Prodity: Product by Design

Managing your product career is critical to your success. It starts with applying a product mindset to your career, and taking that mindset to your job search and interviewing when that time comes. In this episode, we give our top tips on how to do that, from before you start looking for a job, to while your interviewing, to post interview tips.

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What is an MVP? Why is it important? Why is the idea of a minimum viable product so contentious? Are you building an actual MVP or just shipping crap and calling it an MVP? We tackle these questions and more as we discuss MVPs, their history, what an MVP really is, and how to use them in product development.

User personas have been around for a long time. Creating them can be an excellent exercise and a useful tool for UX design and product teams. But are they always the right answer? And what about when the rubber meets the road? Personas can be great in theory, but in practice can fall short. In this episode, we explore the ways to use personas and the ways they can fall short, along with what to do for your teams.

Links

• Design of Everyday Things
• The Inmates are Running the Asylum

Being a product manager or UX designer can be great. But it can also suck. In this episode, we discuss the best and worst elements of working in product management and product design. From the highs of creating a strategy and solving real user problems to the lows of fighting constant bureaucracy and cranking out features, we tackle the reality of our favorite (and least favorite) parts of the job. 

Links:

• Jeff Bezos and Amazon
• Product Thinking vs Project Thinking

David Broschinsky is a Director of UX. He has over 20 years of experience, and has seen the field grow from almost nothing to its current state. As he's helped develop UX teams and UX practitioners, he's seen what works and what it takes to be successful. In this episode, we discussed where UX started and the changes we'll see in the future. We talked about how we can build good design teams and get support from our organizations. We also discussed tips for young UX designers. And, of course, a few of our favorite gadgets.

You can follow David at @sundiverdb on Twitter and @sundiverdb on Instagram
While you're there, don't forget to follow @kylelarryevans, @yanchauchau, and @prod_by_design

Recognizing and acknowledging employees and colleagues is critical for motivation, engagement, and job satisfaction. But how can we do better at recognizing our team members and teammates? Who should do it? When is a good time? And why, as product people, is it especially important? Join us as we dive headfirst into 2021 and into the importance of acknowledging accomplishments, great and small.

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the product manager or UX designer in your life? Look no further. We've got you covered. Whether it's a small token of appreciation or a major splurge, there is something on our list sure to satisfy discerning tastes. We cover items for less expensive to very nice, along with a few surprise bonuses. So take a listen if you need ideas for yourself or someone in your life.

Check out the Holiday Gift Guide Article on our site as well!

Product Managers:

1. Estimation Dice - $12
2. Empowered - $28
   1. Or check out any book from this list
3. Audible Subscription - $150
4. Leather Notebook Cover - $89
5. MTP Annual Membership - $250
6. Webcam and Mic - $220
7. Bose 700 Headphones - $340

Product/UX Designers:

1. Wireframing notebook from Moo $19.99
   1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8LRwrKH7_I
2. Subscription gifting: 
   1. Setapp, $9.99
   2. The noun project, $39.99 for a year 
   3. Blush - modular illustration, $12/mo
   4. Udemy - gift a course!
3. Wrist rest ($36)
   1. We hotkey all day
4. Royal Seat Cushion from Purple, $79-99
5. Candle subscription for WFH from Vellabox, $60 for 3mos (prepay) 

Bonus: 
Gift card exchange

https://www.reddit.com/r/giftcardexchange/

Get stamps for your designer friends!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we give 10 shout-outs (and a few bonuses) to some products we're using and love. From apps on our computers, to apps on our phones, to the best cup of hot chocolate, settle in for a holiday treat as we talk good product and design. 

1. Secura Milk Frother
2. Setapp: Netflix of apps
3. Elevate: Brain training
4. CleanShot X: screenshot & screen recording
5. Fossil Smartwatch
6. Noizio: background noise
7. Weebly
8. Todoist: task management
9. TP Link: Smart home switches
10. Karabiner-Elements: Key-binding for keyboards
11. (Not a product but life-saver) All the sketch plugins by Jason Burns
12. Eva's keyboard: https://imgur.com/a/mQ9EGIl

In this episode we sat down with Adam Thomas, a product manager, leader and coach, to talk about 3 main cognitive biases in product teams and what we can do about them. We discussed how product managers are responsible for the decision fitness and process, and how to move from system one thinking to system two thinking. Buckle up for another great discussion. 

Links and notes:

• Wasps: From Murder Hornets to Red Velvet Ants
• Identifying and Addressing Common Biases in Product Management
• Thinking Fast and Slow (by Daniel Kahneman)
• Adam Thomas - Product Person

In this episode, we interviewed Ali Maquet, a Principal Portfolio Manager at WGU. She has had an array of experience, from working as a business analyst, a scrum master, a product manager and now a portfolio manager. She gives advice for moving into different roles, shaping your role, working with different disciplines, and building trust. Ali is one of the best, so get ready for an amazing conversation. 

• What to do if you're considering a move to product
• How to shape your role
• Having difficult conversations and building trust
• Remote work and working agreements
• Advice for leaders