Podcasts about User research

Manuel ist zurück aus dem Urlaub und berichtet von seinen Festival-Erfahrungen bei fast 40°C. Cari gibt Updates zur Fußball-WM und erzählt, warum gerade ein deutscher Song international viral geht. In "das nervt" lässt Cari Dampf über MagentaTV ab. Und: Manuel fasst das Märchen "Hase und Igel" zusammen — und empfiehlt das gleichnamige Brettspiel.   Transkript und Vokabelhilfe Werde ein Easy German Mitglied und du bekommst unsere Vokabelhilfe, ein interaktives Transkript und Bonusmaterial zu jeder Episode: easygerman.org/membership   Sponsoren Hier findet ihr unsere Sponsoren und exklusive Angebote: easygerman.org/sponsors   Intro: Manuels Urlaub Kiezburn Festival   Darüber redet Deutschland: Fußball-WM DFB und German Football: "Wer hat dem wieder die Kamera gegeben?!"

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com

Prerna Singh helps organizations build better products and stronger communities. As the founder of Scrappy to Scale Advisors and the former VP of Product and Design at Meetup, she has guided startups and mission-driven organizations through rapid change, customer discovery, and product strategy. In today's episode, Prerna explains why human connection and disciplined product thinking matter more than ever during the AI boom. While AI may accelerate product work, she says, successful teams avoid the must stay grounded in curiosity, customer insight, and authentic community building. Sense of Community Addresses the ‘Isolation Problem' What started as a casual gathering for fractional product leaders, Prerna's Product Breakfasts quickly evolved into a broader support system for people navigating uncertainty and AI-driven change and the professional isolation that often comes with it. Many product professionals, she says, now feel overwhelmed by the pace of technological advancement and the pressure to keep pace. “I don’t think there’s any catching up,” Prerna adds. “‘Catching up' implies that there’s an end goal to this. And there isn’t. So that’s where I think Breakfast is the evolution of people coming together to share what they know and helping reduce that anxiety that isn’t just a knowledge gap. It's also an isolation problem.” First Principles, Supported by Human Interaction Product professionals need environments where they can safely discuss their own vulnerabilities. The ability to openly admit uncertainty about AI and its impact, to exchange ideas, and learn together is the hallmark of authentic, in-person interaction. “The IRL connection isn’t going anywhere,” Prerna continues. “We need that human-to-human interaction to have an outlet for where those vulnerabilities are gonna go. Otherwise, they’re just contained within us and we’re just spiraling in our own heads.” Avoiding the Trap Starts with Better Discovery Prerna's extensive background in user research informs her belief in the importance of first principles in product management. AI tools, she says, make it deceptively easy to jump directly into solutioning without fully understanding the customer's needs and the business' problems. In her fractional product manager role, Prerna listens “for the thing that clients return to when they stop performing.” “‘We need AI' is a common mantra,” she says. “But what's interesting for me is the kernel of truth that frames that statement. And it's not what they want. It’s what they can’t circle back to – like there’s a hidden customer insight that we’ve maybe navigated around.” Lean into Discovery, Prerna concludes. Product teams must remain disciplined about validating assumptions, conducting research, and identifying the real customer need before building anything. “Avoid the trap of jumping into solutioning.” [05:26] Origin story of the Product Leaders Breakfast. The original concept for Product Breakfast started from a place where it came out this concept of isolation. In the last 2-3 years, we’ve heard so much about AI and the way that it’s affecting our jobs. [09:36] Don’t feel like you need to ‘catch up’ to AI’s impact. I don’t think there’s any catching up. Catching up implies that there’s like an end goal to this — and, well, there isn’t. [12:00] The IRL Connection Remains Essential. This is precisely why the IRL connection isn’t going anywhere. We need the human-to-human interaction to have an outlet for sharing vulnerabilities; otherwise, they’re just contained within us and then we’re just spiraling in our own heads. [18:28] What it means to be a ‘fractional product leader’. The fractional product leader brings in a wealth of experience and is able to quickly understand the organization’s problems, the culture, the team and embed themselves as a force multiplier to help that organization achieve its goals. [26:43] AI’s support of user research and first principles. When we approach these challenges with a level of curiosity, we avoid using the first answer as the final answer. We need to dig beyond the surface level truth with user research. And this is actually where AI has been super-helpful because it’s allowing me to ingest lots of different signals to cut through the noise and figure out what that right signal is. [28:09] Spend time in the problem space. I think the trap is jumping into solutioning. This is another first principles thing where I think, again as humans, we have this tendency to want to jump right into solution as soon as we see a problem without spending time interrogating the problem. The post 188 / Prerna Singh: Avoiding the AI Build Trap with Better User Research appeared first on ITX Corp..

Dominique und Tim sprechen in dieser Folge über die Methode des Experience Market und darüber, was dieses Großgruppenformat in der Produktentwicklung und der Product Discovery anderes bewirken kann als viele andere "klassische" Austauschformate. In vielen Unternehmen sitzen Product Owner, Entwickler:innen, UX und Führungskräfte zwar regelmäßig zusammen in Meetings oder Reviews. Und doch bleiben Erfahrungen oft in einzelnen Teams hängen. Dort setzt der Experience Market an. Menschen sprechen strukturiert über echte Situationen aus ihrem Alltag und machen sichtbar, was funktioniert hat, wo Unsicherheit entsteht und welche Probleme sich über Teams hinweg wiederholen. Der Experience Market lebt davon, dass viele Perspektiven gleichzeitig zusammenkommen. Dominique beschreibt das anhand der Product Owner Days in Köln, bei denen im Rahmen einer Abendveranstaltung rund 200 Teilnehmende gemeinsam an verschiedenen Themenstationen gearbeitet haben. Statt Frontalvorträgen oder vorbereiteten Präsentationen entstehen Gespräche direkt an großen Boards. Dort sammelten die Gruppen ihre Erfahrungen zu Themen wie Outcome-Orientierung, Zusammenarbeit oder Product Ownership. Entscheidend ist dabei, dass nicht nur Erfolge sichtbar werden. Auch gescheiterte Ansätze oder schwierige Situationen gehören bewusst dazu. Gerade dadurch entstehen oft die wertvollsten Diskussionen. Wichtig und spannend ist beim Experience Market vor allem die Dynamik zwischen den einzelnen Gruppen. Menschen wechseln während des Formats in drei Runden zwischen verschiedenen Stationen und bringen neue Gedanken mit. Eine Gruppe ergänzt, was die vorherige begonnen hat. Andere widersprechen oder erweitern bestehende Perspektiven aus ihrer eigenen Praxis. Dadurch entsteht kein starres Ergebnisdokument, sondern ein gemeinsamer Erfahrungsraum. Viele Organisationen unterschätzen, wie viel Wissen bereits intern vorhanden ist. Häufig fehlt lediglich ein Rahmen, in dem dieses Wissen sichtbar und anschlussfähig wird. Tim beschreibt dabei seine Beobachtung, die viele Produktmenschen kennen mögen. In klassischen Workshops sprechen oft dieselben Personen. Beim Experience Market entsteht dagegen Bewegung im Raum und damit auch Bewegung im Denken. Die Gastgeber:innen der einzelnen Stationen moderieren nicht im klassischen Sinn. Sie sorgen dafür, dass Gespräche entstehen, Gedanken dokumentiert werden und andere Gruppen später nachvollziehen können, warum bestimmte Themen relevant waren. Genau diese Verbindung aus Austausch, Sichtbarkeit und gemeinsamer Reflexion macht den Experience Market für größere Produktorganisationen interessant. Besonders relevant wird der Experience Market dann, wenn Unternehmen ihre Produktarbeit stärker miteinander verzahnen wollen. Viele Teams kämpfen mit ähnlichen Herausforderungen, ohne voneinander zu lernen. Diskussionen über Outcome Orientierung, Stakeholder oder Produktstrategie finden parallel statt, aber oft isoliert voneinander. Der Experience Market schafft dafür einen gemeinsamen Raum. Nicht als einmaliges Event mit Hochglanzcharakter, sondern als Arbeitsformat, das Menschen miteinander ins Gespräch bringt und Erfahrungen greifbar macht. Ältere Folgen, auf die im Gespräch verwiesen wird: - Mit "Jobs to Be Done"-Interviews zum besseren Kundenverständnis (JTBD) - Welche Aufgaben gehören zur Product Owner Rolle? Product Ownership Context Canvas (POCC) Habt ihr schonmal vom Experience Market gehört oder sogar teilgenommen? Was sind eure Erfahrungen und Meinungen zu diesem Format? Teilt eure Geschichten und Erfahrungen doch mit uns und der Community. Hinterlasse gerne einen Kommentar unterm Blog-Artikels oder auf unserer Produktwerker LinkedIn-Seite.

Atlassian connected its AI agents to a richer layer of company knowledge (documents, projects, goals, people) and measured a 44% improvement in answer accuracy using 48% fewer resources. Same models. Different information. Brian Armstrong restructured Coinbase the same week: 14% headcount cut, five management layers maximum. When AI can surface what previously required institutional memory and senior tenure, the organizational layers built around that knowledge become harder to justify.The visible shift gets covered in tech headlines. What gets lost in the announcement energy: none of this works if the company hasn't decided what it wants AI to do.The more widespread barrier is upstream of governance. Most executives approving AI budgets are working through the aftermath of pilots that underdelivered, first-generation deployments that didn't survive contact with their actual data, and early model results that left skepticism the current tools have since substantially outrun. That trust deficit — organizations evaluating new AI investment based on experiences two generations old — is where enterprise AI projects most commonly stall. Shadow AI governance and deployment intent are real risks, but they're downstream of that harder problem. There is no closing the capability gap inside an organization that is quietly waiting for the next deployment to fail too.John Willis co-wrote The DevOps Handbook because software teams were shipping code fast without feedback loops or governance. He sees the same pattern repeating with AI — and he spent five decades documenting what happens when the gap between vendor promises and operational reality gets this wide.* Why shadow AI is more dangerous than an outright ban* Why throughput without governance means instability at scale* Why governance creates flow instead of stopping it* Why most teams have ML evaluation tools when they need audit trails* Why even a five-person startup needs digitally signed records of agent decisions* What AI winters teach us about where we actually are nowListen: Spotify | Apple PodcastsRikki Singh leads product innovation at Twilio — what the company calls its biggest launch in 17 years. Before Twilio she was at McKinsey, where she co-authored the definitive research on what makes a great PM. The Qualtrics 2026 CX Trends Report found nearly 1 in 5 consumers who used AI customer service saw zero benefit. That number is the benchmark she is working against.* Why most AI CX is still FAQ automation with better packaging* Why the LLM wrapper creates false confidence — the model generates strings, it is not thinking* Vitamins vs painkillers: how to parse what customers don't say out loud* How to protect long-horizon bets inside a public company* Why the brand owns the accountability when AI gets a high-stakes interaction wrongListen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Heute freue ich mich, Konrad Maruschewski als Gast begrüßen zu dürfen. Konrad ist UX Research & Analytics Chapter Lead bei der DKB Code Factory – dem digitalen Produkt- und Technologiebereich der Deutschen Kreditbank, kurz DKB. Dort arbeiten interdisziplinäre Teams daran, Banking verständlicher, nützlicher und alltagstauglicher zu machen – immer mit dem Fokus darauf, wie Menschen Bankprodukte tatsächlich erleben und nutzen.In seiner Rolle ist Konrad dafür verantwortlich, die Perspektive der Nutzer:innen systematisch in Produktentscheidungen einzubringen. Durch Interviews, Usability-Tests (DKB ist langjähriger Userbrain Kunde), Datenanalysen und kontinuierliche Validierung stellt sein Team sicher, dass digitale Produkte nicht nur funktionieren, sondern auch relevant, verständlich und vertrauenswürdig sind. So hilft CX Research der DKB Code Factory, fundierte Entscheidungen zu treffen und echte Nutzerbedürfnisse in wirksame digitale Erlebnisse zu übersetzen.Konrad und ich sprechen darüber, wie iteratives User Testing schnelle Prototypen und Erfolge bringt und warum der Mensch auch in einer KI-geprägten Zukunft immer im Zentrum des User Research stehen wird. Konrads LinksKonrads LinkedInDKB Code Factory Job BoardKonrads BuchempfehlungThe Design of Everyday Things - Don NormanIch hoffe, ihr fandet diese Folge nützlich. Wenn ihr auch die nächsten nicht verpassen wollt, abonniert UX Heroes doch auf Spotify, Apple Podcasts oder eurem Lieblingspodcaster – ihr könnt uns dort auch bis zu 5 Sterne als Bewertung dalassen. Wenn ihr Fragen oder Feedback habt, schickt uns doch gerne eine Nachricht an podcast@userbrain.com. Ihr findet mich auch auf LinkedIn unter Markus Pirker.UX Heroes ist ein Podcast von Userbrain. Mit Userbrain könnt ihr eure User Tests schnell und einfach durchführen. Einen User Test anzulegen geht mit Hilfe der AI innerhalb von wenigen Minuten und erste Ergebnisse sind innerhalb weniger Stunden verfügbar.Loslegen ist einfach: Geht auf userbrain.com/podcast, erstellt einen kostenlosen Account und bekommt die ersten 2 Tester im Wert von €90 geschenkt!

