Podcasts about product development

Complete process of bringing a new product to market

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Best podcasts about product development

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Latest podcast episodes about product development

Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
How Therabody Turned a Homemade Tool Into a Global Recovery Brand

Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2026 48:32


Dr. Jason Wersland turned a 3 a.m. garage experiment into the number one percussive therapy brand in the world, with more than 6.5 million Theragun massage devices sold. In this episode, he breaks down the unglamorous eight-year grind behind that overnight success: five prototypes, three bad partners, and a one-to-one credibility-building strategy that eventually landed him in Cristiano Ronaldo''s training room. For more on Therabody and show notes click here   Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

The Frictionless Experience
The $4 Billion Reason to Stop Buying AI Chatbots with Sriram Krishnasamy, ex-FedEx

The Frictionless Experience

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2026 42:53


Most companies are adopting AI in the wrong order. They start with technology, hand everyone a chatbot, and hope productivity follows. According to Sriram Krishnasamy, that's how you amplify organizational chaos.Sriram led FedEx's DRIVE transformation, which delivered $4 billion in structural cost reductions, and founded FedEx Dataworks, the company's internal data and insights business. Drawing on decades of experience at the intersection of operations, logistics, and digital transformation, he argues that AI isn't just a technology—it's a field. And companies that treat it like a software rollout are missing the point.Join hosts Nick Paladino and Chuck Moxley as they explore Sriram's framework for becoming "AI ready" instead of trying to become "AI native." He breaks down his three-legged stool for transformation: business architecture, experience engineering, and technology. Most organizations start with technology. Sriram believes it should be the last thing you focus on.The conversation dives into how FedEx transformed data from 17 million daily shipments into actionable insights, why companies should chase business value instead of building massive data lakes, and how a predictive model originally designed to optimize network operations helped FedEx achieve a 99.8% service level during the critical COVID vaccine rollout. Sriram also challenges common assumptions about frictionless experiences. The best digital experiences aren't necessarily the most beautiful. They're the ones that understand context and empathy. His favorite example? The Amazon app. Not because of its design, but because it understands his workflow, anticipates mistakes, and adapts to his needs.Key Actionable Takeaways:Start with workflows, not technology – Before deploying AI, define how work actually gets done inside your organization and how your customers accomplish their goals. AI creates the most value when it's applied to well-understood workflows rather than layered on top of existing complexity.Chase business value, not data volume – Most companies don't need massive data lakes before they can create value. Focus on the 20% of data that drives 80% of outcomes, solve a real problem, and expand from there.Become AI ready, not AI native – Don't reinvent your company around AI. Strengthen your existing identity, clarify your goals, understand the people impacted by change, and then apply AI to improve what already makes your business valuable.Want more tips and strategies about creating frictionless digital experiences? Subscribe to our newsletter!https://www.thefrictionlessexperience.com/frictionless/ Download the Five Step Site Speed Target Playbook: http://bluetriangle.com/playbook Sriram Krishnasamy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sriram-krishnasamy-ab1679117/ Nick Paladino's LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/npaladino Chuck Moxley's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckmoxley/Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(03:14) FedEx Career Journey(05:35) Building Dataworks(08:24) Data vs Insights(11:20) Operations to Digital(14:03) Vaccine Distribution(19:57) Three-Legged Stool(22:03) Business Architecture(24:25) Experience Engineering(24:49) Technology Last(28:30) $4B Cost Reduction(29:15) AI and Cognitive Clarity(31:13) Corporate Identity(34:10) Becoming AI Ready(35:35) AI and Human Questions(37:15) Technology Tradeoffs(40:20) Frictionless Experiences(42:07) Where to Connect(42:25) Conclusion

Molecule to Market: Inside the outsourcing space
From Lab to Boardroom at Sartorius

Molecule to Market: Inside the outsourcing space

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2026 49:31


Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with René, covering:   How a lucky break brought him to Sartorius over 20 years ago, and what has changed and stayed the same over that time His journey from scientist to senior leader, and the evolution of biologics he has witnessed along the way The pace of innovation in bioprocessing, and how he thinks about speed, efficiency and flexibility Why innovation continues regardless of market cycles, through both boom and correction periods His perspective on the current biotech market reset and why it represents a healthy correction Despite building a €3.5bn powerhouse, how Sartorius has maintained a relentless focus on customers   René Fáber, born in 1975, has been Head of Bioprocess Solutions Division and Member of the Executive Board of Sartorius AG since 2019. In the same year, he became a Member of the Board of Directors of Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A.; in 2023 he was appointed as CEO of the company. René Fáber studied chemistry in Bratislava, Slovakia, and earned his Ph.D. in polymer chemistry from the Technical University of Munich in Germany. He joined Sartorius in 2002, where he initially worked as a scientist on membrane modification. As Vice President, he held various management positions in R&D, Marketing for Filtration and Fermentation Technologies, as well as in Key Account Management. In his most recent position, he was responsible for the Product Development unit of the Bioprocess Solutions Division.     Molecule to Market is also sponsored by Bora Pharmaceuticals, and supported by Lead Candidate. Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We'd also appreciate a positive rating!  

Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
How Getting Back to Basics Turned 437 Into an 8-Figure Brand

Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2026 41:37


Hyla Nayeri co-founded 437, a bootstrapped activewear brand, into an eight-figure business— and she did it by simplifying ruthlessly, betting on organic social and influencer marketing, and protecting a culture that includes a four-day workweek. For more on 437 and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Honest eCommerce
Prioritizing Core Metrics Before Optimizing | Kevin McLaughlin | SlideRule Analytics | Bonus Episode

Honest eCommerce

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2026 28:15


Kevin McLaughlin is a Google Analytics and Tag Manager expert specializing in building custom Google Analytics implementations that give you consistent, accurate, and easy to use results that actually help you make better business and product decisions.  Because of his years of experience in product development and management, he knows how to implement your marketing analytics tools so you can derive new insights from your data. As a developer and engineer, Kevin can deal with any level of technical-detail, from quick audits to in-depth, custom javascript setups and maintenance.  He has worked at both large companies and small startups and have setup analytics for both as well as many blogs, small businesses, and non-profits.  Kevin is currently developing several web-applications myself, which keeps me up to date on the latest web technologies and how to implement analytics effectively with them. In This Conversation We Discuss:  [00:30] Intro [01:30] Solving messy data gaps in business [03:33] Building tools to fix your own pain [04:50] Rebuilding analytics for a new internet era [06:20] Adapting to a more privacy-first internet [06:56] Moving beyond session-centric measurement [08:15] Aligning analytics with real shopping sessions [09:24] Shifting from plug-and-play to custom reporting [10:25] Callout [10:36] Overcoming the GA4 learning curve shock [12:37] Unlocking power in custom GA4 explorations [13:13] Fixing tracking before analyzing performance [14:37] Breaking down how GA4 actually receives data [16:53] Understanding why GA4 misses real orders [18:23] Fixing missing orders with server-side tracking [20:44] Choosing build vs buy analytics tools [21:31] Keeping analytics simple for early-stage stores [22:37] Avoiding over-optimization too early [25:01] Staying grounded in real customer acquisition [25:47] Combining clean data with real interpretation [26:49] Making GA4 implementation simple for merchants Resources: Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube The leading GA4 integration for Shopify slideruleanalytics.com/ Follow Kevin McLaughlin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-mclaughlin-1900/ If you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Definitely, Maybe Agile
AI Adoption Starts With How People Think, Not Which Tools They Pick - with Royce Sin

Definitely, Maybe Agile

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2026 34:16 Transcription Available


Royce Sin spent a decade at HSBC automating things nobody asked him to automate. He didn't ask for permission. He just did it, showed people the results, and let the time savings speak for itself. That instinct, to question why things are done a certain way and then actually do something about it, is what eventually led him into the AI space.In this episode, Peter and Dave sit down with Royce Sin to talk about what it actually takes for AI to stick inside an organization. Spoiler: it's not about the tools.We get into the tension between flexibility and reliability, why most people are being set up to fail with AI, and what it means to think like a manager when you're not one. Royce also shares his MIND framework, a practical way to think about AI adoption that he developed through hands-on work across enterprise and startup environments.There's also a good conversation about the trades, no-UI as an ideal, and why the most dangerous move in transformation is knocking down fences you don't fully understand.This week's takeaways:Think of AI as a new type of employee. Set it up for success the same way you'd set up your staff. Design roles and processes to match what it's actually good at.Not every rule is a hard rule. Before treating a constraint as a blocker, understand what's behind it. Some fences are load-bearing. Some aren't. Know the difference before you act.Don't just bring in AI. Know what outcome you're after. If you can't tell whether it's working, you don't have a tool problem, you have a clarity problem.Have a thought on any of this? Reach us at feedback@definitelymaybeagile.com

l8nightwithchoccy's podcast
A conversation with Brad "BRIZZ" Blankinship_PART DEUX_SUNDAY RED

l8nightwithchoccy's podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2026 136:58


Our guest this week is an entrepreneur with a creative mind and one of the biggest industry powerhouses in action sports and lifestyle brands. With more than 25 years of executive leadership experience, his résumé includes roles as VP of Operations at Paul Frank, President and Global General Manager of RVCA, SVP of Marketing and Product Development at Igloo, and Global President of Quiksilver.After helping lead Quiksilver through the Boardriders era, he parted ways following the acquisition by ABG and was offered the massive responsibility of overseeing and managing the entire action sports portfolio under Authentic Brands Group—a role that would have put him at the center of some of the most iconic brands in our industry. But before he even started the job, he passed on the opportunity.Never one to stand still, he made the jump into the golf world, where he was tasked with building a team from the ground up and launching one of the most anticipated brands in sports alongside the GOAT himself, Tiger Woods. That brand is Sunday Red, and its debut sent shockwaves throughout the golf industry.We're pumped to welcome back for a much-needed Take 2 conversation with our friend, Brad "BRIZZ” Blankinship. 

