Option Five

Even the sharpest product managers can fall into the “project manager” trap. Jason Houseworth, CPO at OpenLane, believes it’s happening in the industry more than PMs care to admit. In this episode, hear Jason’s view on why people tend to get caught up in managing activities instead of creating value. We cover using AI as a collaboration partner (instead of a tool), thinking like an entrepreneur in an enterprise environment, and getting uncomfortably close to the user. A killer combo to create value for your business.Lean fully into the “value creator” mindsetJason doesn't love the title "product manager" - and he’s got good reason. He's seen too many people fall into the trap of simply managing activities. It’s ironically one of the primary reasons PMs like differentiating themselves from project managers. But how well are we doing this as an industry?“I don't want people to be a manager. I prefer just the term value creator, because that's what I expect people to pursue. I want you to create the fastest path

Description: Most companies jump straight to AI use cases, whereas Dan Williamson at Ryan Companies US, Inc. started with education first. Rather than chasing the bells and whistles or sexy use cases, his team focused on helping people rethink their roles and understand how this tech will change their work.Dan explains why he looks for willing business partners instead of fighting resistance, how rockstar superintendents became his best AI evangelists, and what happens when you prioritize eliminating the bane of most people's day over shiny objects.Education over bells and whistlesDan's approach to AI implementation at Ryan Companies flips the typical playbook. Instead of leading with sexy use cases, his team made an unexpected choice."One of the biggest things we did from a strategic standpoint related to AI wasn't all the bells and whistles - which use cases are you going after, what's the sexy thing you're doing right now? It was honestly communicating and educating with our company, giving them the right

Description: Designers are coding, engineers are writing specs, and product managers are prototyping with tools that didn't exist 3 months ago. Julia Kanter, Senior Director of Product at Zillow, has watched her team's roles become more pixelated as the tectonic plates beneath the product landscape keep shifting. She explains why the need for product sense has become more acute when everyone can do a bit of everything. And why approaching this moment with curiosity, agency, and humility might be the smartest move of all.The new reality of product teamsJulia's perspective comes from leading AI and experience teams at Zillow, where she's witnessed firsthand how rapidly evolving tools are reshaping what it means to build products. The traditional boundaries between roles are blurring in ways that require teams to develop new patterns of collaboration."I think across tech it's clear that our roles are becoming more pixelated," Julia explains. "An engineer can be product minded or spin up their own spec, and a des

Prioritization is one of the hardest parts of product management — and most teams are getting it wrong. They’re chasing the loudest voices instead of real impact. They’re getting distracted by shiny objects like AI.They fail to solve incongruencies between various areas of their organizations before executing.Mark Vanderweide, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Bungii, has seen this play out across startups, enterprise organizations, and M&A deals. In this episode, he breaks down how great product leaders fight the noise, focus on real value, and align teams before things spiral out of control. Additional topics include:* the difference between buyers and users and why it matters* key takeaways from Mark’s experience in product management in different company sizes* how to navigate the challenge of aligning newly acquired teams and leadership* managing competing interests from sales, ops, engineering, and leadership* AI hype vs. practical use cases* what separates high-performing product teams fro

Data vs. gut instinct. What really drives the best product decisions?Nate Juraschek, Head of Product at Telarus, has spent 20+ years navigating the highs and lows of product leadership—from Sprint and H&R Block to fast-moving startups. Along the way, he’s learned one truth: data is only as good as the story you tell with it.Topics covered in this episode include: * How to use data as a guide when following gut instincts * Why curiosity is the secret weapon of great product leaders* The most powerful (and underrated) analytics tools to start using today* How a background in filmmaking prepared Nate for the world of building digital products* How AI is changing the way we track, analyze, and act on product dataWhether you’re in product, UX, or tech leadership, this conversation is rich in insights to help you make more confident decisions.Watch the full episode on YouTube This episode is brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams. This is a public episode. If you would like t

Pat McLoughlin is the Director of Product at MoneyLion and former founder and CEO of Digs, a fintech platform for residential real estate. Digs provides tools that help renters save for their first home and homeowners maximize wealth while working with real estate agents and mortgage lenders.In today’s episode, Pat tells the story of how Digs came to be, and how he pivoted from pursuing architecture as a career to following a new interest in real estate, fintech, and educating first-time homebuyers when they needed it most.He takes us through the challenges and successes of scaling, fundraising, and eventually exiting through an acquisition.Additional topics include:* transitioning to a for-profit model* building the Digs team* navigating COVID and fundraising uncertainty* team dynamics and scaling* joining MoneyLion and building influence in a new organizationJoin the conversation!

Alicia Lopez, Chief Innovation Officer at Flatiron Corp, is an innovation enthusiast with a rich background in civil engineering and over 25 years of experience in the construction industry. Originally from Spain, Alicia has worked globally—from India to the Middle East—bringing a holistic approach to innovation.In this week’s episode, Alicia shares her insights on building a culture of innovation, aligning it with company goals, and emphasizing the strategic importance of fostering collaboration across departments. Topics covered:* defining innovation in the workplace* fostering a culture of innovation* AI and digital twins* challenges and future of innovation* the role of change management in innovation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Tannis Liviniuk is the Digital Advancement Executive at Zachry Group and has a background in industrial construction, working on an array of different projects from greenfield and brownfield to shutdowns, freeze-ups, and fire rebuilds.In this week’s episode, we dive into the challenges of user adoption of new tools, the importance of understanding the end user, and the ethical questions surrounding AI. Other topics covered include:* the role of AI in data management* the ethics of AI and technology resistance* effective engagement with tech companies* building strong relationships in tech This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Tyler Campbell is the owner of Storybuilder Creative and co-host of the Construction Brothers podcast. His background in steel detailing coupled with experience creating videos in the commercial construction industry grants Tyler with unique insights into areas where construction tech falls short and how it can be improved. Topics include: * Challenges with technology adoption* The importance of proximity * Generational shifts in the industry* Technologists in the fieldBrought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Dustin Burns is the VP of Technology at McCownGordon Construction. His approach to technology impacts corporate culture, creating higher associate engagement and productivity. Dustin believes technology is useless if it doesn’t help people, and that construction is the most important industry in the world. In this week’s episode, he breaks down how new tech solutions are transforming the AEC industry — from preventing rework and reducing safety risk to changing the way the next generation views trade careers.Topics covered in this episode include:* the shifting perspective of working a trade* the role of technology in client experiences * safety and efficiency in construction * looking outside of the AEC industry for construction tech solutions Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