Imagine making the cover of Time magazine...Okay, maybe not. Nobody gets into service design for the fame. Actually, as we're always saying on the show, our best work is usually the stuff nobody notices.The spotlight stays on the CEOs. You rarely see the people in the trenches, the ones making sure the "faceless" public services we rely on actually work. Think about it for a moment, you can thank a mailman because he's a human being standing on your porch in the rain. But when water is coming out of your faucet, there's nobody to thank. It's just "the system".That invisibility is exactly why people sometimes get hostile toward the government or big institutions. It's always "us versus them" because there's no "them" to relate to.So our guest for this episode, Brian Whittaker, decided to change by starting a project called Humans of Public Service (HoPS).In this episode, we talk about the early days of the project and the weirdly difficult task of getting modest, quiet service design professionals to actually talk about themselves (on camera). He also shares hard won lessons on how he finally got the project to take off.It's an inspiring conversation. It shows how much the vibe changes when you put a human face on a anonymous system. So if you're trying to build empathy inside a big, messy organization, Brian's blueprint really might just be what you need.While you're listening, try to think of one "boring" story in your own org that deserves a spotlight. Enjoy the conversation and keep making a positive impact!Be well,~ Marc--- [ 1. GUIDE ] --- 00:00 Welcome to Episode 25203:45 Family Roots in Service05:00 Current US Service Challenges07:30 Private to Public Transition10:00 Modernizing Federal Tech11:00 Passion of Public Servants13:30 The Shift in 202014:15 Humans of Public Service15:45 Growing on LinkedIn17:00 Amplifying Unheard Voices18:15 Shifting the Narrative21:30 Bridging the Empathy Gap25:45 The Power of Recognition32:45 Institutional Design38:30- Scaling Human Connection44:55 The Future of Service51:15 Advice for Change-Makers53:30 Final Reflections --- [ 2. LINKS ] --- https://www.linkedin.com/in/bwhtt/ --- [ 3. CIRCLE ] --- Join our private community for in-house service design professionals. ⁠https://servicedesignshow.com/circle[4. FIND THE SHOW ON]Youtube ~ https://go.servicedesignshow.com/252-youtubeSpotify ~ https://go.servicedesignshow.com/252-spotifyApple ~ https://go.servicedesignshow.com/252-appleSnipd ~ https://go.servicedesignshow.com/252-snipd

This book offers a comprehensive and practical guide to Games User Research (GUR). Blending theory and hands-on experience, it walks readers through methods, tools, and techniques tailored to the real-world constraints of small and medium-sized game development studios to support them in delivering better player experiences. The book is divided into three parts. Part one introduces core concepts to game development, and explores gameplay experience, together with factors that influence player behaviour and decisions. The part ends by exploring the games user researcher's role and its common challenges. Next, part two presents readers with a 10-step end-to-end research process for a single study. From understanding stakeholders, designing methods, through recruiting participants, moderating sessions and analysing results, to delivering actionable insights. It provides guidance, real-life examples, and templates for integrating research in the game development practices, even when the budget and timeline are tight. Finally, part three provide readers with ready-to-use "recipes" for 10 research methods covering every phase of the game production cycle. Each recipe includes practical tips, pitfalls to avoid, and actual report excerpts. Whether you're an indie developer wanting to better understand your players, UX designer or researcher moving from application software to the world of games, this book will provide you with all the information on how to use research to gain the insights needed to create better player experiences. Rudolf Thomas Inderst (*1978) enjoys video games since 1985. He received a master's degree in political science, American cultural studies as well as contemporary and recent history from Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich and holds two PhDs in game studies (LMU & University of Passau). Currently, he's teaching as a professor for game design and game studies at the HNU University of Applied Sciences Neu-Ulm, Germany, holds the position as lead editor at the online journal Titel kulturmagazin for the game section, and is editor of the weekly game research newsletter Game Studies Watchlist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

This book offers a comprehensive and practical guide to Games User Research (GUR). Blending theory and hands-on experience, it walks readers through methods, tools, and techniques tailored to the real-world constraints of small and medium-sized game development studios to support them in delivering better player experiences. The book is divided into three parts. Part one introduces core concepts to game development, and explores gameplay experience, together with factors that influence player behaviour and decisions. The part ends by exploring the games user researcher's role and its common challenges. Next, part two presents readers with a 10-step end-to-end research process for a single study. From understanding stakeholders, designing methods, through recruiting participants, moderating sessions and analysing results, to delivering actionable insights. It provides guidance, real-life examples, and templates for integrating research in the game development practices, even when the budget and timeline are tight. Finally, part three provide readers with ready-to-use "recipes" for 10 research methods covering every phase of the game production cycle. Each recipe includes practical tips, pitfalls to avoid, and actual report excerpts. Whether you're an indie developer wanting to better understand your players, UX designer or researcher moving from application software to the world of games, this book will provide you with all the information on how to use research to gain the insights needed to create better player experiences. Rudolf Thomas Inderst (*1978) enjoys video games since 1985. He received a master's degree in political science, American cultural studies as well as contemporary and recent history from Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich and holds two PhDs in game studies (LMU & University of Passau). Currently, he's teaching as a professor for game design and game studies at the HNU University of Applied Sciences Neu-Ulm, Germany, holds the position as lead editor at the online journal Titel kulturmagazin for the game section, and is editor of the weekly game research newsletter Game Studies Watchlist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/technology

In dieser Folge spricht Dominique mit Tara Bosenick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarabosenick/), Management Director bei uintent, über KI gestützten UX Research und was davon im Alltag von Produktteams wirklich trägt. Tara bringt mehr als zwei Jahrzehnte Erfahrung im UX Research mit und beobachtet sehr genau, wie sich der Einsatz von Sprachmodellen auf Research Prozesse auswirkt. UX Research steht für fundierte Entscheidungen. Wer Produkte verantwortet, braucht belastbare Erkenntnisse über Bedürfnisse, Motive und Probleme von Nutzerinnen und Nutzern. Gleichzeitig steigt der Druck. Zeit fehlt, Prioritäten konkurrieren, Entscheidungen sollen schneller fallen. Hier können KI Werkzeuge Entlastung bieten. Tara erlebt in ihren Workshops beides: Begeisterung und Ernüchterung. Sprachmodelle formulieren hervorragend. Sie helfen beim Schreiben von Screenern, Interviewleitfäden oder UX Texten. Sie unterstützen bei der Strukturierung von Gedanken. Gerade beim Formulieren entsteht spürbare Zeitersparnis im UX Research. Der große Hebel liegt jedoch in der Analyse. Transkripte auswerten, Muster erkennen, Zitate sauber belegen und daraus einen klaren Report bauen kostet Zeit. Hier setzen viele Hoffnungen an. Doch genau hier zeigt sich auch die Schwäche probabilistischer Systeme. Ein Sprachmodell berechnet Wahrscheinlichkeiten. Es liefert gut klingende Antworten. Das bedeutet nicht automatisch, dass diese Antworten auch korrekt sind. Wer im UX Research Interviews analysiert, will keine wahrscheinlichen Aussagen, sondern präzise Aussagen auf Basis echter Daten. Halluzinationen entstehen schneller als vielen bewusst ist. Ein falsch zugeordnetes Pronomen im Transkript kann bereits eine Interpretation kippen. Ein unklarer Kontext im Prompt kann dazu führen, dass externe Annahmen in die Analyse einfließen. Tara plädiert deshalb für ein sehr bewusstes Vorgehen, wie kleine Analyseschritte statt großer Gesamtaufgaben zu stellen, klare Regeln im Prompt zu formulieren, Explizite Anweisungen zu geben, nur mit den vorliegenden Daten zu arbeiten und Zitate wortwörtlich wiederzugeben. UX Research mit KI verlangt Disziplin und ein kritisches Auge. Auch die Vorbereitung von Research profitiert nur begrenzt von Automatisierung. Wer regelmäßig Interviews führt, erstellt Leitfäden oft schneller selbst, als ein Sprachmodell mit ausreichend Kontext zu versorgen. Sinnvoll kann KI im UX Research beim vorbereitenden Desk Research sein oder als Sparringspartner für Hypothesen und Fragestellungen. Spannend wird es aber beim Reporting. Layouts automatisiert befüllen, Charts erstellen und Präsentationen strukturieren spart Zeit, ohne den Kern des UX Research zu verfälschen. Hier entsteht echte Entlastung im Alltag von Product Ownern und Produktmanagerinnen. Gleichzeitig bleibt der Mensch zentral. Gute Interviews leben von Beziehung und Gesprächsdynamik. Wer UX Research komplett an Bots abgibt, verliert die unmittelbare Erfahrung mit Nutzerinnen und Nutzern. Gerade für Produktteams ist es wertvoll, Probleme aus erster Hand zu hören. Diese Erfahrung schafft ein gemeinsames Verständnis, das kein Report ersetzen kann. Datenschutz und Compliance sind lösbar, wenn passende Tarife und Verträge genutzt werden. Das größere Risiko liegt in der unkritischen Nutzung. Sprachlich überzeugende Ergebnisse verführen dazu, sie ungeprüft zu übernehmen. Für fundierten UX Research braucht es jedoch Verantwortung und Reflexion. KI gestützter UX Research ist damit weder Heilsbringer noch reine Spielerei. Er kann Prozesse beschleunigen, wenn wir die Grenzen kennen und bewusst steuern. Wer Halluzinationen versteht, Prompts strukturiert und Ergebnisse prüft, gewinnt Zeit für das Wesentliche. Für bessere Fragen, tiefere Gespräche und klarere Entscheidungen im Produktalltag.

