Shows
Convergence.fmQ&A: No One Understands Your Demo? Here’s WHY | TDD Isn’t Just for CODE — Use It Everywhere!If you’ve ever wondered how to make test-driven development more than a coding technique, this episode is for you. Ashok Sivanand and producer Doug Branson answer listener and Reddit-sourced questions about building better product teams—covering everything from mindset shifts to hard truths about performance reviews and strategic alignment. Ashok connects TDD to the principles of Essentialism by Greg McKeown, revealing how teams can define success before they begin and cut through the noise of Slack and OKRs. Hear practical advice for first-time founders struggling to articulate value without a 20-minute demo, plus techniques to scale beyo...2025-07-281h 04Convergence.fmThe Dangers of Vibe Coding Addiction and Single Points of Failure - Your Product Team Questions Answered!What happens when your lead engineer leaves and takes the product knowledge with them? In this episode, Ashok Sivanand tackles some of the most pressing product and engineering questions straight from the community—including how to prevent panic-inducing knowledge loss, when founders should or shouldn’t vibe code, and how to choose between building full-service or self-serve platforms. Ashok is joined by producer Doug Branson for a first-ever audience Q&A format that covers real problems from real teams. From unit test-driven documentation to AI-assisted code exploration, this episode gives both quick fixes and long-term strategies for buil...2025-07-1623 minConvergence.fmThe Missing Link in Hybrid Teams? A Sense of Belonging.Why It’s More Strategic Than DEIDan Berger led Social Tables through a $100M exit and now he’s focused on something even harder to build: belonging. In this vulnerable conversation, he shares what most leaders miss about culture, how his board almost ousted him due to a toxic exec hire, and why belonging should be treated as a leadership choice — not an HR initiative. He also unpacks why rituals matter, why alcohol doesn’t belong in team settings, and what founders can learn from AA meetings about structure, vulnerability, and connection. We also get into his latest venture, Assemble Hospitality Group, a new as...2025-07-101h 19Convergence.fmAuthenticity by Design: Building Mental Health Tools That Actually Work with Seth Micarelli of Volo HealthAI can make therapy more accessible—but only if it's done right. In this episode, ex-Google and Amazon product leader Seth shares his journey from panic attacks to building Volo Health, an AI-powered tool for anxiety, depression, and addiction. He breaks down how most therapy tools get it wrong, what makes human-centered AI actually safe, and how product teams can reconnect with the humans they serve—even at scale. Seth opens up about leaving Silicon Valley, his personal journey with emotional healing, and the limits of traditional therapy. Along the way, we explore the ethics of AI in mental heal...2025-07-021h 14Convergence.fmStartups Are Nailing Agentic Workflows — And Why Enterprises Aren’tKarthik Suresh has seen the software industry from all sides — high-frequency trading, Meta’s product teams, early-stage startup trenches, and now the frontier of AI agents. As co-founder of Double-O, he’s building a platform that helps non-technical teams automate complex business processes using AI agents described in plain English. In this episode, Karthik shares hard-won lessons about what it really takes to make agentic workflows work in production — and why most companies are still getting it wrong. We talk about the structural failures hiding inside most AI proof-of-concepts, the overlooked importance of eval frameworks, and why enterpri...2025-06-261h 07Convergence.fmScaling Intelligently: What Intrapreneurs Can Teach Startup CEOs and Investors with Scott Jones, RealeyesSome of the biggest product breakthroughs didn’t come from startups — they came from intrapreneurs. In this episode, we speak with Scott Jones, a career intrapreneur who has launched new lines of business at Lenovo, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Realeyes, a computer vision AI company serving some of the world’s most influential platforms. Scott shares a detailed, experience-backed look at what it takes to make innovation work inside companies that weren’t built for speed. He breaks down the mindset, team dynamics, and cultural rituals that allow new bets to thrive — and provides practical guidance for founders...2025-06-191h 24Convergence.fmDesigning for Conflict: How Joshua Graves Builds Better Teams and ProductsJoshua Graves, founder of Lost Horse Labs and author of We Need to Talk, joins the show to unpack what happens when product leaders ignore hard conversations — and what it takes to build an environment where teams can truly thrive. Drawing from two decades in product design, civic tech, and leadership coaching, Joshua brings practical, deeply human guidance on navigating organizational tension, protecting team trust, and avoiding the trap of control disguised as process. From the neuroscience of conflict to the value of rituals and the art of disagreeing and committing, Joshua’s insights are rooted in expe...2025-06-0458 minConvergence.fmWhy Most Product Teams FAIL to Grow: Jayson Robinson on High-Agency PMs & Real ImpactMost PMs still think velocity = impact. They're wrong. If no one on your team owns adoption, retention, or revenue—then growth isn’t anyone’s job. Jayson Robinson joins Convergence.fm to unpack why most product teams are built to ship—but not to grow. From leading growth at Toptal and BairesDev to advising SaaS companies and launching enterprise products at M&S, Jayson has seen where traditional product orgs fall apart—and what high-agency PMs actually do differently. We cover how to spot deadweight roles, when founders need to let go, and what happens when you h...2025-05-291h 07Convergence.fmMalware by Prompt: How Vibe Coding and AI Assistants Can Compromise Your CodebaseLarge language models are helping developers move faster than ever. But behind the convenience of AI-generated code lies a security vulnerability: package hallucinations. In this episode, Ashok sits down with U.S. Army cybersecurity officer and PhD researcher Joe Spracklen to unpack new research on how hallucinated package