What does it take to build the future environments that support where we live, work, and play? Eveart Foster is the Integrations Subject Matter Expert at Autodesk and has had a unique opportunity throughout his career to see the entire life cycle of the built world experience, from engineering and design to pre-construction planning. This week Eveart takes us through the role of data maturity in the architecture, engineering, and construction world. Other topics covered include:* the importance of holistic thinking* AI and automation potential in construction* creativity and AI toolsJoin the conversation

The path to product management can be an unconventional one. This week, Jessica Dubin shares her story of transitioning from the education sector, where she graduated from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education, to becoming Chief Product Officer at Remesh, an AI-focused research platform. Along the way, she observed how context influences how we work, serve our users, and develop products.In this episode, we’ll discuss:* navigating leadership and organizational challenges* balancing transparency and focus* understanding what motivates teams * setting up new employees for success by gathering context for them* customer context and user engagement* the importance of retrospectives Join the conversation

We all want our teams to be agile, but when is agile too agile? This week I’m joined by Hannah Clark, editor at TheProductManager.com and host of The Product Manager Podcast. Hannah shares insights from startup project managers at various levels who navigate challenges like “shiny object syndrome,” lack of collaboration while working remotely, and other issues that arise in rapidly scaling startups.Topics covered include:* the disconnect between product development and people management* balancing innovation with stability* the cost of switching directions* balancing trust and change in leadership + shiny object syndrome* empowering teams and maintaining momentum* navigating psychological safety and feedback* the value of the “complainer” in teams* intentionality in remote work * the future of work culture Join the conversation

Currently serving as President of Diode Ventures, the infrastructure development arm of Black & Veatch, Brad Hardin has worked as a LEED-accredited architect, construction manager, and technology leader in a national and international capacity with a focus on business development/procurement, technology strategy, and growth. Join me in this week’s conversation with Brad as we discuss the crucial role of infrastructure development for the future of artificial intelligence and how to integrate advanced technology effectively and sustainably while highlighting the significance of a strong, collaborative team and a culture of continuous learning.Topics covered in this episode include:* the challenges of archaic systems* benefits of prefabrication and automation in construction* the fascinating possibilities of quantum computing * community engagement and public perception* the role of humans in a tech-driven world Join the conversation

Imagine the job site of the future, where autonomous drones are moving material across the worksite and earth is being moved by vehicles being operated by people across the world, all driven by AI. These are a few of the things we get to talk about this week on the podcast with Jeff Danley. Jeff Danley, is the Director of Innovation at Burns & McDonnell, and he has over 20 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of technology and business. He’s been at the forefront of technological evolution, from the early days of the internet to the transformative impact of mobile devices, and now he leads the charge in leveraging AI to redefine industry standards. The topics we cover in this episode include: * the future of construction sites driven by AI * autonomous drones* the importance of connectivity* the challenges of integrating new tech into a traditionally laggard industry* building a “digital fabric” to connect people, equipment, and materials* enhancing safety on job sites using AI Join

Join me in a conversation with Eric Whobrey, VP of Innovation at ARCO Construction, as we explore the parallels between the design-build process in technology and construction and how Eric navigates the tension between making sure that the organization is rowing in the same direction while also giving permission to experiment, innovate, and maybe even stretch the rules a little bit every once in a while.In this episode, we’ll talk about:* challenges and opportunities in balancing organizational efficiency with the need for innovation* the importance of solving 'gray area' challenges* the role of AI and robotics in construction* training, communication, and empathy in innovation* overcoming adoption and scalability challengesJoin the conversation!

Construction leaders, this one is for you! This week on the podcast, we hear how J.E. Dunn Construction is piloting cutting-edge technology within their 100-year-old organization. They acknowledged that legacy and tradition are important, but so is future casting. Mark Stocks, VP and Director of Enterprise Architecture and his team are successfully balancing practicality and genuine innovation in an industry where it’s tough to do. In Q3 of 2024, Mark’s team is focusing on clean data and the ‘big three’ — AI, ML, and citizen development — to drive growth and efficiency. Hear how this major general contractor is adopting Microsoft’s CoPilot for meeting summaries and form-building, integrating Autodesk for project management, and utilizing low-code/no-code platforms to streamline business processes. Where to find Mark: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markstocks/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peopleofproduct.substac

People of Product is back from a hiatus! In this brief episode, we'll fill you in on what to expect from the next season. 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

Technology is changing the way we approach construction - from planning and visualization to project management. In this week's episode, Aaron Henderson of STACK Construction Technologies shares insights from his perspective after having shifted from traditional construction consulting to the tech-driven realm. George and Aaron talk about showcasing some of the exciting aspects of construction to attract new talent, niching down to specialize in specific markets, and picking the right technologies when each project is unique. 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 2024, the core principles of PdM haven’t changed. The number one role of a product manager is getting to the root of how serve your customer better. How do you make them LOVE your product and your business. Innovation is the name of the game, but how can you front new technologies while still creating value for customers? This and more on the episode with guest Blake Reichenbach, a product manager at Hubspot. 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