Podcasts about mom test

Did you like the episode? Send me a text and let me know!! How to Validate Your Business Idea Without Building a Single ThingEver had a "billion-dollar idea" only to have it flop at launch? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on why most startups fail and—more importantly—how you can ensure yours doesn't. We're exploring the frameworks of Alberto Savoia, Strategizer, and Rob Fitzpatrick to help you find the truth before you spend a dime on engineering.Key Timestamps:[00:01:30] The FLOP Framework: Why failure is usually about the Premise, not the Launch or Operation.[00:03:30] The Mom Test: Why your friends are lying to you and how to fix it through Pathological Approval Seeking (PAOS) awareness.[00:04:45] Three Rules for Customer Discovery: How to talk about life, not ideas.[00:07:30] Feasibility vs. Desirability: Why the "Can we build it?" question should always come second.[00:10:45] Pretotyping with an "E": Defining YODA (Your Own Data) and skin in the game.[00:11:30] The Fake Door Method: Testing demand for $20 with a "Buy Now" button.[00:13:30] The Facade Method: Lessons from the Zappos origin story.[00:15:30] The Mechanical Turk: How "Josh Bot" saved $500k by using a human in a box.[00:17:30] Guerrilla Validation: The IKEA "Wall Hub" story and testing physical products.[00:22:30] The Ego Trap: Why we use complex engineering to hide from rejection.Featured Books & Resources:"The Mom Test" by Rob Fitzpatrick: The gold standard for customer conversations.Alberto Savoia (Stanford Seminars): The creator of Pretotyping and the Law of Market Failure.The Lean Startup Methodology: Foundational principles for validated learning.Strategizer (Alexander Osterwalder): Tools for testing business models and desirability.The Law of Market Failure: Most products fail because the market doesn't care (Premise failure).Pretotyping vs. Prototyping: A pretotype tests if you  Reclaim your "zone of genius" by letting Opus Clip automatically turn your long-form podcast into dozens of viral-ready shorts—start your free trial today at podnationopus.com For a 15% discount on your first purchase go RYZEsuoerfoods.com use code PODNA15 Thank you for being a Skoobeliever!! If you have questions about the show or you want to be a guest please contact me at one of these social mediasTwitter......... ..@djskoob2021 Facebook.........Facebook.com/skoobamiInstagram..... instagram.com/uepodcast2021tiktok....... @djskoob2021Email............... Uepodcast2021@gmail.com Skoob at Gettin' Basted Facebook PageAcross The Start Line Facebook Community Find out what one of the four hurdles of stop is affecting you the most!!Black Friday coaching Sale now!! 65% off original price! go to stan.store/skoob to book your appointment and take advantage of this limited time offer! On Twitter @doittodaycoachdoingittodaycoaching@gmailcom

Send a textCameron and Gabe sit down with Girish Redekar, co-founder and CEO of Sprinto, to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood areas of security: compliance.Girish built his first startup, RecruiterBox, to 3,500 customers before selling it, and it was the painful, expensive, duct-taped compliance process he experienced firsthand that sparked the idea for Sprinto. Today, Sprinto helps companies move beyond point-in-time audits into something far more valuable: continuous, autonomous trust.In this episode, we dig into:Why passing a SOC 2 or ISO 27001 audit doesn't mean you're actually secureThe three stages of compliance maturity — and how to climb themWhat "compliance debt" is and why it's quietly eating your businessHow smart CISOs use their security posture as a revenue driver, not a back-office cost centerThe "$100/month" challenge: what actually moves the needle for startupsHow AI is reshaping compliance programs — for better or worseWhy Girish spent over a year talking to customers before writing a single line of codePlus: the "sell more jeans" framework every CISO should know, Rich Hickey, The Mom Test, and the toilet paper question.

Episode 335: Navigating Public Information Campaigns and Crisis Comms with Cyndee Woolley Episode Summary In this episode of That Solo Life, hosts Karen Swim, APR, and Michelle Kane are joined by Cyndee Woolley, MBA, APR, President and Founder of C2 Communications. Together, they dive deep into the nuanced world of public information campaigns and crisis communications for local communities. While national headlines often grab the most attention, Cyndee explains why decisions made at county commission meetings and in local municipalities often have a more direct impact on our daily lives. Cyndee shares her extensive experience working with organizations like Waste Management and mosquito control districts to turn dry, often misunderstood topics into engaging community stories. From "bear-resistant carts" to turning landfill gas into energy, she illustrates how strategic messaging can cut through the clutter. The conversation also tackles the critical importance of crisis communications for small businesses and local leaders. Cyndee offers candid advice on why "owning it" and apologizing is often the best strategy when trust is broken, and why every PR pro needs to pass the "Mom Test" before releasing a statement. Whether you are a solo PR pro looking to better serve local clients or a communicator interested in the power of community engagement, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building trust and activating audiences. Episode Highlights [02:01] Public Information Campaigns: Cyndee discusses the challenges of getting communities to understand government services and how local decisions impact daily life more than national ones. [03:38] The Recycling Reality: Insight into the misinformation surrounding recycling and how tours and transparency can change public perception. [06:39] Creative Storytelling: How Cyndee used "bear-resistant carts" and landfill gas-to-energy stories to engage the public in waste management topics. [08:10] Crisis Communications for Small Business: Why even small organizations need a plan for when—not if—a crisis occurs, from employee misconduct to leadership failures. [12:12] The Power of the Apology: A look at real-world examples where refusing to apologize prolonged a crisis, versus how owning mistakes can help rebuild trust. [14:51] The "Mom Test": A simple but powerful metric for decision-making in crisis management—would your mom be proud of the action you are taking? [21:47] Case Study - Mosquito Control: How the Zika crisis transformed a quiet organization into a proactive communicator by opening doors to community leaders. [26:50] Activating Audiences: Why tangible, meaningful involvement (like planting gardens) beats passive information consumption every time. About Cyndee Woolley Cyndee Woolley, MBA, APR, is the President and Founder of C2 Communications. She has built her career on the principle that effective communication requires more than just data—it demands strategic messaging that resonates authentically. Cyndee specializes in community outreach and public information campaigns, helping organizations navigate complex challenges and build lasting trust with their stakeholders. She is a passionate advocate for the profession and a "giant nerd" when it comes to learning new story angles and tools. Connect with Cyndee: LinkedIn Profile Website: C2-com.com Host & Show Info That Solo Life is a podcast created for public relations, communication, and marketing professionals who work as independent and small practitioners. Hosted by Karen Swim, APR, founder of Words For Hire and President of Solo PR, and Michelle Kane, Principal of Voice Matters, the show delivers expert insights, encouragement, and advice for solo PR pros navigating today's dynamic professional landscape. Stay Connected: Subscribe to the Podcast: Don't miss an episode! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to get the latest tips and tricks for your solo PR journey. Join the Community: Visit Solo PR Pro for resources, networking, and support designed specifically for independent communicators. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review and share it with a colleague!

How can you get honest feedback on your ideas, without putting pressure on others to just tell you what you want to hear? In today's coaching episode, Will explains "the mom test," based on a book he read, that offers a strategy you can use today. Join our Patreon: patreon.com/writerscircle Want to support the show? Email Will: hello@writerscircle.co Join Will's newsletter: writerscircle.co Substack: https://willparkeranderson.substack.com/ Instagram: @willparkeranderson

Today's episode goes deep into all of the design details in a new video collaboration tool called Flask.But the reason I'm so inspired by this product goes far beyond the UI/UX…Flask is designed and built by one person—Enrico Tartarotti—who was a PM before this so his journey is the perfect example of what it looks like to thrive as a generalist builder.So this episode tells the story of what it took to build a well-crafted product and all of the lessons that he learned along the way.Enrico references the Mom Test for user research and the episode with the Supercut Founders

Andy Pernsteiner is the Field CTO at VAST Data, working on large-scale AI infrastructure, serverless compute near data, and the rollout of VAST's AI Operating System.The GPU Uptime Battle // MLOps Podcast #346 with Andy Pernsteiner, Field CTO of VAST Data.Huge thanks to VAST Data for supporting this episode!Join the Community: https://go.mlops.community/YTJoinInGet the newsletter: https://go.mlops.community/YTNewsletter// AbstractMost AI projects don't fail because of bad models; they fail because of bad data plumbing. Andy Pernsteiner joins the podcast to talk about what it actually takes to build production-grade AI systems that aren't held together by brittle ETL scripts and data copies. He unpacks why unifying data - rather than moving it - is key to real-time, secure inference, and how event-driven, Kubernetes-native pipelines are reshaping the way developers build AI applications. It's a conversation about cutting out the complexity, keeping data live, and building systems smart enough to keep up with your models. // BioAndy is the Field Chief Technology Officer at VAST, helping customers build, deploy, and scale some of the world's largest and most demanding computing environments.Andy has spent the past 15 years focused on supporting and building large-scale, high-performance data platform solutions. From humble beginnings as an escalations engineer at pre-IPO Isilon, to leading a team of technical Ninjas at MapR, he's consistently been in the frontlines solving some of the toughest challenges that customers face when implementing Big Data Analytics and next-generation AI solutions.// Related LinksWebsite: www.vastdata.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYIEgFyHaxkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyDHIMniLro The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick: https://www.momtestbook.com/~~~~~~~~ ✌️Connect With Us ✌️ ~~~~~~~Catch all episodes, blogs, newsletters, and more: https://go.mlops.community/TYExploreJoin our Slack community [https://go.mlops.community/slack]Follow us on X/Twitter [@mlopscommunity](https://x.com/mlopscommunity) or [LinkedIn](https://go.mlops.community/linkedin)] Sign up for the next meetup: [https://go.mlops.community/register]MLOps Swag/Merch: [https://shop.mlops.community/]Connect with Demetrios on LinkedIn: /dpbrinkmConnect with Andy on LinkedIn: /andypernsteinerTimestamps:[00:00] Prototype to production gap[00:21] AI expectations vs reality[03:00] Prototype vs production costs[07:47] Technical debt awareness[10:13] The Mom Test[15:40] Chaos engineering[22:25] Data messiness reflection[26:50] Small data value[30:53] Platform engineer mindset shift[34:26] Gradient description comparison[38:12] Empathy in MLOps[45:48] Empathy in Engineering[51:04] GPU clusters rolling updates[1:03:14] Checkpointing strategy comparison[1:09:44] Predictive vs Generative AI[1:17:51] On Growth, Community, and New Directions[1:24:21] UX of agents[1:32:05] Wrap up

DEMAIN je reçois ⁠Gauthier Henroz, CEO de ⁠Chift⁠, une startup belge qui unifie les API comptables et financières à travers l'Europe. En trois ans, Chift est passé de trois potes dans un bureau bruxellois à une startup européenne de 30 personnes.Ici, il me parle de ses débuts avec Chift, comment trouver son p-Product-Market Fit grâce notamment au Mom Test.Dans l'épisode de demain, on parle de :

