Pragmaticlive

"Data is the key to your success in this. Getting data about how your product is being used, getting data about the market and or customers or potential customers validation points on that data is absolutely crucial." - Mike Smart   Mike Smart is a seasoned product consultant specializing in accelerating product sales growth and developing market-driven practices for better business outcomes. He is the founder and managing principal at Egress Solutions and has served as an advisor for multiple startups.   Key Takeaways: Strategic Planning Insights: Mike delves into the critical aspects of strategic planning for the year 2024, focusing on market dynamics, customer validation, and the crucial role of data analysis. Four Pillars of Success: He elaborates on the four pillars of strategic planning: aligning with business strategy, in-depth market research, rigorous data analysis, and the efficient use of technology and resources. Expectation Management: Emphasizing communication, Mike discusses the importance of m

"As a product leader, you want to be able to come to the table with information that will get you heard. Sometimes it's less storytelling, more data, and really knowing your audience and knowing who you are working with and the way in which they will receive information best." - Josey Borman In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, we are joined by Josey Borman, an EdTech expert and a firm believer in the power of education in product. Having transitioned from being a high school social studies teacher to a product and content development executive in EdTech, Josey brings a unique perspective on leadership, product management, and partnerships. Key Takeaways: - The Role of Data: Josey emphasizes the importance of data in making informed decisions, particularly in the area of product management and in deciding potential partnerships. - Team Management: Josey shares insights on leadership, focusing on understanding audience diversity, nurturing team dynamics, and building relationships for success

“When they say you lost on price, that’s not a good enough answer. You have to peel the onion. You have to do the work to uncover the real answer” – Spencer Dent   In this replay episode of Pragmatic Live, we are joined by co-Founder of Clozd—a leading provider of technology and services for win-loss analysis.   Key topics discussed include: The Impact of Pricing Models: A big one-time payment can be intimidating. Breaking it down into smaller, monthly bites often feels more manageable and less risky to customers Clear Pricing Wins Trust: No one likes hidden costs. Being upfront about your pricing not only builds trust but can also attract more buyers. Remember, People Make Purchases: It's people, not companies, who make the final call to buy. Personalizing your sales approach to meet their specific needs can make a huge difference. Additional Resources Price This course equips you with the essential tools to eliminate the uncertainties of pricing and boost your profits. Discover a tested pricing strategy t

"I often say to executive leaders that a launch may very well be the biggest cross-functional initiative your company participates in, with the exception of an acquisition." - Dave Daniels, founder of BrainKraft   In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, we are joined by Dave Daniels, a mastermind in product launches and the founder of BrainKraft. Dave shares his invaluable insights on crafting effective launch strategies and building organizational alignment for consistent market success.   Key Insights: Focus on Outcomes, Not Outputs: Learn why focusing on outcomes, rather than mere outputs, is crucial for a successful product launch. The Blueprint for Success: Discover Dave’s expertise in establishing clear objectives and fostering collaboration for effective product launches. Building Launch Expertise: Understand how BrainKraft equips organizations with structured approaches and governance for repeated launch success. Role of PMO: Dive into the critical role of the Program Management Office i

"Everything boils down to a pain point and how you’re solving it. It’s our job to intimately understand our customer’s pain points." – Lindsay Sutula, Founder & CEO of Top Fox Marketing   In this episode, Lindsay Sutula of Top Fox Marketing shares essential tactics for understanding and outsmarting your competition through stealthy marketing strategies.   Key Takeaways: Keyword Planning: Find out how to use Google's keyword tools to figure out what your competitors are up to and spot trends before they take off. Ad Insights: Discover how to see every ad your competitor has run using tools like Google's Ads Transparency Center and similar features on Meta and LinkedIn. Staying Alert: Learn to set up Google Alerts in a way that most businesses miss, keeping you informed about your competitors and industry shifts. Tech Scouting: Use builtwith.com to learn what tech your competitors are using and how it can give you an edge, whether you're competing or looking for potential clients. Tune in and learn how to