Real-Time Unternehmertum: Wie Julian Pscheid mit Hedy Produktivität neu definiert   Vor eineinhalb Jahren startete Julian Pscheid mit einer klaren Vision: Warum sollte KI erst nach einem Meeting helfen und nicht genau dann, wenn es zählt? Aus dieser Frage entstand Hedy. Heute ist daraus ein Real-Time Meeting Coach geworden, der Unternehmer, Führungskräfte und Selbstständige live im Gespräch unterstützt. Im Gespräch wird deutlich: Es geht nicht nur um ein weiteres KI-Tool. Es geht um eine neue Art zu arbeiten, zu entscheiden und unternehmerisch zu denken.   Julian Pscheid auf LinkedIn: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianpscheid/   Vom Agenturunternehmer zum Real-Time-Pionier Julian Pscheid hatte zuvor 20 Jahre lang eine Software-Agentur aufgebaut und geführt. Er kannte jede Ebene der Produktentwicklung – von User Research über UX und Entwicklung bis hin zu Support und Vertrieb. Der Wendepunkt kam, als er begann, Meetings aufzuzeichnen und im Nachgang mit KI auszuwerten. Die Erkenntnis: Die eigentliche Magie entsteht nicht nach dem Gespräch, sondern im Gespräch. Wenn Kontext, frühere Diskussionen und strategische Überlegungen in Echtzeit verfügbar sind, verändert das die Qualität der Entscheidungen. Aus einem Prototyp für Freunde wurde eine iOS-App, später kamen Android und Desktop-Versionen hinzu. Heute nutzen tausende Anwender Hedy weltweit, nicht, weil es ein Trend ist, sondern weil es im Alltag funktioniert. Mehr als ein Meeting-Tool: Hedy als Produktivitäts-Multiplikator JHedy ist kein klassischer Meeting-Bot, der am Ende ein Protokoll liefert. Die Stärke liegt in der personalisierten Echtzeit-Unterstützung. Das System kennt dich, deine Gesprächspartner, vergangene Meetings und relevante Zusammenhänge. Es hilft dir, Ideen wieder hervorzuholen, Argumente zu schärfen oder Struktur in komplexe Gespräche zu bringen. Doch der eigentliche Hebel liegt in der Integration in dein KI-Ökosystem. Über API, Webhooks und Automationen wird das Transkript zum Rohmaterial für weitere Prozesse: Playbooks entstehen automatisch, Help-Artikel werden generiert, Workflows angestoßen. Das verändert nicht nur Meetings. Es verändert, wie du arbeitest. Fokus auf Produktqualität statt Marketing-Hype Während viele Wettbewerber mit Millionenbudgets arbeiten, setzt Julian Pscheid auf ein anderes Prinzip: Produkt vor Marketing. Hedy wird kontinuierlich durch Nutzerfeedback weiterentwickelt. Neue Features entstehen aus realen Anwendungsfällen… manchmal innerhalb von 24 Stunden. Gleichzeitig zeigt sich auch, dass nicht jede Funktion langfristig Mehrwert bringt. Diese Lernkurve gehört dazu. Strategisch setzt Hedy auf Tiefe im Use Case statt Breite im Funktionskatalog. Personalisierung, Kontextverständnis und Integration in bestehende Workflows sind die Kernpfeiler. Hinzu kommt ein klarer Fokus auf Datenschutz und Modularität. Unternehmen können eigene Cloud-Umgebungen nutzen, eigene Modelle anbinden und volle Kontrolle behalten. Gerade im europäischen Markt ist das ein entscheidender Faktor. Unternehmertum in der KI-Ära: Zehnfach produktiver arbeiten Ein zentrales Learning aus dem Gespräch: KI ist ein Produktivitätsmultiplikator. Julian beschreibt KI als „10x-Faktor". Aufgaben, für die früher mehrere Mitarbeiter nötig waren, können heute von einer Person umgesetzt werden. Ideen lassen sich direkt realisieren, ohne lange Abstimmungsprozesse. Für Gründer und Selbstständige bedeutet das: Die Eintrittsbarrieren sinken. Geschwindigkeit steigt. Wer KI konsequent integriert, kann mit kleinen Teams enorme Wirkung erzielen. Gleichzeitig betont Julian Pscheid, wie wichtig es ist, das eigene Unternehmen an den eigenen Werten auszurichten. Keine Investoren, die ausschließlich Wachstum fordern. Kein Zwang zu Strukturen, die die persönliche Freiheit einschränken. Fazit: Real-Time-KI als strategischer Vorteil Real-Time Meeting Assistants stehen erst am Anfang ihrer Entwicklung. Wearables, Teamfunktionen und KI-Schwärme sind absehbare nächste Schritte. Doch unabhängig von der technologischen Evolution bleibt ein Kernpunkt: Wer KI nicht nur als Nachbearbeitungs-Tool, sondern als Live-Unterstützung einsetzt, verschafft sich einen strategischen Vorteil. Hedy ist dabei mehr als Software. Es ist ein Ansatz, wie du Meetings führst, Entscheidungen triffst und dein Unternehmen strukturierst. Die zentrale Botschaft aus diesem Gespräch: Nutze die Möglichkeiten der KI konsequent, aber baue dein Business nach deinen eigenen Werten.     Noch mehr von den Koertings ...  Das KI-Café ... jede Woche Mittwoch (>350 Teilnehmer) von 08:30 bis 10:00 Uhr ... online via Zoom .. kostenlos und nicht umsonstJede Woche Mittwoch um 08:30 Uhr öffnet das KI-Café seine Online-Pforten ... wir lösen KI-Anwendungsfälle live auf der Bühne ... moderieren Expertenpanel zu speziellen Themen (bspw. KI im Recruiting ... KI in der Qualitätssicherung ... KI im Projektmanagement ... und vieles mehr) ... ordnen die neuen Entwicklungen in der KI-Welt ein und geben einen Ausblick ... und laden Experten ein für spezielle Themen ... und gehen auch mal in die Tiefe und durchdringen bestimmte Bereiche ganz konkret ... alles für dein Weiterkommen. Melde dich kostenfrei an ... www.koerting-institute.com/ki-cafe/   Mit jedem Prompt ein WOW! ... für Selbstständige und Unternehmer Ein klarer Leitfaden für Unternehmer, Selbstständige und Entscheider, die Künstliche Intelligenz nicht nur verstehen, sondern wirksam einsetzen wollen. Dieses Buch zeigt dir, wie du relevante KI-Anwendungsfälle erkennst und die KI als echten Sparringspartner nutzt, um diese Realität werden zu lassen. Praxisnah, mit echten Beispielen und vollständig umsetzungsorientiert. Das Buch ist ein Geschenk, nur Versandkosten von 9,95 € fallen an. Perfekt für Anfänger und Fortgeschrittene, die mit KI ihr Potenzial ausschöpfen möchten. Das Buch in deinen Briefkasten ... https://koerting-institute.com/shop/buch-mit-jedem-prompt-ein-wow/   Die KI-Lounge ... unsere Community für den Einstieg in die KI (>2800 Mitglieder) Die KI-Lounge ist eine Community für alle, die mehr über generative KI erfahren und anwenden möchten. Mitglieder erhalten exklusive monatliche KI-Updates, Experten-Interviews, Vorträge des KI-Speaker-Slams, KI-Café-Aufzeichnungen und einen 3-stündigen ChatGPT-Kurs. Tausche dich mit über 2800 KI-Enthusiasten aus, stelle Fragen und starte durch. Initiiert von Torsten & Birgit Koerting, bietet die KI-Lounge Orientierung und Inspiration für den Einstieg in die KI-Revolution. Hier findet der Austausch statt ... www.koerting-institute.com/ki-lounge/   Starte mit uns in die 1:1 Zusammenarbeit Wenn du direkt mit uns arbeiten und KI in deinem Business integrieren möchtest, buche dir einen Termin für ein persönliches Gespräch. Gemeinsam finden wir Antworten auf deine Fragen und finden heraus, wie wir dich unterstützen können. Klicke hier, um einen Termin zu buchen und deine Fragen zu klären. Buche dir jetzt deinen Termin mit uns ... www.koerting-institute.com/termin/   Weitere Impulse im Netflix Stil ... Wenn du auf der Suche nach weiteren spannenden Impulsen für deine Selbstständigkeit bist, dann gehe jetzt auf unsere Impulseseite und lass die zahlreichen spannenden Impulse auf dich wirken. Inspiration pur ... www.koerting-institute.com/impulse/   Die Koertings auf die Ohren ... Wenn dir diese Podcastfolge gefallen hat, dann höre dir jetzt noch weitere informative und spannende Folgen an ... über 440 Folgen findest du hier ... www.koerting-institute.com/podcast/   Wir freuen uns darauf, dich auf deinem Weg zu begleiten!    

If you work in UX, you've probably heard the terms lean, Agile, and MVP more times than you can count. But knowing the terms doesn't mean knowing how to make them work. In this episode, Laura Klein, Principal Experience Specialist at NN/G, joins Therese Fessenden to talk about what Lean UX was really meant to accomplish — and how teams today can apply its principles without falling into common traps.Listen as they discuss how Lean UX came about, the skill of zooming between product vision and interaction details, and why growing companies struggle to balance speed and consistency. Whether you're working at a startup or inside a large enterprise, this episode offers a grounded look at how to design thoughtfully in fast-moving environments.We're also excited to have Laura join as the newest co-host of the NN/G UX Podcast. And many congratulations to the Fessenden family as they welcome a new addition to their family.About Laura Klein | Bio | Linkedin | Bluesky | Usersknow.comWhat is Wrong With UX (Podcast)Build Better Products (Book)UX for Lean Startups (Book)NN/G Live Online Courses Taught by LauraLean UX and AgileProduct & UX: Building Partnerships for Better OutcomesAll Our Live CoursesFree NN/G Articles & VideosLean UX & Agile: Study GuideLean UX & Agile GlossaryWhat is Lean UX?Accounting for User Research in AgileWhy Organizations Don't Do User Research and How to Change ThatWhy Most Product Teams Aren't Really EmpoweredDon't forget to like and subscribe! ❤️Follow Us On:NewsletterInstagramThreadsLinkedinBlueskyX

After completing interviews with congressional and public users in November and December, the Congress.gov team is preparing for a new research phase this spring. The insights from last year's sessions are guiding the next steps in modernizing the user experience. I'll explore the takeaways and what's ahead with Chief of the Design Division, OCIO, at the Library of Congress, Kristin Davis.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Questo mese parliamo di User Research. È vero che se ne fa ingiustamente spesso a meno? E quando la si fa, la si fa male? Capiamo il perché con una puntata guidata da Marilisa, Head of Experience Design di Aziona. Ascoltaci!

In this episode, I'm joined by the returning Michele Hansen, co-founder and CEO of Geocodio and author of Deploy Empathy, now out with a second edition. Michele brings deep experience as a former product manager turned founder, and has spent over a decade helping teams understand customers through rigorous, human-centred research. We explore what customer research looks like in an AI-accelerated world: where AI genuinely helps, where it falls short, and why talking to real people remains irreplaceable. Along the way, we dig into interviewing craft, curiosity, synthetic users, and some enduring myths that still undermine product discovery. Episode highlights: We cover a lot, including: Why customer interviews still matter in the age of AI - why large language models can accelerate research workflows but cannot replace the insight, judgement, and transformation that comes from engaging directly with customers. AI as a research intern, not a strategist - AI performs well in certain tasks - transcription, tagging, and basic analysis - but prioritisation, interpretation, and strategy must remain human responsibilities. The neuroscience of listening and curiosity - both interviewees and interviewers experience genuine pleasure when curiosity is satisfied, reframing interviews as a mutually rewarding process rather than a chore. What AI misses in real customer conversations - considering the "spiky", unexpected insights that emerge in interviews - and why these often get lost when teams rely too heavily on automated summaries. Synthetic users, digital twins, and their limits - breaking down different types of simulated users, where they can be useful, and why they depend on high-quality human research to be credible at all. The problem with the "faster horses" myth - dismantling the misattributed Henry Ford quote and exploring how it's often used to avoid engaging with customers rather than to encourage innovation. Research as a way to change teams, not just products - how involving teams directly in research builds shared understanding, alignment, and better decision-making across organisations. Why AI accelerates confusion without product clarity - AI only compounds impact when a clear product vision and customer understanding already exist - otherwise, teams simply move faster in the wrong direction. Connect with Michele Learn more about Michele's company, Geocodio: https://www.geocod.io/ Check out the new edition of "Deploy Empathy": https://deployempathy.com/. Connect with Michele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjwhansen/ Meet Michele at the pub in London! We'll be there on Jan 15th 2026: https://luma.com/xyqi9e2z

There's a ton of talk about AI related to software dev, but what about user research?  What AI tools and strategies can we leverage to level up our game here? Free Email Course - https://bootstrappersparadise.com/coursePrivate Coaching - https://bootstrappersparadise.com/coachingBootstrapper's Paradise - https://bootstrappersparadise.com/

Aytekin is the founder and CEO of JotForm, one of the most widely used no-code automation platforms in the world, serving more than 35 million users across education, healthcare, nonprofits, and small businesses. He's also the author of the Wall Street Journal and Publisher's Weekly bestselling book Automate Your Busy Work,00:00 – IntroductionFounder mindset, automation philosophy, and the future of work00:01 – Why Automate Your Busy Work Was Ahead of Its TimeNo-code, automation thinking before the AI boom01:09 – Building JotForm Before the AI Hype Cycle20 years of bootstrapping, slow growth, and real product-market fit02:29 – Forms as the Gateway to AutomationHow education, nonprofits, healthcare, and SMBs really work03:49 – From Forms to Workflows, Approvals, PDFs, and E-SignaturesDesigning automation for people without developers04:21 – Solo Founder Reality: Doing HR, Legal, Support, and Product AloneThe hidden cognitive cost of running everything yourself04:51 – Competing with Google Forms as a Bootstrapped FounderWhy automation and delegation became survival tools05:58 – Email Automation as Cognitive ReliefHow prioritization systems reduce stress and decision fatigue07:41 – Applying Automation Internally: Teams, CI/CD, and TestingWhy automation makes teams safer, not riskier08:10 – Designing Products Around How People Actually WorkFrom tools to systems thinking09:17 – Writing, Teaching, and Sharing Automation PrinciplesFrom Medium and Forbes to a bestselling book10:48 – Discovering the AI Revolution After Publishing the BookAutomation philosophy vs AI productivity tools11:16 – “People Aren't Overworked — They're Over-Busy”The psychology of modern work and burnout12:28 – Embodying Automation Principles Inside the CompanyScaling without chaos12:48 – Email Prioritization Systems That Actually WorkHow to design inboxes for executives and founders14:20 – Gmail Filters, Labels, and Decision AutomationSimple systems over complex tools16:59 – Automation as Stress Reduction, Not SpeedWhy missing important work causes burnout19:21 – Continuous Deployment and First-Day Code CommitsHow automation builds trust and confidence at scale21:12 – Why Automation Shouldn't Be FearedRisk reduction through systems22:08 – Internal Automation Lessons from JotForm's Engineering Culture23:01 – Future of Work: Policy, Strategy, and AIWEF, global work, and structural change24:32 – Does AI Kill Jobs or Create Better Ones?A real company case study25:02 – Deploying AI Support Without Laying Off EmployeesHow JotForm handled AI responsibly27:09 – Human-in-the-Loop AI SystemsWhy oversight matters more than hype28:19 – Training AI Through Documentation and FeedbackHow resolution rates improved from 25% to 75%31:01 – Improving AI Through Better Knowledge SystemsDocumentation as infrastructure32:36 – New Roles Created by AI AdoptionFrom support agents to AI evaluators33:29 – Multilingual AI Support at Global ScaleWhy AI enables inclusion, not just efficiency35:09 – Why JotForm Didn't Get AcquiredIndependence, focus, and long-term thinking39:29 – Focused Work, Fewer Hours, Higher LeverageRedefining productivity at scale41:06 – Evolution of JotForm Into a Full Automation PlatformFrom forms to AI agents and integrations42:09 – AI Agents Demo Discussion and Key TakeawaysReal use cases, real ROI46:18 – User Research at Massive ScaleLearning from 35 million users48:03 – Omnichannel AI Agents: Web, Instagram, Gmail, SalesforceTraining once, deploying everywhere49:35 – The Future of AI Agents as Digital EmployeesOne system, many touchpoints50:14 – Advice for Young Developers and FoundersHow to compete in the AI era50:49 – Growth Mindset Through Every Tech RevolutionFrom PCs to the internet to AI52:10 – Why This Is the Best Time to Be YoungOpportunities created by AI and no-code tools53:38 – Closing Reflections on Building, Learning, and PurposeA long-term view of work and life