The Product Podcast
Linear COO on Rebuilding the Product Development Lifecycle for Teams and Agents — From Issue Tracker to Shared Operating System | Cristina Cordova | E299

The Product Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2026 51:14 Transcription Available


In this episode of The Product Podcast by Product School, Carlos González de Villaumbrosia sits down with Cristina Cordova, Chief Operating Officer at Linear, the product development system built for teams and agents. Linear raised $82 million in a Series C round in June 2025 at a $1.25 billion valuation. The company has been profitable since 2021, and serves over 20,000 paid business customers, from seed-stage startups to Fortune 100 enterprises, with a team of just 140 people. Before Linear, Cristina joined Stripe as one of its first employees, and led Platform and Partnerships at Notion.What you'll learn:Why keeping headcount intentionally lean is a strategic advantageReplacing traditional interviews with paid two to five-day projectsWhy PMs are the fastest-growing power users of agentic toolsKey takeaways:A small team is not a small business. Revenue, customers, and growth rate matter more than headcount.If you fully delegate your AI thinking, you lose your native understanding of how these products actually workAgentic workflows are now the default, not a feature. The companies that treat them that way will pull ahead.Credits:Host: Carlos Gonzalez de VillaumbrosiaGuest: Cristina CordovaSocial Links:Find out more about Product School hereFollow our Podcast on TikTok hereFollow Product School on LinkedIn here

Speaking of Mol Bio
From prototype to production – solving the scale-up gap

Speaking of Mol Bio

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2026 7:25


Great science doesn't always translate into a scalable product, and that gap can stall even the most promising innovations. In this Mol Bio Minutes episode, Steve Lewis explores a common challenge in biotech: moving from a validated assay or prototype to a commercially viable product. While scientific teams often achieve strong early results, scaling requires coordination across design, engineering, materials, and manufacturing, which typically involves multiple vendors. This fragmented process introduces delays, misalignment, and risk. The episode highlights how physical product design, especially for consumables like microfluidic cartridges or custom plastics, can ultimately determine whether a solution reaches the market. By integrating design, prototyping, and manufacturing under one roof, Thermo Fisher Scientific's Plastics Prototyping Services aim to streamline this transition. Early consideration of materials, manufacturability, and reagent compatibility enables faster iteration and more efficient scale-up, particularly for startups navigating growth stages. Ultimately, the message is clear: if your biology works but your product doesn't scale, the problem is solvable. With the right integrated approach, innovation doesn't have to stall, it can move efficiently from idea to impact. Helpful resources and links: Learn more about Thermo Fisher Plastics Prototyping Services Access information about reagents and raw materials for use in your product(s) Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you're hearing we hope you'll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague.  Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques.
295. Culture Club: Communicating Values That Scale

Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques.

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2026 23:19 Transcription Available


Why the best leaders treat uncertainty as a chance to learn, not a failure to avoid.Most companies are built to grow. Far fewer are built to stay true to their purpose as they do.Eric Ries is an entrepreneur, creator of the Lean Startup movement, and author of Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great. For Ries, innovation starts with a simple reality: nobody can predict the future. “If you're going to do something fundamentally new,” he says, “how are we supposed to forecast” what success will look like? Instead of relying on certainty, leaders should focus on learning. “If you cannot fail, you cannot learn.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Ries and host Matt Abrahams explore how leaders can communicate through uncertainty, turn setbacks into valuable insights, and build cultures rooted in trust. From the power of the build-measure-learn feedback loop to the importance of making “deposits” in a company's culture bank, Ries shares practical strategies for creating organizations that innovate, adapt, and stay true to their values as they grow.To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.Episode Reference Links:Eric RiesEric's Book: IncorruptibleEp.56 Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really StickEp.54 Leadership and Ethics: How to Communicate Your Core Values  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:21) - Lean Startup Fundamentals (04:03) - Business Plans vs. Reality (06:31) - Learning from Failure (08:11) - Why Companies Go Bad (10:49) - The Culture Bank (13:51) - The Final Three Questions (22:05) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.comJoin our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 

Object Worship
Hacking Your Pedals

Object Worship

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2026 68:54


Today our hosts talk about their favorite off-label uses for pedals: an Expression Ramper as an expression splitter, a trereo overdrive pedal as a lofi tape machine, a pedal with perfectly spaced knobs as a phone holder, etc. They take calls and some comments from the Discord, all focused around pedal usage that goes beyond the marketing and expectations of the user interface into unexpected sonic corners. Buy some Old Blood: https://oldbloodnoise.com/ Join the conversation in Discord: https://discord.com/invite/PhpA5MbN5u Follow us all on the socials: @carolinegco, @danfromdsf, @andyothling, @oldbloodnoise Subscribe to OBNE on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/oldbloodnoise Leave us a voicemail at 505-633-4647!

BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio
The Shark Tank Journey Behind One of Time's Best Inventions

BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2026 27:05


What happens when a childhood struggle turns into a business idea that lands on Shark Tank and becomes one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions? In this episode of BizNinja Entrepreneur Radio, I sit down with Olivia Abrams, founder of TickMitt, to talk about how a deeply personal experience with Lyme disease led her to create a product now helping families and pet owners around the world. Olivia shares the real story behind building a consumer product from scratch, navigating years of product testing, launching during the pandemic, and experiencing explosive growth after appearing on Shark Tank. We also dive into entrepreneurship, resilience, branding, and what it really takes to build a mission-driven company in today's world. This conversation is packed with lessons on persistence, problem-solving, and building something that genuinely matters. What You'll Learn How Olivia's personal experience with Lyme disease inspired TickMitt Why solving real problems creates stronger businesses The process of developing and patenting a physical product What it was really like appearing on Shark Tank How TickMitt sold 8,000 units in six hours after Good Morning America Lessons from scaling a direct-to-consumer business How Olivia handled inventory and tariff challenges during rapid growth Why communication and transparency matter in business The importance of building a business around your passions

Object Worship
Philippe Herndon and the Art of the Normie Pedal

Object Worship

Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2026 116:18


Today our hosts welcome Philippe Herndon of Caroline Guitar Company. He talks about their latest pedal, a self-proclaimed normie pedal called the Aaron Graves Overdrive. We talk about specific design choices, the story of its namesake, and the importance of versatility even in a fairly fundamental pedal. Plus, we get the scoop on why they use pictures instead of labels, and Philippe has a surprise for us in lieu of the traditional object talk. It's basically a two parter, so fire it up and get listening! Check out the Aaron Graves Overdrive and other pedals from Caroline: https://carolineguitar.com/ Buy some Old Blood: https://oldbloodnoise.com/ Join the conversation in Discord: https://discord.com/invite/PhpA5MbN5u Follow us all on the socials: @carolinegco, @danfromdsf, @andyothling, @oldbloodnoise Subscribe to OBNE on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/oldbloodnoise Leave us a voicemail at 505-633-4647!