This episode is from our latest Product Chat webinar >> watch the webinar In a world where customer expectations are ever-evolving, delivering personalized experiences isn't just nice to have, it's imperative.” – David Tang, Product Leader (fmr. Dropbox)In this episode, Product Leader David Tang talks about the transformative power of personalization in today's competitive market landscape, and how your company can learn from the players that do it best.Key Takeaways: Personalization and Customer Data: Learn how personalization shapes buying decisions and why customer data is key to understanding different customer groups. Customer Segmentation: Discover various methods of categorizing customers based on their behaviors and attitudes, and the importance of regular evaluation. AI-Driven Personalization: Explore practical examples of how AI and machine learning contribute to personalization, like reducing customer churn and recommending products. Evaluating Model Success: Understand the need for measurin

“I don't care if you have the best creative in the world. I don't care if you have the best concepts in the world, but if you're reaching out screaming at the top of your lungs to the wrong audience, you’re not going to get any results” - Sarah Saffari   In this episode of Pragmatic Product Chat, host Rebecca Kalogeris interviews Sarah Saffari, Founder of InfluencerNexus, about best practices for influencer marketing. Sarah provides valuable insights from both sides of influencer partnerships.   They discuss: How influencer marketing is “word-of-mouth at scale” due to loyal niche audiences Vetting influencers carefully to avoid fraud and ensure an authentic audience Developing genuine relationships and allowing creative freedom for best results Measuring influencer impact through trackable links and other metrics Case studies of successful influencer campaigns and partnerships Why micro-influencers can sometimes outperform celebrity influencers Keep Learning How to Market Your Product Effectively   Want to l

“Being nice is about making the other person feel better, which may involve avoiding the truth or actions that could benefit them in the long run. Being kind can sometimes be hard,” - Jenny Martin   In this episode of Product Chats, host Rebecca Kalogeris and Agile Coach Jenny Martin delve into the heart of creating a nurturing and collaborative team environment.   Jenny, with her rich background in psychology and extensive experience in the tech sector, brings a fresh perspective on blending kindness, compassion, and collaboration to foster high-performing and psychologically safe teams.   They discuss The role of collaboration in maximizing the benefits of collective effort, and how inviting diverse strengths in a team can lead to better problem-solving and innovation. The difference between “nice” and “kind” Why genuine listening and giving others the benefit of the doubt are steps towards understanding and practicing kindness. Exploring new tools to measure kindness to offer a glimpse into assessing and e

We are excited to have Alex Rainford, an experienced Senior Product Marketing Manager from Hubspot, on this episode. Alex will share insightful strategies to boost growth by aligning marketing efforts with your target market's needs to drive real results.   This episode is from a recent webinar, and you can watch the replay.   In this episode, Alex explains: How to gain alignment in an organization for marketing efforts Leveraging the 30, 60, 90 feedback rule What it means to use agile marketing plans Key components of positioning to communicate value Finding growth areas During this conversation, Alex recommends two resources: Tools for Seeing Competitor Ads Alex’s Favorite Book for Marketing Wisdom   Learn More with Market   If you're passionate about aligning marketing strategies with business goals like Alex, then our Market course is your next step! In this course, you’ll learn how to align across go-to-market teams by effectively sharing and leveraging your buyer knowledge to prioritize the right produ

“Establishing psychological safety needs to be an explicit goal. It is something that you need to do continuously. ” – Dan Corbin   In this episode, our host, Rebecca Kalogeris, is joined by Pragmatic Instructor, Dan Corbin, to dissect the concepts of psychological safety and inclusivity within a team setting.   Psychological safety is more than just a buzzword; it's the foundation for open dialogue, creativity, and mutual respect within teams.   Dan explains, "If you can show where you are vulnerable, where you admit you don't know everything, and where you even admit a mistake, that sort of lowers the barriers for other people to be able to open up themselves."   They discuss: Strategies for creating inclusive and secure environments The importance of modeling vulnerability and admitting mistakes Practical ways to assess and measure psychological safety The role of working agreements in establishing behavioral norms The impact of psychological safety on team productivity and individual well-being Foundatio