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/3KUDMzV Episode description: In this episode of Insights Unlocked, host Amrit Bhachu sits down with Mario Callegaro, founder of Callegaro Research and a leading expert in survey methodology and AI-augmented research. Mario brings a wealth of experience from his 15 years at Google and shares practical, thoughtful guidance on how to responsibly integrate AI tools into UX, market, and survey research workflows. From the evolving role of the researcher to the risks and potential of synthetic users, this episode unpacks what's changing, what to be cautious of, and what skills are now essential in the age of AI. What you'll learn How AI supports every phase of the research workflow: planning, execution, and activation The role of prompt engineering in getting better insights from AI tools Why synthetic users and synthetic data can't yet replace real human participants What researchers are gaining—and potentially losing—by relying on AI The current limitations of large language models in capturing nuance and variability Practical advice on testing and validating AI tools with known datasets Why transparency, iteration, and responsible experimentation are key Resources & links Mario on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcallegaro/) Amrit on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amritsbhachu/) Callegaro Research (https://callegaroresearch.com/) Quantitative User Experience Association (https://www.quantuxcon.org/) There's an AI for that (https://theresanaiforthat.com/) Mike on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemace/) Nathan Isaacs on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanisaacs/) Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

The most enjoyable part of doing the podcast is talking to a wide range of people who, regardless of their industry or role, share a common goal: making things better. At the end of the day, that's what it's all about. Sometimes we make things better by selling something people need. Other times, it's by teaching them something new, creating an art installation that moves them, designing a workplace where they feel fulfilled, or building tools that make tasks easier. Whatever the approach, the mission remains the same—to make things better.This simple goal can often get lost behind the different names our work has taken over time. Take “UX,” for example. It started as “Human Factors,” then became “Human-Computer Interaction,” and eventually evolved into “User Experience” and “Human-Centered Design.” Whatever the term, it all comes back to the same principle: improving lives. The more we keep that in mind, the better we understand what this work is truly about.There's a lot of talk today about creating a “Digital First” strategy. But perhaps we should think in terms of a Human First strategy—focusing on what people want, what they need, and how we can help close the gap. One of the great things about being a podcast host, educator, and thought leader in this space is providing the tools that help others create the tools people need.My guest on this episode of Experience by Design understands what it means to elevate human potential and create “human-powered excellence.” Terry Peters discovered his passion for computers and coding through his high school football coach. Over his 20+ year career, he has helped organizations shape their digital strategies through user research, systems design, and user-focused experiences. His systems perspective emphasizes the importance of employee experience within technological and digital design—prioritizing their voices to create solutions that truly make things better.We discuss Terry's journey into management information systems and eventually user experience. We explore the challenges of requirements gathering, the role of AI as a supportive tool in human-centered design (rather than a replacement), and Terry's work with Veracity, now part of RGP, where empathy is central to projects that impact employees' work and lives.Finally, we reflect on the ethos of user experience: improving people's lives and making things better. By integrating diverse perspectives, we can build tools that help people achieve that goal.Terry Peters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-peters-m-s-8198b61b/RGP: https://rgp.com/

Visit our Substack for bonus content and more:https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/bonus-episode-30-years-of-design Today we celebrate 30 years of Wert&Co.—the quiet champions of design who have shaped our field by placing the brightest designers in roles of influence at brands that impact culture, commerce, and community. Design Better is brought to you by Wix Studio, the most powerful web design platform for entrepreneurs, agencies, and creative thinkers. Learn more → To mark the occasion, Design Better is live in New York City with an inspiring panel. We'll look back at how design has shaped the world over the past three decades and look ahead to the essential role design must play as technology reshapes the human experience. Our conversation begins with Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator of Architecture and Design and Director of Research & Development at The Museum of Modern Art. Paola is one of the most influential voices in contemporary design, exploring how design shapes culture, technology, and society. We're also joined by Mark Wilson, Global Design Editor at Fast Company. Mark covers the intersection of design, technology, and culture, bringing a journalist's rigor and a designer's eye to stories that reach millions. In the second half of our conversation, we shift our focus to the present and future of design—the teams, the individual contributors, and the leaders who are navigating this evolution in real time. Kate Aronowitz, and Meaghan Choi, and Mike Davidson are three leaders who have different perspectives on where design is headed, and what it means to build meaningful careers in this rapidly changing landscape. Kate Aronowitz is a Design Partner at GV, where she helps companies of all sizes build design-driven cultures. Meaghan Choi is a Product Designer at Anthropic, focused on developer experiences for emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing, including her work on Claude Code. Mike Davidson is VP of Design and User Research at Microsoft AI, with more than two decades leading design at companies including Twitter, Disney, and ESPN.

Visit our Substack for bonus content and more: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/rewind-paola-antonelli Design Better has been on the road recently, recording a live episode in Manhattan for design search firm Wert & Co's 30th anniversary. Guests for the episode included Paola Antonelli (senior curator in the Department of Architecture and Design at MoMA) Mike Davidson (VP of Design and User Research at Microsoft AI), Kate Aronowitz (Design Partner at Google Ventures), Meaghan Choi (Product Designer at Anthropic), & Mark Wilson (Global Design Editor at Fast Company). While Aarron and I are catching up from travel, and as a lead-in to the live episode airing next week, we're rewinding to our interview with Paola Antonelli. We hope you enjoy the episode. And if you haven't checked it out yet, did you know you can save over $1600 on popular productivity tools and design and AI courses with the Design Better Toolkit? Just head over to dbtr.co/toolkit to learn more. *** The Museum of Modern Art brings to mind images of Van Gough's Starry Night, Salvador Dali's Persistence of Memory, and Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup Cans. But thanks to Paola Antonelli, senior curator in the Department of Architecture and Design, MoMA exhibitions also encompass the role design has played in shaping culture and the human experience. We talk with Paola about how we can look at digital design through a historic lens, some of the most important design movements in the past 100 years, and how the creative process has evolved through these different movements. We also talk about the history of the @ symbol, why craftsmanship is necessary to experimentation, and some of the current challenges in design education. We hope you enjoy this episode which is a part of our series on design history, with upcoming episodes on typography with Jonathan Hoefler, and the history and philosophy of design with Professor Barry Katz. Paola Antonelli joined The Museum of Modern Art in 1994 and is the Museum's Senior Curator in the Department of Architecture and Design, as well as MoMA's founding Director of Research and Development. Her work investigates design in all its forms, from architecture to video games, often expanding its reach to include overlooked objects and practices. An architect trained at the Polytechnic of Milan and a pasionaria of design, Antonelli has been named one of the 25 most incisive design visionaries in the world by TIME magazine, has earned the Design Mind Smithsonian Institution's National Design Award, has been inducted in the US Art Directors Club Hall of Fame, and has received the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Artists,) the London Design Medal, and the German Design Award, among other accolades.

BONUS: Nesrine Changuel shares how to create product delight through emotional connection! In this BONUS episode we explore the book by Nesrine Changuel: 'Product Delight - How to make your product stand out with emotional connection.' In this conversation, we explore Nesrine's journey from research to product management, share lessons from her experiences at Google, Spotify, and Microsoft, and unpack the key strategies for building emotionally resonant products that connect with users beyond mere functionality. The Genesis of Product Delight "I quickly realized that there is something that is quite intense while building Skype... it's not just that communication tool, but it was iconic, with its blue, with ringtones, with emojis. So it was clear that it's not just for making calls, but also to make you feel connected, relaxed, and part of it." Nesrine's journey into product delight began during her transition from research to product management at Skype. Working on products at major companies like Skype, Spotify, and Google Meet, she discovered that successful products don't just function well—they create emotional connections. Her role as "Delight PM" at Google Meet during the pandemic crystallized her understanding that products must address both functional and emotional user needs to truly stand out in the market. Understanding Customer Delight in Practice "The delight is about creating two dimensions and combining these two dimensions altogether, it's about creating products that function well, but also that help with the emotional connection." Customer delight manifests when products exceed expectations and anticipate user needs. Nesrine explains that delight combines surprise and joy—creating positive surprises that go beyond basic functionality. She illustrates this with Microsoft Edge's coupon feature, which proactively suggests discounts during online shopping without users requesting it. This anticipation of needs creates memorable peak moments that strengthen emotional connections with products. Segmenting Users by Motivators "We can discover that users are using your product for different reasons. I mean, we tend to think that users are using the product for the same reason." Traditional user segmentation focuses on demographics (who users are) or behavior (what they do). Nesrine advocates for motivational segmentation—understanding why users engage with products. Using Spotify as an example, she demonstrates how users might seek music for specific songs, inspiration, nostalgia, or emotional regulation. This approach reveals both functional motivators (practical needs) and emotional motivators (feelings users want to experience), enabling teams to build features aligned with user desires rather than assumptions. In this segment, we refer to Spotify Wrapped.  The Distinction from Jobs To Be Done "There's no contrast. I mean to be honest, it's quite aligned, and I'm a big fan of the job to be done framework." While aligned with Clayton Christensen's Jobs To Be Done framework, Nesrine's approach extends beyond identifying triggers to practical implementation. She acknowledges that Jobs To Be Done provides the foundational theory, distinguishing between personal emotional motivators (how users want to feel) and social emotional motivators (how they want others to perceive them). However, many teams struggle to translate these insights into actual product features—a gap her Product Delight framework addresses through actionable methodologies. Navigating the Line Between Delight and Addiction "Building for delight is about creating products that are aligned with users' values. It's about aligning with what people really want themselves to feel. They want to feel themselves, to feel a better version of themselves." The critical distinction between delight and addiction lies in value alignment. Delightful products help users become better versions of themselves and align with their personal values. Nesrine contrasts this with addictive design that creates dependencies contrary to user wellbeing. Using Spotify Wrapped as an example, she explains how reflecting positive achievements (skills learned, personal growth) creates healthy engagement, while raw usage data (hours spent) might trigger negative self-reflection and potential addictive patterns. Getting Started with Product Delight "If you only focus on the functional motivators, you will create products that function, but they will not create that emotional connection. If you take into consideration the emotional motivators in addition to the functional motivators, you create perfect products that connect with users emotionally." Teams beginning their delight journey should start by identifying both functional and emotional user motivators through direct user conversations. The first step involves listing what users want to accomplish (functional) alongside how they want to feel (emotional). This dual understanding enables feature development that serves practical needs while creating positive emotional experiences, leading to products that users remember and recommend. Product Delight and Human-Centered Design "Making products feel as if it was done by a human being... how can you make your product feel as close as possible to a human version of the product." Nesrine positions product delight within the broader human-centered design movement, but focuses specifically on humanization at the product feature level rather than just visual design. She shares examples from Google Meet, where the team compared remote meetings to in-person experiences, and Dyson, which benchmarks vacuum cleaners against human cleaning services. This approach identifies missing human elements and guides feature development toward more natural, intuitive interactions. In this segment we refer to the books Emotional Design by Don Norman, and Design for Emotion by Aarron Walter..  AI's Role in Future Product Delight "AI is a tool, and as every tool we're using, it can be used in a good way, or could be used in a bad way. And it is extremely possible to use AI in a very good way to make your product feel more human and more empathetic and more emotionally engaging." AI presents opportunities to enhance emotional connections through empathetic interactions and personalized experiences. Nesrine cites ChatGPT's conversational style—including apologies and collaborative language—as creating companionship feelings during work. The key lies in using AI to identify and honor emotional motivators rather than exploit them, focusing on making users feel supported and understood rather than manipulated or dependent. Developer Experience as Product Delight "If the user of your products are human beings... whether business consumer engineers, they deserve their emotions to be honored, so I usually don't distinguish between B2B or B2C... I say like B2H, which is business to human." Developer experience exemplifies product delight in B2B contexts. Companies like GitHub have created metrics specifically measuring developer delight, recognizing that technical users also have emotional needs. Tools like Jira, Miro, and GitHub succeed by making users feel more competent and productive. Nesrine advocates for "B2H" (business to human) thinking, emphasizing that any product used by humans should consider emotional impact alongside functional requirements. About Nesrine Changuel Nesrine is a product coach, trainer, and author with experience at Google, Spotify, and Microsoft. Holding a PhD from Bell Labs and UCLA, she blends research and practice to guide teams in building emotionally resonant products. Based in Paris, she teaches and speaks globally on human-centered design. You can connect with Nesrine Changuel on LinkedIn.

