blogs for Gaming Strategies: Write detailed reviews and strategy guides for various games. *Live Streaming and Video Challenges: Host live gaming sessions and launch challenges to keep viewers engaged. *Gamer-Themed Podcasts: Analyze industry trends, interview pro gamers, and delve into game design. 3. 𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝑩𝒆 𝒂 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒕𝒚𝒍𝒆 𝑰𝒄𝒐𝒏 *Beauty and Fashion Blogs: Offer product reviews, styling tips, and fashion lookbooks. *Visually Stunning Instagram Posts: Partner with brands to create sponsored content featuring their products. *Video Tutorials and Live Reviews: Do live makeup tutorials and in-depth reviews of the latest beauty and fashion items. 4. 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍: 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 *Travel Blogs and Companion Guides: Offer comprehensive destination guides and unique experience recommendations. *Destination Reviews: Create vlogs and Reels with honest reviews of hotels, restaurants, and tourist spots. *Digital Nomad Content: Share tips on remote work, finding accommodation, and managing travel logistics. 5. 𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂 𝑪𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 *Recipes and Tutorials: Offer step-by-step instructions on preparing a variety of dishes on food blogs and cooking tutorials. *Kitchen Action Behind-the-Scenes: Take viewers on tours of your kitchen showcasing tools and organization tips. *Food and Restaurant Reviews: Share honest critiques of restaurants, food products, and kitchen gadgets. *6. 𝑬𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕: 𝑳𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑼𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 *Reaction Videos: Share your genuine responses to movies, music, and viral content. *Parody Videos and Comedy Sketches: Craft humorous skits or satirical parodies on trending topics. *Challenge Videos: Participate in or create challenges to boost engagement and visibility. So, choose your niche today and convert it into money making machine!

Exploring Different Product Teams So, what’s the deal with different product teams? 🤔 You’ve probably seen job postings for core product teams, growth teams, and platform teams, and wondered which one’s the best fit for you. Or maybe you’re eyeing a startup role and wondering what that entails. Let's dive in! Core Product Teams: The Real MVPs These are the teams working directly on the products that customers use and love. Think Canva or Spotify – their core teams are behind the main products. Key Roles: 1️⃣ Customer Focus: Understand and solve user problems. 2️⃣ Strategy and Roadmap: Own the product strategy. 3️⃣ Collaboration: Work closely with designers and engineers. Platform Product Teams: Behind-the-Scenes Heroes Platform teams build internal systems to keep the company running smoothly. They’re the unsung heroes making sure everything works behind the curtain. Key Roles: 1️⃣ Internal Focus: The company is the customer. 2️⃣ Scalability and Future-Proofing: Ensure platforms can grow with the company. Growth Product Teams: Driving Adoption and Engagement Growth teams focus on getting more users and increasing engagement. They find ways to get the product into more hands and improve user experience. Key Roles: 1️⃣ User Acquisition: Develop strategies to attract new users. 2️⃣ Engagement and Optimization: Improve user journeys and remove obstacles. First Product Teams: The Startup Pioneers These teams are the trailblazers in a startup, building the very first product and setting the foundation for the future. It’s fast-paced and full of excitement! Key Roles: 1️⃣ Groundwork and Resource Selection: Lay the groundwork for development. 2️⃣ MVP Development: Build and test a Minimum Viable Product. What Is a Product Team Anyway? A product team is a mix of cross-functional roles – developers, designers, marketers, and product managers – all working together to create a product. Larger companies might also have roles like Product Ops Managers, Business Analysts, and Data Scientists. Typical Roles: 1️⃣ Developers and Engineers: Build the product. 2️⃣ Designers: Create user-friendly interfaces. 3️⃣ Marketers: Ensure people know about the product. 4️⃣ Product Managers: The glue that holds everything together. Finding the right product team for you can make all the difference. Whether you’re into building core products, developing platforms, driving growth, or pioneering in a startup, there’s a team out there that’s perfect for your skills and interests. Join my WhatsApp community for exclusive product management discussions and tips! Find the link in the comments below. #productmanagement #productinterview #productlearning #productjobs #mentormalay

"𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙝 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝘿𝙤𝙥𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚."- @andrewchen. Some insights from his article on how product leaders can leverage to understand and navigate the current landscape in technology product management. 𝟭. 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆: In the current 'Dopamine Culture', the immediate delivery of value is critical. If a product does not provide value quickly, the initial drop-off of users will be significant. This insight emphasizes the need for product leaders to focus on optimizing the user experience to deliver instant gratification or fulfill immediate needs, ensuring that the product engages users right from the first interaction (e.g., Netflix, Spotify) 𝟮. 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀: Retention metrics in mobile and tech products are generally poor but accepted as the norm. Product leaders must recognize the ubiquitous nature of these retention challenges and consider strategies to improve these metrics. This might involve enhancing user engagement, adding new features, or improving the overall utility of the product (e.g., Fitbit, Strava) 𝟯. 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁: Novelty effect can drive initial spikes in user engagement and growth metrics. Product leaders should consider how to introduce new features or elements that can capitalize on this effect without sacrificing long-term value (e.g., IKEA Place) 𝟰. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: With most tech firms focusing on short-term goals and metrics, there is a push towards meeting quarterly objectives. Product leaders should balance this demand with the need for long-term planning and sustainability. Encouraging teams to think beyond the next quarter and consider the broader impact of their work can foster more sustainable growth and innovation (e.g., Asana, Trello): 𝟱. 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: There can be benefits to both aligning with dopamine-driven behaviors and counterbalancing them by offering deeper, more meaningful experiences. Product leaders need to decide strategically whether their products should exploit quick engagement tactics or provide an alternative to them, possibly offering more substantive and engaging experiences that may lead to better long-term retention and loyalty (e.g., Duolingo, Khan Academy) 𝟲. 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗨𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Beyond initial engagement, the ultimate success of a product depends on its long-term usefulness and the ability to retain users. This requires ongoing analysis and adaptation of the product to ensure it remains relevant and valuable to its user base (e.g., Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace) Link in the comments. #productmanagement #prodmgmt #product #innovation #UX

I've just applied for a Growth Product Manager Fresh ... Can anyone introduce me to: David Corts, Shaun Shankel or anyone from FINTOP Capital ideally Joe Maxwell ?? I live in Franklin, TN (can meet & greet customers for user stories and feedback) - and am best understood as a Full Stack Product Manager given diverse experience in Software Engineering, Marketing & Sales, and also Creative (Screenwriting in particular, but I'm also pretty handy with design). Hospitality industry has always held a special place in my heart while doing gig work and pursuing the dream of screenwriting. Incidentally, my MBA Capstone project Quantic School of Business and Technology was for an AI Waiter that could make recommendations based on user preferences, allergies, and upsell based on past pairings. The concept started off as a West World-esque Robot waiter and eventually become the more moderate ai app offering. I say this only to say: Hospitality Software is the thing that captured my imagination as something to invest in -- even for just the joy of it. One of my favorite books is "Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidara which I only found because of enjoying "Setting the Table" by Danny Meyer ... There may be others that have more bit more experience applying for this role... but I am more determined than the others. I want THIS role more. I have no fear to step out front, articulate quickly, and take calculated risk (potential embarrassment in this case :) ) Moreso, I'm amped enough to do research to understand not only the company I'd potentially work for but who a key investor is. Lastly, I enjoy Biscuit Love and Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe -- both restaurants that are across the street from me. My personality is sometimes larger than life -- but I can take something Zero to One in the face of any adversity. TLDR - looking for an intro, or opportunity to connect for coffee.

Totally agree!! Technology is great if it add value not only to the process or the productivity or the business: it has to add evolution to the human spirit, mind and abilities. People who ir replacing its own capabilities by technology, instead of develop them, they are preparing its own involution.