Moms, Startups, and Holy GritWhat if a $5 coffee and a little confetti could change a mother's day? We sit with founder and mom of four, Rachel Frosch, to unpack how a hand‑stitched idea became Mom Badge—a simple, beautiful way to see, support, and celebrate moms right when it matters. Rachel traces the journey from education and professional development to the startup world, revealing how her knack for championing teachers now fuels a platform built to honor the invisible work of motherhood. You'll hear how fabric badges turned digital, why beauty makes care feel real, and how small, timely gestures—paired with gift cards and video messages—become lifelines during the hardest weeks.This conversation goes beyond product into the marrow of building: faith as the practice of taking the next step, the “manna in the desert” seasons, and the very real tech hurdles of shipping, bugs, and platform changes while bootstrapping. We talk Twin Cities Startup Week, ILT Academy, and the Empower Her community that's creating honest, non‑competitive spaces for female founders. Rachel shares advice on problem–solution fit, The Mom Test, and guarding your early vision from advice overload. She also gets candid about identity, the line between Founder‑You and Real‑You, and the kind of self‑care that actually refuels—morning runs, planned joy, and presence with family.If you've ever felt the tension between calling and capacity, motherhood and metrics, this story will meet you where you are. Expect practical insights for entrepreneurs, tender reframes for parents, and a nudge to send that tiny kindness today. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who could use a little confetti and a lot of encouragement.Resources:TC MN Start Up weekStella FoundationConnect with Rachel:IG: @mombadgeappLinkedIn(Personal): Rachel FroschLinkedIn(Business): Mom BadgeDownload Mom Badge App HEREContact the Host, Kelly Kirk: Email: info.ryh7@gmail.com Get Connected/Follow: The Hue Drop Newsletter: Subscribe Here IG: @ryh_pod & @thekelly.tanke.kirk Facebook: Reclaiming Your Hue Facebook Page CAKES Affiliate Link: KELLYKIRK Credits: Editor: Joseph Kirk Music: Kristofer Tanke Thanks for listening & cheers to Reclaiming Your Hue!

In deze aflevering duiken Jeroen en Marijn in Fase 2 van de Novum Innovatiemethode: Begrijpen. De fase waarin je écht leert wat het probleem is en voor wie je het oplost.

Alex Sanfilippo shares how PodMatch is revolutionizing podcast guest booking through an innovative platform that functions like a dating app for interviews. He explains the platform's unique business model and why he believes community building is the future of podcasting.• PodMatch connects podcast hosts and guests while automating administrative functions• The platform charges a small fee to ensure users are serious, creating a "law of buy-in"• Through the Pod Value Initiative, PodMatch has given back nearly $900,000 to podcasters• Each profile doubles as a professional media one-sheet with SEO benefits• Audio content remains powerful because it doesn't intrude on people's busy lives• Quality content is essential as the barrier to entry remains low• The "Mom Test" helps podcasters get honest feedback from listeners• Building community with listeners provides valuable insights for improvement• Hosts should ask listeners how they found the show, what they like, how to improve, and what problems they need solvedTo sign up for PodMatch or access free podcasting resources, visit podmatch.com/free.Send James & Sam a messageSupport the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.net Fediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.social Support us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/support Get Podnews: podnews.net

Alex Sanfilippo shares how PodMatch is revolutionizing podcast guest booking through an innovative platform that functions like a dating app for interviews. He explains the platform's unique business model and why he believes community building is the future of podcasting.• PodMatch connects podcast hosts and guests while automating administrative functions• The platform charges a small fee to ensure users are serious, creating a "law of buy-in"• Through the Pod Value Initiative, PodMatch has given back nearly $900,000 to podcasters• Each profile doubles as a professional media one-sheet with SEO benefits• Audio content remains powerful because it doesn't intrude on people's busy lives• Quality content is essential as the barrier to entry remains low• The "Mom Test" helps podcasters get honest feedback from listeners• Building community with listeners provides valuable insights for improvement• Hosts should ask listeners how they found the show, what they like, how to improve, and what problems they need solvedTo sign up for PodMatch or access free podcasting resources, visit podmatch.com/free.

Alex Sanfilippo shares how PodMatch is revolutionizing podcast guest booking through an innovative platform that functions like a dating app for interviews. He explains the platform's unique business model and why he believes community building is the future of podcasting.• PodMatch connects podcast hosts and guests while automating administrative functions• The platform charges a small fee to ensure users are serious, creating a "law of buy-in"• Through the Pod Value Initiative, PodMatch has given back nearly $900,000 to podcasters• Each profile doubles as a professional media one-sheet with SEO benefits• Audio content remains powerful because it doesn't intrude on people's busy lives• Quality content is essential as the barrier to entry remains low• The "Mom Test" helps podcasters get honest feedback from listeners• Building community with listeners provides valuable insights for improvement• Hosts should ask listeners how they found the show, what they like, how to improve, and what problems they need solvedTo sign up for PodMatch or access free podcasting resources, visit podmatch.com/free.

Alex Sanfilippo shares how PodMatch is revolutionizing podcast guest booking through an innovative platform that functions like a dating app for interviews. He explains the platform's unique business model and why he believes community building is the future of podcasting.• PodMatch connects podcast hosts and guests while automating administrative functions• The platform charges a small fee to ensure users are serious, creating a "law of buy-in"• Through the Pod Value Initiative, PodMatch has given back nearly $900,000 to podcasters• Each profile doubles as a professional media one-sheet with SEO benefits• Audio content remains powerful because it doesn't intrude on people's busy lives• Quality content is essential as the barrier to entry remains low• The "Mom Test" helps podcasters get honest feedback from listeners• Building community with listeners provides valuable insights for improvement• Hosts should ask listeners how they found the show, what they like, how to improve, and what problems they need solvedTo sign up for PodMatch or access free podcasting resources, visit podmatch.com/free.

Alex Sanfilippo shares how PodMatch is revolutionizing podcast guest booking through an innovative platform that functions like a dating app for interviews. He explains the platform's unique business model and why he believes community building is the future of podcasting.• PodMatch connects podcast hosts and guests while automating administrative functions• The platform charges a small fee to ensure users are serious, creating a "law of buy-in"• Through the Pod Value Initiative, PodMatch has given back nearly $900,000 to podcasters• Each profile doubles as a professional media one-sheet with SEO benefits• Audio content remains powerful because it doesn't intrude on people's busy lives• Quality content is essential as the barrier to entry remains low• The "Mom Test" helps podcasters get honest feedback from listeners• Building community with listeners provides valuable insights for improvement• Hosts should ask listeners how they found the show, what they like, how to improve, and what problems they need solvedTo sign up for PodMatch or access free podcasting resources, visit podmatch.com/free.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Joe Jones discuss:The transition from traditional legal practice to entrepreneurshipStrategies for evaluating and managing professional riskTools and systems that support solo and startup legal venturesThe mindset and preparation needed to pursue legal tech innovation Key Takeaways:Successfully transitioning from law firm practice to a tech-driven startup can be less daunting when done gradually, by maintaining income and slowly validating the new concept before fully stepping away.Fear of entrepreneurial failure can be reduced by building out clear backup plans—even unconventional ones—to provide psychological safety and optionality during uncertain times.Implementing automated scheduling systems and encouraging clients to use them can significantly reduce administrative burden, lower phone interruptions, and create a more organized and prepared client experience.New product ideas should be tested not by pitching, but by asking target users how they currently solve the problem, which leads to more honest feedback and uncovers existing competitors or gaps in the market. "There's just so many tools out there that you can get that aren't very expensive, that take a huge headache away from you." —  Joe Jones Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers' Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT Thank you to our Sponsors!Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/ Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/ Episode References: The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick: https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Test-customers-business-everyone/dp/1492180742About Joe Jones: Joe Jones is a board-certified personal injury trial lawyer, the Co-Founder and CEO of StreamSettle, and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with a driving passion for resolving conflict. From his early days in his law school's Mediation Clinic to serving as a Judge Advocate in the Marines, Joe has been helping people find solutions to their legal disputes.After a successful run managing a Houston office for a top Texas personal injury firm and making partner, Joe's entrepreneurial spirit led him to launch Joe Jones Law Firm. But he didn't stop there. Seeing a need for innovation, he co-founded StreamSettle with his wife Chrysa—a software solution shaking up the dispute resolution world.When he's not working, Joe is all about family, cheering on Texas A&M and Houston sports teams, playing music, and hitting the slopes.Connect with Joe Jones:  Website: https://streamsettle.com/Email: jjones@streamsettle.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-jones-9802a3a/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/streamsettleConnect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

(Airdate: 7.17.25) Congrats to us! The Who Cares News just ranked 6th out of The Top 100 Entertainment Podcasts! And we're celebrating the only way we know how—with stories that absolutely don't matter (but you need to hear). First up, Tori Spelling turned her old breast implants into DIY bookends. Yes, really. Then we get spellbound over whispers of Hocus Pocus 3 (Morgan's already lighting the Black Flame Candle), and finally, Nicolas Cage claims he didn't pass the Mom Test when he dated Sarah Jessica Parker. Ghosted by SJP... tragic or iconic? You decide. #WhoCaresButWeDo And @HalleBerry Listen to the daily Van Camp and Morgan radio show at: https://vancampandmorgan.com/stations buy us a coffee    

Ever wonder what it takes to leave a "dream job" in high finance managing billions to build something from scratch? What do you learn at the highest levels of investing that can be applied to solving messy, real-world problems? This episode is a masterclass in exactly that. Meet Daniel Shonrom. After a 13-year career at institutions like Michael Dell's family office and a $73B hedge fund, he walked away to fix one of the most broken parts of healthcare. He founded Exceptional, a fast-growing software company that is making waves by solving problems most founders would never even see. In this deep-dive conversation, Meny Hoffman sits down with Daniel to uncover his playbook for finding true product-market fit, building an elite team of "drivers," and applying the principles of high-stakes investing to the world of startups. You'll discover:

In this Building a Business on Your Own Terms episode, Sarah sits down with Matt Cross, co-founder of Harvest Chocolate, a bean-to-bar chocolate company in Tecumseh, Michigan. Matt shares how he and his wife Elizabeth transformed their culinary expertise into a thriving chocolate business that started in their kitchen during the pandemic and now operates a successful retail location with multiple sales channels. Matt reveals how Office Hours helped confirm his business was financially healthy and ready for strategic growth. Listeners will discover practical insights about: Using profit assessment to validate your business model before focusing on growth The power of creating simple revenue forecasts to set realistic channel-specific goals Leveraging data tools like Report Pundit to automatically track sales performance against targets This conversation is packed with actionable advice for food entrepreneurs looking to make data-driven decisions without getting overwhelmed. Matt's approach demonstrates how understanding your numbers leads to smarter growth strategies and ultimately the dream of "making more money while working less." Join the CFO Office Hours waiting list Connect with Matt: Website:Harvest ChocolateInstagram: @harvestcraftchocolate LinkedIn: Harvest Chocolate Get your copy of the latest Book Club selection:, The Mom Test, and RSVP for our Virtual Discussion   Join The Good Food CFO Community:  Follow us on Instagram: @thegoodfoodcfo  Connect on LinkedIn: @sarahdelevan  Watch on YouTube: @thegoodfoodcfo  Become a Member: BABOYOT

There's no shortage of advice to be found on how to grow your audience. But how closely does that advice align with how podcast listeners say they actually find, choose (and abandon) the shows they listen to? It turns out, there are a number of surveys that have asked listeners to share their discovery and consumption habits. And while the data can sometimes contradict itself, it offers us as creators a peek behind the curtain into podcast listeners' hidden psychology, so that we can better meet them where they're at with our marketing and our shows. What's more, this data offers us a blueprint for the questions to ask (and avoid) when conducting our own listener research.

