Convergence Ashok Sivanand

Ashok is on the ground at one of the most forward thinking product development conferences in the entire country, Agile and Beyond in Detroit, Michigan. He speaks with a range of presenters and experts on topics from OKRs and product measurement to the importance of object-oriented UX in building balanced product teams. The conversations delve into how these principles can help teams communicate better, streamline their processes, and innovate more effectively. The episode also features discussions on the risks of dogmatic Agile practices versus the benefits of a more spiritual, flexible approach. Additionally, Ashok and guests explore the impact of AI on product development, sharing insights on where AI can add value and where it may fall short.
Inside the episode…
• Insights from Agile and Beyond conference speakers on OKRs and product measurement
• The role of object-oriented UX in creating a common language for teams
• The dangers of Agile dogma and the benefits of a more "spiritual" approach
• AI’s evolving role in product development and where it truly adds value
• Innovation frameworks for driving success in both professional and personal contexts
• Real-world examples of AI in action, from history to current generative AI applications
• A unique parody segment with “wrong answers only” from a conference guest. Can you guess which one?
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In this episode of the Convergence Podcast, we continue our series on the 9 critical conversations every product team needs to have but often forget. Joining Ashok once again is Bailey O’Shea, the head of product at Integral. Bailey brings her extensive experience in human-centered design and lean product management to delve deeper into these pivotal discussions. Together, they explore how to ensure your team knows not just why you’re undertaking a project, but how you’ll achieve success.
Bailey and Ashok focus on the second crucial conversation: “How will we win?” They discuss the importance of setting clear indicators of success, identifying key metrics, and aligning team efforts with business goals. This episode is packed with actionable insights and practical tips for fostering communication and collaboration within your product team.
Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge.
Inside the episode...
• Revisiting the 9 critical conversations with Bailey O’Shea
• Importance of understanding and communicating the “how” of winning
• Setting and measuring key success metrics
• Aligning product goals with business objectives
• Practical tips for facilitating crucial team discussions
• Real-world examples and insights from Bailey’s experience at Integral
• Strategies for maintaining agility and speed in product development
• Engaging the entire team in the conversation about success
Subscribe to the Convergence podcast wherever you get podcasts including video episodes to get updated on the other crucial conversations that we'll post on YouTube at youtube.com/@convergencefmpodcast
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In this episode of The Convergence Podcast, host Ashok Sivanand is joined once again by Ben Foster, Co-Founder of Prodify and co-author of "Build What Matters." This is the second part of their two-part conversation, focusing on the intricacies of product management and innovation, particularly in hardware. They delve into Ben's experience at Whoop, a fitness wearable company where he served as Chief Product Officer. The discussion highlights the complexities of managing separate teams for hardware, firmware, and software, and how these teams must work cohesively to deliver a unified product experience. Ben also shares insights into Whoop's unique subscription model for hardware, emphasizing the gamble on product quality and customer retention that such a model entails.
The episode also touches on the broader implications of hardware and software integration, especially in the context of IoT and AI advancements. Ben discusses the importance of understanding and catering to different customer personas, from elite athletes to health-conscious individuals, and how this understanding can drive product development and market expansion. The conversation underscores the necessity of having a clear product vision and strategy to align teams and make informed decisions. Ben's practical advice and real-world examples provide valuable lessons for aspiring Chief Product Officers and product teams aiming to navigate the challenges of innovation and market fit.
Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge.
Inside the episode...
The role of product teams to create customer value that can be extracted to create business value 
How data can be dangerous without a strong vision
Stories from Whoop
Investments flowing into hardware 
Subscriptions and hardware subscriptions 
Delighting your customers even when you have very different customer segments using the same product
Subscribe to the Convergence podcast wherever you get podcasts including video episodes to get updated on the other crucial conversations that we'll post on YouTube at youtube.com/@convergencefmpodcast
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In this compelling episode of the Convergence podcast, we're talking product strategy with Ben, a seasoned expert creating product roadmaps that lead to customer delight. Ben’s journey in the product domain is as diverse as it is fascinating, having started in the early 2000s at eBay under the mentorship of Marty Kagan. He’s also a co-founder of Prodify, a company that helps companies become product-driven and a co-author of the influential book "Build What Matters".
Ben gave us so many great insights that we decided to break the episode into two parts. 
In Part 1, host Ashok Sivanand and Ben explore a wide range of topics crucial for any product leader. From crafting robust product roadmaps and communicating visionary strategies, to the nuances of hiring and managing product teams, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. Ben also shares personal anecdotes and lessons from his experiences, especially intriguing stories from his time at the wearable company Whoop, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of managing product strategies in a dynamic market environment.
Inside this episode...
How to drive alignment and insightful conversations with stakeholders that allow a roadmap to emerge How to communicate a roadmap  Should you be concerned about cannibalizing your own products? The role of product teams to create customer value that can be extracted to create business value  How data can be dangerous without a strong vision What to look for on a resume that signals "take a chance on this person" What tools Ben uses to scale up someone's business acumen quickly Subscribe to the Convergence podcast wherever you get podcasts including video episodes to get updated on the other crucial conversations that we'll post on YouTube at youtube.com/@convergencefmpodcast
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Discover the pivotal role of strategic conversations in shaping successful product teams in our latest episode of the Convergence podcast, featuring Integral's Director of Product Management Bailey O'Shea. In part one of our series "9 Conversations You Forget to Have With Your Product Team," we explore the crucial discussion of the "why" behind your product initiatives. This episode unpacks how a clear understanding of business strategy and goals can significantly influence the success of product development and team alignment.
Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge.
Inside the episode...
Understanding the Importance of 'Why': How aligning your team's efforts with the business strategy can lead to greater productivity and product success. Facilitating Strategic Conversations: Techniques for ensuring all team members—from engineers to stakeholders—are on the same page regarding business goals. Impact of Vision on Product Development: Real-world examples of how a well-articulated vision can transform team motivation and output. Exercises to Elicit the 'Why': Practical activities like the press release exercise to help teams internalize and articulate the project's purpose. Documenting and Communicating Vision: The significance of maintaining accessible, clear documentation to keep the team aligned, especially when onboarding new members. Subscribe to the Convergence podcast wherever you get podcasts including video episodes to get updated on the other crucial conversations that we'll post on YouTube at youtube.com/@convergencefmpodcast
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Learning about our customers, and developing products based on their needs is simple to understand, but difficult to execute when you balance your customer desires against what’s best for your shareholders, and what your team can build, deliver and operate.
Host Ashok Sivanand and Jim Simpson, CEO of Blumira, discuss his journey in product management, from early coding adventures with a Commodore 64 to leading a cybersecurity SaaS company. Discover how Jim's unique background as a third culture kid and his extensive experience in the tech industry have shaped his approach to product management, leadership, and navigating the intricate balance between customer needs and business demands.
Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Access Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge.
Inside the episode...
Jim Simpson's early fascination with coding and the pivotal decision between a Commodore 64 and an Atari. The influence of Jim's upbringing in Japan on his open-mindedness and adaptability in leadership. The transition from coding to product management: key lessons and pivotal moments Jim's approach to recruiting, mentoring, and nurturing talent in product management. How Blumira is innovating in the cybersecurity space under Jim’s leadership as CEO. The challenges and rewards of stepping into a CEO role from a product management background. Practical advice for aspiring product managers on acquiring the necessary skills and mindset for success. An exploration of the ‘third culture kid’ identity and its impact on professional and personal growth. The importance of customer interaction and how it shapes product development strategies. Subscribe to the Convergence podcast wherever you get podcasts including video episodes on YouTube at youtube.com/@convergencefmpodcast
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