Make Things That Matter

Andrew Skotzko
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  • Updated Monthly

Conversations with product leaders on strategy, judgment, leadership, and turning hard choices into action, with guests like Marty Cagan, Teresa Torres, Itamar Gilad and Steve Portigal. The show is between seasons, but the archive remains gold. For new work, read the essays at blog.makethingsthatmatter.com. Hosted by Andrew Skotzko, executive advisor and author of The Strategy Cycle. blog.makethingsthatmatter.com

  1. 07/30/2024

    Itamar Gilad: the GIST of product discovery

    Itamar Gilad is the author of Evidence Guided, which is my favorite book out there on how to practically DO product discovery. Prior to becoming a product consultant and trainer, he had a long product career at Google where he led the creation and launch of products that are now used by over a billion people. In this conversation we explore the GIST approach to product discovery through the origin story of Gmail's tabbed inbox, to help you see what great product discovery looks like in practice. — Topics discussed (01:33) Creating frameworks and coming up with catchy models (10:02) GIST: the meta framework organizing model concept. (15:02) Illustrating GIST through the story of Gmail tabbed inbox (21:06) Refocusing goals led to stronger, simpler idea. (25:08) Prioritize, filter, and reevaluate for effective ideas. (29:02) Usability and value risks, low confidence, evolution. (35:43) Key results drive achieving goals, engaging company. (40:07) Inquiring about applying startup approach to enterprises. (45:32) Navigating uncertainty in strategy with evidence and discovery. (50:44) Emphasizing iterative nature of product discovery process. (59:10) Encouraging analysis for companies hesitant about changes. (01:01:18) Evaluate, test, experiment, launch, measure, impact, outcomes — Links & resources mentioned • Send episode feedback on Twitter @askotzko , or via email • Itamar Gilad : website, LinkedIn • Evidence Guided (book) - website, Amazon — Related episodes: • #55: How does continuous discovery come together for a new product? • #44 Teresa Torres: Habits for clear thinking and better product bets — Books: • Evidence Guided: website, Amazon — Other resources: • Itamar’s downloadable frameworks & resources • The GIST framework • Confidence meter for ICE scoring • Creating Product Strategy with Multiple Strategic Tracks (MuST) • Marty Cagan: The four big risks • Gibson Biddle: proxy metrics (within product strategy) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.makethingsthatmatter.com

    Itamar Gilad: the GIST of product discovery

  2. 06/28/2024

    Steve Portigal: Improving your user research process

    Steve Portigal is a veteran user research leader and consultant who helps companies mature their research practices. He’s the author of Interviewing Users, a classic in the field, and the host of the design leadership podcast Dollars to Donuts. In this conversation, we explore: • how to use creative practices to develop your voice as a leader and storyteller • how to be a smart consumer of research findings when you aren’t an expert in the craft of research • one simple question leaders can ask to set their organizations to make the most of research • and how to create the conditions for high-impact, effective creative work in your team — Topics discussed (10:21) Experimenting with writing and finding one's voice (15:47) Feedback model: GASP - goals, attempts, successes, possibilities (19:53) Workshops, creativity, and self-doubt (27:06) Embrace authenticity, find your unique facilitation style (28:10) Appreciating different approaches, understanding executives' skepticism (34:37) Engage with compassion (39:29) Research is essential for informed decision-making (49:01) Compassion and reflection are crucial for leaders (50:48) Create a safe learning space for engagement (56:03) Assessing code quality and marketing effectiveness (01:00:39) Research raises questions, timing and deployment important (01:10:31) Stay fascinated with the world around you — Links & resources mentioned • Send episode feedback on Twitter @askotzko , or via email • Steve Portigal: website, LinkedIn • Book: Interviewing Users • Podcast: Dollars to Donuts — Related episodes • #3 Christina Wodtke: Unleashing potential with extraordinary teams • #62 Sahil Lavingia: Independent Thinking & Pricing at Gumroad — Books • Interviewing Users • Don’t Make Me Think — Other resources • Great User Research (for Non-Researchers) • When to Use Which User-Experience Research Methods • Nielsen: Why You Only Need to Test with 5 Users This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.makethingsthatmatter.com