Growth doesn't have to mean being everywhere at once or chasing every shiny new tactic.In this episode of No Hacks, I talk with Ward van Gasteren — one of Europe's first growth hackers — about how to grow smarter, not louder. Ward shares his go-to method for helping early-stage startups: the 1-1-1 Framework — one audience, one channel, one message.We dig into how founders and product teams can stop spreading themselves too thin, avoid early-stage overwhelm, and finally find traction through focus. Ward explains the difference between growth and traditional marketing, how to approach experimentation, and why most companies waste time on strategies that don't serve their stage.Whether you're building a company, a product, or even a podcast — this conversation will help you cut through the noise and grow with clarity.Topics Covered:How to stop doing too much and focus on what worksThe 1-1-1 Framework for early-stage clarityWhy founders waste time on channels that aren't readyThe role of experimentation beyond A/B testingChoosing the right growth metrics and north starWhy organic social is rarely a growth engineBuilding scalable systems after early tractionAI's impact on speed (but not necessarily quality)How podcast growth follows the same principles as startup growthAbout the Guest:Ward van Gasteren is a growth consultant and one of Europe's first professional growth hackers. Through his platform Grow with Ward, he helps early-stage startups create growth strategies that actually work — without burning out in the process.Ward has worked with companies across industries to simplify how they think about growth, run smarter experiments, and scale what's already working. His 1-1-1 Framework has helped founders build real traction by focusing on the right things — not everything.Timestamps:00:00:00 – What does a growth consultant really do?00:06:07 – Breaking down the 1-1-1 Framework: one audience, one channel, one message00:10:27 – Brand-building vs. selling: when organic social actually helps00:15:30 – Ward's favorite growth tool (and why he'd ditch GA4)00:20:07 – Growth vs. Marketing: different teams, different goals00:25:08 – How AI tools help with speed, but not necessarily with strategy00:30:24 – Getting honest customer feedback and applying “The Mom Test”00:35:16 – Ward's growth program and where to follow his workConnect with Ward: → Website: https://growwithward.com → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wardvangasteren/---If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend!No Hacks websiteYouTubeLinkedInInstagram

Ivan Barajas Vargas is Co-Founder and CEO at Muuktest, world-class QA 100% done-for-you. Seed funded.Here's what we cover:What is Service-as-a-Software;How do you incorporate customer research at Muuktest;The Mom Test;What are some of your goals with customer research;What questions are you asking;How are you using research insights;Do you ask customers where do they learn and hang out;Why understanding “whole-person” with your research is important and goes beyond just your product;Why is customer research important;What are your challenges with customer research;There are so many voices, who should you listen to when you do this research.Ivan on LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/ivanbarajasvargas Muuktest: ⁠⁠⁠⁠muuktest.com For more content, subscribe to Building With Buyers on Apple or Spotify or wherever you like to listen, and don't forget to leave a review if you're lovin' the show. Music by my talented daughter.Anna on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.linkedin.com/in/annafurmanov⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠furmanovmarketing.com

In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, David Hirschfeld shares his extensive experience in the tech industry, focusing on the transformative impact of AI on startups and business operations. He emphasizes the importance of understanding product-market fit, the distinction between needs and wants, and the lessons learned from both successful and failed ventures. Hirschfeld also discusses practical applications of AI, particularly in healthcare, and the common pitfalls companies face when integrating AI into their workflows. In this conversation, David Hirschfeld discusses the cultural acceptance of AI in companies, the importance of having a strategic implementation plan, and the fear of missing out that drives many organizations to adopt AI hastily. He emphasizes the need for companies to assess whether to build or buy AI solutions based on their core competencies. Additionally, he introduces the 'Launch First' method for startups, which encourages early customer engagement and financial commitments to validate product ideas before full development. The discussion concludes with practical advice for founders on workflow and market validation.Takeaways AI is a transformative force in the tech industry. Understanding product-market fit is crucial for startup success. Founders often confuse needs with wants in their market. Fear is a significant driver of consumer purchasing decisions. Listening to customer feedback is essential for product development. Successful startups focus on solving problems, not just building products. AI can automate processes and improve efficiency in businesses. Cultural acceptance is vital when integrating AI into workflows. Startups should prioritize selling over seeking funding. Education and training can help alleviate fears about AI. Companies often lack a strategic game plan for AI. Fear of missing out can lead to hasty AI adoption. Understanding AI's limitations is essential for effective use. Deciding to build or buy AI solutions depends on core competencies. The 'Launch First' method can improve startup success rates. Early customer engagement is key to validating product ideas. Focus on solving customer problems rather than just features. The Mom Test is a valuable resource for understanding customer needs.Chapters00:00 The Evolution of AI in Tech02:59 Understanding Product-Market Fit06:01 The Importance of Needs vs. Wants08:57 Learning from Success and Failure12:13 Navigating AI in Business14:57 Practical Applications of AI in Healthcare22:09 Cultural Acceptance of AI in Companies23:04 Implementation Strategies for AI24:26 The Fear of Missing Out on AI26:32 Build vs. Buy: AI Solutions28:35 The Launch First Method for Startups40:27 Advice for Founders on Workflow and LaunchingDavid Hirschfeld's Social Media Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhirschfeld/https://www.instagram.com/tekyzinchttps://www.facebook.com/dmhirschfeldDavid Hirschfeld's Website:https://tekyz.com/Resources and Links:https://www.hireclout.comhttps://www.podcast.hireclout.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright

This week, on Today In Space...our first 'Tech Talk' about AI & Business (with some aspirational takes on the role of AI in Humanity's future on Earth and in Space). Our guest David Hirschfeld, CEO of Tekyz, shares the knowledge of his 35-year career in software, including his origin story founding a vending machine software company that grew to 800 customers in 22 countries! We discuss business and AI; including Tekyz's take on the importance of product-market fit and early customer engagement given that "95-98%" of startups fail. David introduced "Launch First," a strategy for pre-launch sales to validate market demand, sharing success stories of securing $70,000 in 60 days for a real estate product and $250,000 for clinical trial software. Long story short - David was a wealth of knowledge and practical expertise, and we talked about almost anything and everything tech, AI, and even philosophy and business along with some laughs! With the way 2025 is shaping up, AI and technology will continue to make a difference in our lives. Our goal is to dive-in head first, try to understand the unknown and talk to experts along the way and share it with you. Our goal is to face our fear of the unknow and try to understand the magic behind it, using the scientific mindset as our guide. If AI's promise of impact is anywhere close to humanity discovering fire, then every little bit of understanding we have will help us make a better future for the world tomorrow. While we definitely recommend you do your homework, all you need to do is get comfortable, get ready to listen, and dive in with us. Alex shares some of his thoughts and concerns about AI, and the two have a great debate of ideas and topics, some of which include: The Value-Add for AI and how it can help you Concerns about AI and Corruption The Quality of data used to train AI models The Energy consumption of AI at scale  The future of AI in Space Travel Examples of real life applications of AI to make life better for individuals and businesses We thank David for joining us and being such a great guest! We look forward to checking in with him in the future and see if any of his predictions were spot on. Check out his new podcast, "Scaling Smarter" at https://tekyz.podbean.com/.  People interested at becoming a guest can schedule at scalingsmarter.net Note: The description above was drafted entirely by Otter. AI from the audio recording of this podcast. It was edited by a human, Alex G. Orphanos. Keywords: software industry, enterprise projects, vending software, trade show success, startup challenges, product market fit, customer feedback, Mom Test, clinician mindset, Launch First, pre-launch sales, AI tools, code generation, market disruption, self-driving cars, AI innovation, Star Trek economy, financial greed, AI training, useful data, internet infrastructure, power consumption, AI race, large language models, agentic workflows, workflow automation, podcast automation, AI as friend, AI feedback, AI bottlenecks Timestamps: 00:00 David Hirschfield's Career Journey 04:18 Early Startup Experiences and Lessons  10:41 The Importance of Understanding People in Business  14:06 Launch First and Pre-Launch Sales Strategy 27:35 The Role of AI in Business and Future Predictions 28:06 The Impact of AI on Everyday Life and Business 01:00:17 The Evolution of AI and Its Practical Applications  01:09:16 The Future of AI and Its Broader Implications 01:09:05 AI's Potential and Ethical Concerns  01:13:58 AI's Energy Consumption and Practical Applications  01:19:49 Advancements in AI Technology and Workflow Automation  01:22:48 The Future of AI in Human Space Travel 01:24:12 AI as a Collaborative Tool and Personal Reflections 01:24:30 Closing Remarks and Contact Information -------------------------- Here's to building a fantastic future - and continued progress in Space (and humanity)!  Spread Love, Spread Science Alex G. Orphanos We'd like to thank our sponsors: AG3D Printing Follow us: @todayinspacepod on Instagram/Twitter @todayinspace on TikTok /TodayInSpacePodcast on Facebook Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at ag3d-printing.com • Donate at todayinspace.net #space #rocket #podcast #spacex #science #3dprinting #nasa #spacetravel #spaceexploration #spacecraft #technology #aerospace #spacetechnology #engineer #stem #3dprinted #ai #aiforbusiness #aiforcreativity #bottlenecks #articificalintelligence #LLM   

