Product Confidential: The reality of PM life!

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Being a Product Manager is no easy job. There is so much information on how to do Product well, but we all know that the reality of executing on this is different. We’ll be bringing you a host of Product Managers to talk about the highs, and lows, of their career - and how they’ve overcome the challenges they’ve faced. So whether you’re looking to enter the PM career, learning how to overcome some of these challenges yourself, or just want to grab a bevvy and listen to a bit of PM therapy - we’re here for you. Hosted by Michael Palmer (BBC) & Evie Brockwell (Product Consultant & Coach)

Product Confidential


    • Apr 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 43m AVG DURATION
    • 34 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Product Confidential: The reality of PM life!

    034 | The Essence of True Agility with Johanna Rothman

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 42:09


    Is Your Team Truly Agile or Just Faking It?In this energising episode, Evie Brockwell and Michael Palmer sits down with renowned author and consultant Johanna Rothman to unpack what real agility looks like in project management. They dive into the tell-tale signs of "fake agile," why collaboration beats rigid frameworks every time, and how feedback loops can supercharge your team's effectiveness. Johanna brings her trademark clarity and practical wisdom, offering up actionable strategies for building self-organising teams that still deliver on big-picture goals. If you're tired of buzzwords and ready for meaningful agility, this one's for you.Chapters00:00 Understanding Fake Agility07:18 The Essence of True Agility10:57 Balancing Team Autonomy and Organizational Direction20:37 The Importance of Feedback Loops35:36 Strategies for Overcoming Resource ChallengesBook: https://www.jrothman.com/books/project-lifecycles-how-to-reduce-risks-release-successful-products-and-increase-agility/More of Johanna's work:https://www.jrothman.com/mpd/2019/04/product-roles-part-1-product-managers-product-owners-business-analysts/https://www.jrothman.com/mpd/2017/09/alternatives-for-agile-and-lean-roadmapping-part-5-the-product-value-team/https://www.jrothman.com/mpd/2023/09/integrate-product-owners-into-many-teams-to-create-good-product-goals-part-3/https://www.jrothman.com/mpd/2023/09/how-scrum-masters-use-facilitative-leadership-especially-when-planning-part-4/https://www.jrothman.com/mpd/2017/08/alternatives-for-agile-and-lean-roadmapping-part-1-think-in-feature-sets/Follow Johanna Rothman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannarothman/And don't miss the chance to see Evie, one of your Product Confidential hosts, speak at an upcoming event! Get your tickets now and use the code productconfidential20 to score a 20% discount. Grab yours before they sell out!Link to the event: https://ti.to/sequel-media/product-led-summit-amsterdam-2025/discount/productconfidential20

    033 | The Human Touch in AI-Driven Leadership with Arne Kittler

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 30:09


    What happens when machines get smarter… and leaders forget to stay human? In this thought-provoking episode, Arne Kittler unpacks the seismic shift AI is bringing to product management—and why empathy, curiosity, and trust are more crucial than ever. We get real about the risks of blindly chasing efficiency, the messy reality of integrating AI tools, and how today's product leaders can future-proof their teams without becoming robots themselves. If you care about the soul of product work in an AI-powered world, this one's for you.Follow Arne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnekittler/Want more conversations like this? Check out Product at Heart—the conference Arne organises for product people who care deeply about the craft.

    032 | Trust and Autonomy in Product with Debbie McMahon

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2025 55:04


    In this episode of Product Confidential, we sit down with Debbie McMahon, Chief Product Officer at the Financial Times, for a candid conversation about leadership, innovation, and career growth. Debbie breaks down what it really takes to step into a senior leadership role, from navigating company politics to making high-stakes decisions. She shares how the FT is leveraging AI to enhance storytelling, the challenges of shifting company culture, and what product leaders should focus on to drive real impact. If you want unfiltered insights on managing teams, measuring success, and staying ahead in the ever-evolving media landscape, this episode is a must-listen.Follow Debbie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmcmahon/And don't miss the chance to see Evie, one of your Product Confidential hosts, speak at an upcoming event! Get your tickets now and use the code productconfidential20 to score a 20% discount. Grab yours before they sell out!Link to the event: https://ti.to/sequel-media/product-led-summit-amsterdam-2025/discount/productconfidential20