names—fake libraries that don’t yet exist—can be weaponized by attackers and quietly introduced into your software supply chain. Joe’s recent academic study reveals how large language models like ChatGPT and Code Llama are frequently recommending software packages that don’t actually exist—yet. These fake suggestions...2025-05-2124 minConvergence.fmHow Mission-Driven Organizations Maximize Impact with Limited Resources with Jason FraserMost companies have a mission statement. But few are truly mission-driven in practice. In this episode, Jason Fraser joins Ashok to unpack what it actually means to prioritize mission over profit — and how the best organizations are able to do both. Jason reflects on the differences between performative mission language and the kind of operational decision-making that aligns tightly with purpose. He shares the concept of “mission ratios” and how teams can use them to identify where they’re constrained, where they have leverage, and how to get disproportionate outcomes from limited inputs. Drawing on examples from Patagoni...2025-05-141h 20Convergence.fmAI-Driven Development: Driving adoption on your product teams, Team Culture, and AI-Native Engineering PracticesHow do you move from dabbling with AI and vibe coding to building real, production-grade software with it? In this episode, Austin Vance, CEO of Focused returns and we transition the conversation from building AI-enabled applications to fostering AI-native engineering teams. Austin shares how generative AI isn’t just a shortcut—it’s reshaping how we architect, code, and lead. We also get to hear Austin’s thoughts on the leaked ‘AI Mandate’ memo from Shopify’s CEO, Tobi Lutke. We cover what Austin refers to as ‘AI-driven development’, how to win over the skeptics on your teams, and why trad...2025-05-0744 minConvergence.fmBuilding Agentic Apps With Craft: Field Stories from Austin Vance, CEO, Co-Founder of FocusedWhat does it actually take to build agentic AI applications that hold up in the real world? In this episode, Ashok sits down with Austin, founder of Focused, to share field stories and hard-won lessons from building AI systems that go beyond flashy demos. From legal assistants to government transparency tools, Austin breaks down the concrete criteria for identifying where AI makes sense — and where it doesn’t. They unpack how to find the right starting point for your first agentic app, why integration with legacy systems is the real hurdle, and the engineering must-haves that keep AI b...2025-05-0156 minConvergence.fmThe Power of Small Data With High Signal - A Jobs To Be Done Masterclass with Andrew GlaserWhat do candy bars, couches, and car dealerships have in common? For Andrew Glaser, they’re all opportunities to understand how real people make decisions — and why most product teams get those decisions wrong. In this episode, Andrew shares his journey from hedge fund manager to product strategist, and now founder of Swizzle, an AI product built around Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) thinking. He opens up about how false positives, feature bloat, and over-reliance on personas lead teams down the wrong path — and what it really takes to make something customers will hire. We get into...2025-04-231h 14Convergence.fmTaking Control: How One Exec Team Reclaimed Their Tech StrategyA frustrated CEO, a legacy system no one liked, and a looming contract deadline — this episode unpacks the story of how one team broke out of vendor-driven inertia and took back control of their tech strategy. What started as confusion and friction turned into clarity and confidence, all through the power of intentional facilitation and a tightly structured two-day workshop. You’ll hear how a group of cross-functional stakeholders aligned on priorities, identified risky assumptions, and rapidly shaped a new path forward — including a validated RFP and scoring rubric — in just 16 hours. This episode is packed with practica...2025-04-1710 minConvergence.fmShopify's LEAKED AI Mandate Explained — 6 Takeaways for Your Product TeamWhen Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke issued an internal memo calling AI a “baseline skill,” it sent rippiles across the industry. In this solo episode, we break down what the AI mandate actually says, why it’s happening now, and how teams can apply the same principles to drive smarter, faster product development. Whether you're skeptical or inspired by the move, there’s plenty to unpack about leadership, culture, and what it really takes to scale AI adoption. You’ll hear six specific actions from the memo that are already shaping how Shopify operates—from prototyping to peer reviews—...2025-04-1117 minConvergence.fmMost People Problems Are Leadership Problems – Sel Watts on Building Teams That WorkWhat if the real reason your team isn't thriving isn't them—it's you? In this episode, Ashok sits down with Sel Watts, founder of Wattsnext and a trusted advisor to growth-stage executives, to talk about the blind spots that derail team performance. Sel shares why leaders often overengineer HR systems while neglecting the basic needs of their people—and why getting back to the fundamentals starts with brutal self-honesty. They explore why traditional job descriptions are outdated, how to rethink role clarity using "outcome profiles," and why consistency beats charisma when it comes to leadership. Sel also shar...2025-04-031h 01Convergence.fmThe Science of Happiness at Work: How Brain Chemistry Impacts Agile TeamsWhat if the key to building better teams and products is hidden in our brain chemistry? In this episode, Brad Nelson joins us to break down the neuroscience behind motivation, happiness, and productivity—especially for Agile teams. From dopamine and serotonin to stress hormones like cortisol, we explore how brain science can inform leadership, team culture, and workplace habits. Plus, we connect these insights to practical Agile practices like pair programming, retrospectives, and sustainable velocity. Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a...2025-03-261h 13Convergence.fmBuilding Platforms Developers Love: Lessons from Stripe, GitHub, and NetflixSome of the most successful technology companies—like AWS, Stripe, Twilio, and GitHub—have built platforms that developers don’t just use but genuinely love. So, what sets these platforms apart from those that developers avoid? In this episode, we break down three key trends that make a platform indispensable: deep customer empathy, an iterative approach to product management, and a culture of empowerment. Through real-world case studies, including stories from Integral’s work with automotive and commercial vehicle clients, as well as insights from industry leaders like Stripe, GitHub, and Netflix, we explore what it takes to create...2025-03-1924 minConvergence.fmThe Key to High-Performing Platforms: Product Thinking & Developer Centricity with GM Financial’s Henri van den BulkBuilding effective platforms and structuring teams for success is no small feat, especially in large enterprises. Henri van den Bulk joins the show to break down the intersection of platform architecture and team topologies, sharing insights on how organizations can create systems that enable innovation without introducing unnecessary friction. He and Ashok discuss strategies for balancing standardization with flexibility, managing dependencies, and ensuring platform teams are solving the right problems. Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab...2025-03-121h 03Convergence.fmDelegate Effectively and Safely to AI - As an Expert Consultant or a Dutiful InternMost people are barely scratching the surface of what generative AI can do. While some fear it will replace their jobs, others dismiss it as a passing trend—but both extremes miss the point. In this episode, Ashok Sivanand breaks down the real opportunity AI presents: not as a replacement for human judgment, but as a powerful tool that can act as both a dutiful intern and an expert consultant. Learn how to integrate AI into your daily work, from automating tedious tasks to sharpening your strategic thinking, all while staying in control. Un...2025-03-0553 minConvergence.fmExperimenting with AI to Ship More Valuable Products with Mike GehardArtificial intelligence is radically transforming software development. AI-assisted coding tools are generating billions in investment, promising faster development cycles, and shifting engineering roles from code authors to code editors. But how does this impact software quality, security, and team dynamics? How can product teams embrace AI without falling into the hype? In this episode, AI assisted Agile expert Mike Gehard shares his hands-on experiments with AI in software development. From his deep background at Pivotal Labs to his current work pushing the boundaries of AI-assisted coding, Mike reveals how AI tools can amplify quality practices, speed up...2025-02-251h 41Convergence.fmSeason 2 Announcement + REPLAY: Farhan Thawar, VP of Engineering at Shopify, on Culture, Leadership and Leveraging A.I. to Ship Better SoftwareAs we put the final touches on our Season 2 premiere with Mike Gabbard, we’re bringing you a replay of our conversation with Farhan Thawar, VP of Engineering at Shopify. Shopify has been a power user of AI coding assistants, gaining early access to GitHub Copilot before its general release. This episode is packed with insights on Shopify’s culture, leadership, and how they leverage AI to ship better software faster. If you missed it the first time, now’s the perfect chance to catch up—especially as it sets the stage for next week’s discussion with Mike Gehard on...2025-02-1848 minConvergence.fmBest of 2024: Mastering Intentional Leadership and Building a Winning Culture in Product TeamsDiscover the strategies and stories behind the most innovative product teams of 2024, where intentional leadership and a vibrant culture are the foundations of success. This special episode features insights from renowned tech leaders and product visionaries, including Ben Foster, co-founder of Prodigy Group and former Chief Product Officer at a leading fitness wearable company, who emphasizes the power of communicating an inspiring product vision to unify and energize teams. Farhan Thawar, Head of Engineering at Shopify, shares how writing and critical thinking drive alignment and scale in one of the most cerebral and innovative organizations. Janice Fraser...2025-01-281h 26Convergence.fmBest of 2024 - Derisking and Evolving on your OKR (Objectives and Key Results) ImplementationFrom Intel's engineering labs to Silicon Valley's unicorns, OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) have transformed how tech companies translate vision into measurable outcomes. But what separates successful OKR implementations from failed experiments? And how can technology leaders avoid the common pitfalls that derail even well-intentioned rollouts? In this episode, we dive deep with leaders who've shaped OKR practices at some of tech's most influential companies. Our guests Josh Seiden, Holly Bielawa, and Deepika Yerragunta share battle-tested insights from their experiences at Intel, Amazon, Google, and beyond. The episode compiles the best segments around getting started on your...2025-01-1553 minConvergence.fmBest of 2024: Top Insights on Developer Tools, APIs, SDKs, and Creating Exceptional DevXWe compiled our favorite clips on developer tools and developer experience (DevX). We discuss why DevX has become essential for developer-focused companies and how it drives adoption to grow your product. Learn what makes developers a unique and discerning customer base, and hear practical strategies for designing exceptional tools and platforms. Our guests also share lessons learned from their own experiences—whether in creating frictionless integrations, maintaining a strong feedback culture, or enabling internal platform adoption. Through compelling stories and actionable advice, this episode is packed with lessons on how to build products that developers love. 2024-12-3145 minConvergence.fmThe Future of AI in Production: Our Best Advice for Entrepreneurs and DevelopersGenerative AI has transformed industries in 2024, and this compilation episode captures the best insights from our standout guests of 2024. From groundbreaking advancements in AI technology to practical advice for navigating ethical and operational challenges, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, developers, and product leaders. Learn how AI tools like GitHub Copilot and Shopify Sidekick are reshaping workflows, and discover the key