Get Noticed! Send a text.Struggling to find quality podcast guests or break through the noise of endless pitches? Join Jim James as he interviews Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch, who's revolutionising podcast guest matching. Discover how this innovative platform solves the twin challenges faced by podcast hosts and potential guests: connecting the right people efficiently while maintaining high-quality interactions.Alex reveals his entrepreneurial journey from aerospace to creating a platform that's matched over 100,000 podcast interviews. Learn how strategic pricing, careful guest vetting, and a commitment to serving podcasters have transformed PodMatch into a game-changing service. With insights into building a successful SaaS business, managing dual marketing strategies, and avoiding feature creep, Alex shares valuable lessons for entrepreneurs.Whether you're a podcast host seeking exceptional guests or an aspiring interviewee, this episode offers a blueprint for podcasting success.Recommended Resource: Book: "The Mom Test" by Rob FitzpatrickWorld of Work Experts on the People and Performance PodcastInterviews with experts and business leaders focused on ways to inspire employees.Riverside - Your online recording studioThe easiest way to record podcasts and videos in studio quality from anywhere. All from the browser.AWeber - free email marketing Grow, sell, and engage with your audience—simple email marketing in one place. Free trial.Podcastpage.io - Launch your podcast website in minutesViddyoze: Create client-grabbing videosClient-grabbing videos in just 3 clicks with the world's most powerful video animation platformDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBe a podcast guest. Share your story.Learn how to get noticed by podcast hosts.Check out the Podcast Guest Blueprint - click the link below.https://academy.theunnoticed.cc/

VIDEO INTRODUCTION: This Video is Sponsored By Google Play. In today's episode of the Indian Business Podcast, in collaboration with Google Play's Startup Spotlights, we're excited to welcome Harshil Karia and Aayush Anand, the founders of Level Supermind. Join us as they share their journey in creating a leading mental wellness app that has garnered over a million downloads and a significant number of paying subscribers, all while being named Google Play's App of the Year. Discover the challenges they faced during app development, their innovative growth strategies, and how they built a loyal user base in a price-sensitive market. This episode is perfect for aspiring app developers, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the mental wellness tech landscape. If you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just curious about business growth, this episode is a must-listen! We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Level Supermind App: https://install.lvl.fit/c832evwe0qt0k73e8m2a0u Youtube channel:  @LevelSuperMind.  0:00 - Trailer 1:40 - Intro 3:50 - How did you find a gap in the market? 8:30 - What kind of Market Research did you do? 12:20 - What is the MOM Test? 16:45 - What were the major insights from the MOM Test? 17:57- Breaking down the Science of Meditation 21:13 - When is the right time to develop an App? 23:39 - What are some Cost-effective Tools for App Development? 26:36 - How do you grow your User Base? 29:16 - What is the Product-Market Fit test? 34:53 - How do you prioritise problems as a Founder? 39:09 - Hyper-optimising with the help of Google's Appscale Academy 41:46 - What is App store optimization (ASO)? 44:21 - What is a Benchmark Test? 46:55 - Understanding the AARRR Framework? 48:16 - What is an Aha Moment? 49:05 - Feature Based Retention 54:32 - Communication based Retention 00:59:05 - How to leverage and convert users into paying customers? 01:01:49 - How do you Catalyse Referrals? 01:03:20 - What is the Traction Market Fit? 01:05:15 - Tapping into Identified and unidentified segments 01:08:46 - Power of Content Marketing 01:13:35 - How effective is YouTube marketing? Our Best Indian Business Case Studies: 1. Asian paints - https://youtu.be/jGT6ob8hV6M 2. Amul - https://youtu.be/nnwqtZiYMxQ 3. Haldiram - https://youtu.be/Z7P-t_yc8gE 4. Lijjat Papad - https://youtu.be/EdpoEmifW7M ✅Study Materials: 1. PMF Article: https://blog.superhuman.com/how-superhuman-built-an-engine-to-find-product-market-fit/ 2. PMF Tool: https://forms.gle/WDTsMnMogr41Vos7A 3. Pricing survey (not competition benchmarking): https://forms.gle/NxkLy8bZnudWQEpPA 4. Sample RICE: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1s6VE0QsFm5WqsiIiQYvyWmMV4Tyz68N_fxfwBJIgY5E/edit?usp=sharing 5. Product Newsletter to subscribe: https://dovetail.com/product-development/top-product-newsletters/ If you want to work with Level Supermind please do reach out to founders or write to us at hr@levelsupermind.com Think School is a Digital School that we all deserved, but never had ►►Check out Think School's Online courses: https://www.thethinkschool.com #thinkschool #businesscasestudy #geopolitics Credits: CNN-News 18, WION, NBC News, Money control pro, Business standard, TV18,Business Today, ABC news, CNBC, ET now ,Bloomberg originals, Financial Times, DW documentary, AL Jazeera English, BBC news, Firstpost.

Chapter 1:Summary of The Mom Test"The Mom Test" by Rob Fitzpatrick is a practical guide on how to effectively gather customer feedback and validate business ideas through conversations. The core principle of the book is that many entrepreneurs fail to get honest and useful feedback because they ask biased questions or frame their ideas in a way that leads to misleading compliments, especially from friends and family.Key points include:1. Ask Good Questions: Instead of asking if someone would buy your product, focus on their experiences, problems, and behaviors. Questions should be open-ended and designed to elicit genuine insights rather than praise.2. Avoid Pitching: When you seek feedback, avoid discussing your idea initially. This prevents the conversation from becoming a sales pitch and encourages people to share their true thoughts.3. Listen Actively: Pay attention to what the other person says. Listen for pain points and needs that might indicate a viable market opportunity.4. Seek Specificity: Encourage interviewees to provide concrete examples rather than general opinions. This can help you understand the context of their experiences and challenges.5. Stay Engaged and Iterative: Use early conversations to iterate on your understanding of the problem and refine your ideas based on real feedback.The book emphasizes that the key to successful customer validation lies in asking the right questions, maintaining an open mindset, and prioritizing genuine conversations over superficial affirmations. By applying these principles, entrepreneurs can better gauge market needs and refine their products or services accordingly.Chapter 2:The Theme of The Mom Test"The Mom Test" by Rob Fitzpatrick is a practical guide on how to conduct effective customer interviews to validate business ideas. The book emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to gain genuine insights into customer needs and preferences. Here are the key plot points, character development (in this context, more about the author's approach and perspective), and thematic ideas presented in the book: Key Plot Points1. Understanding the Problem: The book starts by establishing the common pitfalls entrepreneurs face when discussing their ideas with friends and family (the titular "Mom Test"). People often give positive feedback to avoid hurting feelings, which can lead to misconceptions about a business's viability.2. Asking the Right Questions: Fitzpatrick encourages readers to formulate questions that focus on real experiences rather than hypothetical scenarios. He outlines techniques to guide conversations that reveal truthful information from potential customers.3. The Importance of Listening: The narrative emphasizes the need for active listening during interviews. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to listen closely to what potential customers say and to observe their body language and emotions.4. Learning from Failure: The book discusses the inevitability of failure in the entrepreneurial journey and posits that failure can provide valuable learning experiences if approached correctly.5. Turning Insights into Actions: Fitzpatrick concludes by explaining how to leverage the insights gathered from customer interviews to refine business ideas and improve product development. Character DevelopmentWhile "The Mom Test" is not a narrative fiction with characters, Rob Fitzpatrick's voice and perspective serve as the central "character." His approach and development as a mentor to entrepreneurs are crucial throughout the book. - Tone of Awareness: Fitzpatrick's writing reflects awareness of common psychological biases and mistakes that entrepreneurs make. He evolves from the typical mindset of seeking validation to fostering genuine dialogue with potential users.- Guide and...

Did you like the episode? Send me a text and let me know!!Mastering Minimum Viable Products (MVP) with AI InsightsIn this episode of Business Conversations with Pi, host Scoob and his AI co-host Pi, developed by Anthropic, delve into critical topics for new entrepreneurs. They discuss what a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is, the importance of overcoming perfectionism, and strategies for launching an MVP effectively. They also provide valuable post-launch steps, recommend insightful books, and emphasize the importance of learning and iterating based on user feedback. Tune in for actionable advice and AI-enabled insights to help turn your startup dreams into reality."The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries: "Hooked" by Nir Eyal "The Startup Owner's Manual" by Steve Blank"The Mom Test" by Rob Fitzpatrick"Running Lean" by Ash Maurya00:00 Introduction to Business Conversations with Pi01:50 Defining the Minimum Viable Product (MVP)03:07 Strategies for Launching Your MVP05:02 Post-Launch Steps and Overcoming Perfectionism06:46 Recommended Reading for Entrepreneurs07:55 Final Thoughts and Encouragement08:29 Conclusion and Next Steps Thank you for being a Skoobeliever!! If you have questions about the show or you want to be a guest please contact me at one of these social mediasTwitter......... ..@djskoob2021 Facebook.........Facebook.com/skoobamiInstagram..... instagram.com/uepodcast2021tiktok....... @djskoob2021Email............... Uepodcast2021@gmail.comIf you would like to be coached on your entrepreneurial adventure please email me at for a 2 hour free discovery call! This is a $700 free gift to my Skoobelievers!! Contact me Now!! On Twitter @doittodaycoachdoingittodaycoaching@gmailcom

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Lilly Garrett, who shares her entrepreneurial journey that led her to building Maixia Marketing. She discusses the innovative strategies she has led that fueled significant growth at multiple early stage startups. Lilly emphasizes the critical role of data-driven decision-making and effective marketing foundations. Tune in for valuable insights on building a successful business from the ground up.   Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Lilly Garrett believes the hardest things in growing a small business are team building, marketing foundations, data management,and the art of prioritization.  What business book has helped you the most? Lilly Garrett's favorite business book that has helped her the most is "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Lilly Garrett recommends the following podcasts and online learning resources to help grow a small business: April Dunford, she has a blog and podcast all about positioning, it's a must read/listen for all businesses! What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Lilly Garrett recommends using Pocus, if you're sales-led and Slack for all internal comms.  What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Lilly Garrett would advise herself on day one of starting out in business to ensure you've validated as well as you possibly can (read The Mom Test) ensure to record more data asap, and collect feedback consistently, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer insights from the beginning. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Success in business often boils down to effective marketing and understanding your customers — Lilly Garrett Don't underestimate the power of a strong team; collaboration fuels innovation — Lilly Garrett Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow; every setback is a stepping stone to success — Lilly Garrett      