    031 | The Art of Assumption Testing in Product with Teresa Torres

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 48:59


    What separates successful products from those that flop? In this insightful episode, Evie Brockwell and Michael Palmer sit down with Teresa Torres, a leading expert in product discovery, to uncover the secrets behind building products that truly resonate.They dive into:

    030 | Buzzwords, Trends & the Future of Product with Mirela Mus

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 42:12


    Buzzwords and trends dominate the product world, but how much of it is just noise? In this episode, Evie Brockwell & Michael Palmer sit down with Mirela Mus to cut through the hype and uncover what truly drives product success. They dive into the risks of blindly following trends, the dangers of over-hiring, and why cultural sensitivity can make or break a product strategy.From understanding local markets to leveraging external consultants for fresh perspectives, this conversation is packed with insights for product teams looking to create real impact. Whether you're a product leader or just starting out, this episode will challenge the way you think about innovation, strategy, and value creation.

    029 | Navigating Intuition in Decision-Making with Phil Hornby

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 48:37


    Great product decisions don't just happen, they're crafted with careful thought and strategy. In this episode of Product Confidential, Phil Hornby, a seasoned product leader, dives into the critical aspects of product management, with a focus on decision-making and how AI is reshaping these processes. He reflects on the evolution of his book and the importance of thoughtful decision-making that balances data, evidence, and intuition. Phil also highlights the role of human accountability in decision-making, even as AI tools become more prevalent. He discusses the shift from feature-based to problem-based roadmaps, the need for tailored roadmaps to meet diverse audience needs, and the efficiency of streamlined roadmapping processes. Additionally, Phil emphasizes the value of discovery roadmaps in managing uncertainty and ensuring clarity throughout product development.Takeaways✅ Making a good product requires extensive discovery and research.✅ AI will become a standard tool in product management, but human decision-making remains crucial.✅ High-quality decisions are more important than labeling decisions as good or bad.✅ Data alone does not inform decisions; it must be interpreted alongside evidence and intuition.✅ Reflection on past decisions is key to improving decision-making skills.✅ Different organizations may prioritise intuition or data differently in their decision-making processes.✅ Combining data, anecdotes, and intuition leads to better decision-making outcomes.✅ The role of product managers will evolve as AI tools enhance productivity. Understanding your own emotions versus intuition is crucial.✅ Explicit thinking helps in making informed decisions.✅ Roadmaps should evolve from features to problems.✅ Tailoring roadmaps for different audiences enhances communication.✅ Efficient roadmapping should not consume excessive time.✅ Discovery roadmaps help clarify the unknowns in product development.✅ Visual storytelling can improve roadmap engagement.✅ Different views of roadmaps cater to various stakeholders.✅ Aligning roadmaps with strategic goals is essential for success.✅ Choosing the right tools for the conversation is key. Books mentioned:✨ Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish: https://a.co/d/fqtrIO1✨ Data Story by Nancy Duarte: https://a.co/d/cI22QNSFind Phil Hornby here:Website: https://www.forproductpeople.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philhornby/Read Phil's book:It Depends: https://www.forproductpeople.com/content/books/it-dependsIf you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps others discover Product Confidential!

    028 | Finding Balance in Chaos with Hannah Clark

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 35:33


    Feeling overwhelmed by the constant juggle of work, parenting, and life's demands? In this episode of Product Confidential, hosts Evie Brockwell and Michael Palmer are joined by Hannah Clark. They explore the challenges of maintaining balance amidst the chaos. They discuss the early warning signs of burnout, the power of routine in managing ADHD, and the importance of self-compassion when things don't go to plan. Hannah shares her personal journey, offering practical strategies for reducing decision fatigue, staying resilient, and finding joy in small wins. Throughout the conversation, they highlight how mindset and self-awareness can help you navigate life's ups and downs and ultimately thrive—both at work and at home. Takeaways:✔ Spotting burnout early can prevent bigger problems down the line.✔ Routines are essential for managing ADHD and maintaining stability.✔ Structured habits help reduce decision fatigue.✔ Self-compassion is key when life feels overwhelming.✔ Mindset and self-awareness play a huge role in overcoming challenges.✔ Burnout can distort your sense of self-worth, but small wins can rebuild confidence. Join us for this insightful discussion on creating balance in a demanding world. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps others discover Product Confidential!