Join Product Manager Brian and Enterprise Consultant Om as they peel back the sticky veneer from the "Build First" trend sweeping through product development. Listen or watch as we debate the message being projected by AI tool vendors (who all have their own flavor of tool to sell you) and ask - "are we encouraging teams to skip crucial validation" in favor of rapid prototyping? Stick around for our discussion, which includes:- How "Build First" creates organizational dependencies on AI vendors- The death of institutional knowledge and strategic thinking- Effects of skipping user research and stakeholder conversations- The token economy trap and hidden costs of AI-driven development- Practical ways to leverage AI tools without falling into these trapsWhether you're a product manager, developer, or leader navigating the AI hype cycle, this episode offers balanced insights on how to use AI tools responsibly while still building products people actually want.#AIProductDevelopment #BuildFirst #ProductManagementproduct management, agile development, AI tools, build first, user research, token economy, product strategy, tech leadership, AI in product development, product validationLINKSYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@arguingagileSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596Website: http://arguingagile.comINTRO MUSICToronto Is My BeatBy Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

Snigdha Joshi is a UI/UX Designer: In this session, we unravel how artificial intelligence is redefining the future of creative technology from intuitive UI/UX design to dynamic content creation, generative art, immersive storytelling, and beyond. Gain insight into how AI is unlocking new dimensions of expression, streamlining design processes, and giving rise to transformative career roles at the intersection of imagination and intelligence. 00:00 - Intro 03:50 - Designing Tomorrow 05:00 - Fear of AI 10:29 - User Research 24:18 - Beyond Chat 36:37 - Tools that Do More 41:45 - Final Takeaway 51:22 - Q&A How to find Snigdha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/snigdha-joshi-20a476253/ Snigdha's links: https://snigdhajoshi.framer.website

In our last few lessons, we've been building out the ecosystem that supports a scalable UX strategy. We've covered services, tools, design systems, and even preferred suppliers. But there's one more piece of infrastructure that can have a surprisingly big impact; your user research repository.If you want to empower others to take on UX work without losing too much quality, you need to give them a solid foundation to build on. That means they shouldn't have to start from scratch every time they run a project. And they certainly shouldn't have to repeat the same user research over and over again just because nobody saved the results.That's where your repository comes in.What a UX Repository Actually IsAt its core, this is simply a central, searchable place to store past user research. Not just what you have done, but what anyone across the organization has conducted.This could include:Personas or audience segmentationJourney mapsSurveys and interview transcriptsUsability testing resultsAnalytics insights, heatmaps, and recordingsNotes from field studies or observational researchIt's your institutional memory. A UX library, if you like.Why It MattersA well-managed research repository offers a ton of practical benefits:Saves time and budget by avoiding repeated researchImproves consistency in how decisions are madeReveals patterns and trends across multiple teams or time periodsEncourages adoption by making research feel more accessible and less mysteriousAnd just as importantly, it gives your colleagues the confidence to use research in their own projects. When people know they're not starting from a blank page, they're far more likely to engage.What to Include (and How to Organize It)You'll want to organize your repository around two primary themes:Audience ResearchThis includes everything related to your user groups:Personas (or audience profiles)Journey mapsSurvey resultsInterview transcriptsService ResearchThis is about specific products or experiences:Task completion insightsUsability testing resultsAnalytics dashboardsHotjar or Microsoft Clarity recordingsConversion funnel analysesUse tags and categories to make these easy to find. Things like project names, audience types, dates, and tools used.You'll also want to note the age of the research. Outdated insights can be misleading, so having a simple “last updated” or “research date” field is a big help.Tools That Can HelpThere are purpose-built platforms like Condens or Dovetail that do this well. But if budgets are tight, a shared Notion workspace or Microsoft Teams library can work just fine, what matters most is that it's:Easy to searchClearly structuredOpenly accessible (with appropriate privacy controls)Don't Forget RecruitmentRelated to the repository, there's another simple asset that can massively speed up research across your organization: a user mailing list.Maintaining a list of users who've opted in to participate in testing, interviews, or surveys can save hours every time someone wants to run a study. You can build this list by:Including a research opt-in checkbox on forms or newslettersPromoting it in email footers or product dashboardsAsking customer service teams to flag helpful usersIn large orgs, you may need to gate access so users aren't bombarded. But in smaller teams, making the list available to trusted colleagues can really encourage adoption.Outie's AsideIf you're running a freelance practice or small agency, this applies just as much to you. But instead of organizing internal research, think about what you can package up for clients.You could:Compile insights from previous similar clients into a reference deckOffer templated journey maps or personas as part of a discovery phaseMaintain your own user panel for fast, lightweight testing on behalf of clientsOver time, this builds intellectual property that adds value to your services. It also makes you faster and more credible in the eyes of prospective clients because you're not just winging it. You're bringing tested insights and proven patterns to the table.The TakeawayIf you're serious about scaling your UX influence, a research repository and user mailing list aren't just “nice to haves.” They're part of the invisible infrastructure that lets good UX practice flourish without your constant involvement.We'll talk more next time about how to keep quality high as more people start running their own research. Because empowering people is one thing ensuring they do it well is another.

Провела мастер-класс по CustDev на американском рынке для закрытой стартап-группы Дениса Калышкина (https://t.me/ask_vc).Я подробно разобрала, как правильно проводить исследования пользователей (кастдев), особенно на рынках США и Европы. Объяснила, почему в США важно использовать термины User Research, User Interview или Product Discovery вместо "каздева", и рассказала, как избежать ошибок при общении с американской и европейской аудиторией. В конце я ответила на вопросы участников: мы затронули вопросы правильного составления скрининг-анкет, компенсации времени респондентов, а также обсудили, почему необходимо спрашивать про прошлые конкретные действия, а не о будущем, чтобы получить максимально честные и полезные ответы.***Записывайтесь на карьерную консультацию (резюме, LinkedIn, карьерная стратегия, поиск работы в США): https://annanaumova.comКоучинг (синдром самозванца, прокрастинация, неуверенность в себе, страхи, лень) https://annanaumova.notion.site/3f6ea5ce89694c93afb1156df3c903abОнлайн курс "Идеальное резюме и поиск работы в США":https://go.mbastrategy.com/resumecoursemainГайд "Идеальное американское резюме":https://go.mbastrategy.com/usresumeГайд "Как оформить профиль в LinkedIn, чтобы рекрутеры не смогли пройти мимо": https://go.mbastrategy.com/linkedinguideМой Telegram-канал: https://t.me/prodcastUSAМой Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prodcast.us/Prodcast в соцсетях и на всех подкаст платформахhttps://linktr.ee/prodcastUS⏰ Timecodes ⏰00:00 Начало. Кто такой CustDev в США?5:47 Зачем и как делать исследование пользователей?20:51 Какие вопросы задавать на интервью?42:52 Платить ли за интервью?54:54 Что делать если на письма не отвечают?57:37 Где искать респондентов?1:02:41 Подготовка к интервью1:11:02 Вопросы слушателей

In dieser tiefgehenden Episode analysieren wir gemeinsam mit Anja Alburg und Sonja Wilczek, User Researcherinnen beim Digitalservice des Bundes, warum Deutschland bei der Verwaltungsdigitalisierung hinterherhinkt – trotz Milliardeninvestitionen und politischer Willensbekundungen. Wir beleuchten, wie föderale Strukturen, veraltete Gesetze und fehlende UX-Kompetenz die Umsetzung behindern. Die Gäste geben Einblicke in konkrete Projekte (u.a. Beratungshilfe, Elterngeld, Steuern) und zeigen, wie systematischer User Research, inklusives Design und klare Standards zu echten Verbesserungen führen können. Eine realistische, aber hoffnungsvolle Folge über Service Design in einem hochkomplexen Umfeld.  |     |   Themen:  |   [00:00] Einstieg & Problemstellung: Warum hakt es bei der Digitalisierung?  |   [03:00] Rolle des Digitalservice Bundes & Vorstellung der Gäste  |   [04:30] Strukturelle Ursachen: Föderalismus, Gesetzeslage, fehlende Standards  |   [08:00] Warum UX Vertrauen in den Staat stärkt  |   [10:00] Verwaltungs- vs. Bürgerperspektive: Win-Win durch UX  |   [13:00] Realität und Komplexität der Formularlogik (Beispiel Steuern)  |   [17:00] Medienbrüche, fehlende End-zu-Ende-Denke und fehlende Standards  |   [23:00] Zusammenarbeit mit Ministerien, Gerichten & Bürgern – das "Bibelmodell"  |   [31:00] Personas & digitale Teilhabe ohne Exklusion  |   [35:00] Barrierefreiheit in der Praxis & Inklusion durch Research  |   [41:00] Fachsprache, einfache Sprache & Mehrsprachigkeit  |   [47:00] Usability-Tests, KPIs & Erfolgsmessung im Verwaltungsumfeld  |   [54:00] Zukunftsausblick: gesetzliche Verankerung & idealer Zielzustand  |   [58:00] Mitwirken & Community-Building  |     |   Informationen zu den Gästen:  |    |    Anja Alburg ist User Researcherin beim Digitalservice des Bundes. Sie arbeitet projektübergreifend an der Erhebung nutzerzentrierter Anforderungen – u.a. im Bereich Steuern und Elterngeld.  |   https://www.linkedin.com/in/anja-alburg-a27907121/  |     |   Sonja Wilczek ist ebenfalls User Researcherin und spezialisiert auf Projekte im Justizkontext. Sie beschäftigt sich mit Zugang zum Recht und der Einbindung besonders vulnerabler Zielgruppen.  |   https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-wilczek/  |     |   Links und Ressourcen:  |   - Digitalservice Bund: www.digitalservice.bund.de  |   - Blog des Digitalservice: https://digitalservice.bund.de/blog  |   - E-Government Monitor 2024 (Initiative D21): www.egovernment-monitor.de  |   - Service-Standard des Bundes: https://servicestandard.gov.de/  |   - Organisationen für inklusive Forschung: Leicht online: https://lo.lhhh.de/  |   - Mosaik Berlin: https://www.mosaik-berlin.de/de/mosaik-services-ggmbh  |    - Dias: https://dias.de/  |     |    Hat dich diese Folge inspiriert? Dann teile sie mit Kolleg*innen im UX-Bereich – besonders wenn sie mit der öffentlichen Verwaltung arbeiten. Abonniere unseren Podcast, um keine Folge mehr zu verpassen, und hinterlasse uns eine Bewertung auf deiner Plattform. Noch Fragen oder Feedback? Schreib uns oder vernetze dich mit unseren Gästen.  |     |   Weitere Infos und Mitmachmöglichkeiten findest du auf:  |   www.germanupa.de  |

Everyone loves a good tech strategy session—but how do we make sure those plans don't just sit on a shelf? We're diving into the realities of making strategy happen. Join us for the second installment of Tech Strategy in Action, a series where we dive into exactly that.   Today we will be discussing how CLIA has implemented their newly imagined website based on an enormous amount of user research, led by our guest Jill Straniero, SVP of Digital Solutions and Managing Director of Global Technology. We will discuss how deep user interviews and audience analysis revealed the need to shift from a department-focused approach to an audience-focused digital strategy. The findings helped streamline twelve websites into two distinct ones. The conversation highlights how user research is not just for usability—it's a strategic tool for long-term organizational alignment and smarter tech investments  Hosted by Norma Castrejon, Vice President, Information Technology at the American Osteopathic Association and Rhoni Rakos, Lead Consultant, Digital Strategy at Ellipsis Partners.  Make sure to follow TPAC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asae-tpac/ 

This is the story of a print-first EdTech product and it's packed with nuggets about UX Research with teachers.—Ethan Pierce, founder of Adaptive Reader, shares his personal journey from struggling with literacy in his early school years to founding a company dedicated to enhancing reading accessibility for students of varying developmental and linguistic backgrounds. He discusses the iterative process behind Adaptive Reader, focusing on extensive user research that led to a print-first approach due to educator preference and practical in-classroom usage. Alicia Quan and Sarah Mondestin also explore Ethan's thoughts on the role of technology in education, the importance of user research, and his vision for making literature accessible worldwide through adaptive texts.Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Personal Story01:20 - Founding Adaptive Reader02:01 - Journey into Startups03:30 - Creativity and Career Paths06:00 - Challenges in Literacy and Education07:10 - Designing Adaptive Reader11:56 - User Research and Insights18:42 - Balancing Print and Digital in Education29:27 - Future of Adaptive Reader35:45 - Closing Thoughts and Contact InformationFollow us