💰💡Dreaming of Your First $5000? Dive into this Subscription App Ideas for a Profitable Digital Journey! Forget fleeting dopamine hits from mindless swiping. The future of mobile lies in apps that offer deeper experiences, lasting value, and recurring revenue for you. So, let's ditch the download model and unlock the potential of subscriptions with these 4 innovative ideas: 1. AI-powered "Life Coach" : Concept: Ditch the guesswork! This app analyzes your goals, personality, and schedule to curate personalized routines, learning paths, and even career transitions. Think of it as your own pocket life coach fueled by AI. Revenue: Tiered plans offer increasing levels of personalization, expert consultations, and exclusive access to AI-powered tools. 2. "Local News App" : Concept: Go beyond national headlines! This app connects you to a network of citizen journalists and local experts, delivering immersive stories, real-time community updates, and exclusive deals from hidden gems in your neighborhood. Revenue: Freemium model with paid subscriptions for advanced features like ad-free browsing, personalized recommendations, and early access to exclusive local experiences. 3. "Subscription based E-learning” : Concept: Master any skill – from coding to cooking to playing an instrument – at your own pace. This app uses AI to tailor interactive lessons, track progress, and connect you with a global community of aspiring masters. Revenue: Tiered subscriptions unlock higher-quality content, personalized feedback from skilled coaches, and access to exclusive live workshops and masterclasses. 4. "Mental Health Management ": Concept: Find your inner zen! This app combines AI-powered meditation guides, personalized stress management tools, and access to a vibrant community of mindfulness practitioners. Revenue: Freemium model with paid subscriptions for premium meditation content, personalized coaching programs, and access to live group meditation sessions with renowned teachers. These are just a spark! What are your boldest subscription app ideas for 2024? Share them in the comments and let's build the future of mobile together! #subscriptionapps #innovation #futureofmobile #AI #sustainability #community #wellbeing #learnnewthings #ecofashion Want to chat about building the next killer app? Connect with Us Now!! WebMind

What a thoroughly enjoyable, head-nod inducing, chuckle-inspiring, absolute 🔥 of an episode of Lenny’s Podcast with guest Marty Cagan! Conveniently coinciding with “Transformed” dropping through my letter box. It’s a time of reflection across the tech industry, as well as a time of exploring teeny-tiny questions like “What now?” and "What next?”. I too find myself looking back at the opportunities I’ve had in my career so far and how they’ve shaped my view of the role of User Research within the ecosystem of tech disciplines. In 2018, I stopped being a User Researcher and became a Product Person (purposefully dramatic statement). I was lucky to be part of the pilot product team in my company, lucky to spend time with SVPG’s Chris Jones during this organisational shift (led by Louis Badcock), lucky to be tasked with a meaty problem and the freedom to solve it and, most of all, lucky to be doing this with The Greatest Product Manager, Mina Kasherova. In a previous episode of Lenny’s, Christian Idiodi spoke about the reason why people perceive product management negatively - they haven’t worked with great product managers. Mina set the bar for me and is the reason why I’ve been adamant that user research can and should be a key player, rather than a complementary resource, in a truly high performing product team. In 2019, I became a Product Discovery Person. I still pinch myself when I think of the enormity of being coached by Teresa Torres - and then pinch myself once more when I think about my team being featured in the instant classic that is “Continuous Discovery Habits”. Creating our Product Discovery Unit (PDU) with Mina, Rosie Kipling, Fernando Leite and Giulio Ambrogi, and supercharging our discovery practice in the most intense but enjoyable three months of coaching, is still a highlight of my working life. The experience further shaped my belief in the role of the user researcher as a driver of great product discovery, far from the incomprehensible to me recent debate on whether the role has been damaged by the Continuous Discovery approach. “Transformed” defines “product leaders” as the managers of product management, product design, and engineering. I believe that the “What now?” and “What next?” for user research leaders is to establish ourselves as a part of this group. I have opinions as to why this hasn’t been the case so far and, controversially, how user research leaders themselves have played a part in it - but that’s a much more in-depth post for another time. For now, my reflection is on opportunities and on the importance of people. Neither one can work without the other. So in a very micro-way, and in the spirit of good product discovery practices, perhaps a quick test for value and viability in the solving of the problem that is “What now?” and “What next?” is simply asking yourself - what is the biggest opportunity? What can I do about it in a week? In a day? And who are the people I’m excited to jump into it with?