Option Five

The best products are built by creative individuals working together towards a common goal. However, with the diversity of skillsets, experience levels, and influences present in a team, achieving alignment can be a challenge. George and Dan discuss how to overcome obstacles and maintain a productive and aligned product team in this week's episode of People of Product.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

The idea of starting a custom software initiative within your company is a daunting one. From gathering buy-in from leadership to conducting user interviews, in this week's episode, we'll break down some of the best ways to tackle the overwhelming beginnings of a custom software initiative. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

After 100+ episodes and talking with listeners, we realized that one of the biggest challenges is simply getting back to the basics of product work. In this episode, we want to define a term we often use: digital product. What is a digital product, and what is it not? Who creates digital products and why? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

We're taking a break to reset and consider different formats and pacing for People of Product. We'll be back in the fall with more amazing episodes about people doing the best work of their lives!  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

In the post-pandemic era, people are burnt out. We’re searching for ways to have better human connection and productivity at work. But those things can only happen in spaces with psychological safety. The challenge is that it takes even MORE intentionality to foster. In this episode, Dr. Tharaka Gunarathne (psychiatrist & consultant with FORM) shares his methods for how to foster high levels of trust at work while avoiding further burnout. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

The job market in tech is volatile. But there are factors within your control to land the gig you’re looking for. In this episode, Sarah Doody - Founder & CEO of Career Strategy Lab - shares advice from years of talking with candidates, hiring managers, and UX teams. Hear what you can do to escape the all-too-common journey of 100 plus failed applications. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

Inspiration is everywhere! In the workplace, it can be especially powerful when turned into action. With an abundance of things to latch onto, it’s helpful to know where the best inspiration comes from. In this episode, Dan & George share how to better tune into sources of inspiration and apply the strongest motivations in a meaningful way. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

From instant messaging to video conferencing tools, there are scores of new products for highly collaborative teams to sift through. But how do you pick the best for your needs? In this episode, we share the tools we use today at Crema and the potential challenges of using each. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

Jen Choi is Senior Director of Innovation & Impact at the Atlanta Hawks. She leads their first-ever Innovation Lab that doesn’t stop at creating great fan experiences. They’re dreaming beyond with new ways to support and engage the greater community, from public voting booths to sports NFTs. Hear some of the challenges, experiments, and solutions this future-setting incubator is dealing with today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

Building a great product is only half the battle. Strong product marketing helps direct how the product gets to market and tells a compelling story about why people need it now. It’s a unique discipline that sits at the intersection of pure marketing and product, and it’s helping break down silos between the two. Martina Lauchengco from the Silicon Valley Group, and author of “Loved”, is on the show to talk about the fundamentals of product marketing and how to apply them.Martina's book "LOVED" is available at Target online. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

Let’s face it. There’s a natural barrier to communication in remote work. When the luxury of proximity is gone, velocity and trust can dwindle. In this episode, Dan & George break down the different types of isolation, the consequences, and ways to overcome silos. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

Winning experienced candidates out of the small technical talent pool is TOUGH. Increased demand and salary inflation has made hiring a real challenge in the age of digital transformation. In this episode, we share how we've been successful in hiring the most highly sought-after roles on the job market (without a recruiter). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

We’ve all seen the increasing dissatisfaction in the workforce and the “great resignation” take its toll. Today teams have to be constantly assessing the collective “agreements” made about how work gets done or people will check out. Aaron Dignan - founder of The Ready and author of Brave New Work - is back on the show. In this episode, Aaron & George discuss how teams create consensus and clarity around their norms and policies and Murmur’s newest digital tool that is facilitating this sociocratic work.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

Beyond their strong technical knowledge, great developers bring “big picture perspective” and get wildly creative. If you can broaden your scope beyond your own discipline, then you can guide your team to make intentional decisions that solve even greater problems during ideation. In this episode, Creative Technologist & “Exploratory Team” member CK Hicks shares how developers provide perspective for both technical feasibility and innovative possibility. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

Great designers have a deep focus on understanding the user and getting close to their needs. This is why having an experienced designer involved from the earliest stages of research and ideation is so powerful. In this episode, Product Designer Aubrey Schmidt describes her role in the early innovation space. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

Many have gone through “workshops” that are more like glorified business improv sessions. But high-impact facilitated sessions dedicated to unearthing the real problem can help teams get aligned on the best possible solution. In this episode, expert facilitator Justin Mertes describes the outcomes of early-stage tech exploration and the real consequences of jumping into the work without a deep understanding of the context. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

Crema can help make the most meaningful and impactful products when we come in as early as possible to explore all of the possibilities. Before you lay the foundation, you have to make sure you’re headed in the right direction. Hear why our team is deepening our exploratory services this year and what it might mean for your project. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

There are a lot of differing opinions on the true significance and future impact of Web 3. Is it all hype? Novelty? Or a true paradigm shift that will change the internet as we know it? In the last episode of this 3-part series, we share why our team is exploring Web 3 and the direction we think things are headed. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

In the Web 3 universe, there’s a crazy amount of jargon you need to know. NFTs, DApps, wallets, DAOs, smart contracts, the list goes on. In this episode, we’re going to rapid-fire define a few important terms. This quick rundown is for anyone new to the Web 3 world looking to join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com

Confused by Web 3.0? We were too. The promises of the next iteration of the web are lofty: data de-centralization, transparency, and trust on the web. It won’t happen over night, but the next wave of the internet is coming. In part one of this 3-part podcast series, we’re breaking down the basics. What is web 3.0? What important change is it bringing? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substack.com