    027 | Open Source Product Management with Karl Abbott (Microsoft)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 41:29


    Ever wondered what it's like to manage products in the world of open source software? In this episode of Product Confidential, we dive deep into the fascinating journey of Karl, who transitioned from a Linux enthusiast in college to a product manager at Microsoft. What You'll Learn:

    026 | Burnout in Product: The 92%

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 34:25


    Welcome back and happy 2025! "This is a little kickstart to January." We're kicking off with a solo episode from Evie as she dives into her extensive research on burnout in product management, sharing her personal story and insights. It's going to be an interactive, reflective episode so you can make the changes that you want to action this year! We're talking about what causes burnout, why it's so high in product, how to recognise your own stressors (and what actions to take to prevent them!) If you're looking for the boost you need to help you set yourself up for success and break the burnout cycles, we've got you covered. Spoiler: "You need to take full responsibility." Key Takeaways It's not just about how much you work, but how you feel about it. 92% of product professionals have experienced burnout or are on the verge. You are responsible for your own well-being at work. Implementing small changes can lead to significant improvements. Mindset shifts are necessary to overcome burnout. Burnout coaching link: www.eviebrockwell.com/burnout-in-product Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Burnout in Product Management 16:05 Understanding Burnout: Definitions and Symptoms 28:34 Strategies for Overcoming Burnout As ever, if you take loads of value from this episode then follow & rate the show so we can bring you even more content this year! Burnout coaching link: ⁠www.eviebrockwell.com/burnout-in-product⁠

    025 | Frameworks, start-ups & product leadership with Ed Walsh

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 30:24


    Ever felt swamped by the myriad frameworks in product management? We get into all of the details on the pros, the cons (hello imposter syndrome), and how to use frameworks effectively. Our guest is Ed Walsh. Ed is the Head of Product at Zapmap - the UK's leading EV charging platform shares all of his views in this episode. Discover why frameworks aren't one-size-fits-all, when they're genuinely useful, and how they can sometimes hinder more than help. Ed spills the beans on his favourite tools like the Business Model Canvas and Jobs to be Done, and offers candid advice on avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you're a startup hustler or a corporate climber, this chat is packed with invaluable insights that'll help you lead your team more effectively. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:30 The Overwhelming World of Product Frameworks 01:51 The Role of Frameworks in Career Development 03:20 Advice for Using Frameworks Effectively 04:22 Understanding the Purpose of Frameworks 05:39 Identifying and Solving Problems with Frameworks 07:54 Transitioning Away from Framework Dependence 13:04 The Downsides of Over-Reliance on Frameworks 15:33 Principle-Based Leadership and Framework Flexibility 22:18 Favorite Frameworks and Their Applications 25:26 Frameworks in Startups vs. Big Corporates 27:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Ed is an incredible coach in the product world, if you'd love to see more of his views - you can connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmund-walsh-61223a47/

    024 | Digital sustainability and the role of product

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 28:54


    Join us in this engaging episode as we sit down with Claire, the Director of Sustainable Business Consulting at Transform. Claire shares her inspiring journey from her early passion for sustainability, her roles in digital product spaces, to her current position at Transform. She delves into the concept of digital sustainability, the environmental impact of digital products, and practical steps product managers can take to make more sustainable choices. Through insightful discussions and real-world examples, Claire provides a roadmap for integrating sustainability into product design and business practices, emphasizing the interconnected benefits for the environment, society, and business prosperity. Tune in to discover how small changes can lead to significant positive impacts and how you can be a part of the solution. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:06 Claire's Journey into Digital Sustainability 02:38 Understanding Digital Sustainability 06:19 The Role of Product Managers in Sustainability 12:23 Practical Steps for Implementing Sustainability 16:05 Balancing Sustainability with Consumer Behavior 19:47 Overcoming Overwhelm in Sustainability Efforts 23:41 Positive News and Upcoming Events 24:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links to events and thoughts from Claire https://www.linkedin.com/posts/transformuk_sustainability-netzero-sustainabledesign-activity-7227324081518366724-YA5e https://www.transformuk.com/pages/towards-a-sustainable-business-blueprint Find Claire on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbolina/

