Shows
Behind the CampaignEp. 7 - Innovatemap RebrandingWhat happens when a marketing and product experience agency rebrands itself? In this episode, Andi Robinson talks with Chelsea Douglass, Director of Marketing at Innovatemap, about the agency’s bold decision to “turn the mirror inward” and run its own brand process on itself.Chelsea shares lessons learned from leading a rebrand inside a creative agency — from the importance of research and collaboration to managing expectations and maintaining authenticity. You’ll hear how Innovatemap approached rebranding with honesty, empathy, and strategy — and why “risking being human” is the new standard for modern brands.Topics i...
2025-10-1329 min
The Startup ExecutiveFrom Comic Book Dreams to Tech Reality with Mike Reynolds of InnovateMapThroughout his childhood, Mike Reynolds had always been fascinated by comic books. He was not just an avid reader; he was also a budding artist, drawing superheroes and creating his own comic books. However, as he grew older, Mike realized that his passion for drawing was more a hobby than a career path.
His fascination for technology and business steered him towards a different path, leading him to pursue a degree in business and computer science at Purdue University. From there, he began his career in the tech industry during the boom of consulting in the late 90...
2023-12-141h 07
Savage to SageEntrepreneurial Loneliness and Grit with Mike ReynoldsBeing an entrepreneur brings with it a special brand of loneliness. That’s why it’s incredibly important to create space for advice and support from others who can truly relate. It can sometimes mean the difference between success and failure.To expound on this, I (Daniel) interviewed Mike Reyolds, the CEO and a partner of Innovatemap. Among other pieces of advice, Mike talked about the need for ongoing support and how that fuels the grit it takes to make dreams and concepts a reality.“The loneliness… it’s real. [That’s why] about a fourth of th...
2023-11-2942 min
Executive EvolutionLeading by Example: The Power of Equipping Others with Mike ReynoldsWhen Mike Reynolds, CEO of Innovatemap, faced his first formal leadership role, he learned that leading with a mandate doesn't work. Instead, he discovered the power of equipping others and influencing through example. In this episode, Mike shares the mental shift he's had to make as his company grows. Listen in to learn what it means to lead with your brain by setting direction, goals, and strategies for your team so they can be successful. Along the way, you'll hear how Mike now derives pride from seeing others be great as he steps away from doing the...
2023-02-1622 min
Glasslab Podcast12: Innovatemap with Mike ReynoldsIn this episode, we talk to Mike Reynolds, the CEO of Innovatemap about how his career in SaaS allowed him to build a world-class digital design development company. Special Guest: Mike Reynolds.
2023-02-0144 min
The Startup ExecutiveWhy Experimentation is More Important than Scale at an Early Stage Startup (with Sara Croft of Innovatemap)What do you think is the best marketing strategy to grow and scale a startup? You probably aren't going to like this, but the hard truth is there is no perfect solution.
Everything can change, and to be able to grow, we need to experiment and change for the better.
In today's episode, we have Sara Croft of Innovatemap, a digital product agency that helps companies of all sizes dream and delivers valuable digital products and services to the market. Sara was the first marketing hire of the startup and paved her way to becoming...
2022-12-121h 09
Better ProductHow Product Marketers Lead As Company Quarterbacks with Kimberly Biddings, BIO-key InternationalProduct marketing is at the intersection of many teams in a product company. The work of a product marketer supports the wider product team, sales, marketing, executive stakeholders, and most of all, buyers. It’s for this reason product marketers tend to play a quarterback role, says Kimberly Biddings, VP of Product at BIO-key International. As Kim knows from experience, they’re responsible for not just knowing a product in and out—they have to translate its selling points for others to use. Join Kim and Tina to hear more about the opportunities product marketers can bring to your growin...
2022-06-2842 min
Better ProductWhy Your Positioning Should ‘Pick a Fight and Take a Stand’ with Catherine Spence, MicroblinkOne of the fundamental strategies product marketers must lead is positioning. It’s what determines how you’ll talk about your product, your company, and your brand as you scale. So why do so many people get it wrong? Catherine Spence, VP of Global Marketing at Microblink, joins Leanna to share her best lessons on brand and product positioning, from leading marketing at an international company to her own startup, Pomello. If you’re looking to stay in your comfort zone, this isn’t the episode for you. Catherine shows us why we need to use our positioning to pick a f...