“If you look at the pragmatic framework, most of this applies to an internal product manager, just a different mindset, who you're targeting, and perhaps your approach to getting the information you need.” - Cindy Cruzado   In this episode, our hosts Rebecca Kalogeris and Pragmatic Instructor Cindy Cruzado delve deep into the nuances of applying the Pragmatic Framework to internal product management.   Titles are a mess when it comes to internal product management, but Cindy explains, “A product is a solution that you’re offering to many customers.” For many internal product teams, they might be product managers, project managers, operations, etc., but the work is the same.   They discuss: The myths of internal product management The difference between internal and external product management How leaders can empower internal product managers Are You An Internal Product Manager? Foundations Can Help You Elevate Your Strategy. You’ll learn how to master the Pragmatic Framework, identify new opportunities, and

“We have to introduce a product with the idea that it's not going to live forever” - Paul Young   In today's episode, host Rebecca Kalogeris and Pragmatic instructor, Paul Young, dive deep into a topic that often gets overshadowed by the glitz of product launches: the "sunset" or "end-of-life" phase of a product.   They explore how understanding when to retire a product is as vital as knowing when to introduce one.   Paul explains that every product has a lifecycle and will eventually need to be phased out. The speed of innovation in the technology industry is compressing these lifecycles, making it more critical than ever to have a plan for sunsetting products.   There is no one-size-fits-all indicator for when to sunset a product, but Paul suggests several metrics to monitor. These can range from revenue and cash flow to the efficiencies a product creates or its alignment with a company's mission.   Key Conversations: Sunsetting a product is not passive; it requires investment and must be prioritized agains

“At best, you can be slightly better than your competitor if you're using the same exact tools and data to segmentize your audience,” Rod Griffith   You likely know the power of segmentation, but many organizations really get stuck in the “how” of segmentation.   Join host Rebecca Kalogeris and industry veterans Neil Baron and Rod Griffith as they discuss rethinking market segmentation strategies.   During this episode, they discuss: Why identifying a prospect urgency is a powerful approach to segmentation The four levels of urgency: urgent, non-urgent, currently met, and none  The role of core competencies when prioritizing segments What whales & fire extinguishers can teach us about segmentation Read Rod & Niel’s Latest Articles: Let the Urgency of Your Customers’ Needs Guide Your Sales Strategy Is Your Product Channel Ready?   Enroll in Our Product Marketing Course to Learn More About Segmentation In Pragmatic’s Market course, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of your buyers and how they like to

“I know it's going to change our jobs —  the speed of innovation, both for product management and product marketing, is going to be accelerated. In a world where technology constantly evolves, integrating AI into product management and marketing is no longer a futuristic idea but a present reality."   Join host Rebecca Kalogeris and Pragmatic Instructor Will Scott in this episode as they discuss the transformative impact of generative AI tools like ChatGPT on product management and marketing.   During this episode, they explore: Generative AI as a Collaborative Partner: The role of AI as a remarkable technology that assists in positioning, persona development, problem identification, and marketing language. AI and Human Balance: A discussion on the differentiation and value addition through human expertise in the AI-driven content era. Future Potential: The acceleration of innovation in product management and marketing and the potential risks and cautions. Prompt Engineering: How generative AI aids in structu

"What continues to be the biggest struggle for product people is the amount of time spent on the day-to-day that does not enable them to spend the time on the strategy… Unfortunately, we are just often bogged down by the tyranny of the urgent," - Rebecca Kalogeris   Join host Charles Topping in this reflective episode as he talks to Rebecca Kalogeris, the former Vice President of Product at Pragmatic Institute (and the current Product Chat Podcast host). Rebecca shares her unique insights into the world of product management and Pragmatic Institute's evolution.   During this episode, they explore: Pragmatic's Legacy: The transformation from a small visionary idea into a global institution, driven by consistency, passion, and deep knowledge of a market problem. Challenges in Product Management: The ongoing struggle to balance daily operations with strategic thinking and the consistent issue known as the "tyranny of the urgent." Reflections on Career and Industry: From the rise of agile and SaaS to personal car