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.—Steve is a games user research consultant, helping teams use player insight to create successful games. He works with publishers, platforms and studios of all sizes to transform their game development process, and build product strategies that combines player data with creativity. He work from ideation to post-launch in order to de-risk game development, and make games players love.Prior to this he was a senior user researcher for PlayStation and worked on many of their top European titles, including Horizon Zero Dawn, SingStar, the LittleBigPlanet series and the PlayStation VR lineup.Steve started the Games User Research mentoring scheme, which has linked hundreds of students with industry professionals from top games companies such as Sony, EA, Valve, Ubisoft and Microsoft. He wrote the bestselling book How To Be A Games User Researcher to share the expertise needed to work in the games industry.He regularly speaks at games industry conferences and on podcasts about games user research + playtesting, and has been recognised as a member of BAFTA. He also wrote the bestselling book Building User Research Teams, and helps teams build impactful research practice in-house.In our conversation, we discuss:* The evolution of Steve's career from early days at PlayStation to running his own games UX consultancy.* The difference between research in games vs. traditional tech, especially around the lack of discovery work.* How to measure subjective experiences like “fun,” and why that starts by redefining what “fun” even means.* The influence of secrecy, creative ownership, and marketing pressure on research methods in the games industry.* Real-world methods used in games UX, like mass playtesting labs and segment-based multiplayer analysis.Some takeaways:* Research in games is heavily evaluative. Unlike traditional UX, which often starts with uncovering user needs, games UX usually kicks in once there's a playable prototype. Because the “user need” in games is often just “make it fun,” research is focused more on assessing emotional impact and usability than on early-stage exploration.* Measuring fun is both subjective and contextual. Teams often ask, “Is this fun?”—but that question is too broad to act on. Steve explains that researchers must first help define what kind of fun is intended, whether that's emotional engagement, replay behavior, or challenge. Only then can appropriate metrics or qualitative signals be applied.* Creative ownership adds complexity to stakeholder management. Games are seen as artistic work. Designers may be deeply emotionally invested in their ideas, which can make it harder to embrace critical feedback. This makes relationship-building, empathy, and framing feedback constructively especially important in games UX.* Secrecy shapes everything, from methods to sampling. Due to high financial stakes and aggressive marketing timelines, games researchers often can't test publicly. This leads to lab-based studies with high participant control. Mass playtesting labs (20–80 people at once) are common for running controlled, large-scale tests without leaking content.* Toxicity and matchmaking need research too. Games with multiplayer or social components must test how players interact, especially when strangers are thrown together online. Teams look at voice/chat features, segmentation by playstyle, and matchmaking fairness to reduce toxicity and create balanced experiences.Where to find Steve:* Website* LinkedIn* Twitter/X* BlueSkyInterested in sponsoring the podcast?Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I'm always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at nikki@userresearchacademy.com to learn more about sponsorship opportunities!The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Roberta Dombrowski invites us to rethink success, tune into our intuition, and lead with intention —sharing how mindfulness, healing, and self-compassion can transform the way we work and live. ====== Episode chapters 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 04:25 – Being a Transracial Adoptee and Finding Voice 14:11 – The Restless Career Journey and Job-Hopping 22:54 – Lessons from Anxiety, Burnout, and Slowing Down 32:25 – Mindfulness, Somatic Work, and Coaching Practice 42:46 – The Challenges Facing UX Researchers Today 50:42 – Systemic vs Individual Burnout 58:10 – How to Navigate Red Flags in Hiring 1:06:01 – The Role of Intuition and Inner Wisdom 1:15:51 – Rediscovering Fun and Joy at Work ====== Who is Roberta Dombrowski? Roberta Dombrowski is a certified leadership coach and experience strategist, dedicated to transforming the way people live, learn, and work. She is the founder of Learn Mindfully, a coaching and training company she launched in 2022. Since then, Roberta has supported hundreds of leaders from companies such as Adobe, Instacart, ServiceNow, Zapier, and Zoom. Previously, Roberta was a Research Partner at Maze, where she helped clients maximize the platform's potential. Before that, she was VP of User Research at User Interviews, where she built and scaled the research function while tackling the meta-challenge of researching researchers. Roberta is also the author of Consciously Crafting Your Career Path, a self-reflection and career planning workbook designed to help people shape fulfilling and intentional careers. Her insights have been featured on podcasts like Lead the People and BLOC, and at events such as Rosenfeld Media's Advancing Research conference. ====== Find Roberta here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertadombrowski/ Company website: https://learnmindfully.co/ Personal website: https://robertalearns.com/  ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Podbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedIn TikTok Instagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn The Space InBetween Website

Today, we're talking with Sean McLeary, VP of Product Experience at Intapp. In this episode, we'll explore: How Sean turned Macys.com and Macy's brick-and-mortar into one cohesive experience, increasing revenue across both sources How the team at DocuSign improved the UX to go from tech darling to mainstream product The current landscape of AI adoption, addressing "empty box syndrome," and how AI's parallels to the early stages of the internet help us understand how user behavior might evolve Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smcleary/ Intapp: https://www.intapp.com/ Resources How To Say "Not Yet" To Enterprise | Deepti Mendiratta, VP Of Products (HungerRush) | LaunchPod: https://youtu.be/WHapWGbuS0Q How to A/B test your product to millions in ARR | Eric Metelka, Head of Product (Eppo) | LaunchPod: https://youtu.be/3u5vovkAtXc Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:23 Challenges in Bridging Physical and Digital Retail 03:13 Macy's Digital Transformation 06:44 User Research and Implementation 12:30 Impact and Results of Macy's Integration 15:04 Introduction to DocuSign's Evolution 20:42 Challenges in Highly Regulated Industries 21:51 User Research and Common Themes 22:11 DocuSign's Feature-Rich Product 23:40 Sender and Signer Dynamics 28:16 Trust Layer and Proof of Insurance 32:28 AI and Data Ownership 35:42 The Future of AI in Everyday Life 40:37 Outro Follow LaunchPod on YouTube We have a new YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@LaunchPod.byLogRocket)! Watch full episodes of our interviews with PM leaders and subscribe! What does LogRocket do? LogRocket combines frontend monitoring, product analytics, and session replay to help software teams deliver the ideal product experience. Try LogRocket for free today. (https://logrocket.com/signup/?pdr) Special Guest: Sean McLeary.

Tu peux soutenir sur le podcast en mettant 5⭐️ sur Apple Podcasts ou SpotifySébastien est Creative Staff Product Designer chez OpenClassrooms.Passionné par la création depuis tout jeune, Sébastien a envie de travailler dans les jeux vidéo. Après une prépa aux écoles d'arts, il rejoint l'école e-artsup avant de réaliser qu'il n'a pas les compétences pour faire du design 3D.  Mais il trouve rapidement sa place dans la direction artistique.Sébastien revient sur son parcours scolaire et sur ses stages où il se cherchaient encore entre digital et print, avant de spécialiser petit à petit dans le numérique.Lors d'une mission en agence, il organisation un salon autour de la pub. Il décide de partager son portfolio à certains intervenants, et se fait recruter chez Ogilvy comme Directeur Artistique.C'est à ce moment-là qu'il découvre le métier d'UX Designer. Son métier ressemble alors de plus en plus au métier d'UI Designer travaillant en binôme avec un UX Designer. Il travaille alors de plus en plus sur des sites internet et des applications iOS.Après 3 années chez Ogilvy, Sébastien à l'opportunité de faire un VIE en Inde et de gérer un studio de design. Un grand changement pour lui : il a désormais une équipe d'une dizaine de personne à gérer. Un changement de paradigme pour Sébastien qui doit faire grandir et monter en compétence une équipe, tout en faisant de moins en moins de design.Malheureusement, le studio fait énormément d'applications pour Facebook qui décide de jour au lendemain de les arrêter. Le studio doit donc fermer, Sébastien décide alors de faire du freelancing. Comme le marché évolue, il décide de le suivre et de s'orienter dans le Product Design.Sébastien rejoint ensuite OpenClassrooms en tant que Product Designer avec une forte appétence UI, et avec la volonté de monter en compétence sur la User Research. On parle alors du rôle de Sébastien chez OpenClassrooms : comment il réfléchit a une fonctionnalité, la met en place et s'assure qu'elle fonctionne.Les ressources de l'épisodeOpenClassroomsDesign BetterDesign EmotionnelComment se faire des amisLes autres épisode de Design Journeys#15 Audrey Hacq, Product Design Director @ OpenClassrooms#81 Morgane Constant, Content Design & UX Research Manager @ OpenClassrooms#84 Romain Kuzniak, ex-CTO & Head of Product @ OpenClassrooms Pour contacter SébastienLinkedInHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.Petra Kubalcik is an accomplished user research professional with over two decades of international experience. Originating from Australia, she has honed her research skills across Japan, Hong Kong, the UK, Czech Republic, and most recently, Germany. Petra has led research teams at Dyson, Cookpad and currently serves as Head of User Research at Omio. She is a champion of user-centricity, ensuring that user perspectives remain central to strategy, innovation and development. Petra has personally conducted research in over 40 countries, bringing a global perspective to her work. Outside of her professional endeavors, she is dedicated to volunteering, sailing, woodworking and supporting the Wallabies.In our conversation, we discuss:* Why continuous discovery is often misunderstood and how separating continuous from discovery can clarify your goals.* What makes a strong foundation for setting up a continuous discovery program, including the importance of stakeholder goals and UX maturity.* How to design effective cadences and role-sharing models depending on whether you're doing discovery or continuous touchpoints.* The artifacts and outputs that make these programs sustainable and useful, from pathway playbooks to Miro boards.* Red flags that indicate you shouldn't implement continuous discovery and what to do instead.Some takeaways:* Continuous discovery is not always discovery. Petra emphasizes that many stakeholders use the term continuous discovery when they really mean frequent customer touchpoints. Researchers need to clarify whether the goal is to explore new insights (discovery) or simply maintain regular user input and adjust the program accordingly.* Start with a crystal-clear ‘why.' Without a well-defined reason for starting continuous discovery, the effort can quickly become unsustainable or directionless. Petra urges researchers to treat these programs like any other research project: define the objective, understand stakeholder needs, and forecast what success looks like. Your “why” will be your compass when things get difficult.* Programs must match UX maturity and resources. Continuous discovery isn't right for every organization. Petra warns against starting these programs in low-maturity teams with limited resources, unclear goals, or minimal stakeholder buy-in. If you're fighting at every step, you risk burnout and low-impact work.* Cadence and involvement should flex by context. A one-size-fits-all cadence doesn't work. For light-touch programs with PMs or designers leading sessions, weekly or biweekly cadences might work. For true discovery efforts, a slower pace is essential to allow for iteration, depth, and evolution in the research plan.* Build reusable frameworks and artifacts to lighten the load. To scale continuous discovery, Petra recommends investing in repeatable templates such as objective-setting docs, note-taking guides, playbooks, and pre-aligned outputs. For example, a “pathway playbook” outlines flows users will walk through and provides a structured format for collecting and analyzing data. These tools ensure quality while keeping researchers sane.Where to find Petra:* LinkedInInterested in sponsoring the podcast?Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I'm always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at nikki@userresearchacademy.com to learn more about sponsorship opportunities!The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit userresearchacademy.substack.com/subscribe

This week, Carl sits down with AJ Davis, the founder of Experiment Zone and an expert in Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). AJ has worked with a number of  Fortune 500 companies to optimize their conversion strategies and improve sales. In this episode, she shares fascinating insights from her career and personal life, including her unique annual birthday tradition of trying something new, such as wilderness survival classes and hot air balloon safaris. They delve into her professional journey, The Experiment Zone Podcast, and her passion for pickleball, which has fostered community connections and entrepreneurial opportunities for her in Austin, Texas. AJ also announces her participation in the upcoming book, Usability for the World: Building Better Cities and Communities, which discusses usability and designing better cities and communities, co-edited with her graduate advisor. The conversation expands to the power of storytelling, user experience research, and the tangible impact that personal growth and facing fears can have on one's life and career. This episode is a compelling blend of technical knowledge, personal development, and inspiring life stories. Be sure to check the show notes for links to AJ's podcast, her book, and how to get in touch for collaboration or virtual coffee sessions.   Connect with AJ and Experiment Zone: Website Podcast LinkedIn Book Usability For The World World Usability Day   Connect with Carl: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Website   Produced by: Social Chameleon