    023 | Becoming an Incredible Product Leader, with Michael & Evie

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 37:52


    Have you ever really thought about what it takes to become an insane product leader? Have you been thinking that you might want to take this career path, but you're not sure how to make it happen? These are all of the insights that we're sharing with you today. From progressing my career to lead 5 teams worth $1 billion at the age of 27 & coaching over 20 product leaders, to Michael's current journey - you're in for some gems. In this episode we cover: What it takes to be an effective product leader Our experiences with product leaders (the good and the bad) Looking after yourself when you hit the leadership spot The best strategies you can implement to grow your own career You'll leave this episode reflecting on how you want to show up and lead, and with tangible take-aways to really grow your career. If you want to become an unstoppable product leader, sign up to the waitlist here: https://eviebrockwell.ck.page/e9e6c21769 If you want to see more from us: ⁠⁠⁠Follow the show on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Michael⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Evie⁠ Do subscribe & leave a review if you love this episode, Evie & Michael

    022 | Burnout in Product & why 92% of product people are impacted

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 70:41


    Have you ever found yourself feeling like you ‘need to do it all' to be good at Product? Has it led you to feeling stressed and overwhelmed? If so, you're not alone. 92% of product people have either been burnt out, or close to burnout. We spent the last 6 months finding out exactly why this is happening, and what can be done about it. In this bonus episode, I'm joined by Nick Jemetta, Evelina Dzimanaviciute  and Graham Reed, who are all experts on wellbeing in the workplace. You'll get to know: Exactly why working in Product is the perfect storm for burnout How to recognise the signs and symptoms of burnout What you can do to stay on top of this Why burnout is so high in Product Leadership How product leaders can support others, whilst taking care of themselves If you've ever felt stressed, anxious or overworked in Product - then this episode is for you. Burnout in Product workshop This workshop will be covering everything you need to know to understand: Why you've experienced burnout The patterns that lead you down this path How to unpick the deep routed behaviours that contribute to burnout Your own personalised plan to continuously prevent burnout Join us on the last week of June to create the plan that you need. Join the waitlist here: https://eviebrockwell.ck.page/ea1bd26aaa If you want to see more from us: ⁠⁠⁠Follow the show on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Michael⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Evie ⁠ Subscribe & leave a review if you love this episode, Evie & Michael

    021 | The Power of Strategic Roadmaps with Janna Bastow

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024 48:46


    Have you ever tried to use a Now, Next, Later roadmap - but your stakeholders still want exact dates? Do you find yourself spending far too long planning, and want to spend more time delivering value? If this sounds like you, we can relate. We've all been on the journey to get our stakeholders brought into a better way of doing things. & we all want to spend less time planning, and more time thinking about the best thing to build. If that sounds like you, you will love this chat. We're joined by Janna Bastow, the creator of the Now, Next, Later roadmap. Janna shares all of her insights: ⚡️ Should you use timelines in a Now, Next, Later roadmap? ⚡️ How can you bring stakeholders on board? ⚡️ Why roadmaps should be a strategic planning tool, not a project management tool ⚡️ How they can help you to cross-collaborate ⚡️ & the exciting part - how AI is saving PMs so much time, and optimising their thinking You won't want to miss this one. See more from Janna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannabastow/  Find out more about Prodpad: ProdPad sandbox Ultimate Guide to Product Roadmaps How to Move from Timeline to Agile Roadmapping Course Why Now-Next-Later is best If you want to see more from us: ⁠⁠⁠Follow the show on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Michael⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Evie⁠ Do subscribe & leave a review if you love this episode, Evie & Michael

    020 | Impact-First Product Teams with Matt LeMay

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2024 42:39


    Have you been trying to drive more impact in your product org, but it's just not working? Maybe you don't have clear goals from your product organisation, you don't see how your work relates, or it's just too hard to get clear targets. Does that sound familiar? We've all been there, but thankfully, we're joined by impact-guru Matt LeMay on today's episode. Matt unpacks exactly what product organisations need to change to drive more impact, and why this is so important, & why it's not about having dead certainty on your goals. He also throws in so many gems: - What are soft skills in product, and why are they important - How can you detach yourself from your work and stay sane - Approaching conversations about the uncomfortable thing If you're looking at how you can really step into the world of impact, then this episode is for you. Where can you find more info about Matt and his latest book? https://mattlemay.com/about-matt Linkedin.com/in/mattlemay If you want to see more from us: ⁠⁠Follow the show on LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow Michael⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Evie Do subscribe & leave a review if you love this episode, Evie & Michael