    Steve Portigal: Improving your user research process

  3. 05/31/2024

    Christian Idiodi: Telling the story of transformation

    Christian Idiodi is a partner at Silicon Valley Product Group (SVPG). Before SVPG, he profoundly shaped or reshaped the culture and products of CareerBuilder, Snagajob, and led the product transformation in Datasite, the first SaaS for due diligence in the finance industry. — Topics discussed (08:56) An unusual childhood leads to survival skills, creativity (12:25) Aspiring doctor turned innovator seeking problem-solving opportunities (18:33) Guiding others through transformation, not crafting it (21:31) Thriving on tech success, driven by motivation (28:40) Cycle of innovation: growth, stagnation, reversion, reaction (36:45) Reading biographies as a leader to improve your decision-making (37:40) Key to career success: leadership, insight, humility (47:23) Transitioning roles, what were key mindset shifts? (56:30) Prioritizing practice before game day (01:03) Choose kindness, support, and do good work — Links & resources mentioned Find the full transcript at: https://podcast.makethingsthatmatter.com/christian-idiodi-telling-the-story-of-transformation/#transcript * Christian Idiodi - SVPG * New book: TRANSFORMED * Inspire Africa Conference * Innovate Africa Foundation — Related episodes: * Marty Cagan: Moving to the product model * Martina Hodges-Schell: Understanding your operating model * Product Therapy - What is product sense? — People & orgs: * Jay Acunzo — Books: * Turn the Ship Around - L. David Marquet * An Everyone Culture - Robert Kegan * Build - Tony Fadell * Walter Isaacson - Steve Jobs * Team of Rivals - Abraham Lincoln * Invention: A Life of Learning Through Failure * Sam Walton: Made In America This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.makethingsthatmatter.com

    Christian Idiodi: Telling the story of transformation

  4. 04/15/2024

    Martina Hodges-Schell: Understanding your operating model

    Martina Hodges-Schell is a transformation coach and consultant that helps organizations adopt a Silicon Valley approach to innovation. She spent 25 years leading design and innovation in tech companies, and now she loves providing a fresh, outside perspective to help teams develop and mature their product practice. In this conversation, we… * define transformation and what it means for your company operating model * explore how a company operating model might be shifted by adapting AI technology * Discuss how embodied leadership practices like equine coaching can give leaders the most honest feedback Enjoy! — Topics discussed (05:31) A horse's feedback reflects your behavior and communication (06:51) Feedback on your actions and decision making (10:48) Leaders MUST be involved in change process (13:57) Control is equated with power, active involvement important (18:58) Change is difficult, people resist it (19:45) Balancing ideas within organizations, encouraging participation (25:37) Four lenses for an operating model (29:18) How AI transforms operating model: structure and collaboration challenges (31:36) Organizational structure should promote collaboration and communication (37:17) Optimistic about innovation, promoting change and collaboration (39:55) Focus on broad possibilities, capabilities, and brand (43:16) Closing the loop from teams to leadership (50:20) Guiding questions in life (52:49) Book recommendations — Links & resources mentioned Find the full transcript at: https://podcast.makethingsthatmatter.com/martina-hodges-schell-operating-model/#transcript * Send episode feedback on Twitter @askotzko , or via email * Martina Hodges-Schell: website, LinkedIn * Book: Communicating the UX Vision: 13 Anti-patterns That Block Good Design — Related episodes: * #72 Pam Fox Rollin: Growing Groups Into Teams * #75 Chris Smith: Simple guidelines for AI investment sizing * #74 Chris Smith: How to think about adding AI to your product * #77 Marty Cagan: Moving to the product model * #39 Melissa Perri: Product strategy and the missing middle in organizations — People & orgs: * Noelle Saldana — Books: * The Build Trap * Growing Groups Into Teams * TRANSFORMED * Managing Transitions * Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes * Leading Change — Other resources: * Martina’s OMG (operating model goals) canvas * North Shore - AI transformation blog series This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.makethingsthatmatter.com

    Martina Hodges-Schell: Understanding your operating model

  5. 03/13/2024

    Marty Cagan: Moving to the product model

    Marty Cagan joins me for real talk about what it takes to transform into a strong product company. You can read the episode transcript here. — Topics discussed: (00:00) The process and challenges in writing a book (12:27) Real world products need tech for results (17:28) Deciding on investments, solving problems, and changing processes (28:11) Understanding disconnects (36:00) Top leadership support crucial (40:28) How product coaches help (44:57) "Being agile" doesn't always mean "doing agile" (49:52) Handling objections well (54:45) How it comes together in an organizational operating model — Links & resources mentioned: Send episode feedback on Twitter @askotzko , or via email Marty Cagan • LinkedIn, website • New book: TRANSFORMED • Previous books: INSPIRED, EMPOWERED • SVPG — Related episodes: • #31 Marty Cagan - Empowering product teams — Books: • The Crux • Good Strategy, Bad Strategy • The Art of Action — Other resources: • Product Management Theater • Product Leadership Theater • Transformation Theater • So You Want To Write a Book? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.makethingsthatmatter.com