pitfalls startups must avoid to succeed in this AI-powered era. A Playlist of the Full Episodes Featured In This Episode: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL31JETR9AR0HI6cbVuMlQFsNuHS9b0496 In...2024-12-2441 minConvergence.fmDevOps Demystified: SLA, SLO, and Continuous Delivery Explained with Xing Zhou, Ford CreditHow can teams unlock elite productivity while navigating the complexities of DevOps? Expert consultant Xing Zhou reveals how DORA metrics—from deployment frequency to change failure rate, drive performance and bridge gaps between leadership and the team members. Xing's impressive career spans companies like Amazon, Pivotal Labs, and Integral. He currently serves as Xing has led high-performing teams, implemented cutting-edge DevOps strategies, and helped organizations make meaningful progress toward elite DORA benchmarks. Xing and Ashok discuss actionable steps for C-Suite leaders and product teams, focusing on SLAs, CI/CD, behavior-driven development, and event storming workshops to...2024-12-1740 minConvergence.fmHow Generative AI and DORA Metrics Transform Software Development TeamsDerek Ferguson from The Fitch Group returns to share how his team of 600+ developers leverages generative AI tools like Amazon’s CodeWhisperer and implements DORA metrics to boost productivity and team health. In this second part of the conversation, he delves into the transformative impact of these tools and the innovative strategies driving adoption and success at scale. Listen to Derek’s experiences in introducing cutting-edge tools to a large organization, his lessons in fostering experimentation, and the surprising parallels between today’s AI adoption and the internet boom. From the role of community practices versus centers of exc...2024-12-1048 minConvergence.fmDisciplined Creativity: Lessons from Leading Product Teams with Derek Ferguson, CSO, Fitch Group Inc.In this episode of the Convergence Podcast, Ashok welcomes Derek Ferguson, Chief Software Officer at Fitch Group, for the first of a two-part series. Derek shares how his unique blend of a music background and decades in product leadership have shaped his approach to leading high-performing software teams. From his insights on disciplined creativity to the vital relationship between agile methods and microservices, Derek provides a wealth of actionable advice for building successful product teams. Derek also unpacks the challenges of aligning business stakeholders with technology teams, earning their trust, and navigating complex migrations with an innovative...2024-12-0321 minConvergence.fmTransforming Customer Products and Services From Cost Centers to Profit Centers with Generative A.I.This episode of the Convergence Podcast takes an in-depth look at the transformative journey of Doug Kramon, a leader in customer-centric innovation at ESPN Disney. Building on last week’s exploration of his ethnographic approach to customer care, Doug dives into the groundbreaking technologies and strategies his team uses to enhance fan loyalty and generate revenue. From leveraging generative AI to create empathetic and efficient customer interactions to transitioning customer care teams from cost centers to profit centers, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. Ashoke and Doug also discuss how customer feedback drives product innovation, the im...2024-11-2638 minConvergence.fmEmpathy in Action: Douglas Kramon on Leading ESPN’s Fan SupportESPN’s Head of Customer Care, Douglas Kramon, shares his unique journey from studying Native American archeology to leading fan engagement for one of the most recognized brands in sports entertainment. In this first part of a two-part conversation, Doug delves into how his ethnology background shaped his approach to leadership, emphasizing the value of storytelling, empathy, and authentic connections in creating delightful customer experiences. Explore how Doug’s team at ESPN supports fans across platforms like ESPN+, ESPN Bet, and Disney streaming services. Learn about the frameworks and principles they use to balance technology and humanity in a...2024-11-1925 minConvergence.fm7/9 Critical Conversations You've Forgotten to Have With Your Team: Assumptions Part 2In this episode of the Convergence Podcast, Ashok Sivanand and guest Bailey O’Shea, Director of Product of Management at TransImpact, dive into the critical topic of assumption-based planning for product teams. Bailey shares her insights on why challenging assumptions and embracing an iterative, assumption-driven approach can drive product success and increase speed to market. Together, they discuss practical strategies that product managers can use to facilitate open discussions around assumptions, empower team members to contribute insights, and prioritize collaborative planning. They walk through tactical approaches, like sticky-note exercises and visual journey mapping, that can spark meaningful co...2024-11-1225 minConvergence.fm7/9 Critical Conversations You've Forgotten to Have With Your Team: What are the biggest assumptions we’re making? PART 1Bailey O’Shea joins host Ashok Sivanand for the 7th of 9 Critical Conversations You’ve Forgotten to Have With Your Product Team: What are the biggest assumptions we’re making? In this first episode of a two-part examination of this conversation, Ashok and Bailey uncover how unspoken assumptions shape product decisions and drive team behaviors in ways that often go unnoticed. “It’s really hard to balance moving forward on assumptions while also being mindful of the risks we’re taking,” Bailey notes, highlighting how unchecked assumptions can impact outcomes across teams, from engineering to sales. They dig into the ways...2024-11-0526 minConvergence.fmRedefining Tech Careers: Data Centers, AI, and Inclusivity with Carrie Goetz, CTO, StategITcomOn this episode of the Convergence Podcast, Ashok sits down with industry trailblazer, bestselling author and CTO of StategITcom Carrie Goetz to discuss her mission to diversify the tech landscape through accessible career paths in the data center field. Known for her work advocating for women, veterans, and tradespeople, Carrie shares her personal journey and passion for helping underrepresented groups establish thriving careers in tech. Together, they explore the importance of diversity in the