Product for Product Management
EP 155 - Reshaping product development for AI's impact with Gil Broza

Product for Product Management

Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2026 51:15


This conversation with Gil Broza goes straight at a question many product leaders are quietly wrestling with: how do you bring AI into product development without breaking everything that already works? Gil, author, coach, and long-time agility expert, returns to talk with Matt and Moshe about “reshaping product development for AI's impact,” focusing not on building AI features, but on how AI is changing the way product and engineering teams work day to day. He argues that while AI massively increases speed and output, it doesn't change the fundamentals of good product development: clear direction, evidence-based judgment, solid technical foundations, and healthy teams. Join Matt and Moshe as they explore with Gil: - Why AI is a “turbo engine in a car with old brakes” if you drop it into a system designed for human speed. - How leaders confuse more output with more value, and why faster code can just mean “legacy code years ahead of schedule”. - The difference between real agility and “performative Agile” (ceremonies, Jira theater) when AI tools are doing more of the work. - How to think in systems: what you're actually optimizing for (predictability, innovation, time-to-value) and how AI changes the constraints and feedback loops in your org. - Practical blind spots leaders miss with AI adoption: - Treating AI as an implementation, not a transformation - Ignoring cognitive load and burnout when people work all day with agents - Shrinking teams for “efficiency” and accidentally increasing isolation - The three main ways to use AI in product development, and why you should be explicit about each: - As a pairing partner (thinking, coding, design) - As an autonomous agent - As “just” automation (summaries, note-taking, etc.) - Why skipping prototyping and experiments is now “less excusable” when AI can create testable prototypes in hours instead of weeks. - What changes (and doesn't) in roles like PM, engineer, and scrum master when AI becomes a real team member. - Concrete steps leaders can take: apply systems thinking, revisit mindset and values, redesign ways of working for AI-speed conditions, and invest in continuous improvement again. - How Gil's new courses (“Reshaping Product Development for AI's Impact” and “Leading AI-Enabled Product Teams”) help product and engineering leaders do this work intentionally. Want to go deeper or work with Gil? - Website & courses: https://3pvantage.com/  - Newsletter & articles: https://3pvantage.com/subscrib.../  - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gi.../  You can also connect with us and find more episodes: - Product for Product Podcast: http://linkedin.com/company/pr...-podcast  - Matt Green: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ma... - Moshe Mikanovsky: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikanovsky  Note: Any views mentioned in the podcast are the sole views of our hosts and guests, and do not represent the products mentioned in any way. Please leave us a review and feedback ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Irish Tech News Audio Articles
AI Is Forcing a Rethink of Data Centre Cooling and Power Why cooling matters now? Data Centre Cooling trends to watch Rapid growth of AI is beginning to change the model What liquid cooling actually looks like? Why speed is becoming critical? Existing dat

Irish Tech News Audio Articles

Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2026 6:27


Schneider Electric and Motivair showcase how AI is reshaping cooling and power systems inside modern data centres Irish Tech News joined a group of international technology and infrastructure media in Buffalo, New York last week for a Schneider Electric-hosted briefing and site visits focused on the infrastructure emerging around AI computing. The programme included presentations from Schneider Electric engineers and executives, a visit to Motivair, the liquid cooling company acquired by Schneider Electric in 2024, and tours of TeraWulf's expanding AI infrastructure campus in New York State, where Schneider Electric technologies are being deployed as part of the wider infrastructure buildout. A major theme throughout the visit was the speed at which new cooling, power and infrastructure solutions are now being deployed as AI systems dramatically increase computing density inside modern data centres. For years, most data centres relied mainly on air cooling. Chilled air circulated through server halls to remove heat generated by computing equipment. That model worked reasonably well for earlier generations of enterprise computing and cloud infrastructure where heat densities were lower. Companies such as NVIDIA have dramatically increased the processing power packed into these systems, particularly for AI training and inference workloads. The result is that modern AI racks can generate far greater levels of heat than previous generations of computing infrastructure. According to Tuan Hoang, Head of Product Development and Innovation for Schneider Electric's cooling business, traditional air cooling systems are now approaching practical limits at very high rack densities. "Liquid cooling allows us to do that," Hoang told me during the visit. "It has 4,000% more heat capacity than air." At the Motivair facility and later at the TeraWulf site, journalists were shown examples of liquid cooling systems now being deployed beside high-density AI infrastructure. See photo above. Instead of relying entirely on chilled air circulating through server halls, the systems use liquid circulating through cooling units connected into server environments to remove heat more efficiently and closer to the chips themselves. The visual impression is quite different from the public image many people still have of data centres. Large pipework systems, cooling units, power systems and engineering infrastructure increasingly dominate these environments as AI deployments scale. Hoang stressed repeatedly that air cooling is not disappearing entirely. "It is still necessary," he explained, particularly for wider facility environments and supporting infrastructure. What is changing is the balance between air and liquid cooling as AI workloads become denser and more power-intensive. Another major theme during the Buffalo visit was speed. AI infrastructure operators increasingly want facilities operational as quickly as possible because expensive GPU systems only generate returns once deployed and running. That pressure is driving growing interest in modular infrastructure, prefabricated systems and repeatable engineering designs which can be deployed more rapidly than traditional bespoke builds. The scale and pace of construction at the Lake Mariner TeraWulf campus reflected that urgency. One AI-focused facility is already operational while further expansion continues across the wider site. Hoang also discussed the growing challenge of adapting existing data centres for AI workloads rather than building entirely new facilities from scratch. "A lot of customers are trying to retrofit existing data centres," he said during the interview, explaining that many operators are now attempting to adapt infrastructure originally designed for lower-density cloud computing. That pressure is one reason modular cooling systems and repeatable infrastructure designs are becoming increasingly important as AI deployments scale. The discussions also highlighted how AI is be...

Essential Ingredients Podcast
102: The Science of Aging Gracefully: Precision Skincare for Women in Midlife

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2026 55:01


In this episode, Justine Reichman interviews Stacey Berger, a seasoned product developer and founder of Sum Of All, about her journey into creating precision skincare tailored for women in midlife. They explore the science behind hormonal skin changes, sustainable beauty practices, and the importance of intentional product formulation. Keywords skincare, menopause, sustainability, women in midlife, product development, hormonal skin, clean beauty, innovation, self-care, empowerment Key  topics Hormonal impact on skin during menopause The importance of science-backed ingredients Sustainable and clean beauty practices Building a brand with purpose and intention The role of collaboration with medical experts Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Essential Ingredients and Guest Introduction 01:42 Stacey's Journey in Product Development 03:47 The Transition to Entrepreneurship 06:29 Overcoming Challenges as an Entrepreneur 09:00 The Importance of Community and Support 13:31 Personal Experience with Perimenopause 16:40 Identifying the Market Gap 22:10 Precision Skincare Explained 29:28 The Intent Behind Clean Beauty 32:35 Navigating Clean and Sustainable Choices 34:53 Empowering Women Through Beauty 39:24 Sustainability Challenges in Product Development 40:44 Holistic Approach to Beauty and Wellness 42:28 The Role of Indie Brands in Beauty Innovation 44:24 Customer Impact Stories 49:16 Reassurance for Women in Midlife 51:04 Rapid Fire Insights on Beauty Guest links Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/some_of_all_beauty

Next Up Podcast
Fresh From The Vine | Sponsored by Red Gold Tomatoes K-12

Next Up Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2026 24:03


Sponsored by Red Gold Tomatoes, this special live episode of the Next Up Podcast was filmed at the NxtGen Masterclass in Orlando, FL, bringing together school nutrition leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals to talk about the future of K-12 foodservice.From branding and marketing to product innovation and student engagement, the conversation dives into new ideas helping school meal programs grow and better connect with their communities.Thank you to Red Gold for continuing to support K-12 nutrition programs with high-quality, versatile tomato products that help operators create flavorful, reliable meals students love.===========================Connect with us! ===========================IG: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgen_network/IG: https://www.instagram.com/nextuptalkshow/IG: https://www.instagram.com/nxtgenmarlon/FB: https://www.facebook.com/NxtGenNetwork365Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nxtgen-network/Twitter: https://twitter.com/NxtGen_NetworkTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nxtgen.networkCapabilities Deck: https://nxtgennetwork.serveddigizine.com/NxtGen-Capabilitiy-Deck/===========================Connect with our guests! ===========================IG: https://www.instagram.com/redgoldtomatoes/FB: Red Gold K-12 FB | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578177140268FB: https://www.facebook.com/RedGoldTomatoes/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/red-goldTwitter: https://twitter.com/RedGoldTomatoesWeb: https://www.redgoldtomatoes.com/redgoldfoodservice/segment/k-12/========================================Subscribe and Listen to the Next Up Podcast HERE:

Legacy
How 180 Water Is Modernizing the Water Well Industry Through Franchising

Legacy

Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2026 14:14


In this episode of the Business Legacy Podcast, Paul Dio sits down with Jack Clark, founder of 180 Water, to discuss how he transformed a traditional water well service company into a rapidly growing franchise model focused on clean, reliable drinking water across rural America. Jack shares his journey from growing up on a Montana ranch to building a scalable business in one of the most overlooked essential industries in the country. What started as hands-on work in the water well industry evolved into a mission-driven company helping entrepreneurs build sustainable local businesses while modernizing an aging trade. Throughout the conversation, Jack breaks down the operational side of scaling a service business, the importance of systems and SOPs, and how innovation often comes from empowering independent operators closest to the work. From custom-built service trucks to simplifying installation processes, 180 Water is creating efficiencies in an industry that has historically resisted change. The episode also explores the deeper legacy angle behind skilled trades, mentorship, and preserving institutional knowledge before an entire generation of water well professionals retires. For entrepreneurs, this conversation is a reminder that some of the greatest opportunities still exist in underserved industries where reliability, relationships, and execution matter most.   Timestamps 00:01:08 – Introduction to Jack Clark and 180 Water 00:01:31 – How 180 Water Started 00:02:03 – Choosing Franchise Locations 00:02:49 – Jack's Background in the Water Well Industry 00:05:45 – Why the Franchise Model Works 00:06:06 – Building SOPs and Scalable Processes 00:08:04 – The Importance of Trusting Your Gut in Business 00:08:54 – The Most Rewarding Part of Building 180 Water 00:10:07 – Franchise-Driven Innovation and Product Development 00:11:34 – Challenges Facing the Water Well Industry 00:13:08 – What Jack Is Most Excited About Moving Forward 00:13:45 – How to Learn More About 180 Water   Episode Resources Learn how Jack and the team at 180 Water are modernizing the water well industry through scalable systems, skilled trades, and franchise-driven innovation: https://180waterfranchising.com Legacy Podcast: For more information about the Legacy Podcast and its co-hosts, visit https://businesslegacypodcast.com Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the episode, leave a review and rating on your preferred podcast platform. For more information: Visit https://businesslegacypodcast.com to access the show notes and additional resources on the episode.  

