Product Academy Tough Stuff

Product Academy
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Product Academy Tough Stuff is tackling the toughest challenges in product management. Each episode features experienced product leaders who address one tough question with actionable insights—no fluff, no filler. Condensed for your busy schedule. Join your hosts, Tanja Lau and Francesca Cortesi, as they engage in honest, no-nonsense conversations with inspiring guests. In less than 30 minutes they share practical, proven advice and provide you with a fresh angle on one specific topic. Let's dive in!

  1. #23: Is it worth switching to Shape Up? - with Stéphane Turquay (Principal Product Manager at Smallpdf)

    11월 20일

    #23: Is it worth switching to Shape Up? - with Stéphane Turquay (Principal Product Manager at Smallpdf)

    In this conversation, Tanja Lau and Stéphane Turquay discuss the Shape Up methodology, a product development framework that emphasizes fixed timelines with variable scopes. Stéphane shares insights on the shaping and building phases, the challenges faced during implementation at SmallPDF, and the importance of team dynamics. They explore how Shape Up allows for greater ownership among teams and the need for a mature product and skilled team members for successful adoption. Chapters 00:00    Introduction to Shape Up 01:17      Understanding the Shape Up Methodology 01:56     The Shaping and Building Phases 05:08    Real-World Application of Shape Up 06:05    The Pitch Process in Shape Up 10:43     The Betting Table and Team Dynamics 15:52      Introducing Shape Up at SmallPDF 21:14      Benefits and Challenges of Shape Up 22:57     Recommendations and Pitfalls for Implementation OUR GUEST Stéphane Turquay is a Principal Product Manager at Smallpdf, one of the world’s most popular platforms for PDFs and document management. With a decade of experience in SaaS growth and monetization, he helps build products that delight millions of users worldwide. Based in Zurich, Stéphane has worked across international organizations, corporate spin-ups, and startups, driven by curiosity, clarity, and impact. USEFUL RESOURCES https://basecamp.com/shapeup https://www.houseful.blog/posts/2023/shape-up-at-zoopla/ https://techblog.beefree.io/one-year-of-shape-up-part-2-why-it-works-for-us-bb9413b497ab#32d3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoCGibVonBE https://marmelab.com/blog/2024/09/26/shape-up.html  COOK WHILE LISTENING Warm Tuna Sashimi with Rucola, Parmesan & Rice Noodles

    28분
  2. #22 How do I avoid feeling like an imposter when I’ve been promoted? - with Caroline Clark (Leadership Consultant and Coach)

    11월 6일

    #22 How do I avoid feeling like an imposter when I’ve been promoted? - with Caroline Clark (Leadership Consultant and Coach)

    In this episode, Francesca Cortesi and Caroline Clark talk about the complexities of imposter feelings, exploring their prevalence, the impact of perfectionism, and the importance of language in framing these experiences. They discuss strategies for overcoming feelings of inadequacy, emphasizing the significance of connection and belonging in professional environments. Caroline shares insights from her research on imposter feelings among product professionals, revealing that these feelings are common across various levels of experience. The conversation concludes with practical tips for navigating imposter feelings in career growth and the importance of recognizing that these feelings are a shared human experience. CHAPTERS 00:46 Introduction to Imposter Feelings 03:49 Understanding Imposter Feelings  06:32 The Role of Perfectionism   09:52 The Language of Imposter Feelings 12:31  Overcoming Isolation 15:52 Creating a Sense of Belonging 21:51 Survey Insights on Imposter Feelings 24:44  Navigating Imposter Feelings in Career Growth 27:41 Final Thoughts and Takeaways OUR GUEST Caroline Clark, Leadership consultant and coach Caroline Clark is a leadership consultant and coach specialising in performance psychology for leaders in tech and space. As an ex-Product Director with more than 12 years in Product, she understands the unique pressures facing product teams. Her work equips product leaders with evidence-based tools to transform leadership potential into performance - and achieve the impossible. COOK WHILE LISTENING Caroline’s Lentil dahl - this hearty and fragrant dish is perfect for the colder nights closing in, you can make it as hot or mild to your taste by adjusting the amount of chilli! Ingredients: 1 tbsp cooking oil 1 onion 2-3 cloves of garlic 1cm piece of fresh ginger, grated Spices: 1 tsp dried birdseye chillies, 1 tsp turmeric, 2.5 tsp garam masala 150g dried red lentils 750ml vegetable stock 1x can coconut milk 1 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos whole courgette, grated bag of spinach To make: Dice the onion, crush the garlic and grate the ginger, then combine in pan over medium heat, turning until onion browns (a few minutes) Add the spice mix and stir in well Add the lentils and dry stir until coated in oil and spices Add stock slowly, stirring into lentils Add coconut milk and soy sauce or coconut aminos, stirring in Leave to simmer for 5 minutes until liquid starts to reduce, then add courgette and stir well Leave to simmer for 20 minutes, then add spinach and stir well Leave to simmer for 5 mins - then it's ready to serve! Serve with rice or naan bread and enjoy!