“Pricing fences are the implementation methodology around how we do price segmentation,” Mark Stiving   In this episode of Pragmatic Product Chat, host Rebecca Kalogeris and pricing expert Mark Stiving, founder of Impact Pricing, explore the multifaceted concept of pricing fences. Together, they delve into the importance, practical application, and nuances of pricing fences.   Key Takeaways: Understand the role of pricing fences in implementing price segmentation Learn how pricing fences can be applied in different scenarios Discover the underlying principles, various methodologies, and real-world applications Take Your Pricing Skills to the Next Level with Pragmatic's Pricing Course Ready to dive deeper into pricing strategies? Pragmatic's Pricing Course (PRICE) offers hands-on lessons in value-based pricing, subscription models, market differentiation, and more. In just 7.5 hours, you'll gain the skills to align pricing with your corporate strategy, optimize revenue, and outpace the competition. Don't miss

"You do not just want to copy and paste what you're taking out of AI and use it as the final product” - Dan Corbin   In this Product Chat, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Pragmatic Institute Instructor Dan Corbin for an in-depth look at how AI can transform product management and design.   Dan explains how AI tools like QoQo, Kraftful and ChatGPT can help accelerate early-stage product processes like building provisional personas and ideating features. However, he cautions that human oversight is critical to validate AI outputs for inaccuracies.   Key insights: AI can synthesize data and automate repetitive tasks, but isn't a replacement for user research or specialists. Use AI to collaborate with cross-functional partners, not circumvent them. Balance the opportunities of AI with thoughtful human validation to boost innovation while ensuring quality. Learn How to Apply AI in Your Product Strategies In Pragmatic’s intensive 1-day workshop, AI for Product Professionals, you’ll develop a comprehensive un

“When you're using AI, it's not magic. It's a tool. Ultimately you are still in charge, and you are still responsible and accountable for what's being produced,” - Jasmine de Gaia   In this Product Chat, we sit down with Jasmine de Gaia, Head of Customer Data Strategy at Wells Fargo, for an in-depth look at how AI revolutionizes product strategy and development.   Jasmine shares tangible examples of how organizations can utilize AI to increase margins, reach new markets, enhance existing products, and develop new transformative offerings.   In this fireside chat, she discusses: How AI influences the way product executives and C-suite leaders think about product strategy and new product development The pros and cons of using a trained model versus public models How to stay a step ahead in AI Learn How to Use AI in Your Product Strategies In this intensive 1-day session taught by industry experts Nils Janse and Will Scott, you'll develop a comprehensive understanding of generative AI and how to apply it for p

I think elevator music exists for a reason, but isn't really what you should strive for” - Kirsten Butzow   What do the phrases “thinking outside the box,” “give 110%,” and “new normal” have in common?   Answer: They. Mean. Nothing.We’ve overused these phrases so much that they, at best, mean nothing and, at worst, harm your messaging. In this episode, our host, Rebecca Kalogeris, interviews Kirsten Butzow, Senior Vice President at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, about the problems these phrases cause and why we should stop using them.   They discuss: What to say instead of common corporate jargon Why corporate speak drifts out to the marketplace Why you shouldn’t work 110% Want to Improve Your Efficiency as a Product Manager? Enroll in Foundations Our battle-tested framework helps product professionals learn how to listen to the market, prioritize projects and drive results. Take your first step to becoming truly market-driven by enrolling today.

“Differentiation only matters to a customer in as much as they perceive that it matters,” Dan Balcauski. In this episode of Pragmatic Live, Rebecca Kalogeris, and Dan Balcauski, Founder and Chief Pricing Officer at Product Tranquility, explore how product professionals can influence pricing. They also discuss: Why product managers should deeply understand pricing Where people go wrong when they are working on pricing strategy How to establish a clear understanding of how your customer's value that’s not based on opinion The role of competitive analysis in building a pricing strategy Why Dan doesn’t recommend freemiums (but does recommend free trials) Ready to master the art of pricing? Learn how to set the right price for your products and services, understand your customers' willingness to pay, and maximize your profits. Learn More