Object Worship
Andy Plays the Planetarium

Object Worship

Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2026 79:25


Today our hosts welcome themselves! Andy talks about his recent show at a planetarium: the gear involved, the style of preparation, and the experience of performing with previous guest Matt Kidd. Then they take some calls with questions about a variety of things, and their answers range from "we've never heard of it" to "sorry, that was a lot of information and I don't know if I answered your question." It's another hour of unabashed whatever this is! Buy some Old Blood: https://oldbloodnoise.com/ Join the conversation in Discord: https://discord.com/invite/PhpA5MbN5u Follow us all on the socials: @danfromdsf, @andyothling, @oldbloodnoise Subscribe to OBNE on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/oldbloodnoise Leave us a voicemail at 505-633-4647!

Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
The Sleep Brand Founders That Refused To Rest Until the Product Was Perfect

Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs

Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2026 27:50


Kevin and Jin Chon cut open a pillow, found carpet padding inside, and spent 13 years fixing it. They built Coop Sleep Goods into a nearly nine-figure brand by spending more on materials, staying focused on one product, and trusting that a better pillow would market itself. For more on Coop Sleep Goods and show notes click here  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

The Frictionless Experience
Don't Ask Customers What They Want, Ask This Instead with Dean Curtis, ex-Apple, Palm

The Frictionless Experience

Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2026 51:44


Dean Curtis was literally in the room when the iPhone was about to change enterprise mobile computing forever. He was at Palm during the smartphone wars, then moved to Apple right as they were trying to crack the enterprise market. In his Apple interview, he asked the VP of iPhone whether the lack of a physical keyboard would kill their chances in enterprise. The answer? "I think we're going to be okay." Today, there's not a single physical keyboard on a phone anymore.Join hosts Nick Paladino and Chuck Moxley as we explore one of our favorite themes: customers don't actually know what they want. Dean Curtis trains his team on this: don't let customers design features, get them to tell you the problem they're trying to solve. He's got this great line about how Apple looked at the keyboard problem differently. Everyone else asked, "How do we make a better keyboard?" Apple asked, "Why is this thing taking up half the device when you're not using it 95% of the time?"Then there's the California Highway Patrol story. Palm did a pilot with officers using mobile devices for license lookups in the early 2000s. Every single device came back broken after three days. Turns out the officers ran over them with their cars because nobody ever asked if they actually wanted the technology. That's the enterprise adoption problem in a nutshell. Dean breaks down the three pillars most companies miss: having the right stakeholders including IT, marketing for brand consistency, and someone responsible for training and readiness. Skip any of those and you're setting yourself up for failure. And his take on AI is refreshing. He says the widely held belief that new technology ruins everything is simply wrong. It just makes space for new possibilities. His line: AI rewards the curious. Key Actionable Takeaways:Involve all stakeholders before software deployment, not after - Include IT for technical integration, marketing for brand consistency, and someone responsible for training and readiness; rolling out software Monday morning without user input guarantees resistance and low adoptionDefine problems, not solutions, then let experts solve them - Customers will request features based on what they know, but the real innovation comes from understanding the underlying problem they're trying to solve and approaching it differently, like Apple did with keyboards taking up 50% of the device when unused 95% of the timeBuild trust and confidence through presentation consistency - Whether it's pen-and-paper napkin math or polished iPad proposals, both can work if the customer trusts you; the technology should enhance confidence in the numbers you present, not replace the human element that builds belief in your ability to solve their problemWant more tips and strategies about creating frictionless digital experiences? Subscribe to our newsletter!https://www.thefrictionlessexperience.com/frictionless/ Download the Five Step Site Speed Target Playbook: http://bluetriangle.com/playbookDean Curtis' Instagram: https://instagram.com/deancurtis23 Ingage: https://ingage.io Nick Paladino's LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/npaladino Chuck Moxley's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckmoxley/Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(03:20) Palm and early smartphones(06:42) Apple interview keyboard question(09:04) Customers don't know what they want(11:09) Balancing customer feedback(13:05) Steve Jobs customer experience(14:53) Form factor unlocking productivity(16:22) Editing video on phone(18:07) iPad-only app pivot(19:33) Plumber pen vs iPad trust(22:03) Software adoption challenges(24:34) Three pillars of deployment(25:50) California Highway Patrol story(28:48) Convincing successful salespeople(30:15) Trust drives adoption decisions(33:08) Punching above your weight(34:31) Tying design to bottom line(37:54) Bad word of mouth kills deals(39:32) Apple excellence lessons(42:06) Technology approachability myth(43:54) AI rewards the curious(45:40) Hackathon framework(48:00) SaaSpocalypse build vs buy(50:15) Conclusion

Object Worship
Phillip Carter and His 1970 Super Reverb

Object Worship

Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2026 89:30


Today our hosts welcome Phillip Carter of the 40 Watt Podcast. It takes them 45 minutes to get to his object because they're all just so good at conversing! They talk about blues, jazz, early influences, discovery of tube amps, the importance of the right speaker, and of course ask the big questions like: are guitar solos good? Check out all things 40 Watt: https://40wattpodcast.com/ Buy some Old Blood: https://oldbloodnoise.com/ Join the conversation in Discord: https://discord.com/invite/PhpA5MbN5u Follow us all on the socials: @40wattpodcast, @danfromdsf, @andyothling, @oldbloodnoise Subscribe to OBNE on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/oldbloodnoise Leave us a voicemail at 505-633-4647!

WGTD's The Morning Show with Greg Berg
5/14/26. Kailyn Palomares / Ben French on Native Plants

WGTD's The Morning Show with Greg Berg

Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2026 48:36


For Kailyn Palomares's monthly visit to the program, we hear from Ben French, Vice President of Propogation, Production and Product Development at Johnson Nursery in Menomonee Falls ..... one of the largest providers of native plants in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs

Before the screen-time backlash hit the mainstream, Cat Goetze was already building an analog antidote. Her brand Physical Phones—Bluetooth landlines designed to replace smartphone habits—generated $800K in its first year and turned a personal frustration into a full-blown cultural movement. For more on Physical Phones and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

The Full Ratchet: VC | Venture Capital | Angel Investors | Startup Investing | Fundraising | Crowdfunding | Pitch | Private E
508. Maintaining U.S. Dominance, Navigating Defense Tech, Prime Obsolence, and Why Your Startup is Likely DOA (Steve Blank)

The Full Ratchet: VC | Venture Capital | Angel Investors | Startup Investing | Fundraising | Crowdfunding | Pitch | Private E

Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 57:51


Steve Blank of Adjunct Professor at Stanford joins Nick to discuss Maintaining U.S. Dominance, Navigating Defense Tech, Prime Obsolence, and Why Your Startup is Likely DOA. In this episode we cover: Changes in Product Development and MVPs Impact of AI on Startup Success and Founder Mindset Common Missteps and Digital Twins in Startups Disruption and Adoption in Enterprise Software Fundraising and Venture Capital in the AI Era Defense and National Security Innovation Challenges for Traditional Defense Contractors The Role of Dual-Use Startups Guest Links: Steve's LinkedIn  Steve's X Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation's Website The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. We're proud to partner with Ramp, the modern finance automation platform. Book a demo and get $150—no strings attached.   Want to keep up to date with The Full Ratchet? Follow us on social. You can learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our LinkedIn and Twitter.