    019 | Beyond User Needs: A Commercial Guide for Product Managers with Ed Biden

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 37:13


    This episode features veteran CPO and Hustle Badger founder, Ed Biden. Ed discusses strategies for product managers and leaders for thinking, speaking and acting in more commercial terms by understanding product team costs, and focusing on commercial impact to secure organisational confidence.  Ed highlights the importance of meeting customer needs while ensuring commercial viability, suggests tools for forecasting ROI, and stresses the importance of hypothesis-based development. He emphasises the need for clear strategies from leadership and suggests ways for teams to navigate uncertainty proactively.  The conversation also covers Ed's project, Hustle Badger, aimed at providing practical advice for product professionals. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:15 Navigating Product Management in Tough Times 00:30 The Importance of Commercial Impact in Product Management 02:36 Balancing User Needs with Commercial Goals 05:18 Strategies for Product Teams to Prove Value 09:01 Forecasting ROI and Making Impactful Decisions 18:36 Leveraging Hypotheses and Feedback for Product Development 29:27 Advice for Product Leaders and Teams 34:50 Introducing Hustle Badger Links Hustle Badger

    018 | From Feature Factory To Value-Led with Holly Donohue

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2024 30:02


    In this episode, we speak with Holly Donohue - a fractional CPO, consultant, coach and ProductTank organiser to talk about moving from a feature factory into being value-led. This episode is packed with hot takes including

    017 | IWD: Empowering Women in Product with Namrata Sarmah

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2024 43:01


    This episode is an International Women's Day special. We're joined by the incredible Namrata Sarmah, who is a 2x CPO and the Founder of Women in Product UK and CPO Track amongst other things! In this episode we cover off everything from: Advice on how to grow your Product career in the early stages What it really takes to become a CPO What still needs to be done for Women in Product to grow The realities of returning to work after Maternity leave, and how to make the transition smoother & How to find the time to do it all! Nam also talks about the incredible communities she started: Women in Product UK Women in Product UK instagram The CPO track Find out everything that Nam is up to and stay in touch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namratasarmah/ https://www.namratasarmah.co.uk/

    016 | Navigating redundancy with Andrew West-Moore

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2024 38:54


    Overcoming Redundancy and Moving Forward Sadly, lots of PMs have experienced redunancy in recent times. With so many affected, we wanted to chat to Andrew as he discusses his how he navigated through his personal redundancy experience. He explains how reshaping his perspective and focusing on his values helped him move forward. Andrew shares practical tips for recognizing and dealing with the emotional impact of redundancy, conducting job searches, and getting prepared for job interviews. He also emphasizes the importance of being authentic, vulnerable, and honest during the job seeking phase. Andrew explains how he stayed positive and found a new role that aligns with his values, while advising others going through a similar experience to be patient, absorb the impact and remain true to their values. 00:00 Introduction to Navigating Redundancy 00:22 Personal Experience with Redundancy 01:08 Coping Strategies and Lessons Learned 02:57 The Emotional Impact of Redundancy 06:08 The Power of Networking and Support 07:17 Transitioning and Regrouping After Redundancy 07:42 The Importance of Values in Job Search 09:34 The Role of Authenticity and Vulnerability 11:18 The Job Interview Experience 30:26 Finding the Right Fit: The New Role 33:56 Reflections and Final Thoughts

    015 | Empowering First-Time Product Managers: Insights from Susana Lopes'

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 32:14


    Empowering First-Time Product Managers, with Susana Lopes In this podcast episode, Susana Lopes, a product manager with an impressive career journey, discusses how to successfully onboard and develop first-time product managers. She talks in-depth about her own unique experiences The discussion also involves the detrimental effects of bad onboarding on both the individual and the organisation, while proposing practical methods for improvement. Moreover, Susana offers prospective product managers and leaders advice on interview strategies and the significance of a supportive work environment. Links Minimum Viable Product Manager article Susana's coaching 00:00 Introduction 00:00 Susana's Background and Kickboxing Experience 00:11 Onboarding and Developing First Time Product Managers 02:11 Susana's Entry into Product Management 04:08 The Importance of Early Exposure in Product Management 08:13 Common Traits of Bad Onboarding 13:02 Advice for Aspiring Product Managers 20:03 Advice for Product Leaders 25:42 Susana's Coaching Experience 29:52 Conclusion