What if, instead of asking how to integrate AI into your product, the question was, should you? During this episode, Jared Turner and Will Larry interview Senior Product Manager at thoughtbot and Founderland Startup Mentor, Bethan Ashley, who shares her insights and advice on how and when to leverage AI tooling. Sharing her career journey leading up to this point, Bethan makes the key distinction between project management and product management, and why this is essential to understand. Next, you'll hear about her views on the importance of talking to customers about your products and the different ways to reach them effectively. We get into some of the classic reasons that products fail, the appropriate time to bring in a product manager, and a few of the techniques, prompts, and exercises that Bethan favors when mentoring others. Join us as we unpack how to avoid common pitfalls, discuss practical steps to overcome the fear of failure, and share advice for those seeking to put AI tooling into their product. Thanks for tuning in. Key Points From This Episode: From building bespoke apps for companies to product management, mentorship, and more: Bethan Ashley's career journey. Distinguishing between project management and product management. Why talking to your customers is fundamental to successful products. Some of the many different ways to reach customers. Classic reasons that products fail. How to identify the point at which a product manager has become a necessity. Bethan's path to mentorship through Founderland. The Speedy Eights exercise that she uses to prompt ideas. Advice to avoid common pitfalls: just get started. Exploring the obstacle created by the fear of failure. Strategies from the book The Mom Test. Insights on AI in the day-to-day product management space. Advice for those seeking to put AI tooling into their product. Spicy takes on product management. Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Bethan Ashley on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanashley/) Founderland (https://www.founderland.org/) Customer Discovery Playbook (https://thoughtbot.com/playbook/customer-discovery/preparation-and-setup) The Mom Test (https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Test-customers-business-everyone/dp/1492180742) Gamma (https://gamma.app/)
 Gemini (https://gemini.google.com/) Loom (https://www.loom.com/) Figma (https://www.figma.com/) Motion (https://www.usemotion.com/) WIP is waste (https://thoughtbot.com/blog/wip-is-waste#) Jared Turner on X (https://x.com/jaredlt) Jared Turner on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredlt/) Will Larry on X (https://x.com/will23larry) Will Larry on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-larry/) thoughtbot (https://thoughtbot.com) thoughtbot on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/150727/) thoughtbot on X (https://twitter.com/thoughtbot) Giant Robots Smashing Into Other Giant Robots Podcast (https://podcast.thoughtbot.com/) Giant Robots Smashing Into Other Giant Robots Email (hosts@giantrobots.fm) Support Giant Robots Smashing Into Other Giant Robots (https://github.com/sponsors/thoughtbot)

BONUS: Mastering Product Management in a Remote World, Insights from Tuple's Head of Product, Eli Goodman NOTE: We want to thank the folks at Tuple.app for being so generous with their stories, and supporting the podcast. Visit tuple.app/scrum and share them if you find the app useful! Remember, sharing is caring!   In this episode, Eli Goodman, Head of Product at Tuple, shares insights from his extensive experience in software development and product management. Having transitioned from engineering management to product leadership, Eli reveals the key strategies Tuple uses to develop its remote pair programming service, which is trusted by companies like Figma and Shopify. Tune in to discover how Tuple handles remote team dynamics, customer-driven development, and balances tech debt with client needs, all while maintaining a customer-centric focus. Introduction to Tuple and Why It's Unique Tuple, a remote pair programming service designed by engineers, solves a pain point that its founders, all pairing enthusiasts, experienced firsthand. They were unsatisfied with generic screen-sharing tools that disrupted the flow of coding collaboration. Tuple's product philosophy is about staying "one inch wide, one mile deep" to ensure the tool stays focused on enhancing the pairing experience without getting in the way. "The details matter. Generic screen-sharing tools just don't cut it for productive pairing." Managing a Remote Team at Tuple Managing a distributed team across the U.S. and Europe comes with its challenges. Eli highlights the importance of alignment and ensuring everyone is on the same page, despite working remotely. He emphasizes the role of Product Owners as "connective tissue" and the power of connecting team members with key initiatives. Through personal conversations, Eli uncovers what motivates his team, allowing him to support them without micromanaging. "What makes you proud? What brings you shame? Understanding these emotions helps uncover what drives our team." Ensuring Effective Communication in a Remote Environment Effective communication is the backbone of remote work, and Eli shares some of the practices that have helped Tuple's team stay aligned and collaborative. From using spontaneous pairing sessions to fostering a culture of checking in, Tuple has created a remote work environment where conversations are naturally sparked, and collaboration is effortless. "We have more space in our schedules for spontaneous pairing, which keeps collaboration flowing." Lessons Learned from Pairing Remotely One of the key insights Eli shares is how Tuple has evolved its remote pairing process. In the past, pairing might have felt like a formal meeting, but now it happens more spontaneously. Tuple's app facilitates this by offering the metaphor of a phone call—engineers can call each other at any time, making collaboration easy, especially when someone is deep into a task and needs quick support. "At Tuple, engineers only have three meetings a week, leaving the rest of the time open for pairing and creative work." Pairing Beyond Programming Tasks While pairing is typically associated with programming, Eli explains how Tuple uses pairing for other activities, like design or planning sessions. This practice has extended beyond coding, fostering a culture where team members collaborate on various tasks that benefit from shared perspectives and live problem-solving. "We've expanded pairing beyond coding, using it for activities like design reviews and project planning." Balancing Customer Feedback with Product Vision Responding to customer feedback is vital, but it can also lead to losing focus. Eli explains how Tuple balances this by capturing as much feedback as possible, using tools like Product Board to keep track of customer requests. However, instead of building every requested feature, Eli focuses on synthesizing broader patterns and emotional triggers that align with Tuple's long-term vision. "Focus on discovery as a product person. Understand the emotional context behind customer feedback—that's what drives great products." Tuple's Ideal Customer and Core Value Tuple's ideal customers are teams that value deep collaboration through pair programming. The platform's most important offering is the ability to make remote pairing seamless and intuitive, something traditional tools fail to deliver. "Tuple is built for teams that believe in the power of collaboration and want a tool that enhances their pairing experience, not disrupts it." Roadmapping: How to Prioritize the Right Work in Product Development Looking ahead, Eli shares Tuple's plans to continue investing in quality and lowering the barriers to remote pairing. One exciting potential direction includes creating a "social layer" within the app to help users feel more connected with their teammates. Another idea is incorporating non-human pairing agents that could assist with specific tasks. "We want to see if we can make it feel like you're right there with your teammates, lowering the barriers to start pairing." Recommended Resources Eli recommends The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick, a must-read for anyone working in product management. The book teaches how to talk to customers in a way that gets honest, useful feedback rather than polite responses that don't help improve the product. "I thought caring about people was enough to talk to customers, but The Mom Test taught me what not to do during customer interviews." About Eli Goodman Eli Goodman has been working on software teams for 17 years. He's been a full-stack developer and engineering manager at both large and small companies, including Etsy and Headspace. A few years ago, Eli transitioned to product management and is now the Head of Product at Tuple, a remote pair programming service used by companies such as Figma, Shopify, and many others in the software industry. You can link with Eli Goodman on LinkedIn, or email Eli at Eli@Tuple.app.

Is it even possible anymore for established companies to innovate like startups while leveraging their existing strengths? Today's guest certainly thinks so and he has the product story to back it up. Ben Brown, CTO of Canopy, shares his journey of spinning out a hardware+software startup from Ford Motor Company and launching an innovative truck security product in just 18 months. Canopy helps secure precious cargo in pickup truck beds - a huge problem for tradespeople who carry expensive tools and equipment as they commute between jobs. Ben discusses balancing startup agility with automotive industry rigor, rapidly iterating on hardware prototypes, and using customer research to drive product decisions. We explore how Canopy went from idea to launch in 18 months - particularly impressive for a product combining hardware, software, and AI/ML models, while complying with stringent automotive and FCC requirements. In this episode: Canopy's journey from Ford spinout to standalone startup Challenges of hardware development timelines and component sourcing Importance of customer research and beta testing Organizing cross-functional teams across hardware, software, and AI Using AI and generative models to accelerate development Balancing startup speed with automotive industry standards Lessons from rapidly prototyping and iterating on hardware Leveraging Ford's resources while maintaining startup flexibility 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. Products and Services mentioned in this episode: Whoop fitness tracker Canopy Pickup Cam Home Assistant Sense home energy monitor Husqvarna robotic lawn mower Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick 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 Learn something? Give us a 5 star review and like the podcast on YouTube. It's how we grow. Follow the Pod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/convergence-podcast/ X: https://twitter.com/podconvergence  nstagram: @podconvergence

Here's the link to the (anonymous) survey - https://s.surveyplanet.com/z2yvlesg Thank you!!! (The book I mentioned is "The Mom Test" by Rob Fitzpatrick)

Jamie Keane founded Be Spotted and the NYC dog community, Dog Spotted. Through her experience growing Dog Spotted to over 10.8k followers of pet parents, she has taken that experience to teach fellow pet entrepreneurs how they can do the same. She finds it important that pet entrepreneurs are empowered to market themselves as their unique voice, personality, and messaging are what will help stand them out from the pack.  In addition, she helps pet entrepreneurs with email marketing resulting in deeper connections and increased sales, AND how to create online products resulting in money made in your sleep! She has been featured in Nasdaq, Time Out NY, Thrillist, Bustle and more! She is based in NYC with her husband Pat and her beloved mutt, Lucy.  Topics covered in this episode:  Practical social media tips for mobile veterinarians The importance of SEO Avoiding vanity metrics like buying followers The role of personal branding in building trust with clients The significance of market research  Links & Resources:  Visit the Be Spotted website to learn more! Find Be Spotted on Instagram Book A Free Discovery Call with Jamie Purchase the marketing research book mentioned in this podcast, The Mom Test, by Rob Fitzpatrick Use this tutorial to gain access to the full Instagram Music Library here The House Call Vet Academy Resources:  Download Dr. Eve's FREE House Call & Mobile Vet Biz Plan!  Find out about The House Call Vet Academy online CE course   Learn more about Dr. Eve Harrison   Learn more about 1-to-1 coaching for current & prospective house call & mobile vets.  Get House Call Vet swag!  Find out about the next House Call & Mobile Vet Virtual Conference  Music:  In loving memory of Dr. Steve Weinberg.  Intro and outro guitar music was written, performed, and recorded by house call veterinarian Dr. Steve Weinberg.  Thank you to our sponsors!  Chronos  O3 Vets  Rekindling w/ Julie Squires This podcast is also available in video on our House Call Vet Cafe YouTube channel   

Covino & Rich are filling-in for Dan Patrick! They have fun with their Old-School topic of the week: Favorite lunch-box snack as a kid, in honor of Famous Amos (RIP!) Tons of callers have great input! The best O.G. lunch-boxes get shine & the guys get you hyped for the new NFL season! Plus, Rich's mom is sports quizzed live on the air & Flag Football at the 2028 Olympics has some fun question marks. #crshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Covino & Rich are in for Day 3 of the Dan Patrick Hat Trick! They have fun sharing TV/get-to lists & discuss their social media feeds blowing up. The messages are all about a Caitlin Clark/Aaron Judge on-air debate over the two stars' popularity. Is Clark a bigger deal right now than the man who just hit his 300th homer? The crew & callers make their case, and Rich has litmus tests and hype trains! #crshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can understanding users' real-life experiences transform your product development strategy?In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Kevin Gentry—Principal Product Manager at Hilton Grand Vacations, & Co-founder and Host of the Product Coffee Podcast—to unveil his well-honed playbook for sourcing user insights, rooted in the principles of "The Mom Test."