tech industry, the benefits of certifications over traditional degrees, and the shifting dynamics of cloud and in-house data centers in light of AI’s rapid ad...2024-10-3140 minConvergence.fm6/9 Critical Convos You Forget To Have With Your Team: What are the organizational challenges?In this episode, host Ashok Sivanand continues the series "9 Critical Conversations You Forget to Have With Your Team," focusing on the sixth conversation: What organizational challenges might hurt our product? Ashok outlines common risks that large teams face, such as misaligned priorities, bottlenecks caused by inefficient communication, and slow decision-making processes that can delay product launches and frustrate teams. He explains how organizational structure, particularly in large enterprises, can introduce silos and inefficiencies that negatively affect product development. Ashok shares strategies to overcome these challenges, including facilitating user story lifecycles, mapping out stakeholders, engaging leadership for support...2024-10-2311 minConvergence.fmHow Netflix Builds High-Performing Teams: Culture Lessons from Jose MorenoIn this episode, we chat with Jose Moreno, former lead engineer at both Netflix and Microsoft, about the key differences in company culture between the two tech giants and what they’re doing right to foster high-performing teams. From Netflix’s bold “keeper test” to Microsoft’s evolving leadership styles under Steve Ballmer and Satya Nadella, Jose offers an insider’s view on how these companies build and sustain success through intentional culture. He also explains how the Netflix culture deck—a key factor in his decision to join the company—helped shape the business, even amid concerns about its Glassdoor re...2024-10-161h 00Convergence.fmSecret Management & Safeguarding Your Product Data with Brian Vallelunga, Founder and CEO of DopplerIf you've worked closely with a product team, chances are that secret management has been a topic that you've had to wrangle with at some point. Either because your development or deployment teams don't have access to the right secrets, and that slows down how quickly you can get your code to production or worse because your secrets were exposed to the public and put your data and your customer's data at risk through a data breach. In this episode of the Convergence Podcast, Ashok welcomes Brian Vallelunga, CEO of Doppler, to discuss the too-often overlooked topic o...2024-10-081h 18Convergence.fmBuilding Customer-Centric Teams: Josh Seiden on OKRs and AgileIn this episode, Ashok sits down with Josh Seiden, author and product management expert, to explore key insights from Josh's latest book, "Who Does What by How Much." The conversation centers around using OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to align teams and improve organizational outcomes. They examine the challenges many teams face when implementing frameworks like OKRs or Agile and emphasize the importance of understanding the "why" behind these systems. Josh also reflects on his early work, such as developing the Kensington Turbo Mouse and collaborating with Alan Cooper, widely known as the "Father of Visual Basic." ...2024-10-011h 09Convergence.fmUnlocking the Power of Visualization to Solve Complex Product Problems with Christoph SteinlehnerProduct Expert Christoph Steinlehner joins Ashok on the Convergence Podcast to explore the transformative power of visualization in product management. Christoph shares his journey from web design and development to product coaching, where he helps teams align through tools like service blueprints and his innovative "mapper method." This episode is packed with insights on using rough sketches to foster better team collaboration and elevate product success. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls in visualization and the value of simplicity when creating visual aids. Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in...2024-09-2445 minConvergence.fmMaintaining an Opinionated Engineering Culture at Heroku with Wes BearyIn this episode of the Convergence podcast, host Ashok Sivanand sits down with Wes Beary from Anchor.dev. Wes shares his journey, from helping shape Heroku’s engineering culture to his work today in API design and encryption as a service. Discover how Wes' experience at Heroku and his open-source contributions have shaped his views on building delightful developer experiences and empowering engineering teams. He also talks about the importance of uniformity in API design, fostering a strong engineering culture, and scaling development teams while preserving their core strengths. Unlock the full potential of your product team wi...2024-09-171h 04Convergence.fm5/9 Critical Conversations You Forget To Have With Your Product Team: What’s the technology landscape?Are you optimizing your product's architecture for certainty or flexibility? Discover why this distinction matters for your team's success. In this episode of the Convergence podcast, host Ashok Sivanand reveals the fifth critical conversation that product teams often overlook: the technology landscape. Drawing from his extensive experience in product engineering and consulting, Ashok emphasizes the importance of aligning technical and business perspectives to minimize surprises and optimize product development. Plus! Ashok answers a listener question about applying these conversations to established products. Ashok explores key aspects of the technology landscape, including integrations and d...2024-09-1121 minConvergence.fmConcept to Launch in 18 Months: Building Hardware, Software and AI at Startup Speed with Ben Brown, CTO of CanopyIs it even possible anymore for established companies to innovate like startups while leveraging their existing strengths? Today's guest certainly thinks so and he has the product story to back it up. Ben Brown, CTO of Canopy, shares his journey of spinning out a hardware+software startup from Ford Motor Company and launching an innovative truck security product in just 18 months. Canopy helps secure precious cargo in pickup truck beds - a huge problem for tradespeople who carry expensive tools and equipment as they commute between jobs. Ben discusses balancing startup agility with automotive industry rigor, rapidly...2024-09-0352 minConvergence.fmFrom Open Source