The Green Suiters Podcast
219 - Product Development Struggles

The Green Suiters Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2026 52:02


Join our Podcast Community on Patreon!! - www.patreon.com/ThreeSplintersPodcastFor your chance to win awesome prizes every month, be sure to become a Patron. Our giveaways are specifically for our Patrons, and they are automatically enrolled every month. This is our way of saying thank you to all those that support us!Find more of Jason's content here:www.instagram.com/bentswoodworking www.youtube.com/c/bentswoodworking www.bentswoodworking.comFind Sedge's content here:www.instagram.com/sedgetool www.youtube.com/c/sedgetool www.sedgetool.comFind Ronnie's content here:https://www.instagram.com/fultonfinewoodworks/ https://www.youtube.com/@fultonfinewoodworks https://fultonfinewoodworks.com

Ardan Labs Podcast
Creativity, AI Systems, and True Foundry with Nikunj Bajaj

Ardan Labs Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2026 86:55


In this episode of the Ardan Labs Podcast, Ale Kennedy talks with Nikunj Bajaj, co-founder of True Foundry, about his journey from India to Silicon Valley and his work building modern AI infrastructure. Nikunj shares insights from his time at Meta, where he worked on large-scale machine learning systems, and how those experiences shaped the foundation of True Foundry.The conversation explores the evolution of AI—from early machine learning systems to today's generative models—and the infrastructure required to support them. Nikunj also discusses leadership lessons, long-term thinking, and what it takes to build and scale an AI startup in a rapidly changing landscape.00:00 Introduction07:38 IIT and Early Academic Journey16:45 Internships and Career Decisions29:15 Research at UC Berkeley36:37 Entering the Workforce and AI Evolution40:16 Leadership Lessons from Meta46:42 Leaving Meta and Starting a Startup52:50 Building During the Pandemic01:00:44 Founding True Foundry01:06:31 Product Development and Early Challenges01:10:31 Evolution of AI Infrastructure01:13:35 Vision for True Foundry01:20:55 Reflections and Lessons LearnedConnect with Nikunj: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikunj-bajaj-10476824/Mentioned in this Episode:True Foundry: https://www.truefoundry.comWant more from Ardan Labs? You can learn Go, Kubernetes, Docker & more through our video training, live events, or through our blog!Online Courses : https://ardanlabs.com/education/ Live Events : https://www.ardanlabs.com/live-training-events/ Blog : https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog Github : https://github.com/ardanlabs

Pints & Polishing...an Auto Detailing Podcast
NEW Product Launch! Discussion About Our New Product JUICE! Episode #953

Pints & Polishing...an Auto Detailing Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2026 17:08


In this episode, Nick discusses the launch of HyperClean Juice, a new product designed to enhance car detailing. He explains the motivation behind creating a modern detail spray that avoids common issues like towel clogging and surface marring. Nick shares insights into the product's development, its benefits, and how it compares to traditional spray sealants. He also recounts a story about a customer's experience with the product, highlighting its effectiveness in maintaining car appearance without unnecessary additives.Chapters:Introduction and Product Launch0:01 - 0:31Nick introduces the episode and announces the launch of HyperClean Juice.Product Development and Features0:31 - 2:11Discussion on the need for a modern detail spray and its unique features.Comparison with Traditional Sealants2:11 - 3:35Nick compares HyperClean Juice with traditional spray sealants.Usage and Application3:35 - 5:00Explanation of how to use the product on various surfaces.Customer Experience Story11:34 - 14:53A story about a customer's positive experience with HyperClean Juice.Conclusion and Call to Action16:22 - 16:51Nick wraps up the episode and encourages listeners to try the product.

Global From Asia Podcast
Product Development in the Agentic Era

Global From Asia Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2026 38:53


Mike Michelini and John Hubble explore how e-commerce founders are leveraging AI code tools to automate internal processes and shift from basic sourcing to true product engineering in the agentic era.

EdUp PCO
67. Kassie Burkholder (NAIT): How Corporate Engagement Drives College-Community Alignment

EdUp PCO

Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2026 34:30


It's YOUR time to #EdUpPCOIn this episode, YOUR guest is Kassie Burkholder, Executive Director of Corporate & Continuing Education, and Product Development, at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.   YOUR host is Amrit Ahluwalia⁠⁠. One Great Quote: “The question from lots of employers thesedays isn't ‘What credential do you have?' It's more, ‘What can you do?' The shift to competency-based learning is where continuing education departments can augment what the bigger institutions they're a part of are offering. It's not in competition of one another, but it's additive.”Some key questions we tackle:How do professional, continuing & online education units at colleges contribute to their respective institutions' mission and goals?What does it take to maintain and grow strong corporate partnerships?What are the most significant misconceptions you've found that folks have about corporate and professionaleducation in the college sector? Listen in to #EdUp!Thank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episodefor YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Elvin Freytes⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠Join YOUR EdUp community at ⁠⁠⁠⁠The EdUp Experience⁠⁠⁠⁠!We make education YOUR business!

Object Worship
John Snyder Goes BIG TIME

Object Worship

Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2026 96:59


Today our hosts welcome back Doctor John Snyder of Electronic Audio Experiments. We catch up on his latest project, released into the world today: a hybrid delay pedal made in collaboration with Chase Bliss called Big Time. He also brings with him the Caroline Guitar Company Wave Cannon, a rad distortion pedal that likely set him on the path toward being a go-to collaborator and in-demand brilliant mind of our industry. The release day energy is good and we're all just excited to talk about pedal architecture! Check out EAE: https://www.electronicaudioexperiments.com/ Check out Big Time: https://www.chasebliss.com/big-time Buy some Old Blood: https://oldbloodnoise.com/ Join the conversation in Discord: https://discord.com/invite/PhpA5MbN5u Follow us all on the socials: @electronicaudioexperiments, @danfromdsf, @andyothling, @oldbloodnoise Subscribe to OBNE on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/oldbloodnoise Subscribe to Andy's Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/powereconomy Leave us a voicemail at 505-633-4647!

Everything is Personal
From Biotech to Better Beverages: The Science Behind What We Drink

Everything is Personal

Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2026 58:05


In this episode of Everything Is Personal, Len May sits down with James Stephens of Sinful Beverages, for a conversation about science, entrepreneurship, flavor, and the future of what we drink. James shares his journey from biotechnology and flavor development into the world of alternative beverage innovation, revealing how science can transform not only a product, but the entire customer experience. The conversation goes beyond beverages and into the mindset of building something new: recognizing patterns, understanding consumers, creating memorable brands, and taking an idea from concept to market. This episode explores how innovation happens at the intersection of science, taste, wellness, and culture. From product development and branding to the future of alcohol alternatives and functional beverages, James breaks down what it really takes to create products people connect with. For anyone interested in entrepreneurship, consumer trends, wellness, beverage innovation, or the science behind flavor, this conversation offers a fascinating look at where the industry is headed next. The conversation explores entrepreneurship, pattern recognition, product development, branding, customer experience, and how science can help shape the future of modern wellness and beverage industries. EndoDNA: Where Genetic Science Meets Actionable Patient Care EndoDNA bridges the gap between complex genomics and patient wellness. Our patented DNA analysis platforms and AI technology provide genetic insights that support and enhance your clinical expertise. Click here to check out to take control over your Personal Health & Wellness   Connect with EndoDNA on SOCIAL: IG | X | YOUTUBE | FB Connect with host, Len May, on IG     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

China Manufacturing Decoded
Why Hardware Projects Stall: Avoiding 'Failure to Launch'

China Manufacturing Decoded

Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2026 36:53 Transcription Available


In episode 236, we explore why so many hardware products never make it to market, even when the idea is strong, the team is ready, and the budget is there. In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, your host Adrian is joined by Paul Adams from Agilian, part of the Sofeast Group, to break down the real reasons hardware projects stall before they even start, and what you can do to avoid it. They go beyond theory and share practical lessons from real projects, including costly mistakes around missing specifications, bad assumptions, and external pressure to move too fast. You'll learn: Why missing product requirements quietly kill projects The difference between having an idea and being ready to start How assumptions compound into expensive errors The hidden risks in BOMs, components, and compliance Real-world case studies where projects stalled, and why A practical 10-point checklist to validate your readiness before development The goal of this episode is to help you avoid delays, wasted budget, and failed launches when you're launching your product.

Trade Splaining
USMCA on the Brink? Trade Fragmentation, Supply Chain Chaos & the Rise of “Just in Case”

Trade Splaining

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2026 31:27


Episode 87 - USMCA Uncertainty, Trade Fragmentation & the Future of Supply Chains Global trade is shifting - and not everyone agrees on where it's heading. In this episode, we break down the growing uncertainty around USMCA, the rise of trade fragmentation, and what it means when the system moves away from efficiency toward resilience. We also sit down with Will Petty, Global Head of Product Development at A.P. Moller - Maersk Trade & Customs Consulting, to understand how companies are actually responding on the ground - from navigating tariffs to rethinking supply chains and compliance. Key topics include: Is USMCA at risk - and what happens if it unravels Why the US is pushing bilateral over regional trade deals The shift from “just in time” to “just in case” supply chains Commodity fragmentation - from copper pricing gaps to stockpiling Why resilience comes with real economic costs (inflation, inefficiency, volatility) How companies are adapting to tariff complexity and geopolitical disruption The growing importance of supply chain data, traceability, and compliance Will supply chains get shorter - or just more complicated? With Will Petty (Maersk), we discuss: How businesses are reacting to constant disruption The real-world impact of tariffs and shifting trade flows Why understanding your supply chain is now a competitive advantage The risk - and opportunity - of shrinking supply chains Plus: Expat insights Geneva kebab rankings And the unexpected return of… mall culture

Experiencing Data with Brian O'Neill
193 - Faster…or Better? Creating Value with Blue Ocean Thinking and AI-Powered Product Development