Camila Borja is a User Research expert with almost 15 years of experience, driving insights for companies like Zalando, SumUp, and Itaú. She leads strategic projects, trains teams in research methods, and has worked with global brands such as J&J, Sanofi, and Disney. With a degree in Public Relations and Public Opinion, Camila is a dedicated problem-solver who bridges research and business to deliver impactful results.In our conversation, we discuss:* What “research theater” really means and how it undermines the value of user insights across organizations.* The risks of continuous discovery becoming a buzzword-driven process with little depth or direction.* The internal conflict researchers face when stakeholders ask to bury insights that don't fit the roadmap.* Why junior researchers are especially vulnerable to being pulled into performative work and how to protect against it.* How senior researchers can shift into a more strategic role by partnering with stakeholders and driving conversations, not just insights.Some takeaways:* Research theater can distort data and erode trust. Camila explains that research theatre often arises when teams mimic the motions of good research without actually delivering depth or insight. Whether it's cherry-picked data, rushed usability tests, or stakeholder-directed outcomes, the result is the same: decisions based on illusion rather than reality. The impact is compounded because it corrupts the foundation, the data. that other decisions rely on.* Continuous discovery needs rigor, not just speed. While continuous discovery can be powerful, Camila argues that it often turns into a performance, such as 30-minute calls each week with no clear direction, biased questions, and very little impact. Without intention and structure, these rituals drain researcher time and produce low-value outcomes, threatening the credibility of the practice.* Junior researchers are often set up to perform, not investigate. Early-career researchers can easily be pulled into validation work or asked to execute a process without context. They may lack the confidence or experience to challenge requests. Study the foundational theory, ask why relentlessly, and avoid blindly accepting stakeholder requests that don't serve users.* To escape the theatrics, researchers must become business partners. Senior researchers should step beyond insight delivery and into the role of strategic advisors. That means building relationships, staying close to decisions, and understanding stakeholder motivations. Camila urges researchers to ask what's driving decisions and find the middle ground between user needs and business realities.* Avoiding theater always starts with asking “why?” Whether it's a stakeholder request for a marketplace feature or a directive to skip over certain findings, researchers must stay curious. Asking why isn't just for participants, it's also for ourselves and our teams. This curiosity is what transforms research from performance into progress.Where to find Camila:* Dicas da Camila Youtube* LinkedIn* MediumInterested in sponsoring the podcast?Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I'm always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Reach out to me at nikki@userresearchacademy.com to learn more about sponsorship opportunities!The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit userresearchacademy.substack.com/subscribe

Hello大家好！欢迎大家又来收听新一期HCI Insiders～好久没有更新了，感谢各位听众朋友们的耐心等待。这一期请到的嘉宾Helen又是Clara在ADPList上认识的mentor，之前也是邀请了许久，终于请到了。Helen目前在ENGIE Impact做senior product designer。这是一家专注于能源转型和可持续发展的全球性公司，Helen设计的产品帮助企业优化能源消耗，为企业提供全面的可持续发展解决方案以及数字化转型服务。18岁以后经历了英国留学，学习数学和统计学，进入金融领域；再到来美国学习设计，成为一个专注2B领域、能源可持续相关产品的设计师，Helen一路的经历也非常丰富。跟往常一样，我们来听听她一路走来的心路历程和对未来的展望吧！也欢迎大家去ADPList上找Helen聊天：https://adplist.org/mentors/zhao-ku时间线：0:00 开始2:03 Helen去英国学习数学、金融和统计学的原因，以及为什么毕业工作一段时间后还是想要转行。择业的时候一定要考虑自己的个性，找到自己喜欢的领域并不是一件容易的事情，有时候需要很长时间的试错。5:05 来美国念产品设计的原因和体验，以及刚毕业后的迷茫期。花了很多时间走了很多的路，才接触到现在的能源行业。8:20 是什么让Helen觉得2B能源行业就是适合自己的那个？数学背景训练了强逻辑性和思考结构性，2B对视觉的要求没有那么高。11:05 2B设计师如何掌握domain knowledge？如何在和stakeholder的沟通中掌握主动权？——要严肃的把它当成一门学科去学，要下功夫，尤其是在最初onboarding的时候13:37 分享印象比较深刻的项目，一个shadow用户使用体验的研究项目17:44 ENGIE Impact的culture是设计师要自己做User Research，希望设计师是全栈的，要负责end-to-end的项目。19:04 在访谈中如何引导用户讲述更多体验、提供更多见解？21:30 什么是mid-level UX designer？设计师和PM的合作关系。24: 24 Helen分享在公司与Dev和PM的紧密合作方式。紧密参与所有的对话和研究，可以做到甚至在PRD出现之前就开始设计了。和同事之间处成朋友，这种紧密的合作方式让商量小的design decision也变得特别容易和自然。32:10 entry-level designer如何更快成长为mid-level designer？——首先选公司和团队很重要，而选老板比选公司还要重要，需要老板给你机会让你成长和晋升。工作之外也要多参加活动、上网课，还是要保证紧凑的学习状态。35:22 Helen最近在做的产品和业务，carbon accounting平台，一系列workshop在准备中。这种高复杂、高创新的产品设计是不容易被AI取代的。41:02 如何更好跟不同的stakeholder沟通（一个老生常谈的stakeholder management问题）——不要等问题挤压很久才沟通，尽早让所有相关stakeholder介入53:48 在AI时代，New Grad面试中如何展示自己high-level的创新/产品设计的能力？——design craft一定要具备，主要还是去问candidate对产品设计的理解。实习经验是一定要有的，3-4段高质量的实习。57:32 对正在找工作的同学的建议：一定要实习！抓紧时间去实习！

Join us as we talk with Nir Sadeh, Head of Product at Wix Studio, about the platform designed specifically for web professionals. Nir breaks down how Wix Studio differs from the traditional Wix editor by offering advanced capabilities for agencies and freelancers. Learn about their newest feature—AI-powered visual sitemaps and wireframes—that helps designers quickly create site structures and get client approval. We also explore how Wix balances no-code solutions with developer flexibility, their approach to responsive design using AI, and opportunities in the Wix app marketplace. Nir shares valuable insights about product development, user research methods, and his perspective on the impact of AI on the future of web design.Show Notes00:00 - Intro01:00 - Journey to becoming Head of Product01:48 - Transition from individual contributor to manager02:21 - Team structure at Wix03:42 - Goal setting and KPIs04:36 - Overview of Wix Studio06:08 - Web-based application functionality07:03 - Code editing experiences in Wix Studio08:07 - Client control and access capabilities09:02 - New features: Visual sitemap and wireframes10:57 - AI integration points in Wix12:35 - AI generating layouts and websites14:50 - Upcoming roadmap items15:54 - User creativity surprises16:12 - Wix app marketplace17:34 - Design trends and components18:59 - User research approach20:57 - Data-driven decision making22:16 - Balancing user preferences with brand goals24:02 - Career advice for aspiring product managers25:40 - Balancing customization and consistency26:44 - Mobile responsiveness and browser support28:06 - Native apps and business management28:37 - SEO tracking and analytics29:45 - Picks and PlugsLinks and ResourcesWix Studio - The professional website creation platform discussed throughout the episodeVelo by Wix - The robust code solution mentioned at 06:45Visual Sitemap and Wireframes - The new AI feature launched by Wix StudioWix App Market - The marketplace where developers can build and sell appsVS Code integration with Wix StudioWix Studio AI Assistant - Mentioned as a coding help featureFigma to Wix - Mentioned as having import capabilities to Wix StudioPicks:Severance (TV Show) - Nir's pickRemix Dev Tools (becoming React Router DevTools) - Brad's pickAeroPress - Amy's previous pick (referenced)Prismo filter - Amy's previous pick (referenced)Milk frother - Amy's current pick 

Substack Week: AI in Product Management, Enhancing Product Development Through Artificial Intelligence with Toni Dos Santos In this Substack Week episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is transforming product management with Toni Dos Santos, co-author of The Product Courier newsletter. From automating routine tasks to enhancing strategic decision-making, Toni shares practical insights on leveraging AI to build better products faster and more efficiently. From Music to Banking to AI Product Management "I wanted to work in that area to find ways to put innovation to service to the consumers, and making it as invisible as possible." Toni's journey into AI and product management began in an unexpected place - the music industry. After working as a music producer, his interest in innovation led him to banking, where he discovered the untapped potential of data analytics. His experience working with machine learning and deep learning in banking laid the foundation for his current work with generative AI in product management. The launch of ChatGPT in 2022 sparked his deep dive into applying AI to product management challenges. Revolutionizing User Story Creation with AI "User stories are a big pain for many product managers, particularly junior ones... The idea is that you provide the AI with a PRD or description of the product, and it's going to write user stories based on best practices." Toni explains how AI can transform the process of writing user stories by automating the initial drafting while preserving the essential collaborative aspects. He emphasizes that while AI can handle the mechanics of writing, the real value comes from using it as a springboard for deeper discussions with the team. The technology can suggest edge cases, highlight potential gaps, and provide a structured foundation for further refinement. AI as a Tool for Understanding User Needs "Use all the transcripts, the feedback from user interviews that I have, feed it to AI and retrieve from it the key pain points, the major patterns that it identifies." Rather than replacing human insight, AI serves as a powerful tool for analyzing user feedback and identifying patterns. Toni shares practical examples of using AI to: Process and analyze app store reviews at scale Identify clusters of users with similar pain points Extract key themes from user interviews Validate qualitative findings with quantitative data Strategic Role of AI in Leadership "For product leaders, they should be the ones thinking how AI will affect their work because to define a strategy, to define a roadmap, AI can summarize tons of data, tons of information that you cannot do yourself." Toni challenges the notion that AI primarily impacts lower-level tasks. He argues that AI's ability to process vast amounts of information makes it particularly valuable for leadership roles. Leaders can use AI to: Prepare more effective meetings with relevant agendas Create alignment across different departments Practice important presentations and interviews Generate and evaluate strategic options Best Practices for Getting Started with AI "The best resource is to go into it... get ChatGPT, Gemini, whatever, and just dive into it and try and get learning and start practicing right away." For product managers looking to incorporate AI into their workflow, Toni emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience. He recommends: Starting with practical experimentation rather than just theoretical learning Understanding AI's limitations (20% error rate) and always double-checking outputs Treating AI interactions as conversations rather than one-off prompts Focusing on areas where AI can augment rather than replace human judgment Resources For Further Study BOOK: Bret King, Bank 3.0: Why Banking Is No Longer Somewhere You Go But Something You Do Toni's Product Courier Newsletter The AI focused episode with Marshall Goldsmith AI Course by IBM: Armin Ries, free AI course by IBM [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Check out my UXR AI prompt library, designed to help you become more efficient and effective as a user researcher!Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.—Anne-Charlotte Triple is a Senior UX Researcher at Payfit, a leading HR and payroll software company. After spending 10 years conducting research in humanitarian aid across conflict zones, she made the switch to tech during her pregnancy. With a PhD in sociology and experience working with organizations like UNICEF and the World Bank, she first joined LiveMentor, an EdTech platform helping entrepreneurs develop their business, before moving to Payfit.What makes her story interesting is how she's adapted her research skills from crisis zones to tech products, while maintaining the same core focus: understanding human needs to create meaningful impact. She's also become quite the AI enthusiast — though she'll be the first to tell you why human insight still matters most.In our conversation, we discuss:* Anne Charlotte shares her journey from academia and humanitarian work to UX research in tech, highlighting the transferable skills and challenges in the transition.* Despite technological advancements, fundamental research methods remain constant, while tools have evolved to increase efficiency and accuracy.* Adaptability is crucial for user researchers, but it must be applied strategically to ensure meaningful impact without being overwhelmed.* AI offers opportunities to streamline time-consuming tasks, but it requires careful use to maintain research rigor and avoid misinformation.* Building strong relationships and adapting communication styles to different teams help ensure research findings drive actionable business decisions.Interested in diving into using AI in your research to make you more efficient and effective (and to help you focus on the good parts of UXR)? Check out my AI prompt library. Some takeaways:* Successful researchers don't just adapt to changes—they do so strategically. Start with small experiments, learn what works, and gradually scale. Whether it's new methodologies, tools, or team dynamics, staying flexible while maintaining a clear focus ensures long-term success.* While AI can automate transcription and data synthesis, it's crucial to cross-check insights manually to maintain accuracy and depth. Researchers should use AI to free up time for deeper analysis, rather than relying on it for interpreting complex human behaviors.* Understanding how different teams consume information—whether they prefer reports, quick summaries, or visuals—is essential. Tailoring research outputs to their needs ensures that insights are actionable and drive real business value.* Researchers should avoid the trap of constantly seeking new tools. Instead, focus on mastering a few that truly improve workflow efficiency, such as AI for transcription and synthesis, while maintaining a hands-on approach to interpretation.* Rather than trying to collaborate with everyone, focus on building meaningful relationships with key stakeholders. Regular check-ins, early involvement in research projects, and aligning research goals with business priorities foster trust and greater impact.Where to find Anne-Charlotte:* LinkedInThe Impact Membership : A space for user researchers who think biggerYou know your craft. You've run the studies, delivered the insights, and seen what happens when research is ignored. You're ready to go beyond execution and start making real strategic impact but, let's be honest, that's not always easy.That's where the Impact Membership comes in.This is not another free Slack group or a place to swap survey templates. It's a curated community for mid-to-senior user researchers who want to:* Turn research into influence – Get insights to stick, shape product and business strategy, and gain real buy-in.* Break out of the research silo – Learn from peers facing the same challenges and work through them together.* Stay sharp and ahead of the curve – Dive deep into advanced research strategy, stakeholder management, and leadership.Why join now?* You don't have to figure this out alone – Every member is carefully selected, so you're learning alongside people who truly get it.* Get real value, fast – No fluff, no generic advice—just focused conversations, expert-led sessions, and practical guidance you can use right away.* Make it work for you – Whether you want to participate actively or learn at your own pace, there's no pressure—just a space designed for impact without overwhelm.Membership fee: £627/year or £171/quarterThis isn't just about keeping the lights on. Your membership funds exclusive research initiatives, high-caliber events, guest speakers, and a space that actually pushes the field forward.Spots are limited because we keep this community tight-knit and high-value. If you're ready to step up and drive meaningful change through research, we'd love to have you.Interested in sponsoring the podcast?Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I'm always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Reach out to me at nikki@userresearchacademy.com to learn more about sponsorship opportunities!The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit userresearchacademy.substack.com/subscribe