to $200M Startup: Temporal's Journey with CTO & Co-Founder Samar AbbasSamar Abbas, co-founder and CTO of Temporal, shares his journey from working on developer tools at tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Uber to co-founding a startup that raised $220 million. Abbas discusses how Temporal, born from the open-source project Cadence at Uber, solves critical reliability challenges for developers building distributed applications. This episode explores the evolution from an internal tool to a thriving open-source project, and finally to a successful commercial product. Abbas offers valuable insights on finding the right co-founder, the benefits of open-source for infrastructure projects, and how to navigate the transition from engineering to...2024-08-271h 03Convergence.fm4/9 Critical Conversations You Forget To Have With Your Product Team: Timelines, Milestones, and Deadlines. When Do We Ship?In this episode of the Convergence Podcast, host Ashok Sivanand and guest Bailey O'Shea dive deep into the critical role of timelines in product development. They explore how understanding the "why" behind timelines can lead to better stakeholder alignment, feature prioritization, and overall product success. Bailey O'Shea, drawing from her experience as a former Head of Product at Integral, shares valuable insights on balancing specificity in timelines with transparent communication about uncertainties and risks. The conversation covers strategies for effective timeline management, stakeholder trust-building, and adapting to various organizational contexts. Unlock the full potential of...2024-08-2032 minConvergence.fmDisruptive Innovation inside a 187 year old organization with Janice FraserIn this episode of the Convergence podcast, host Ashok Sivanand talks with Janice Fraser, a strategic advisor and veteran in Lean Product Management and a facilitator of innovation in large organizations. Janice shares her journey from starting six companies to working at Pivotal and eventually moving towards helping large organizations, such as Procter & Gamble and Nike, embrace lean and agile processes to foster disruptive innovation. She discusses the complexities of driving that innovation in established industries, particularly in relation to sustainability efforts, like Procter & Gamble’s development of a waterless, plastic-free detergent. Janice emphasizes the importance of understanding human be...2024-08-131h 13Convergence.fm3/9 Critical Conversations You Forget to Have With Your Product Team: How Do We Work as a Team?In this episode, we continue our series with special guest Bailey O’Shea, exploring the critical conversations often overlooked by product teams. Bailey shares her insights on establishing team norms and fostering effective collaboration. She emphasizes the importance of aligning on values, practices, and expectations to ensure everyone is working cohesively towards common goals. Bailey also discusses practical tools like DISC and Predictive Index for enhancing team self-awareness and improving interpersonal dynamics. Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Su...2024-08-0635 minConvergence.fmFailure of Coordination: How Incentives Push Technology Away From Human Flourishing and What We Can Do to Push Back with Ramsay BrownOver the past 15 years, as smartphones became ubiquitous, gamification evolved from a tool for habit formation into a mechanism used by tech giants to create psychological dependencies, similar to slot machines, with features like pull-to-refresh and infinite scroll. I’ve always found it interesting that we refer to people as “users” both in the context of software and substance addiction. My guest today, Ramsay Brown, studied this phenomenon deeply at the University of Southern California, where he earned a master’s in neuroinformatics. His research focused on how the human brain develops habits, behaviors, and addictions. He later co-founded Dopamine...2024-07-3055 minConvergence.fmTransforming Startups: Cap Table Innovations with Jarrett Quan-HinIn this episode of the Convergence Podcast, Ashok Sivanand sits down with Jarrett Quan-Hin, Co-Founder and Product Lead at Mantle. Jarrett shares his fascinating journey from the video game industry to leading a startup focused on revolutionizing cap table management for venture-backed businesses. He discusses the unique challenges startups face with cap tables and how Mantle brings order and insight to this complex process, making it easier for founders and investors to plan and execute their equity strategies. Jarrett describes Mantle’s approach to leveraging technology, including the use of generative AI to streamline and automate data ex...2024-07-2359 minConvergence.fmNo Limits: Earl Newsome on Leadership, Innovation and the Power of "Human Loop" A.I.In this episode, Ashok sits down with Earl Newsome, a distinguished CIO of Cummins Inc. and a technology leader, to explore his remarkable journey from a college football player to a top executive in the tech industry. Earl shares personal anecdotes and insights, highlighting the pivotal moments and influences that shaped his career, including the profound impact of his grandfather and his transformative experience at West Point. Earl Newsome is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Cummins, Inc., a $30 billion global power leader that designs, manufactures, sells, and serves diesel and alternative fuel engines, Earl Newsome provides...2024-07-161h 22Convergence.fmStartup Pricing and Product Manager Interview Strategies from Aakash Gupta, Product GrowthIn this episode, Ashok Sivanand sits down with Aakash Gupta, a former VP of Product at Apollo.io and now the author of the popular newsletter, Product Growth. Aakash shares his journey from being a computer science enthusiast to working at Apollo.io and eventually venturing out on his own. His insights on pricing strategies and the problems facing startups in our current economy are invaluable. Aakash and Ashok also discuss how layoffs in the tech industry have made product jobs harder to get and what you can do in your interview to break through and land your dream...2024-07-101h 04![Sales [UN]Training](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/5/d/6/1/5d61c1d31fe30084e55e3c100dce7605/SUNT_podcast_logo_square_3000x3000.png){kind=logo}