    30분
  3. #21: How do I navigate cultural and value differences at work? -with Alena Ipanova (Cultural Intelligence Expert and Trainer)

    10월 2일

    #21: How do I navigate cultural and value differences at work? -with Alena Ipanova (Cultural Intelligence Expert and Trainer)

    In this conversation, Francesca Cortesi and Alena Ipanova dig into the complexities of navigating cultural differences in the workplace, especially for expats. They discuss the importance of understanding both personal and national cultures, the significance of effective communication, and the challenges of aligning personal values with company culture. Alena emphasizes the need for self-awareness and the willingness to explore unfamiliar cultural interactions to foster better relationships and collaboration in diverse environments. CHAPTERS 00:46 Navigating Cultural Differences at Work 09:01 Understanding Personal and National Culture 16:06 Improving Communication Across Cultures  19:40 Bridging Company Culture Gaps  26:13 Exploring Unfamiliarity in Cultural Interactions  OUR GUEST Alena Ipanova, Cultural Intelligence Expert and Trainer https://www.linkedin.com/in/ialena/ Alena is a cultural intelligence expert, trainer, and coach who helps global leaders and teams work better across differences. With a background in psychology, communication, and intercultural leadership - and over 15 years of experience across various industries - she’s trained thousands of professionals to build trust, communicate clearly, and create inclusive, high-performing teams. She specializes in helping organizations identify and bridge the hidden gaps between cultures, expectations, and mindsets - turning potential friction into stronger collaboration and smarter decisions. Alena is also a mom of three, living a nomadic life - moving to a new country every year with her family and turning each new culture into a learning adventure. COOK WHILE LISTENING Alena’s go-to dessert for surprise guests or impatient kids who want it now : https://scandinaviansimpleeating.com/2019/03/29/crumble-pie-with-summer-berries-smulpaj/

    30분
  4. #20: How do I manage my time better? - with Todd Birzer (Product Management Leader)

    9월 11일

    #20: How do I manage my time better? - with Todd Birzer (Product Management Leader)

    Dive into the latest episode of Product Acaemy Tough Stuff Season 3, where Francesca and Todd Birzer tackle one of the most challenging questions in the professional world: "How do I manage my time better?" . Discover why traditional time management techniques might not work for product managers and learn about strategic focus and strategic neglect. Todd shares insights from his career, including the importance of setting boundaries and leaving time for relationships. Tune in for practical tips and a fresh perspective on balancing priorities. CHAPTERS 00:46 The challenges of traditional time management techniques 05:47 Strategic focus and neglect 10:47 Balancing priorities 15:47 Practical tools and techniques to manage your time 20:47 Setting boundaries and building relationships 25:47 Final tips OUR GUEST Todd Birzer, Product Management Leader https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddbirzer/ Todd Birzer has over 25 years of experience in product management—leading product teams in the US and Canada and consulting with teams worldwide. Todd is a lecturer at Temple University, an instructor partner at Udemy, and author of the book The Three-Minute Product Manager. Todd’s latest course: https://www.udemy.com/course/new-manager-make-an-impact/?referralCode=2F6FD10589F611C481F5 COOK WHILE LISTENING Tod’s favorite corn bread: Warm corn bread, with butter and honey, ahhh…glorious  1 cup cornmeal ¾ cup flour 3 Tablespoons sugar 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup milk 2 eggs ¼ cup butter, melted 1. Preheat oven to 205 degrees C or 400 degrees F 2. Mixed dry ingredients in a big bowl 3. In a small bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and butter 4. Pour the milk / egg / butter mixture into the cornmeal mixture, stir gently (until just moistened) 5. Pour entire mixture into a greased baking pan 6. Bake for 20 minutes For myself, I usually don’t use milk but instead mix three big spoons of natural yogurt with enough water to make one cup. The trick for this recipe: find nice quality cornmeal! Look for cornmeal with both the “germ” and the “bran” – which are the source of nice flavor and texture. I use Bob’s Red Mill Medium Grind Cornmeal. Enjoy!