Is research still a great investment? Our guest today is Alice Lee, Strategy Director at Work & Co. You'll learn about their shippable user research process, how to ask the right questions about things you don't know, how they helped GoFundMe with their charity action page, and more.Podcast feed: subscribe to https://feeds.simplecast.com/4MvgQ73R in your favorite podcast app, and follow us on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts.Show NotesWork & CoJust Enough Research – a book by Erika HallUX Collective – a great blog on designCheck out Alice's websiteFollow Alice on LinkedInThis episode is brought to you by Wix Studio — the new web platform for agencies and enterprises. The magic of Wix Studio is its advanced design capabilities which makes website creation efficient and intuitive. Here are a few things you can do:Work in sync with your team on one canvasReuse templates, widgets and sections across sitesCreate a client kit for seamless handoversAnd leverage best-in-class SEO defaults across all your Wix sitesStep into Wix Studio to see more at wix.com/studioInterested in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Leave a ReviewReviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review on iTunes. Here's how.

Thank you for listening to the Choice Hacking podcast! Please take 2 minutes to rate and review the podcast because it helps us find new listeners. Here are some more resources you might enjoy:✅ Find Jen Clinehens and Choice Hacking online: INSTAGRAM/THREADS/LINKEDIN/TIKTOK/YOUTUBE: @choicehacking✅ Join my free newsletter to learn what makes your buyers tick. ✅ Buy my book (or audiobook), "Choice Hacking: How to use psychology and behavioral science to create an experience that sings"

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.—Jorge Arango is an information architect, author, and educator. For the past three decades, he has used architectural thinking to bring clarity and direction to digital projects for clients ranging from non-profits to Fortune 500 companies. He's the author of Duly Noted: Extend Your Mind Through Connected Notes, Living in Information: Responsible Design for Digital Places, co-author of Information Architecture: for the Web and Beyond, and host of The Informed Life podcast. Besides consulting, writing, and podcasting, Jorge also teaches in the graduate interaction design program at the California College of the Arts.In our conversation, we discuss:* How AI is becoming a transformational technology for UX design, akin to the emergence of the web decades ago.* The limitations of AI, emphasizing its role in augmenting human work rather than replacing it.* Jorge's experiences with AI in both the research phase and content taxonomy applications for information architecture.* Tips for understanding and integrating AI tools into UX workflows, moving beyond chat-based interfaces like ChatGPT.* The importance of approaching AI with curiosity and seeing it as a way to enhance, rather than disrupt, traditional workflows.Jorge recently released a self-driven course for folks wanting to learn about information architecture.Some takeaways:* AI tools are best used to enhance human efficiency, allowing professionals to perform tasks at greater scale and speed. For instance, large website analysis becomes more feasible with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) techniques, enabling quicker insights without compromising accuracy.* Not all AI tools are suitable for every UX process. Effective use requires tailoring tools to specific phases, such as research or content taxonomy, and understanding their strengths and limitations, like context window sizes or text-based limitations.* AI's potential is often misunderstood due to hype or fear. Developing a hands-on relationship with AI tools dispels misconceptions, revealing their actual capabilities and boundaries, such as their reliance on user input for quality output.* Rather than delegating entire tasks to AI, think of it as a collaborative editor. Prompts like “What am I missing?” can provide fresh perspectives on drafts or reports, enhancing the final product without diluting human expertise.* Viewing AI through a lens of opportunity rather than threat helps professionals integrate it constructively into workflows. This involves learning about non-chat-based AI tools and exploring new use cases, fostering innovation and efficiency in UX practices.Where to find Jorge:* Website: https://jarango.com* LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jarango* Twitter/X: https://x.com/jarangoInterested in sponsoring the podcast?Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I'm always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Reach out to me at nikki@userresearchacademy.com to learn more about sponsorship opportunities!The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit userresearchacademy.substack.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.In this conversation, I cover:* The shift towards democratizing tasks like usability testing and surveys, and how AI might take over repetitive research processes* Moving away from evaluative tasks and stepping into more strategic roles that involve partnering with businesses to shape long-term goals* Focusing on uncovering unknown unknowns through generative research to find innovative solutions and disrupt existing market spaces* The importance of not just responding to requests but proactively identifying research opportunities that can drive business growth* Helping teams, especially in low-maturity environments, understand and incorporate user research into strategic business decisions* How user researchers can assist companies in anticipating future trends and unmet needs, rather than simply improving existing processesSome takeaways:* With AI and automation, tasks like usability testing will increasingly be democratized within teams or handled by AI, allowing researchers to focus on higher-level strategic work* User researchers need to evolve into thought partners, working closely with business teams to guide strategy and innovation* Instead of just enhancing existing products, researchers should focus on uncovering unmet needs and unknown unknowns that can lead to disruptive innovations* By conducting generative research, researchers can identify new opportunities and adjacent markets that companies haven't considered yet* Researchers should move towards proactive research, driving the exploration of new ideas and strategies rather than waiting for stakeholders to bring them projectsReferences:* The User Research Strategist Book Waitlist

Two guests from the City of Long Beach, California joined the podcast to discuss civic user research. Ryan Kurtzman is the Technology Partnerships Officer and Gati Wankyo is a Training Coordinator. They discussed how civic user research helps the City to improve digital services and technology. They also shared examples of the research in practice and information on the learning cohort. Host: Meredith Reynolds

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.—Dale from the UK, currently based in Italy, is a UX Researcher with 4 years experience working in fields such as the Space, Sustainability and Marketing Industries, and currently hosting the UXR Minds Podcast. His mission is to help new and aspiring UX Researchers break into the field by sharing informative episodes on best practices and trends in the industry. In our conversation, we discuss:* Dale's experience of a six-month job hunt in the UX research field.* The emotional toll of rejections, ghosting, and lack of responses.* Strategies for staying proactive, including networking on LinkedIn and refining resumes.* The importance of maintaining personal growth and mental health during a job search.Dale hosts the amazing UXR Minds podcast, where he dedicates his time to guiding new user researchers or those interested in the field. Highly recommend listening!Some takeaways:* Dale's six-month job hunt highlights the challenges of breaking into or progressing in competitive fields like UX research. His experience shows that even with in-house and freelance work on your resume, securing interviews can be difficult due to market saturation and economic downturns. Regularly update your portfolio and resume to reflect your latest projects, and tailor each application to the specific role to stand out in a competitive market.* Dale discusses how rejection emails and ghosting from potential employers can take a mental toll. He tracks his job applications to better understand response rates and gauge where improvements might be needed. Start tracking your job applications in a spreadsheet. Log the role, company, application date, and any follow-up actions. This will help you identify patterns in your applications and fine-tune your approach* Rather than relying solely on job boards, Dale finds more success by being active on LinkedIn and reaching out directly to hiring managers or heads of UX. This has led to meaningful conversations, which can open doors even if they don't result in immediate offers. Spend at least 30 minutes each day engaging on LinkedIn—comment on relevant posts, connect with professionals in your field, and send personalized messages to hiring managers. When messaging, focus on building a relationship rather than directly asking for a job.* Job hunting can be all-consuming, but Dale advises setting boundaries to protect your personal life. He recommends allocating specific days or blocks of time for job search activities while using the rest of the time for family, hobbies, or volunteering. Schedule job search activities like a workday, with clear start and end times. For example, dedicate mornings to updating resumes and afternoons to networking, then disconnect for the evening. This structured approach prevents burnout and allows for mental recharging.* One of Dale's core messages is to stay true to yourself during interviews and networking efforts. He advises job seekers not to feel pressured to mold themselves into what they think a company wants but rather to embrace their strengths and unique qualities. Before interviews, create a personal narrative around your key strengths and how they align with the company's needs. Practice framing any weaknesses as opportunities for growth, and approach networking conversations with genuine curiosity rather than just seeking a job lead. This makes your interactions more authentic and impactful.Where to find Dale:* LinkedIn* UXR Minds podcast* WebsiteFor inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email nikki@userresearchacademy.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit userresearchacademy.substack.com/subscribe

Episode web page ----------------------- Rate Insights Unlocked and write a review If you appreciate Insights Unlocked, please give it a rating and a review. Visit Apple Podcasts, pull up the Insights Unlocked show page and scroll to the bottom of the screen. Below the trailers, you'll find Ratings and Reviews. Click on a star rating. Scroll down past the highlighted review and click on "Write a Review." You'll make my day. ----------------------- Show Notes Podcast Episode: Understanding User Needs with Rhiannon White, Chief Product Officer at Clue In this episode of the Insights Unlocked podcast, host Kerry Johnstone from UserTesting sits down with Rhiannon White, the Chief Product Officer at Clue, a women's health app with over 10 million users globally. Rhiannon shares her journey from political marketing and roles at BBC to leading product development at Clue, offering a unique perspective on how diverse experiences shape great product leadership. Key Themes: Career Journey and Curiosity About People: Rhiannon discusses her eclectic career and the common thread of curiosity about human behavior that has driven her work. Whether in marketing or product management, understanding people's needs, problems, and desires has been central to her approach to creating successful user experiences. Bringing Insights to Product Leadership: Rhiannon shares a key moment in her career when she realized that shipping products was not enough—she needed to bring deeper insights to the table. By reconnecting with her passion for user research, she now spends time every week directly interviewing customers, a practice she refers to as her “Friday treat,” to stay grounded in the user experience. Jobs to Be Done Framework: One of the focal points of the conversation is how Clue uses the “Jobs to Be Done” framework to guide product decisions. Rhiannon explains how Clue's users have four core needs: trust, orientation (understanding what's happening to them), empowerment (knowing what actions to take), and comfort (feeling connected and not alone). These “jobs” help the team at Clue prioritize product features that address real user pain points and deliver meaningful value. Understanding Subjective User Needs: An interesting revelation from the framework was the subjectivity around accuracy, where users with highly regular cycles might have different perceptions of accuracy compared to users with irregular cycles. This insight has helped Clue refine its product approach, ensuring that the app remains valuable to a wide range of users. Combining Emotional and Functional Needs: Rhiannon discusses how Clue integrates emotional needs, like trust and comfort, with functional aspects of the product. She gives examples of product features, such as pain tracking, that help users feel validated and connected while also providing actionable insights to improve their health management. User Research as an Ongoing Practice: Instead of thinking of research as project-based, Rhiannon stresses the importance of continuous user research. This iterative approach, including fast unmoderated testing, allows Clue's team to keep refining and improving their product without slowing down development. The Role of AI and Human Connection: While AI is seen as a useful tool for processing data, Rhiannon emphasizes the irreplaceable value of direct human connection in product development. She advocates for staying close to users and cautions against over-relying on abstracted data or tools that disconnect product teams from real user emotions and experiences.

Ravi Singh is an expert in UX, UI, Marketing, Development, Product and User Research - but he comes on the show in this episode to help demystify the concept of Empathy. What does practicing empathy look like? How do you empathize with people around what they need vs what they want? He shares his answer to all this and more!

In this episode of the Product Thinking podcast, host Melissa Perri celebrates the updated ten-year anniversary edition of Interviewing Users with author Steve Portigal. Steve explains what has changed in those ten years, and why this was a necessary update.