    014 | From big tech to start ups with Adam Warburton

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2024 47:47


    In the discussion, Adam Warbuton, Vypr's Chief Product Officer, shares his experiences transitioning from CPO at a large corporation to leading product at a scale-up company. Adam discusses the crucial differences and challenges between the two roles the importance of mindset in driving success in a startup environment his insights on building a strong product culture in a fast-growing company. He explains that high performance, impact-orientation, humility, and the ability to cope with risk are some of the key traits required in a start-up context. The conversation also explores issues of diversity in startups and the role that leaders play in modeling work-life balance. Evie & Michael Show notes ⁠Follow the show on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠⁠Follow Michael⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow Evie Adam's Links Vacancies at Vypr

    013 | Working in Big Tech: the realities & recruitment process with ex-Google PM, Alex Rechevskiy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2024 42:33


    We're back with a brand new season! Today we're joined by Alex Rechevskiy, a former Google Group PM, and now coach to hundreds of PMs that want to get into Big Tech. In this episode Alex tells us everything about:

    012 | Michael & Evie: Life updates, podcast reflections & your questions answered

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2023 34:49


    It's the last episode of our first podcast season! Thank you to everyone that has listened, subscribed and rated the podcast so far. It has been amazing to have you on this journey with us. To close off the season, Michael & Evie catch up to share: Our reflections on the podcast and how we found the experience. Our life updates and why we're taking a break from recording. & we answer your questions on: - How to adapt to the first 30-90 days in a new role - Risks and rewards in Product Strategy - Where do we see ourselves professionally in 5 years time Enjoy all of the insights, and we can't wait to see you back in the New Year! Thanks for joining us and sharing the last 12 episodes with us, Michael & Evie

    011 | Leanne Gill on the ups, downs & successes of Agile Transformation.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2023 34:13


    This week we were joined by Leanne Gill, an Agile Transformation expert. Leanne has worked across a range of organisations to help them to become more Agile, and grow in their product maturity. In this episode we discuss: - How to successfully go through agile transformation - How to bring your team on the journey with you - How Agile looks different in every organisation - How to pick your battles as you work through Product Maturity It's a great listen for any Product person looking to grow Agile maturity in their team, or in their wider business. We all know that it's not always easy to bring other people on the journey of to do Product well! So grab a bevvie, and find some comfort in hearing the highs and lows of someone else driving positive product change!

    010 | Graham Reed: A deep dive into Product Operations & Mental Health for PMs

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2023 52:17


    In our latest episode, we were excited to be joined by Product Operations expert, and positive mental health advocate - Graham Reed. Have you heard all about Product Operations this year? But you're not quite sure what it entails, or how it can add value? Graham shares all of these insights, talks through the practicalities of doing Product Operations well, and the importance of defining exactly what Product Operations is in the ever-changing Product landscape. Graham is also the founder of the Product Mind Community. A growing community that exists to support PMs with their mental health, something that we have covered on many of our episodes and know is crucial to people in our industry. Graham shares his experience with this, and how the community is supporting PMs to have a safe space to sharing everything Product related. We hope you enjoy. As always, like, subscribe & leave a review if you do!

    009 | Andy Walsh on the jump from product to programme management

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2023 40:06


    Andy Walsh is currently a Senior Product Manager at the BBC. Having previously worked as both a product manager and a programme leader at the Department for Education. In this episode, Andy reflects on what it was like making the jump from being a product manager into being a a manager of product managers, including what he feels are the transferable skills. Andy also shared why he's made the decision to go back into straight up product management in his new role at the BBC. This episode is great for anyone considering entering leadership and is full of top tips.