Experiencing Data with Brian O'Neill

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2026 24:12


Speed is often confused with good product thinking. The idea is that if teams can ship prototypes, dashboards, and models faster, they will automatically learn faster. But execution speed alone doesn't ensure a clearer understanding of what's actually worth building. Instead, teams often fall into a loop driven by demo feedback. They present working prototypes, and users respond to what they can see in the form of interface design, visualizations, or surface-level data behavior. While this feedback feels positive, it's often misleading. Teams can end up reacting to presentation (UI) feedback only to find it does not change propensity to buy or increase user adoption. The key idea today is that prototypes can either be used to clarify the problem space and user needs or to validate the solution presented. Where I see most teams fail is that every artifact or prototype is seen as a solution to validate, and they can miss the forest for the trees. Another approach borrows from blue ocean thinking, which focuses on creating value by looking for overlooked opportunities in the empty space—beyond the known “problem space” your customer knowingly lives in now.  Because AI lets us move so fast with prototyping, I think there is an exciting possibility to explore the blue-ocean spaces where your product could evolve to produce value.  As always, we seek to go beyond building “technically right, effectively wrong”—which doesn't make people buy, use, or refer your product.  Today, we look at what AI can help us to do to see even farther beyond the immediate problem space.  Highlights/ Skip to:   Where the idea for this episode came from (00:46) Why faster building of artifacts with AI doesn't necessarily mean faster market validation (2:09) How understanding the problem space results in fewer prototypes being created (5:40) Using blue ocean strategy to arrive at new products worth paying for (08:23) Finding missed market opportunities  blocked by cost, tech limits, or risk (12:39) How AI-assisted user research fits into blue ocean thinking (14:33) The big picture: winners will figure out what's worth building before they build it (20:42) Links Contact Designing for Analytics

The JDE Connection
Ep 104 - From Bangalore to BP4D, Connecting with the India Dev Team

The JDE Connection

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2026 38:43


In this episode, hosts Chandra and Paul introduce members of the JD Edwards India development team who will be attending the BLUEPRINT4D conference in Texas for the first time. The guests - Rohini Viswanathan, Senior Principal Applications Engineer Manufacturing, Srihari Oruganti, Director, Product Development for Web Runtime, and Shruti Ghatage, Senior Product Manager for SCM and Sustainability share their roles in product development and what they are most excited to learn from and contribute to the event. The discussion focuses on connecting with customers to better understand real-world use cases, challenges with customization, leveraging digital and AI technologies, and the adoption of new modules like the Sustainability Framework. 05:22 Introducing the India Development Team 10:52 What are you most excited about for BP4D? 15:22 What are you hoping to learn at BP4D? 22:13 Is this your first time coming to the US? 24:00 Interacting with development team 26:15 What can customers ask you about at BP4D? 31:28 Midwestern of the Day

The Fintech Blueprint
Inside Mercury's $650M Revenue Machine, with CEO Immad Akhund

The Fintech Blueprint

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2026 44:40


In this episode, Lex chats with Immad Akhund, CEO and founder of Mercury, a leading neobank for businesses. Immad shares his entrepreneurial journey, explaining how frustrating banking experiences inspired Mercury's creation. They discuss Banking as a Service, open banking, embedded finance, and core banking systems. Immad details Mercury's product philosophy, team structure, and migration away from Synapse before its collapse. He also outlines Mercury's impressive growth, with 300,000 customers, $650M in annual revenue, and three years of profitability. The conversation concludes with Mercury's future plans, including lending expansion, a bank charter application, and hopes for smarter AI-driven regulatory compliance. NOTABLE DISCUSSION POINTS: Banking-as-a-Service Has Been Completely Restructured - and the Original Model Is Dead: The fintech BaaS layer that enabled the 2019–2021 neobank boom - middleware providers like Synapse, Unit, and Bond sitting between fintechs and partner banks - has effectively collapsed. The replacement model is banks themselves exposing modern APIs directly, with Column Bank and Lead Bank emerging as the new infrastructure layer. Mercury navigated this shift early, moving entirely off Synapse months before its April 2024 failure, but the broader lesson is that the hundred-program BaaS model broke under the weight of compliance and reconciliation complexity. Mercury's 40% Startup Market Share Is Just the Entry Point to a $2 Trillion Opportunity: Mercury captures over 35% of early-stage US startups, but broader SMB banking represents 30% of all banking revenue - a $2 trillion market. The company is now expanding into personal banking (launched December 2025), lending (bank charter application filed), and subscription software. Akhund frames Mercury not as a bank but as a financial operating system - the “Google suite of banking” - where deposits are the entry point to invoicing, bill pay, spend management, and eventually underwriting. Stablecoins Don't Magically Solve the Ledger Problem: Akhund pushes back on the narrative that stablecoins eliminate reconciliation risk. In practice, most stablecoin providers pool customer funds into shared wallets and run their own abstraction layers and internal ledgers - recreating the same reconciliation challenges that exist in traditional banking. The benefit only holds in the narrow case where users truly own their own keys and wallets, which is rarely how scaled fintech products operate. TOPICS Mercury, Synapse, Chase, Evolve Bank, Column Bank, Stripe, Plaid, Coinbase, neobank, neobanking, banking-as-a-service, BAAS, fintech, fintech regulation, reconciliation, product development, stablecoins, API, blockchain, VCs, embedded finance   ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

Flyover Conservatives
The “Med Bed” On Your Wrist? The Technology Changing How People Heal - John Bamber | Deep Dive | FOC Show

Flyover Conservatives

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2026 58:54


On the Flyover Conservatives Show, we sat down with John Bamber of WavWatch to explore a groundbreaking technology using frequencies to support healing, sleep, and overall wellness. We discuss how this device works, the science behind frequency-based health, and real testimonies of people experiencing pain relief, improved sleep, and more. If you've been searching for natural ways to support your body and move beyond symptom-based care, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.TO WATCH ALL FLYOVER CONTENT: www.theflyoverapp.com Follow and Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFlyoverConservativesShow To Schedule A Time To Talk To Dr. Dr. Kirk Elliott Go To ▶ https://flyovergold.comOr Call 720-605-3900 ► Receive your FREE 52 Date Night Ideas Playbook to make date night more exciting, go to www.prosperousmarriage.comJohn BamberWEBSITE: www.wavwatch.com/FLYOVER PROMO CODE: FLYOVERJohn Bamber serves as the Head of Product Development for WAVWatch, a company focused on frequency-based wellness technology. With a background as a professional photographer for over two decades, John brings a creative and analytical approach to innovation and product design. He works alongside his family to advance the vision originally developed by his mother, inventor Linda, helping bring accessible health-focused technology to a wider audience. Since joining the company in 2023, John has played a key role in refining the WAVWatch device and expanding its capabilities across sleep, recovery, and overall wellness support. Passionate about natural health solutions, he is dedicated to helping people explore new ways to support their bodies beyond traditional approaches.-------------------------------------------

Object Worship
Shelby Pollard and the 65/61 Jazzmaster

Object Worship

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2026 86:37


Today our hosts welcome Shelby Pollard of Black Bobbin. He brings with him the city of Chicago, as well as a 65/61 Jazzmaster refin that set him on the path of Jazzmaster expertise back in his days working at Chicago Music Exchange. Today, Black Bobbin is a curated boutique of interesting guitar products, including the Black Bobbin JM, which represents the culmination of Shelby's knowledge and preferences in the world of Jazzmasters (you've also heard Dan yapping about how much he likes his). There's a lot of insight and tidbits of knowledge throughout this one - go hit play! Check out Black Bobbin: https://blackbobbin.com/ Buy some Old Blood: https://oldbloodnoise.com/ Join the conversation in Discord: https://discord.com/invite/PhpA5MbN5u Follow us all on the socials: @danfromdsf, @andyothling, @oldbloodnoise Subscribe to OBNE on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/oldbloodnoise Subscribe to Andy's Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/powereconomy Leave us a voicemail at 505-633-4647!