    34분
  5. #19: How do I do discovery in hardware? -with Kai Stevens (Product Leader & Discovery Coach)

    6월 5일

    #19: How do I do discovery in hardware? -with Kai Stevens (Product Leader & Discovery Coach)

    Francesca Cortesi and Kai Stevens discuss the complexities of conducting discovery in hardware. They explore the unique challenges faced in hardware development, including long timelines, irreversible decisions, and the need for robust usability testing.  Kai shares insights on balancing discovery with development, innovative approaches to user feedback, and the importance of collaborative decision-making among stakeholders. The discussion emphasizes the need for a strategic approach to discovery that accommodates the specific demands of hardware while remaining agile and responsive to user needs. CHAPTERS 00:46 Introduction to Hardware Discovery Challenges 02:47 The Context of Hardware Product Management 05:15 Understanding the Risks in Hardware Development 08:58 Balancing Discovery and Development Timelines 12:38 Innovative Approaches to User Feedback 15:18 Usability Testing in Hardware 17:10 Decision-Making in Hardware Development 19:57 Optimizing Discovery Processes 23:41 Collaborative Decision-Making for Product Viability 26:29 Final Thoughts on Balancing Discovery and Execution OUR GUEST Kai Stevens, Product Leader & discovery coach https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaistevens/ Kai Stevens is the founder of Discovery Doctors, a training and consultancy company dedicated to helping product teams master continuous discovery. As a former Group Product Manager at tado°, Kai led a group of cross-functional teams to develop and launch the next-generation smart thermostats of tado° in May 2024. His hands-on experience applying continuous discovery in the connected hardware space inspired him to support other product teams in building better products through a discovery-driven approach." COOK WHILE LISTENING Kai’s favorite vietnamese spring rolls:  https://www.hungryhuy.com/how-to-make-goi-cuon-vietnamese-spring-rolls/

    31분
  6. #18 How do I develop products for internal users? - with Corinne Ruckstuhl (PM for Data & AI at SRF)

    5월 22일

    #18 How do I develop products for internal users? - with Corinne Ruckstuhl (PM for Data & AI at SRF)

    In this conversation, Corinne Ruckstuhl (Product Manager Data & AI at SRF) shares her insights on transitioning to internal product management, discussing the unique challenges and dynamics involved. Tanja and Corinne discuss the importance of stakeholder management, prioritization, and balancing efficiency with business value. They explore ways of of measuring success through user satisfaction and adoption as well as strategies for building habits among users to ensure successful adoption of internal products. CHAPTERS (Time slots start after the introduction jingle) 00:00 Transitioning to Internal Product Management 02:59 Stakeholder Dynamics and Prioritization Challenges 06:01 Balancing Efficiency and Business Value 09:00 Measuring Success in Internal Products 12:02 Ethical Considerations in Product Management 14:59 Building Habits and User Adoption 17:59 Build vs. Buy Decisions in Product Development OUR GUEST Corinne is a Product Manager for Data & AI at SRF where she develops user-centric data and AI products, driving innovation in the media industry. With a Master’s degree in Business Innovation & Technology and AI studies at MIT, she leads the full product lifecycle—from discovery to delivery—ensuring impactful solutions. Passionate about shaping Switzerland’s tech landscape, she mentors aspiring product managers, invests in startups, and advocates for diversity. RESOURCES Team Topology - Organizing Business and Technology for Fas Flow: Especially the part about platform teams is interesting to get a view on the topic of internal product management (more information: https://teamtopologies.com/)  RECIPE We serve every episode of our podcast with a recipe you can cook while listening.  Corinne shares her recipe for Quesadillas with chickpeas: https://fooby.ch/de/rezepte/21415/

    29분
  7. #17 How do I know I’ve done enough discovery? - with Tim Herbig (Product Management Coach)

    5월 8일

    #17 How do I know I’ve done enough discovery? - with Tim Herbig (Product Management Coach)