Sales [UN]TrainingPricing Strategies and Product Manager Interviews: Valuable Insights from Aakash Gupta of Product GrowthIn this episode, Ashok Sivanand sits down with Aakash Gupta, a former VP of Product at Apollo.io and now the author of the popular newsletter, Product Growth. Aakash shares his journey from being a computer science enthusiast to working at Apollo.io and eventually venturing out on his own. His insights on pricing strategies and the problems facing startups in our current economy are invaluable. Aakash and Ashok also discuss how layoffs in the tech industry have made product jobs harder to get and what you can do in your interview to break through and land your dream...2024-07-091h 04Convergence.fmBuilding the Future of Platforms with AI & Dev Tools, Part 2 of my Interview with Kenneth AuchenbergIn this episode, Ashok Sivanand sits down with Kenneth Auchenberg to explore the intricacies of creating exceptional developer experiences. Kenneth shares his extensive knowledge on designing and delivering tools that developers love, drawing from his work at industry giants like Microsoft and Stripe. They dive into the distinctions between infrastructure and platform companies, and the roles of developer experience (DevEx) versus developer relations (DevRel). Ashok and Kenneth also discuss the future of platforms, especially in the context of AI and generative AI, and how these technologies are transforming product development. Kenneth offers practical insights on using abstraction...2024-07-0248 minConvergence.fmCrafting "Surprisingly Great" Developer Experiences with Kenneth AuchenbergIn this episode, Ashok Sivanand talks with Kenneth Auchenberg whose history with Microsoft and Stripe taught him a lot about building exceptional developer experiences. Kenneth shares his journey discusses the core principles that drive successful developer-centric products. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences between infrastructure and platform companies, highlighting that true platforms generate compounded economic value and foster thriving ecosystems. Kenneth also discusses the transition from single-product offerings to comprehensive platforms, stressing the strategic necessity of relinquishing control in certain areas to enable broader ecosystem participation. Kenneth shares practical strategies for measuring and enhancing developer...2024-06-2536 minConvergence.fmDigital Transformations of Legacy Product Models with Erica Sands, Senior Director of Product Management at SagentErica Sands, the Senior Director of Product Management at Sagent, joins us to discuss her nearly two-decade journey in the mortgage industry and her transition into fintech. Erica shares how her extensive experience and education in business administration and finance have equipped her to lead Sagent in developing the industry’s first cloud-based mortgage servicing system. We delve into her passion for automating processes to solve challenging problems and her dedication to her team’s success. Erica shares her experiences and challenges in the financial services sector, providing a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in product manag...2024-06-1833 min
Leadership MomentsThe Collaborators of The Leadership Navigator BookSend us a textUnlock the secrets of effective leadership with insights from top industry leaders! In this episode of our podcast, we're thrilled to bring you a special roundtable discussion featuring contributors from our forthcoming book, "The Leadership Navigator; Chart Your Course To Leadership Master, Your Mentorship Guide." Hear from Chris Perkins, President of Model B; Carey Pachla, CEO of FastTek Global; Yves Sandfort, CEO of the Comdivision Group; Sireesha Mandava, CIO of GreenPath Financial Wellness; Phil Bertolini, Senior VP of Events for eRepublic; and Gopal RajGuru, CEO of Bacula Systems and Managing Director of Innove+...2024-06-1759 minConvergence.fmDriving Cultural Change: PepsiCo's Deepika Yerragunta on Customer Obsession and Product MindsetIn this episode of the Convergence Podcast, host Ashok Sivanand engages in a fascinating discussion with Deepika Yerragunta, the Head of eCommerce Platform Products at PepsiCo. Deepika brings her extensive experience from leading product teams at tech giants like Amazon and Intel to her current role at PepsiCo, where she drives innovation and product strategy. Ashok and Deepika talk about how a culture of customer obsession and a product mindset lead to both customer and stakeholder delight that drive business growth and outcomes even when your peers aren't necessarily experienced technologists. Deepika shares her journey into product...2024-06-111h 08Convergence.fmAgile and Beyond Conference 2024: The Latest in A.I. Innovations and Product Development StrategiesAshok is on the ground at one of the most forward thinking product development conferences in the entire country, Agile and Beyond in Detroit, Michigan. He speaks with a range of presenters and experts on topics from OKRs and product measurement to the importance of object-oriented UX in building balanced product teams. The conversations delve into how these principles can help teams communicate better, streamline their processes, and innovate more effectively. The episode also features discussions on the risks of dogmatic Agile practices versus the benefits of a more spiritual, flexible approach. Additionally, Ashok and guests explore the impact o...2024-06-041h 21Convergence.fm2/9 Critical Conversations You Forget to Have With Your Product Team #2: How Will We Win?In this episode of the Convergence Podcast, we continue our series on the 9 critical conversations every product team needs to have but often forget. Joining Ashok once again is Bailey O’Shea, the head of product at Integral. Bailey brings her extensive experience in human-centered design and lean product management to delve deeper into these pivotal discussions. Together, they explore how to ensure your team knows not just why you’re undertaking a project, but how you’ll achieve success. Bailey and Ashok focus on the second crucial conversation: “How will we win?” They discuss the importance of setting...2024-05-2816 minConvergence.fmHow To Drive Product Development and Market Expansion with Ben Foster, ProdifyIn this episode of The Convergence