Marketing Happy Hour
Building Marketing Strategies Grounded in Tangible Results (+ Modernizing Legacy) | Blair Lancer of Lancer Skincare

Marketing Happy Hour

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2026 28:59


How do you breathe new life into a legacy brand without losing the clinical authority that made it famous? In this episode, Blair Lancer, CMO of Lancer Skincare, pulls back the curtain on her journey from a fashion-focused career at Saks Fifth Avenue to leading the strategic evolution of her family's dermatology-backed empire. Blair discusses the nuances of the "multigenerational" approach—balancing her father's scientific expertise with her own relatable, digitally native voice to reach a younger luxury consumer. We explore the "Practice to Product" philosophy, why she chooses to ignore fleeting industry trends in favor of long-term efficacy, and how the brand is preparing for the future of skincare through AI-driven personalization. Whether you are building a brand from scratch or managing a heritage business, this conversation offers a masterclass in staying authentic while evolving for the modern market.Key Takeaways:// The "Practice to Product" Standard: True clinical credibility comes from products that mimic real in-office dermatological procedures, such as "The Polish" mimicking professional microdermabrasion.// Evolving the Visual Language: To avoid being viewed as "your mother's brand," a legacy business must revamp its digital presence and packaging to feel approachable and lighter while maintaining its core DNA.// Mindset Over Trends: Chasing buzzwords and "white-labeling" products leads to diluted brand authority; instead, wait for ingredient technology to improve so that products drive repeat purchases through results, not hype.// The Power of Two Voices: Modernizing a founder-led brand doesn't mean replacing the founder; it means pairing their technical expertise with a relatable, younger voice to broaden the brand's appeal.// The Career "Dot" Theory: Success often comes from saying "yes" to adjacent roles—like Blair moving from PR to Product Development—which allows you to understand the brand from inception to consumer feedback.// Hiring for "Zest": In an automated world, hiring should prioritize a candidate's passion, ambition, and life experiences over a perfect resume alone.Connect with Blair: LinkedInLearn More About Lancer Skincare: Instagram____Join the MHH Collective! The MHH Collective is a community for marketers and business owners to connect, ask real questions, and grow their careers together. Join for access to live Q&As with industry experts, a private Slack community, and ongoing resources: https://www.marketinghappyhr.com/mhh-collectiveSay hi! DM us on Instagram and let us know what content you want to hear on the show - We can't wait to hear from you! Please also consider rating the show and leaving a review, as that helps us tremendously as we move forward in this Marketing Happy Hour journey and create more content for all of you. ⁠Join the MHH Collective: ⁠Join now⁠Get the latest marketing trends, open jobs and MHH updates, straight to your inbox: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our email list!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow MHH on Social: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest
How Lo & Sons Cut Product Development From 2 Years to 9 Months

The Watson Weekly - Your Essential eCommerce Digest

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2026 32:21


When Helen Lo founded Lo & Sons at 65, she was solving her own travel problem. Fifteen years later, her family-run DTC brand is navigating one of the toughest environments in consumer goods: a flood of dupes, shrinking development windows, and a rapidly shifting AI landscape.Rick Watson is joined by Katie Omstead, President at Lo & Sons, and Sonal Gandhi, Chief Content Officer at The Lead. The Watson Weekly interview is sponsored by Avalara - the agentic AI platform automating global tax and compliance for leading eCommerce brands. For more details: https://avalaratax.watsonweekly.com.In this Watson Weekly interview, we dig into how Lo & Sons compressed its product development cycle from two years to nine months (with four to five months on the horizon), why 90% of the business remains direct-to-consumer, and how AI is reshaping everything from ideation to inventory. We also preview The Lead, the commerce summit landing in New York on May 20–21, where 3,000 operators and 150 speakers will gather — no vendor spin, just real talk on building brands in 2026.

The Interchange
The electrolyzer reckoning: Can disciplined product development deliver on green hydrogen's promise before the survivors run out of runway?

The Interchange

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2026 60:04


Empty gigawatt factories, product recalls, participation rates that never materialised, and a policy environment that has now stripped the green premium entirely. The electrolyzer industry has had a brutal few years and most of the companies that raised hundreds of millions on the back of the hydrogen hype cycle are now sitting with fixed costs they cannot sustain and field deployments they are not proud of. Host Bridget van Dorsten speaks with Raveel Afzaal, CEO of Next Hydrogen, one of the few electrolyzer manufacturers that chose to watch from the sidelines while competitors scaled into the storm. Raveel describes the decision in blunt terms: in 2021, when cost of capital went to near zero and capital discipline evaporated, Next Hydrogen looked at the macro signals; rising inflation, rising interest rates, a market telling them their Hyundai partnership was worth a 5% share price drop, and chose to extend their runway from 18 months to five years. That meant hard capital allocation decisions, and the answer was to invest in the product, not the factory. The conversation goes deep into a problem that rarely gets discussed publicly: the commercialisation valley of death. Getting to a working prototype is celebrated, but the productisation phase, technology readiness levels five through seven, is where the funding gap is most severe and the cost shock is greatest. Costs typically rise three to five times from prototype stage, revenues do not yet exist, and neither government programmes nor conventional investors are structured to bridge it. Raveel explains why so many companies that made it to prototype stage never made it to commercial deployment and what surviving that valley actually required. Raveel also pushes back on a common framing around Chinese versus Western electrolyzers. His argument is that the quality question is not a national origin question , it is a materials question. What membranes, what bipolar plates, what catalyst, what functional safety architecture? Next Hydrogen's own answer to those questions is unusual: replacing nickel bipolar plates with large injection-moulded specialty engineered plastics, eliminating corrosion risk entirely and reducing cost through higher material utilisation rather than lower-grade materials. The company holds 40 patents on a cell architecture designed from the outset for direct connection to variable renewables, a design decision made in 2008, when the rest of the industry was still building for baseload. The episode closes on what the next two to three years look like for electrolyzer manufacturers. Raveel's view is that consolidation is coming, but many companies won't survive long enough to be part of it, their fixed costs are too high and their runway too short. The companies that survive will be those with variable cost models, disciplined project selection, and a genuine answer to three questions: Can you access excess electrons? Can you deliver containerised, plug-and-play solutions that control total installed cost? Can you reliably handle the intermittent operations that direct renewable connection demands? Next Hydrogen is betting the answer starts with getting the cell design right first. Today's episode is sponsored by GridBeyond. Energy asset owners face a critical challenge: how to optimize performance and drive new revenue in competitive, fast-moving markets. GridBeyond solves this through AI-powered forecasting, energy trading and optimization. GridBeyond's platform delivers: Precision forecasting to anticipate market opportunities Intelligent market access across multiple revenue streams Real-time control that responds instantly to market conditions Optimization that combines AI insights with expert oversight Whether you're managing batteries, gas peakers, hybrid sites, or complex multi-asset portfolios, GridBeyond helps you turn assets into high-performance revenue machines. The proven platform has helped businesses across the energy sector maximize returns and accelerate their energy transition. Want to learn more? Visit go.gridbeyond.com/recharged https://go.gridbeyond.com/recharged See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Voices from The Bench
421: Katherine Steinbock-Dyke: From Girl Scout Cookies to CEO of Whip Mix

Voices from The Bench

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2026 63:48


Hey Voices from the Bench community! Jessica Love here, sending a shoutout from Utah! If you're passionate about creating natural, beautiful smiles—but want to simplify your workflow without sacrificing aesthetics—this is for you. I'm honored to be part of Ivoclar's development team introducing a powerful new stain and glaze system featuring Structure Paste, IPS e.max Ceram Art. Create stunning depth and lifelike color in as little as one firing. Let's continue to innovate, simplify, and create meaningful change—one smile at a time. CAM has been a major topic lately, and a lot of that conversation keeps coming back to hyperDENT. But instead of just talking about the software itself, it's worth looking at real-world experience. Imagine USA has been using hyperDENT in their own lab for over 15 years. That kind of longevity says a lot—they're not just selling and supporting it, they're relying on it in their own production every single day. That's what really sets them apart. This week, Elvis and Barb sits down with Katherine Steinbock-Dyke of Whip Mix to talk legacy, leadership, and the evolution of a family-run powerhouse in the dental industry. As part of the Steinbock lineage, Katherine shares what it was like growing up around the business—from selling Girl Scout cookies on the shop floor to eventually stepping into the CEO role. Her journey wasn't a straight line, starting instead in international business and corporate HR before finding her way back to Whip Mix and working her way through multiple roles across the company. The conversation dives into the realities of running a multi-generational company in a rapidly changing industry. Katherine talks about balancing tradition with innovation, from gypsum and articulators to digital workflows and resin development. She opens up about the challenges of staying relevant, the importance of continuous improvement (hello, WIN program), and what it really means to lead a team she genuinely cares about. Along the way, there's plenty of classic bench banter—everything from assembling pizzas at Papa John's to the chaos of early 3D printing workflows and navigating massive trade shows like IDS. The episode wraps with a look at where Whip Mix is headed, Katherine's focus on reconnecting with labs and customers, and how the next generation is shaping the future of dental manufacturing while respecting its roots.Special Guest: Katherine Steinbock-Dyke.