In this exciting episode, Frank La Vigne and Andy Leonard sit down with Aviad Harell, managing partner at Team 8, to explore the transformative power of technology in today's business landscape. Aviad shares his mission to eliminate day-to-day bureaucracy and leverages technology to automate processes, drawing from his vast experience in the tech industry. Beyond business, Aviad reveals his passion for traveling in South America and his book recommendation, "The Mom Test," which acts as a guide for proper idea validation.As the conversation unfolds, we explore how venture capital has evolved from a hobby to a disciplined, professional field, much like the maturity models in software development. Aviad details Team 8's innovative approach to venture capital, partnering with founders early in their journey, sometimes before even fully forming ideas. This unique model includes building a robust support system of 85 professionals to ensure the success of the startups they invest in.Discover the importance of critical thinking, loving the problem more than the solution, and the journey from idea to execution. Hear Aviad's insights on why execution is more crucial than the original idea and his belief in adaptability, quoting the famous military adage, "No idea survives contact with reality."Show Notes04:56 Founders seek validation, partners provide early support.07:57 Teammate model founded on deep cybersecurity understanding.10:51 Query about venture capitalist process's modernization and perception.15:28 Entrepreneurship challenges led to significant personal growth.19:07 Unintended tech consequences changing finance and daily lives.22:47 Interested in different applications of agile methodologies.27:22 Fascinating insights into approaching venture capitalists today.30:31 Passion for skill, idea improvement, crucial teamwork.31:23 Seek advice, consider other ideas, and collaborate.36:26 Entrepreneur becomes angel investor, supports Tel Aviv.37:52 Considered new company, resisted VC, became investor.43:58 Automating bureaucracy, taxes, and legal document review.47:53 Focus on problem, not solution; meaningful feedback.50:38 Data-driven episode with Aviad Harrell from Team 8.

Do you know the answers to our MOM TEST?

Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: The Mom Test: Summary and Thoughts, published by Adam Zerner on April 18, 2024 on LessWrong. I just finished reading The Mom Test for the second time. I took "raw" notes here. In this post I'll first write up a bullet-point summary and then ramble off some thoughts that I have. Summary Introduction: Trying to learn from customer conversations is like trying to excavate a delicate archeological site. The truth is down there somewhere, but it's fragile. When you dig you get closer to the truth, but you also risk damaging or smashing it. Bad customer conversations are worse than useless because they mislead you, convincing you that you're on the right path when instead you're on the wrong path. People talk to customers all the time, but they still end up building the wrong things. How is this possible? Almost no one talks to customers correctly. Why another book about this? Why this author? Rob is a techie, not a sales guy. We need something targeted at techies. To understand how to do something correctly, you have to understand how it can go wrong. Rob has lots of experience with things going wrong here. It's practical, not theoretical. Chapter 1 - The Mom Test: Everyone knows that you shouldn't ask your mom whether your business idea is good. But the issue isn't who you're asking, it's how you're asking. Yes, your mom is more likely[1] than others to praise you and tell you that your idea is good. But if you ask "what do you think of my idea", almost anyone will feel too uncomfortable to be constructive and honest with you. It's not other people's responsibility to tell you the truth. It's your responsibility to find it by asking good questions. The Mom Test is a series of rules for crafting good questions that even your mom can't lie to you about. Talk about their life instead of your idea. Ask about specifics in the past instead of hypotheticals about the future. Talk less and listen more. You're not allowed to tell them what their problems are. They're not allowed to tell you what the solutions should look like. They own the problem, you own the solution. Chapter 2 - Avoiding Bad Data: Bad data is either a false negative (thinking you're dead when you're not) or, much more often, false positives (thinking you're good when you're not). Three types: compliments, fluff and ideas. When you get compliments, deflect them and pivot back to asking them specifics about their past. "When was the last time you had the problem? Talk me through how it went down." If they start proposing ideas (features, solutions), dig into the underlying problem beneath their proposal. "Why do you recommend that? What problem would it solve for you? Tell me about a time when you had that problem." Pathos problem: when you "expose your ego". Example: "Hey, I quit my job to pursue this and am really passionate about it. What do you think?" It's too awkward to be critical. It can be tempting to slip into pitching them. They indicate that X isn't a big problem for them. You start explaining why X probably is a big problem, or why they should consider it a big problem. There is a time for pitching, but customer learning isn't that time. Chapter 3 - Asking Important Questions: Make sure that you seek out the world rocking, hugely important questions. Questions that could indicate that your business is doomed to fail. Most people shrink away from these. Learn to love bad news. Failing fast is better than failing slow! Thought experiments are helpful here. Imagine your company failed. Why might this be? Imagine your company succeeded. What had to be true to get you there? What advice would you give someone else if they were in your shoes? Decide ahead of time on the three most important things you're looking to learn. Chapter 4 - Keeping It Casual: Things just work better when you keep it casual. Ask ...

איך ניגשים לעשות ולידציה לבעיה שאנחנו מנסים לפתור? אילו שאלות אנחנו צריכים לשאול את עצמנו כדי לצאת לדרך? איך מגלים את התשובות לשאלות האלה דרך ראיונות משתמשים?  יש לכם רעיון מעולה למוצר, מיזם, פתרון לבעיה מסוימת בעולם - ועם זה אתם מחליטים להתחיל לרוץ קדימה ולנסות לקבל ולידציה מול משתמשים. זו הדרך האינטואיטיבית שהרבה יזמים בוחרים ללכת בה כשיש להם רעיון שמרגש אותם - לגשת למשתמשים פוטנציאליים ו״למכור״ להם את הפתרון שהם מצאו. אבל יש דרך טובה יותר כנראה, שתוביל אותנו לוולידציה מדויקת ונכונה יותר: קודם כל לוודא שאכן קיימת בעיה ספציפית שמפריעה לאנשים כך שהם היו מוכנים לשלם כסף כדי לפתור אותה, ורק אחר כך לגשת לפתרון.  כדי להבין את הבעיה במלואה אנחנו יכולים לשאול את עצמנו כמה שאלות יסוד - ולצאת לראיונות משתמשים, באופן שיעניק לנו את התשובות והכלים שיעזרו לצאת לדרך.  אז השבוע, אדוה שיסגל מדברת עם עמיחי אבן חן, Senior Product Manager במאנדיי, על למה לא כדאי לעשות ולידציה לפתרון שלנו, איך נכון לגשת לראיונות משתמשים בתהליכי ולידציה, ומאיזה טעויות כדאי להימנע.  --- תכנים נוספים שדיברנו עליהם בפרק: פרק 177: על איך עושים ולידיציה (עומרי מן ,Anchor) פרק 196: הכל על מחקר מתחרים (רן ארז)  The Mom Test  מוזמנים להצטרף אל קבוצת הפייסבוק שלנו ולהמשיך את השיח - www.facebook.com/groups/startupforstartup/ ניתן למצוא את כל הפרקים ותכנים נוספים באתר שלנו -   https://www.startupforstartup.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawrence Valenti is the Chief Creative Officer and Managing Partner at Scalio, a product design and development agency, as well as an acting advisor for firms in gaming, ad tech, and growth. He has managed teams with King, GSN Games, and Apple.   In this episode, we discuss: The importance of design and creativity in business What happens to design in a post-AI world The role and influence of psychology in design choices Why creative strategy, iterative testing, and consumer insights matter How investing in usability and intuitive design can yield ROI   Chapters:   (0:00:05) Introduction to Lawrence Valenti (background & experience) (0:02:28) The importance of design and creativity in business (0:06:01) The influence of human psychology on consumer behavior (0:09:57) The use of gamification in non-gaming industries (0:11:57) The benefits of adding gamification features (0:12:38) The value of guided onboarding in complex products (0:13:07) The ‘Mom Test' as a filter for gaming experiences (0:15:23) The importance of measuring ROI on design (0:17:30) The potential impact of design on marketing results and growth (0:20:28) Mitigating risk in creative and maximizing ROI  (0:21:55) The value of early validation and testing in design (0:25:33) The power of using data to inform creative decisions (0:26:23) The benefits of a disciplined approach to creative (0:27:23) The importance of testing and iteration in creative development (0:28:41) The potential pitfalls of making assumptions without customer input (0:29:34) The future of creative, including generative AI and improved tools (0:33:40) The potential for AI to automate and optimize creative processes (0:35:59) The time-saving benefits of using generative AI in concepting (0:36:53) The excitement around the current state of creativity and tech (0:36:53) The potential for increased productivity and self-expression in design (0:36:53) The role of AI in shortening the timeline for creative problem-solving (0:37:26) Analyzing tech stacks and making AI products more consumable for non-technical users (0:38:13) Using AI to automate tasks like writing dating profiles (0:38:58) Discussing the pivotal state of current AI tools (0:39:27) Conclusion and closing remarks   Link to Transcript