Podcast, host Ashok Sivanand is joined once again by Ben Foster, Co-Founder of Prodify and co-author of "Build What Matters." This is the second part of their two-part conversation, focusing on the intricacies of product management and innovation, particularly in hardware. They delve into Ben's experience at Whoop, a fitness wearable company where he served as Chief Product Officer. The discussion highlights the complexities of managing separate teams for hardware, firmware, and software, and how these teams must work cohesively to deliver a unified product experience. Ben also shares insights into Whoop's unique...2024-05-2140 minConvergence.fmDefine, Deliver, Defend: Exploring Product Roadmaps and Customer Delight with a Renowned Chief Product OfficerIn this compelling episode of the Convergence podcast, we're talking product strategy with Ben, a seasoned expert creating product roadmaps that lead to customer delight. Ben’s journey in the product domain is as diverse as it is fascinating, having started in the early 2000s at eBay under the mentorship of Marty Kagan. He’s also a co-founder of Prodify, a company that helps companies become product-driven and a co-author of the influential book "Build What Matters". Ben gave us so many great insights that we decided to break the episode into two parts. In Part...2024-05-1449 minConvergence.fmConversations You've Forgotten to Have With Your Product Team #1: Why Are We Doing This?Discover the pivotal role of strategic conversations in shaping successful product teams in our latest episode of the Convergence podcast, featuring Integral's Director of Product Management Bailey O'Shea. In part one of our series "9 Conversations You Forget to Have With Your Product Team," we explore the crucial discussion of the "why" behind your product initiatives. This episode unpacks how a clear understanding of business strategy and goals can significantly influence the success of product development and team alignment. Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral...2024-05-0720 minConvergence.fmThe Critical Role of Product Management with Jim Simpson, CEO, BlumiraLearning about our customers, and developing products based on their needs is simple to understand, but difficult to execute when you balance your customer desires against what’s best for your shareholders, and what your team can build, deliver and operate. Host Ashok Sivanand and Jim Simpson, CEO of Blumira, discuss his journey in product management, from early coding adventures with a Commodore 64 to leading a cybersecurity SaaS company. Discover how Jim's unique background as a third culture kid and his extensive experience in the tech industry have shaped his approach to product management, leadership, and navigating th...2024-04-3046 minConvergence.fm9 Conversations You've Forgotten to Have With Your TeamStrong teams and transformed product practices drive growth. In order to drive outcomes using software and build great product teams, you need to drive speed to value and adapt quickly. The problem is, technology teams and business teams are often disjointed and lack clarity around each other’s “why.” In this first part of a continuing series on the Convergence podcast, Ashok Sivanand and Bailey O'Shea, Head of Product at Integral, explore 9 conversations essential for the success of product teams that are too often forgotten. These conversations are cultivated from the years of experience Ashok and the team a...2024-04-2343 minConvergence.fmFrom Code to Culture: How Shopify Thrives Under Farhan Thawar’s Thought LeadershipIn this episode of the Convergence Podcast, host Ashok Sivanand welcomes Farhan Thawar, the Vice President of Engineering at Shopify. Farhan's journey to Shopify came through the acquisition of Helpful, a company he co-founded. With a rich background in leadership roles at Microsoft, Trilogy, and as Vice President of Engineering at both Extreme Labs and Pivotal Labs—where Ashok had the pleasure of collaborating with him—Farhan brings a wealth of experience in building high-performing, engaging technical teams. This episode explores how Shopify, under Farhan’s leadership, operates like a colossal experiment, constantly pushing the boundaries of experimentation and resear...2024-04-1646 minConvergence.fmThis Is What Teams Are Made Of...Welcome to the Convergence podcast! I'm Ashok Sivanand and I've created the Convergence podcast to help you build the most engaged product teams who can ship the most successful products. My passion for products and timing stems from a combination of my working in Japanese manufacturing, building IoT software products for lean manufacturers, and working at industry powerhouses in product like Pivotal Labs. This passion led to founding Integral in 2017, a product engineering consultancy that enables our clients to harness technology to develop better products, grow their revenue streams, and enable new business models. We've had the...2024-04-1003 min
The Automotive Leaders PodcastBridging Gaps: Lean Manufacturing Meets TechSign up for The Automotive Leaders Letter Watch the full video on YouTube - click hereEmbark on an automotive innovation journey with Ashok Sivanand, Founder and CEO of Integral, as we explore how he actively shapes the future of product design, technology, and leadership in the automotive industry.In this episode, Ashok shares his insights on:👉What's happening in the world of automotive technology and product design👉Bridging the gap between Lean manufacturing principles and the field of software and technology👉The challenges faced by OEMs in adopti...2024-01-1852 min
Leadership MomentsEmbodying Core Values to Navigate Decision MakingSend us a textEver wondered how to balance intellectual outlook, emotional insights, and gut instinct in decision-making? Join us in this conversation with Ashok Sivanand, the CEO of Integral. Ashok discusses the importance of candidness, accountability, and overcoming fears. Also how, values like humility, kindness, accountability, and curiosity shaped his unique take on leadership. Through his candid stories, you'll experience how these values have shaped his career and built a thriving company culture at Integral. References:The Wealthy Barber - David Chilton Whole Body Yes Integral's Core Values on the career pageEach e...2023-10-0937 min