    Marty Cagan: Moving to the product model

  6. 01/23/2024

    Randy Silver: The conversations that create impactful products

    Randy Silver is a product leadership advisor, podcast host, and global product community weaver. We explore the conversations needed to drive impact and perception of value. You can also read this episode here. — Topics discussed: (04:00) Moving from a journalistic editor to product editor (07:34) Parallels between product management film production (09:53) Missed opportunities & the need for collaboration (15:21) Alignment with stakeholders (18:24) Sales misalignment and restructures (21:10) Diagnosing teamwork challenges with partners (25:02) Diagnosing your new org via informational interviews (28:05) Creating a manager README (30:11) Roles and responsibilities convo for better understanding (35:19) Guiding conversations and change (44:22) Did reorganization at Airbnb address strategy misalignment? (46:18) Defensive reaction within product community to Airbnb (52:14) Coordinating while scaling — Links & resources mentioned Find the full transcript at: https://podcast.makethingsthatmatter.com/randy-silver-conversations-create-impact#transcript Send episode feedback on Twitter @askotzko , or via email Randy Silver: website, LinkedIn, Twitter • MTP talk: “Getting aligned with your exec team by Randy Silver” • Podcast: The Product Experience • Book: “What Do We Do Now? A Product Manager’s Guide to Strategy in the Time of Crisis” • The product environment canvas • Stakeholder Informational interview template — Related episodes: • Andrew on Randy’s podcast, The Product Experience • #72 Pam Fox Rollin: Growing groups into teams • #44 Teresa Torres: Habits for clear thinking and better product bets • #18 Josh Seiden: Create clarity with outcomes thinking • #5 Rich Mironov: Building a thriving product organization • #3 Christina Wodtke: Unleashing potential with extraordinary teams — People & orgs: • Georgie Smallwood • Matt LeMay • Alan Albert - value based pricing • Itamar Gilad — Books: • Growing Groups Into Teams • Evidence Guided • The Team That Managed Itself • Continuous Discovery Habits • Outcomes Over Output • Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management — Other resources: • Product, it’s time to grow up • The 11 Laws of Showrunning • Rich Mironov: The slippery slope of sales-led development • The Journey to Empowered Teams - Twitter, Airbnb & Tumblr • Product Strategy Acid Test • OODA loop • Manager README: The Indispensable Document for the Modern Manager • Roman Pichler - the decision making chart • Relentless equanimity This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.makethingsthatmatter.com

    Randy Silver: The conversations that create impactful products

  7. 12/12/2023

    (Bonus) Chris Smith: Simple guidelines for AI investment sizing

    Chris Smith is a longtime engineering leader who has been in the trenches of building with AI & machine learning for years. This is a short, bonus episode to go along with our main conversation: https://pod.fo/e/20a5ef — Topics discussed: (00:00) AI tooling allows for cost-effective testing. (06:02) Scoring and statistical measures to track progress. (09:22) Costs if model needs rebuilding or hyperparameter tuning (11:31) Order of magnitude investment estimates (15:10) Decide upfront when to cut bait. (17:12) Investment essentials for meaningful results and outcomes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.makethingsthatmatter.com

    (Bonus) Chris Smith: Simple guidelines for AI investment sizing

  8. 12/12/2023

    Chris Smith: How to think about adding AI to your product

    Chris Smith is a longtime engineering leader who has been in the trenches of building with AI & machine learning for years. He’s led the development of data systems & strategies at tech giants like early Google, Yahoo, and Sun; S&P 500's like Live Nation; and a wide variety of startups. — Topics discussed: (00:00) AI industry at inflection point, causing chaos (09:05) Machine learning, neural nets, and generative AI (14:03) Generative AI: LLMs + broad understanding (21:56) Open source models improve specialized problem solving (25:06) Access to data leads to competitive advantage (32:53) AI training improves productivity and learning speed (42:51) Reduced investment in GPT models speeds results (48:47) Expectation mismatch leads to brand perception risks (53:54) Non-technical work is crucial for AI product success (57:30) Building a computer vision product from scratch (01:03:14) A strategic approach to refining and testing prototypes (01:08:04) Closing learning loops — Links & resources mentioned Find the full transcript at: https://podcast.makethingsthatmatter.com/chris-smith-how-to-add-ai-to-product/#transcript Send episode feedback on Twitter @askotzko , or via email Chris Smith: • LinkedIn • X / Twitter: @xcbsmith • Bluesky @xcbsmith — Related episodes: • #75 Chris Smith: Simple guidelines for AI investment sizing — People & orgs: • Dr. Marily Nika - AI Lead, Meta Reality Lab • Travis Corrigan - Head of Product, Smith.AI — Books: • Evidence Guided - Itamar Gilad — Other resources: • GPT = “generative pre-trained transformer” • Wizard of Oz experiment • Tom Chi - learning loop • Joel Spolsky: The iceberg secret, revealed • ML Ops • Computer vision • Precision-Recall curves • Leaked Google memo: “There is no moat” • Universal basic income (UBI) • Stop-loss order This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.makethingsthatmatter.com

    Chris Smith: How to think about adding AI to your product
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About

Conversations with product leaders on strategy, judgment, leadership, and turning hard choices into action, with guests like Marty Cagan, Teresa Torres, Itamar Gilad and Steve Portigal. The show is between seasons, but the archive remains gold. For new work, read the essays at blog.makethingsthatmatter.com. Hosted by Andrew Skotzko, executive advisor and author of The Strategy Cycle. blog.makethingsthatmatter.com

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew Skotzko
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andrew Skotzko
  • Show Website
    Make Things That Matter