Episode 551: Shaan Puri (https://twitter.com/ShaanVP) and Sam Parr (https://twitter.com/theSamParr) were wrong. How wrong? You'll have to listen to find out.  — Show Notes: (0:00) Intro (1:00) Jenni AI's rise from $2k MRR to $300K MRR (4:00) The zoom-in pivot (7:00) First 100 customers (12:30) Fortune favors the bold (16:30) How to do a TikTok ad right (24:00) Sam's mea culpa: Hostage Tape update (27:30) Shaan's $500M L (34:00) How to pick the right market (44:00) Jason Kelce > Travis Kelce (48:00) Tracy Chapman's beacon of authenticity — Links: • Jenni - https://jenni.ai/ • The Mom Test - http://tinyurl.com/va428xyz • David Park Twitter - https://twitter.com/Davidjpark96 • Hostage Tape - https://hostagetape.com/ • Flo Health - https://flo.health/ • Palta Pitch Deck - http://tinyurl.com/ycf7e5hn • Tracy Chapman on Charlie Rose - https://charlierose.com/videos/11899 — Check Out Sam's Stuff: • Hampton - https://www.joinhampton.com/ • Ideation Bootcamp - https://www.ideationbootcamp.co/ • Copy That - https://copythat.com • Hampton Wealth Survey - https://joinhampton.com/wealth — Check Out Shaan's Stuff: Need to hire? You should use the same service Shaan uses to hire developers, designers, & Virtual Assistants → it's called Shepherd & tell ‘em Shaan sent you. Past guests on My First Million include Rob Dyrdek, Hasan Minhaj, Balaji Srinivasan, Jake Paul, Dr. Andrew Huberman, Gary Vee, Lance Armstrong, Sophia Amoruso, Ariel Helwani, Ramit Sethi, Stanley Druckenmiller, Peter Diamandis, Dharmesh Shah, Brian Halligan, Marc Lore, Jason Calacanis, Andrew Wilkinson, Julian Shapiro, Kat Cole, Codie Sanchez, Nader Al-Naji, Steph Smith, Trung Phan, Nick Huber, Anthony Pompliano, Ben Askren, Ramon Van Meer, Brianne Kimmel, Andrew Gazdecki, Scott Belsky, Moiz Ali, Dan Held, Elaine Zelby, Michael Saylor, Ryan Begelman, Jack Butcher, Reed Duchscher, Tai Lopez, Harley Finkelstein, Alexa von Tobel, Noah Kagan, Nick Bare, Greg Isenberg, James Altucher, Randy Hetrick and more. — Other episodes you might enjoy: • #224 Rob Dyrdek - How Tracking Every Second of His Life Took Rob Drydek from 0 to $405M in Exits • #209 Gary Vaynerchuk - Why NFTS Are the Future • #178 Balaji Srinivasan - Balaji on How to Fix the Media, Cloud Cities & Crypto • #169 - How One Man Started 5, Billion Dollar Companies, Dan Gilbert's Empire, & Talking With Warren Buffett • ​​​​#218 - Why You Should Take a Think Week Like Bill Gates • Dave Portnoy vs The World, Extreme Body Monitoring, The Future of Apparel Retail, "How Much is Anthony Pompliano Worth?", and More • How Mr Beast Got 100M Views in Less Than 4 Days, The $25M Chrome Extension, and More

Exciting announcement! If you're keen on Mastering Product Growth and User onboarding, join the upcoming course in April. You will get personal guidance to create a stellar onboarding experience and frameworks to turn it into live. Get a 15% discount for your team (most value for PM + Product Designer together). Learn more and get early access → https://maven.com/forms/2c51ccWelcome to Growthmates — the place to connect with inspiring leaders to help you grow yourself and your product. Here you can learn how companies like Dropbox, Adobe, Amplitude, Canva, and many more are building excellent products and growth culture. Subscribe to get all episodes right to your inbox on katesyuma.substack.com.Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).In this conversation, we invited Phil Vander Broek, Co-Founder at Dopt, previously Head of Growth and Business Platform Design at Dropbox. We decided to talk about User Onboarding and unpack all the truth we know about it. From this episode, you can learn: * How Dropbox approached User Onboarding and what they learned from experimenting with that* How Growth and Core teams collaboration looked at Dropbox* What Rituals can help in building a Growth Culture* and Best practices for User Onboarding from research with more than 80 companies. Beyond the Dropbox story, Phill shared his transition to becoming a Co-Founder at Dopt,  and how his design background helped him play a founder role. If you find it valuable, please share it with your network and leave us a good review. Follow Growthmates podcast updates on:* Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery): https://katesyuma.substack.com/podcast* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates_/Where to find Phil Vander Broek, Co-Founder at Dopt:* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvanderbroek/ * Website: https://www.dopt.com/Where to find Kate Syuma, Growth Advisor (ex-Miro):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Newsletter: https://katesyuma.substack.com* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syumaWhere to find Oscar Torres, Product Designer at Miro:* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oscartorrestryme/* Website: https://www.oscartorres.me/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oscar_towers_/What we've covered in this episode:01:20 Approach to User Onboarding at Dropbox04:12 Surprising Behavioral Insights from User Onboarding Experiments11:57 Collaboration between Growth and Core Teams13:23 Rituals for Alignment and Building a Growth Culture21:44 Industry Trends in User Onboarding34:05 Transition to Entrepreneurship and Creating DOPT44:07 Insights and Learnings as a Founder46:28 The Connection Between AI and User Onboarding47:16 Favorite Example of User Onboarding47:29 Interactive Guides50:10 Tooltips vs Checklists51:10 Recommended Resources53:08 ConclusionResources referenced:* Product Led Onboarding playbook: https://blog.dopt.com/product-led-onboarding-playbook * The State of User Onboarding — report from 80+ companies: https://onboard.report/* The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick: https://www.momtestbook.com/* How to determine your activation metric from * I bet you are doing product activation all wrong from * Get early access to the Maven course on Onboarding and Activation (15% discount for teams): https://maven.com/forms/2c51cc If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to share it with your colleagues and like-minded friends. For sponsorship and other inquiries reach out to ekaterinasyuma@gmail.com.Subscribe to get more episodes right in your inbox: katesyuma.substack.comThanks for reading Kate's Syuma Newsletter & Growthmates! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit katesyuma.substack.com

