BYOD - Bring your own Direction

Björn Döhler

BYOD, the podcast where Agile meets inspiration! Every episode features a special guest from the Agile universe—founders, project managers, scrum masters, developers, educators, and IT professionals—each bringing their unique perspectives and stories from Agile and beyond. BYOD invites each guest to pick their own “D” - Dreams, Drama, Discoveries, or Decisions - to shape the direction of our conversation. No two episodes are the same, as we explore fresh ideas, personal journeys, and actionable insights that redefine the Agile landscape.

Episodes

  1. 06/24/2025

    BYOD#9 The LEGO Method: How Kit Friend Transforms 800,000 People at Accenture

    What happens when you abandon all meetings and go fully asynchronous? Kit Friend, Global Change Maker of the Year and Atlassian Champion, reveals the surprising results of his radical experiments at Accenture. In this episode, discover: Why LEGO blocks might be the best meeting tool you've never triedThe lonely truth about async collaboration (and how to fix it)How to make AI meaningful for 800,000 employeesThe "toilet architecture" principle of office designWhy measuring "fun" beats traditional KPIs Kit shares candid insights from managing global teams across impossible time zones, the unexpected power of visual collaboration, and why Gen Z might be better equipped for the AI revolution than we think. Perfect for leaders, agile practitioners, and anyone tired of soul-crushing meetings. Guest: Kit Friend, Global Atlassian Partnership Lead at AccentureHost: BjörnTopics: Future of Work, Team Collaboration, AI Transformation, LEGO Serious Play 📍 TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro: The Award-Winning Rebel03:54 Community Over Commands11:20 The Async Scrum Experiment15:28 Why Loom Can't Replace Human Connection18:26 The Toilet Architecture Principle30:36 Killing Meeting Preparation37:13 Change Management at Scale59:17 LEGO Serious Play Deep Dive1:03:40 Gen Z vs Millennials in the Workplace1:16:00 The Four-Day Work Week Reality1:26:31 Making AI Meaningful1:32:53 Fun as the Ultimate KPI 🔥 KEY INSIGHTS:✅ The exact async workflow replacing daily standups✅ How LEGO blocks unlock introverted brilliance✅ Why preparation might be ruining your meetings✅ The surprising way to make AI adoption stick✅ What "toilet architecture" teaches us about collaboration 📚 RESOURCES: LEGO Serious Play (Open Source): [link]Book: "Rebel Ideas" by Matthew SyedBook: "Coaching Agile Teams" by Lyssa AdkinsTool: Napkin.aiAtlassian Team 25 Recordings 🎯 ABOUT THIS EPISODE:From HipChat to AI-powered workspaces, Kit's journey showcases what happens when you prioritize human connection over rigid processes. Whether you're managing a team of 5 or 50,000, this conversation will challenge everything you think you know about collaboration.

    1h 40m
  2. BYOD#7 The ITSM Differentiation with Customer-Centric Solutions with Elements for Atlassian Jira

    03/31/2025

    BYOD#7 The ITSM Differentiation with Customer-Centric Solutions with Elements for Atlassian Jira