The Dr. Will Show Podcast
Maria Athanasiou - How to Launch an MVP

The Dr. Will Show Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2026 20:05


Maria is a high school business teacher and founder of Collaboration Tracker, an AI-powered platform that reveals the invisible work behind student collaboration. After years in the classroom, she saw firsthand how difficult it is to fairly assess group work and is now building a solution that gives educators real evidence of student contribution. Her work sits at the intersection of education, AI, and assessment, helping schools shift from grading products to understanding process. ______________________________________________________________________ The Edupreneur: Your Blueprint To Jumpstart And Scale Your Education BusinessYou've spent years in the classroom, leading PD, designing curriculum, and transforming how students learn. Now, it's time to leverage that experience and build something for yourself. The Edupreneur isn't just another book; it's the playbook for educators who want to take their knowledge beyond the school walls and into a thriving business.I wrote this book because I've been where you are. I know what it's like to have the skills, the passion, and the drive but not know where to start. I break it all down: the mindset shifts, the business models, the pricing strategies, and the branding moves that will help you position yourself as a leader in this space.Inside, you'll learn how to:✅ Turn your expertise into income streams, without feeling like a sellout✅ Build a personal brand that commands respect (and top dollar)✅ Market your work in a way that feels natural and impactful✅ Navigate the business side of edupreneurship, from pricing to partnershipsWhether you want to consult, create courses, write books, or launch a podcast, this book will help you get there. Stop waiting for permission. Start building your own table.Grab your copy today and take control of your future.Buy it from EduMatch Publishing https://edumatch-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/new-releases/products/the-edupreneur-by-dr-will

Object Worship
Setback

Object Worship

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 65:38


Today the whole Object Worship world suffers a Setback - did I say suffers? I mean revels in! Our hosts are talking all about the new Old Blood Noise Endeavors Setback, a reverse pedal with all the bells and whistles. They start with some anecdotes about their personal gear journeys, then dive into Setback: the development process, control choices, art and name, and why you're gonna wanna set back and play one. Buy some Old Blood: https://oldbloodnoise.com/ Join the conversation in Discord: https://discord.com/invite/PhpA5MbN5u Follow us all on the socials: @danfromdsf, @andyothling, @oldbloodnoise Subscribe to OBNE on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/oldbloodnoise Subscribe to Andy's Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/powereconomy Leave us a voicemail at 505-633-4647!

Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
How Glamnetic Went From $1 Million to $100 Million—And Nearly Lost It All in Between

Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2026 36:57


What happens when the product that made you famous starts holding you back? Kevin Gould co-founded Glamnetic in 2019 with Ann McFerran, launching a magnetic eyelash brand that exploded from $1 million to $50 million in revenue in just one year — fueled by a great product, smart growth marketing, and the COVID-era boom in DIY beauty. But when the tailwinds reversed — iOS 14 updates sent acquisition costs soaring, the lash category contracted, and revenue dipped 25% — Kevin faced a make-or-break decision. Rather than doubling down on what was declining, he pivoted the entire business into press-on nails, a category still in its infancy. Today, Glamnetic is one of the largest press-on nail brands in the world, doing over $100 million a year. In this episode, Kevin gets real about the unglamorous side of hypergrowth: the cash flow crunches that come with scaling too fast, the inventory mistakes that haunt you, and the emotional toll of watching revenue fall when you expected it to double. He shares how he and his team navigated the pivot, why community and brand affinity will always outlast paid acquisition, and why the best advice he can give founders is: don't grow too fast. You'll learn: Why going from $1M to $50M overnight nearly broke the business How to manage cash flow and inventory when you're self-funded The marketing mix that built a real brand — not just an ad machine Why TikTok Shop is the biggest arbitrage opportunity right now How a 40,000-member Facebook community doubles as a product development engine The one hire every founder should prioritize early on What it really takes — personally and professionally — to turn a pivot into a $100M business Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

The Agile World with Greg Kihlstrom
#842: Braze Chief Product Officer Kevin Wang on how AI has forever changed product development

The Agile World with Greg Kihlstrom

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2026 25:36


With AI promising to accelerate everything, is the most important role for a leader now to be the one who knows when to hit the brakes?Agility requires a balance between the rapid adoption of new technologies and the strategic wisdom to know which ones will actually deliver customer value. It's less about moving fast and more about moving in the right direction.Today, we're going to talk about how AI has permanently changed product development. But while it enables teams to tackle more problems faster than ever, the real challenge has shifted to keeping pace with rising customer expectations. This new landscape requires a shift in product leadership—from simply adopting trends to discerning real value, and using human judgment and creativity to decide where AI can make the biggest impact, and where it's just noise.To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Kevin Wang, Chief Product Officer at Braze. About Kevin Wang Kevin Wang is the Chief Product Officer at Braze, where he leads the definition of Braze's product roadmap and R&D efforts, as well as managing and scaling the Product Management and Product Design teams. Kevin joined Braze as its fifth employee in 2012, helping to build the first product sold to customers and the early engineering team. He's since held a variety of roles across product management, engineering, engineering management, and technical recruiting. Prior to Braze, Kevin was a consultant at Accenture focusing on the energy sector. Kevin holds a B.S. in Brain & Cognitive Sciences from MIT. Kevin Wang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wang-96131916/ Resources Braze: https://www.braze.com/ The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Agile World with Greg Kihlstrom
#842: Braze Chief Product Officer Kevin Wang on how AI has forever changed product development

The Agile World with Greg Kihlstrom

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2026 28:06


With AI promising to accelerate everything, is the most important role for a leader now to be the one who knows when to hit the brakes? Agility requires a balance between the rapid adoption of new technologies and the strategic wisdom to know which ones will actually deliver customer value. It's less about moving fast and more about moving in the right direction. Today, we're going to talk about how AI has permanently changed product development. But while it enables teams to tackle more problems faster than ever, the real challenge has shifted to keeping pace with rising customer expectations. This new landscape requires a shift in product leadership—from simply adopting trends to discerning real value, and using human judgment and creativity to decide where AI can make the biggest impact, and where it's just noise. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Kevin Wang, Chief Product Officer at Braze. About Kevin Wang Kevin Wang is the Chief Product Officer at Braze, where he leads the definition of Braze's product roadmap and R&D efforts, as well as managing and scaling the Product Management and Product Design teams. Kevin joined Braze as its fifth employee in 2012, helping to build the first product sold to customers and the early engineering team. He's since held a variety of roles across product management, engineering, engineering management, and technical recruiting. Prior to Braze, Kevin was a consultant at Accenture focusing on the energy sector. Kevin holds a B.S. in Brain & Cognitive Sciences from MIT. Kevin Wang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wang-96131916/ Resources Braze: https://www.braze.com/ The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Being an Engineer
S7E16 Chad Walters | Constraints, Iteration, & Industrial Design in Product Development

Being an Engineer

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2026 51:08


Send us Fan MailChad Walters is an experienced product design leader with more than two decades of experience developing complex products across healthcare, life sciences, aerospace, defense, and commercial markets. As the first industrial designer at a major engineering-focused design center in the Raleigh-Durham area, Chad helped establish and grow a strong user-centered design presence within an organization traditionally driven by engineering and manufacturing excellence.Throughout his career, Chad has led multidisciplinary teams in the development of products ranging from large-scale interactive vending systems like the Coca-Cola Freestyle to advanced surgical robotics platforms and handheld CPR coaching devices. His work goes far beyond surface-level aesthetics — focusing on defining product behavior, reducing usability risk, and ensuring that form, function, and brand identity work together to support both user needs and business outcomes.A passionate mentor, Chad has also served as a long-time Product Development Advisor to biomedical engineering and entrepreneurship students at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University. In this role, he guides multidisciplinary student teams through the realities of product development — helping them structure teams, build compelling business cases, refine investor pitches, and understand the importance of being the best storytellers in the room.Earlier in his career, Chad led design teams developing aftermarket performance components for Audi, Volkswagen, and Porsche vehicles at APR, LLC, where he combined engineering rigor with brand storytelling and public-facing product launches. He began his professional journey designing avionics control systems at Archangel Systems, Inc. and contributed to professional-grade kitchen equipment development at Viking Range, LLC — experiences that shaped his ability to bridge mechanical engineering, user interface design, and human-centered product strategy.Chad holds a degree in Industrial Design from Auburn University and an associate's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Wallace Community College. His career reflects a rare blend of technical fluency, design leadership, and deep empathy for end users — all aimed at creating products that perform at the highest level while genuinely improving the human experience.LINKS:Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadwaltersid/Aaron Moncur, host Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.usWatch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
How Pistakio Grew 10x by Letting Customers Build the Brand

Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2026 47:06


Two recent college grads turned a dorm room pistachio recipe into a fast-growing food brand—by letting their community call the shots. Nicola Buffo and Francine Voit, co-founders of Pistakio, share how they pivoted from pistachio mayo to a sweet pistachio spread one week before their first big grocery pitch, built a loyal following on social media because a college professor forced them to start posting, and turned customer DMs into their best-selling products—including their crunchy spread and date bark. In this episode, Nico and Fran talk about: How a last-minute product pivot landed them in Portland's biggest local retailer Why they said no to Shark Tank and Target before they were ready How community-led product development drove 10x growth Building a brand in public from day one (even with terrible dorm room lighting) The café tour strategy that gets customers to try the product risk-free Navigating a business partnership that's also a romantic relationship The $20,000 TikTok agency mistake and what they learned from it Why taste—not health trends—is their only non-negotiable Whether you're starting a food business, looking for community-driven marketing strategies, or figuring out when to say no to big opportunities, this episode is packed with real talk and actionable advice for ecommerce entrepreneurs. For more on Pistakio and show notes click here: https://www.shopify.com/blog/pistakio-community-led-product-development?utm_campaign=shopifymasters&utm_medium=youtube&utm_source=podcast SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more video episodes: https://utm.io/uhw53 Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.