    Francesca Cortesi and Tim Herbig dive into one of the trickiest questions in product: how do you know when you’ve done enough discovery? They talk about the real purpose behind discovery, how to avoid getting stuck in process for process’ sake, and why defining your assumptions early matters more than sticking to a framework. From using strategic clarity to guide your work, to building a strong narrative around your findings (and even turning discovery into a game to keep teams engaged) this episode is packed with practical tips and honest reflections. CHAPTERS 00:46 Navigating the Discovery Dilemma 03:33 Understanding the Purpose of Discovery 06:51 The Balance of Process and Value 09:45 Defining Success in Discovery 12:43 Time Boxing Discovery Efforts 15:44 Strategic Clarity in Discovery 18:45 Identifying and Validating Assumptions 21:40 Creating a Compelling Narrative for Discovery 24:37 Gamifying the Discovery Process OUR GUEST Tim Herbig (Product Management Coach) https://www.linkedin.com/in/herbigt/ Tim Herbig is a Product Management Coach who helps companies like StepStone, Deutsche Telekom, and Specsavers treat their ways of working like products—focusing on value over theoretical correctness. With over a decade of hands-on experience across b2c and b2b products—from Premium memberships at XING to Enterprise SaaS platforms—Tim brings unique insight into making product practices truly valuable in different contexts. Through his consulting and training, Tim helps product teams move beyond rigid frameworks by connecting Strategy, OKRs, and Discovery in ways that work for their specific situation. COOK WHILE LISTENING Tim is a true coffee aficionado, here below you can find two coffee brewing recipes If you are just starting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oB1oDrDkHMTim’s favorite (right now): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUsHI7jdX1k

    31분
  8. #16 How do I delight my customers? - with Nesrine Changuel (Product Coach & Trainer, ex-Google, Spotify, Microsoft )

    4월 24일

    #16 How do I delight my customers? - with Nesrine Changuel (Product Coach & Trainer, ex-Google, Spotify, Microsoft )

    In this conversation, Tanja Lau and Nesrine Changuel explore the concept of customer delight, emphasizing the importance of emotional connections in product experiences. They discuss how delight can be created even in seemingly boring products, the significance of understanding and measuring delight, and the business case for investing in delightful features.  Nesrine spent 12 years of her product management career embedding Delight into tech products. At Spotify, she consistently wove emotional features alongside functional ones, managing to introduce engaging experiences within a fast-paced and highly competitive backlog. At Google Meet, Nesrine served as the Delight PM, where her mission was to bring fun and joy to video calls. Across these two unique environments, she has introduced Delight under various constraints, and is excited to share these experiences with you. ABOUT OUR GUEST Nesrine is a passionate and experienced product coach, advisor, and professional speaker.   For over a decade she held senior product management roles at Google, Spotify, and Microsoft. Nesrine managed highly visible consumer products including Chrome, Meet, Spotify, and Skype.  Nesrine is also a speaker and lecturer who has addressed multiple product management topics at multiple events. Nesrine holds a Master's degree in electrical engineering and a PhD in media processing and Telecommunication. Nesrine is based in Paris. SHOWNOTES Find Nesrine on Linkedin or via her Substack: https://nesrinechanguel.substack.com/ Learn more about her book: https://www.nesrine-changuel.com/product-delight-book Study mentioned in the episode: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/fueling-growth-through-moments-of-customer-delight RECIPE As always, we are serving the episode with a delicious recipe you can cook while listening to the conversation.  Nesrine is sharing how to cook the Tunisian dish Kafteji in a healthy way: https://carthagemagazine.com/healthy-version-kafteji/ Enjoy and see you for the next episode!

    31분
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소개

Product Academy Tough Stuff is tackling the toughest challenges in product management. Each episode features experienced product leaders who address one tough question with actionable insights—no fluff, no filler. Condensed for your busy schedule. Join your hosts, Tanja Lau and Francesca Cortesi, as they engage in honest, no-nonsense conversations with inspiring guests. In less than 30 minutes they share practical, proven advice and provide you with a fresh angle on one specific topic. Let's dive in!

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  • 제작진
    Product Academy
  • 방송 연도
    2024년 - 2025년
  • 에피소드
    23
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    전체 연령 사용가
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    © Product Academy
  • 웹사이트 보기
    Product Academy Tough Stuff

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