    Summary In this episode, Björn and Julie discuss the strategic shift of Elements towards ITSM, the challenges of focusing on a single vertical, and the impact of acquisitions in the Atlassian ecosystem. They explore the importance of customer feedback, co-creation, and the evolving pricing strategies in the marketplace. Julie shares insights on maintaining a human-sized company culture while navigating the complexities of growth and differentiation in a competitive landscape. The conversation concludes with a look at Elements' future goals and the significance of building deep connections with customers. Sponsored by NASA - Not Another Standup App https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1231965/nasa-scrum-standup-for-jira-sprint-planning-retrospective Takeaways Elements is focusing on ITSM to differentiate in the marketplace.The decision to specialize was driven by a desire to innovate and add value.Maintaining a small company culture is essential for team dynamics.Customer feedback is crucial for product development and improvement.Co-creation with customers leads to better product outcomes.Navigating acquisitions in the ecosystem presents both challenges and opportunities.Meeting structures should facilitate active listening and engagement.Differentiation in a mature ecosystem requires continuous evolution.Pricing strategies are becoming more complex with new models.Building deep relationships with a few customers can yield better insights. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the BYOD Podcast 00:00 Exploring Agile Methodologies 00:50 Introduction and Background 03:44 Elements' Strategic Shift to ITSM 06:49 The Decision to Focus on ITSM 09:42 Navigating Acquisitions in the Ecosystem 12:43 Separation from Valiantis 15:51 Elements' Company Structure and Culture 18:36 Co-CEO Dynamics and Responsibilities 21:13 Meeting Structures and Agile Practices 33:33 Effective Meeting Preparation 39:41 Active Listening in Meetings 43:14 Structuring Weekly Meetings for Success 47:51 The Role of Management in Meetings 53:50 The Importance of Differentiation 01:04:22 Navigating Pricing Complexity in the Ecosystem 01:11:48 Evolving Pricing Models in Software Licensing 01:16:07 Navigating Atlassian's Marketplace Changes 01:19:57 Focusing on Core Competencies 01:22:30 Balancing Innovation and Established Products 01:30:50 Optimizing Cloud Revenue Strategies 01:41:08 The Future of App Differentiation with Forge 01:43:21 Aiming for ITSM Leadership

    1h 50m
  3. BYOD#2 Bring Your Own Disruption with Jack from Capable Atlassian Marketplace Partner for Confluence

    02/03/2025

    BYOD#2 Bring Your Own Disruption with Jack from Capable Atlassian Marketplace Partner for Confluence

    In this episode of the BYOD podcast, Björn interviews Jack, the CEO of Capable, discussing his journey from consulting to building a successful Atlassian marketplace app. They explore the challenges of scaling a startup, the importance of customer-centric development, and the impact of AI on the Atlassian ecosystem. Jack shares insights on effective agile ceremonies, the significance of active listening in meetings, and the future of app editions and customer segmentation in the marketplace. The conversation concludes with Jack's aspirations for Capable and the importance of building a strong partner network. Sponsored by NASA - Not Another Standup App https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1231965/nasa-agile-meetings-for-teams-standups-planning-retro 💨 Takeaways - Building solutions that solve real problems is key. - Customer feedback is essential for product development. - Scaling a startup presents unique challenges. - Trusting your team is crucial for remote work. - AI can enhance productivity but won't replace collaboration. - A strong partner network can drive product adoption. - Effective meetings require preparation and structure. - Active listening fosters better team engagement. - Disruption in the marketplace is inevitable. - Setting clear goals helps measure success. 💬 Quotes: "Disruption is the new normal." "You have to trust your staff." "The install count is very important." 📚 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the BYOD Podcast 00:29 Upcoming Events and Guest Introduction 00:52 Intro 01:14 Introduction to Jack and Capable 04:12 Jack's Journey in Tech and Consulting 07:16 From Problem-Solving to Product Development 10:11 Scaling Challenges in a Growing Team 13:08 Transitioning from Adaptivist to Capable 16:23 Learning from Mistakes in a Larger Organization 19:04 The Motivation Behind Starting Capable 22:22 The Challenges of Being a Solo Founder 25:21 Overview of Capable's Offerings 28:25 The Importance of a Unified Code Base 31:13 Effective Meeting Strategies and Active Listening 34:10 Value Delivery and Agile Practices 37:05 The Concept of Disruption in the Atlassian Marketplace 43:15 Fragmentation in App Ecosystems 46:06 The Shift Towards Integrated Solutions 49:06 AI Disruption in the App Landscape 53:11 The Future of AI in Business Applications 55:22 Navigating Subscription Models and Pricing Strategies 01:01:58 Building Effective Partner Networks 01:19:09 Setting Growth Goals and Customer Trust 01:22:17 Outro

    1h 23m

About

BYOD, the podcast where Agile meets inspiration! Every episode features a special guest from the Agile universe—founders, project managers, scrum masters, developers, educators, and IT professionals—each bringing their unique perspectives and stories from Agile and beyond. BYOD invites each guest to pick their own “D” - Dreams, Drama, Discoveries, or Decisions - to shape the direction of our conversation. No two episodes are the same, as we explore fresh ideas, personal journeys, and actionable insights that redefine the Agile landscape.