    008 | Darinka Burovska covers Product Discovery, Cultural Differences & Digital Nomad Life.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2023 40:27


    We were super excited to be joined by Darinka Burovska on our latest episode of Product Confidential. Darinka is a Product Discovery superstar, with knowledge on how to implement best practises across the world. In this episode we explore how to best develop Product Discovery in your organisation, how to carry out discovery across cultures & we talk about what it is really like to be a digital nomad - and perhaps how you could make this lifestyle work for you! Darinka has a load of interesting stories to share and really is an inspiration in the way that she lives her life and works with Product teams. Enjoy! & as ever, subscribe and review if you do.

    007| George Manea on High Performing Teams

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2023 44:24


    Evie and Michael catch up with George Manea, Senior Product Manager at MoneySuperMarket. The central topic is high performing teams as George covers what traits they posses as well as sharing some aspirational goals for anyone trying to create one. The conversation also explores what it's like working for MoneySuperMarket taking a deep dive into what makes their culture successful before taking a look at George's unique career path that took him from working in a recycling factory through to where he is today with lots of interesting steps and lessons along the way.

    006 | Nick Jemetta on Mental Health, Mindset & Human Skills

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2023 58:28


    We're joined by Nick Jemetta for an amazingly educational and inspiring episode. Nick's mission is to make the workplace 1% better each day. He brings to life a tonne of experience from mental health to digital transformations to achieve this with different organisations. In this episode Nick speaks about: His own mental health journey, opening up a conversation about our experiences How to talk to others about mental health The top mindset that Product Managers can adopt Human skills, and how you can learn them & How to work on Digital Transformations I'm sure you'll find so much value in this episode, and will be able to relate to a what of what we chat about. As ever, if you find it helpful - please leave us a glowing review! Books: Never split the difference - Chris Voss with Tahl Raz A path through the jungle - Steve Peters Others: Pockets of Brilliance - Pippa Topp

    005 | James Whitman talks about Product Culture, Burnout & the Beauty of Pivoting Early.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2023 63:37


    Evie and Michael here. In our latest episode, we're joined by James Whitman. James is Head of Product at Reach, and a Product Coach. James shares his Product journey, his experience in creating an amazing Product Culture in his team, and how to make decisions and have conversations about the tricky topic - pivoting a Product / feature when it is not working. We also talk about burnout and how to manage your own time and boundaries to help prevent this. Enjoy the show and, if you enjoy the show, please remember to subscribe or leave a review.

    004 | Ekaete Inyang on building Data Products, working with stakeholders and leveraging influence.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2023 53:18


    We're joined in our latest episode by Ekaete Inyang for an extremely fun chat about: How she transitioned from Publishing to Product Management Our knowledge, insights and learnings on how to work with different stakeholders and leverage influence Ekaete provides amazing insights on the whats and hows of building data Products. Enjoy! & if you do, please leave us a review and spread the word. Evie & Michael.

    003 | Adil Hussain talks about the associate PM role and non-traditional routes into product

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2023 46:40


    In this episode, Adil Hussain chats to Evie and Michael about.. What it was like starting off as an associate product manager Early stage PM career advice His work with Muslamic Makers And why and how he set up his own product course, Productology! Sit back, enjoy and

    002 | Niko Noll talks about Product Discovery, LinkedIn and Freelancing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2023 59:42


    Evie and Michael here. In our second episode, we're joined by a great guest - Niko Noll. Niko is a freelance product discovery consultant with an impressive history of helping companies improve their product discovery practice. Niko shares some of his journey into this role, some amazing product discovery tips and gives some great advice on why it's benefitial to build your personal brand on LinkedIn. We also try out a new feature in which they learn what our guests are reading or the last thing they've learnt that's helped them in their craft. Enjoy the show and, if you enjoy the show, please remember to subscribe or leave a review. Show notes Niko's book recommendation - 'The Minimalist Entrepreneur: How Great Founders Do More with Less' by Sahil Lavingia Michael mentions 'Inspired' by Marty Cagan

    001 | Welcome to Product Confidential, with your hosts - Michael & Evie

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 36:11


    We're launching our new podcast to share all of the ins and outs of the realities of being a PM. We kick-off the podcast by diving straight into the ins and outs of our own careers - with insights on routes into Product, dispelling one of the key Product Manager myths & tips to help you succeed as a Product Manager, even when it feels tough. We hope you get a tonne of useful insights from our experiences!

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