Lija Hogan is a principal on the Experience Research Strategy team at UserTesting. When she's not helping UserTesting customers understand the wide variety of topic areas they can cover using the platform, she teaches user research methods classes at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.    Questions • Could you share with our listeners just a little bit about your journey? • Could you tell our listeners a little bit about what UserTesting is? And what do you do? • A survey was done that your company pioneered with 2000 adults. And I'd like you to just kind of talk to us a little bit about that survey and some of the key findings that came out of that survey that you believe can help organisations to have a better understanding of why AI is so important. •    Where do you see the technology going for 2024? If you were to pick like a single theme that you believe Chat GPT could help an organisation to tap into delivering a better customer experience, what theme would you say they would need to be focusing on if they were going to use Chat GPT as an integration or even any form of AI that your organisation has been exposed to and work with your clients on that you think is critical for 2024 and beyond? • Now, could you also share with our listeners, what's the one online resource, tool, website or app that you absolutely cannot live without in your business? • Could you also share with our listeners maybe one or two books that you've read, could be a book that you read very recently, or even one that you read a very long time ago, but it has had a very big impact on you. • Can you also share with our listeners what's the one thing that's going on in your life right now that you're really excited about? Either something you're working on to develop yourself or your people. • Where can listeners find you online? • Now, before we wrap our episodes up, we always like to ask our guests, do you have a quote or a saying that during times of adversity or challenge, you'll tend to revert to this quote if for any reason you got derailed, or you got off track, the quote can helps to just to get you back on track.   Highlights Lija's Journey Me: Could you share with our listeners just a little bit about your journey? In your own words, how you got to where you are today from where you're coming from?   Lija shared that it was a very roundabout journey. So, she started with the goal of becoming an academic librarian in Slavic and Eastern European studies. So, most people are very amused when they hear that because it's a very, very focused and targeted discipline that requires a lot of education.  And she started that path, actually, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a Master's Degree Programme in what she thought was going to be academic librarianship, but got bitten by the Human Computer Interaction bug really early there. And so, that was many years ago now. But that was really kind of the entry point to being focused on the user experience and the customer experience and just making really substantive connections between people to help them to transact together more effectively and efficiently.   About UserTesting Me: Now, you are at UserTesting, that's what we read in your bio. Could you tell our listeners a little bit about what UserTesting is? And what do you do?   Lija stated that that's a great question. So, she tends to think of UserTesting as being an enabling technology. So, essentially, it's a platform that enables their customers to connect with their own customers, their users, their employees, their potential users. And what it does is provide recording mechanisms across mobile and desktop, to enable people to have either self-guided, or live conversations with people who are looking for insights.  And they capture videos and audio and screen share, to really get into the perspectives of people around the world. And so, once you've gathered all the information, the platform also provides you with some strategies around sharing that information with your colleagues. And so, you can share videos, you can share quotes, and all sorts of other data to really understand where the gaps are in your experience, and also just to understand what you can do to optimize and de risk the solutions that you're building.   Survey Key Findings to Help Organizations Better Understand the Importance of AI Me: When you were originally presented to me as a guest for our podcast, a survey was shared with us that your company pioneered with 2000 adults. And I'd like you to just kind of talk to us a little bit about that survey and some of the key findings that came out of that survey that you believe can help organizations to have a better understanding of why AI is so important.   Lija shared that they've actually done a few surveys around AI. And this one, really, some of the significant findings were really around just the fact that people don't understand where AI is manifesting in their lives right now. So, to a certain extent, if you ask them directly, they are answering yes and no without a clear sense for what AI really is.  And she thinks one of the major findings that she had in working through that was just really leaning into the knowledge that AI is manifesting in all our lives in many ways, kind of in the background and behind the scenes. And it's already enabling us to, sometimes make better decisions, have access to more information, enrich the work that we're doing, the conversations that we're having. And that is an important benefit that we're all looking for in artificial intelligence.   Organizations Using Chat GPT to Deliver a Better Customer Experience Me: So, AI exists in many different forms, because it's a broad topic. But I think the one that people most connect with and use is probably Chat GPT. It's been a year since Chat GPT was launched, I can't believe it's a year already. Where do you see the technology going for 2024?  If you were to pick like a single theme that you believe Chat GPT could help an organization to tap into delivering a better customer experience, what theme would you say they would need to be focusing on if they were going to use Chat GPT as an integration or even any form of AI that your organization has been exposed to and work with your clients on that you think is critical for 2024 and beyond?   Lija stated that that's a great question, because she think it's really hard to say that there's a single thing, but there are probably multiple ones that she sees as being really important. The first is, we're still trying to figure out what's in and out of bounds with regard to how people are using large language models. So, she finds the examples that we're seeing coming out of the legal profession, right, or lawyers are asking a Chat GPT to write briefs and the platform is hallucinating and making up case law, which doesn't exist. And that's a problem.  So, we haven't yet caught up with creating guardrails and it's not necessarily about the technology so much as about how we reach practical consensus around what is allowable, given the constraints of the technology as it currently exists. And actually, not just as it currently exists, but with an eye towards the fact is probably going to become a lot more matured much more quickly. So, she thinks that's one.   The second is really a more recent development that she's seeing around DIY, Chat GPT and so essentially, people will be able to essentially create their own version of what a large language model can do given a certain use case that they've got in mind. So, she sees the proliferation of a lot of potential technologies use cases strategies that can be leveraged by people who are both technologically seasoned and who are not, who are learning as they go. And she thinks that will be very interesting.  The other main trend that she sees is the enterprise trying to make artificial intelligence safe for practical applications and business operations. And she says that because even just a few months after the launch of 3.5, back in November of last year, she was talking to UserTesting customers, a lot of their innovation teams were essentially doing tests to essentially say, within the context of our own, say, customers experience or customer support teams, how can we create an experience that is robust and safe and private and secure, and gives us confidence that we can triage some.  So, essentially enrich the in person interactions that we're having with people, but also ensure that we're providing good consistent information to those customers that we might be handling using some of those more automated chatbot style experiences that are powered by artificial intelligence.   App, Website or Tool that Lija Absolutely Can't Live Without in Her Business When asked about online resource that she cannot live without in her business, Lija stated that this probably is going to sound self-serving, but actually, it's UserTesting, believe it or not. UserTesting is really important because it's really a very open platform that lets you have both a highly structured as well as an unstructured conversation with the people that you want to work with or learn more from. And she thinks what's so valuable about it is you can test ideas, you can hear what's top of mind for people. And in this world where we've got access to so much data, just hearing stories brings you back down to earth and makes things very tangible and real and we need that now more than ever.   Books that Have Had the Biggest Impact on Lija When asked about books that have had an impact, Lija shared that one that she thinks has been most powerful and it's because she's an optimist. And she thinks that it really gave her a research based foundation to be able to say, this is why she's an optimist, is a great book by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, they're actually brothers, they're psychologists, called Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard.  And the concept that she found really fascinating is their focus on not just problem solving, but actually finding those bright spots and going after those, like, where are things going right? And how can we essentially create more experience that look like those bright spots? So, she loves that idea because rather than being focused on all the negatives, it's basically saying how can we make whatever it is that we're doing look like the most positive experiences that we're providing? So, the other one, it's a really short book, it's probably less than 100 pages. But she loves it so much, it's called the The Mom Test: How to talk to customers & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you by Rob Fitzpatrick. And even though it's kind of like a flip book title, what she loves about it is, it's a very approachable set of strategies around having conversations with people when you're trying to figure out what to build and whether or not it's going to work for people.    What Lija is Really Excited About Now! When asked about something that she's really excited about, Lija stated that that is a really great question. Because there's so much, but she's actually, to the point of the books that they were talking about, the biggest area of focus that she has right now is how to listen better to all the partners that she's working with. And so, she's actually spending a lot of time reading books. So, the two that she talked about are two of them, but a number of books that are all about how does she listen better? And sometimes it's about asking better questions, that's what the Mom Test is about.  But sometimes it's actually saying like, “How do I recognize that people are in a special place right now and need to be acknowledged as having been heard?” But then also, how does she change how it is that she shows up in every way, in the writing that she does, in the talking with folks that she does, in the teaching that she does, in all the interactions to help to move things forward. So, she thinks that there are so many great examples that come from working with children, and psychology, and just even business best practice, to really help to listen and to come to consensus, and just make better decisions together. So, that's really given her a lot of joy right now.    Me: Are there any activities that you do with your team that kind of helps to strengthen their listening skills? Is there anything that you would like to share where that is concerned since that's an area that you'll be working on?   Lija shared that she thinks a couple of things. One is she actually thinks it's kind of twofold. One is she's been spending a lot more time doing one on ones that are very unstructured. And that has given her the platform across the team that she works with, the people that she works with to really say, “What's top of mind for you, and let's talk about it.” And sometimes they start talking about their dogs and cats. But a lot of the time, what that conversation changes into is, “I'm working on this, can I get your perspective on it?” or “I'm having this challenge, can we work through it together.”  And it's a great way to just stay close to what's happening in their world and their part of the organization, but then also take what it is that they're sharing, and see how she can help to pull in other people across the organization, other teams, and talk to other leaders in the organization about what they can do to address some of the themes and trends that she's seeing. And so, she thinks spending a little bit more time one on one with people has been probably providing a lot of the value that she's seeing driving those aha moments.    Me: That's brilliant, that kind of reinforces one of the things that Stephen Covey talks about in his book that the most important role of a leader is to grow and develop people. So, the fact that you are actually seeing the results, because of the one on one intervention that you're doing, the time you're investing with each person, and you're seeing it twofold in terms of the benefit with the customers, then it really does prove that that is a strategy that works.    Where Can We Find Lija Online LinkedIn – Lija Hogan   Quote or Saying that During Times of Adversity Lija Uses  When asked about a quote or saying that she tends to revert to, Lija stated that that's a great question. So actually, this is totally nerdy, but there's a quote, it's at the beginning of one of the chapters of this is where it gets nerdy, Children of Dune by Frank Herbert. And so, the Dune series, there's a movie, a remake of a couple of movies that are out right now.   And the quote, and she's not going to remember it exactly, but it's really about fear and pain and kind of letting it wash through you. And understanding that it's there, but also understanding that it doesn't define you and it doesn't have to have long lasting negative implications. And so, it's basically, go with the flow, but in a way that leans into acknowledging that sometimes things are really hard and you just have to live through them and understand that it's hard, and figure out how you're going to come out on the other side. Change, but change in a way that acknowledges what's happened to you.    Me: Thank you so much, Lija, just want to thank you again for coming on our podcast today and sharing a little bit about your organisation and user testing, and all the value and brilliance that you're bringing to the customer experience space. As well as some of the research findings that came out of one of the surveys that you had done recently. And just the impact of AI, specifically Chat GPT even though we spoke about that in the episode and other different forms of AI as well. But just taking time out of your busy schedule and coming on here with us and sharing all of the great insights and experiences that you've had. I do believe our listeners will gain a great amount of value from this episode. So, thank you so much.    Please connect with us on Twitter @navigatingcx and also join our Private Facebook Community – Navigating the Customer Experience and listen to our FB Lives weekly with a new guest   Links •     Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath •     The Mom Test: How to talk to customer & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you by Rob Fitzpatrick •     Children of Dune by Frank Herbert   The ABC's of a Fantastic Customer Experience   Grab the Freebie on Our Website – TOP 10 Online Business Resources for Small Business Owners  Do you want to pivot your online customer experience and build loyalty - get a copy of “The ABC's of a Fantastic Customer Experience.” The ABC's of a Fantastic Customer Experience provides 26 easy to follow steps and techniques that helps your business to achieve success and build brand loyalty. This Guide to Limitless, Happy and Loyal Customers will help you to strengthen your service delivery, enhance your knowledge and appreciation of the customer experience and provide tips and practical strategies that you can start implementing immediately! This book will develop your customer service skills and sharpen your attention to detail when serving others. Master your customer experience and develop those knock your socks off techniques that will lead to lifetime customers. Your customers will only want to work with your business and it will be your brand differentiator. It will lead to recruiters to seek you out by providing practical examples on how to deliver a winning customer service experience!

If you're shopping for books this Black Friday, here are the 15 most impactful books I read before and during my SaaS founder journey. From entrepreneurship to marketing and customer interaction, you'll have a lot to put on your Black Friday shopping list.My own work is available for 50% off on Gumroad for a few days, too. Use the code BFF for Zero to Sold, The Embedded Entrepreneur, and Find your Following.And now, let's grow your library with the likes of Rob Walling, John Warrillow, Michele Hansen, and many more:This episode is sponsored by Acquire.comThe blog post: The podcast episode: The video: https://youtu.be/F9iIxqtvNUIYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comHere are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

"How to Talk to Customers and Learn If Your Business is a Good Idea When Everyone is Lying to You"

Do you ever feel like your work just isn't good enough? We have a natural urge to play it safe and avoid rejection. But playing it safe will never produce work that resonates deeply.In this episode, we break down the mindsets and strategies of the world's most successful creators. Learn how to adopt a founder's mentality, tap into human psychology, and conduct rapid experiments that help you achieve product-market fit.Discover strategies for standing out, crafting work that resonates at a deeply human level and understand why "good enough" will never be good enough.It's time to step up your game and have the courage to constantly evolve rather than playing it safe.- - -On the growth mindset podcast with Sam Webster Harris, we explore the psychology of happiness, satisfaction, purpose, and growth through the lens of self-improvement. Success and happiness is a state of mind unique to ourselves and is our responsibility to create.Through a process of honest self-reflection of what is holding us back and what is driving us forward, we can lose the ego and build awareness of how to be the best we can be.- - -Connect with Sam:Sam's newsletter on creativity - Explosive ThinkingWatch the pod - YouTube (Growth Mindset)Twitter - @samjamharrisInstagram - @SamJam.zenYoutube - @Samjam- - -Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvementEpisode: The Psychology of Creating Viral ContentChapters:0:00 Sharing Ideas01:11 How to Get Better at Doing Stuff01:27 Product Market Fit03:08 The Mom Test04:22 Iterating Your Idea06:14 Feedback is a Gift07:19 Growing the Growth Mindset Podcast09:45 If Your Work isn't Growing, It's Dying10:15 Biggest Myth in Content Creation11:54 Don't Feel Any Attachment to Any Ideas You Have14:15 Stop Making Excuses15:31 Lessons from Mr. Beast16:51 Don't be Insane18:15 Send Off Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/growth-mindset-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brett and Shane talk about the book, "The Mom Test." and go over how to know what feedback is good for your product or service and what feedback is just something that makes you feel good.Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share. Episodes published every Tuesday at 6 am EST. We'll see you on the next one. Harmon Brothers:https://harmonbrothers.com/home (Website) https://www.instagram.com/harmon.brothers/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.tiktok.com/tag/harmonbrothers?lang=en (Tik Tok)

Is one actor's mom causing problems for their son?

Machine Learning Engineer is one of the fastest growing professions on the planet.  Liran Hason, co-founder and CEO of Aporia, joins us to discuss this new field and how folks can learn the skills and gain the experience needed to become an ML Engineer!00:00:59 Introductions00:01:44 How Liran got started making websites00:07:03 College advice for getting involved in real-world experience00:12:51 Jumping into the unknown00:15:22 ML engineering00:20:50 The missing part in data science development00:29:16 How to build skills in the ML space00:37:01 A horror story00:41:34 Model loading questions00:47:36 Must-have skills in an ML resume00:50:41 Deciding about data science00:59:08 Rust01:06:27 How Aporia contributes to the data science space01:14:26 Working at Aporia01:16:53 FarewellsResources mentioned in this episode:Links: Liran Hason:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasuni/ Aporia: Website: https://www.aporia.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/aporiaai Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aporiaai/ Github: https://github.com/aporia-ai The Mom Test (Amazon): Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Test-customers-business-everyone/dp/1492180742 Audiobook: https://www.amazon.com/The-Mom-Test-Rob-Fitzpatrick-audiobook/dp/B07RJZKZ7F References: Shadow Mode: https://christophergs.com/machine%20learning/2019/03/30/deploying-machine-learning-applications-in-shadow-mode/ Blue-green deployment: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-green_deployment Coursera ML Specialization (Stanford): https://www.coursera.org/specializations/machine-learning-introduction Auto-retraining: https://neptune.ai/blog/retraining-model-during-deployment-continuous-training-continuous-testing If you've enjoyed this episode, you can listen to more on Programming Throwdown's website: https://www.programmingthrowdown.com/Reach out to us via email: programmingthrowdown@gmail.comYou can also follow Programming Throwdown on Facebook | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Player.FM Join the discussion on our DiscordHelp support Programming Throwdown through our Patreon ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★