2022-06-2138 min
Better ProductProduct Marketing’s Essential Purpose with Martina Lauchengco, Author of LOVEDIn today’s world, building a great product isn’t enough. You have to master your go-to-market strategy by telling a story that will leave a lasting impression on your audience. Product marketing gets you there, according to long-time product marketer and Costanoa Ventures partner Martina Lauchengco. Martina is the author of the latest book from the esteemed Silicon Valley Product Group, LOVED: How to Rethink Marketing for Tech Products. Alongside Tina and Leanna, she explores how her career start as a product manager equipped her with the product curiosity and technical competence needed to thrive...
2022-06-1437 min
Better ProductTrailer: Unlock Product MarketingProduct marketing is the foundation for better product. It should play a strategic role in your business from day one. It's a product discipline to master and respect—not just a list of jobs to be done. But product marketers continue to struggle with recognition. Because the discipline is still new, the way product leaders think about product marketing is continuously evolving. That’s why Innovatemap’s Tina Hafer and Leanna Adeola are taking over the Better Product podcast for a special series on the power of product marketing. Alongside fellow industry experts, they’ll explore wh...
2022-06-0901 min
Product Marketing LifeHow product marketing operates at a digital product agency | Meghan Pfeifer, InnovatemapIn this week's episode of Product Marketing Life, host Mark Assini is joined by Meghan Pfeifer, Senior Product Marketer and Brand Strategist at Innovatemap. The pair discuss the relationship between product design and product marketing, how product marketing operates at a digital product agency, and why Innovatemap has put product marketing and brand on the same team.
2022-06-0345 min
Better ProductThe Power of Your PositioningHow you position your product can help you connect with the people who most need it, unlocking rapid growth for your company. But first, you need a solid foundation. Today, Christian and Meghan discuss what product leaders get right vs. wrong when positioning their products. Led by Meghan’s insights in product marketing, we’ll also walk through a process any team can use to find a position that will give you a cutting edge while letting you stay true to who you are. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter to see the latest in Better...
2022-05-3130 min
Better ProductElon Musk, Twitter, and Ego in ProductFor better and for worse, ego follows us all into our work lives. But leaders must pay special attention to what role ego plays in building a product. Sometimes, ego can be the charisma an early-stage founder needs to get attention for what they’re creating. Other times, ego is a roadblock that can lead to ignoring critical perspectives from users and the product team. Using Elon Musk’s Twitter purchase as a case study, today’s show explores what role ego plays in product, when to use it to your advantage, and when to empower others to take charge...
2022-05-2433 min
Better ProductWhen It's Time For A Product Glow-UpEverything has to start somewhere. But in product and in life, the beginning tends to be awkward. We have room to grow, and glow, up. The real question isn’t about whether we’ll glow up, but when. Christian & Meghan walk us through their answers from working in UX, product marketing, and brand to help us all find the best moment to embrace the “product glow-up” while staying true to our vision. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter to see the latest in Better Product, a show part of the Better Product Community powered by Innovatema...
2022-05-1732 min
Better ProductHow Product Research Limits Uncertainty and Helps Us Face Our FearsProduct research is a discipline that’s transformed in recent years. The days of waterfall testing are over. Today, research is happening at every stage of a product’s life cycle, and there are more tools than ever before to help. But how do product teams stay focused on what truly matters? How do we single out real insights from an outpouring of data? Christian & Meghan unpack their lessons learned about product research and examine how the field has evolved. They’ll also explain why research isn’t actually about finding answers; it’s about limiting uncertainty. Follow...
2022-05-1025 min
Better ProductExperience-Driven Products for Relationship Wellness with the Founders of OursToday we’re talking about love—but not in the way you think. We’re looking at the intersection of product and a timeless human experience: falling in, and out, of love. Forget couples counseling as you know it. Ours co-founders Liz Earnshaw, Jessica Holton, and Adam Putterman are using their relationship wellness platform to reduce stigma and build “software for love.” In conversation with Christian & Meghan, the Ours founders will help you cherish the couple experience (and building great products) all over again. For more insights on how product is shaping modern health and wellness, re...
2022-05-0337 min
Better ProductMessaging Mix-Ups and How to Avoid ThemMessaging is the story we tell about our product. But how do we know if we’re telling the right story? To talk about your product, you need to learn from the audience you serve, while never losing sight of the bigger picture your market provides. Christian & Meghan will share their observations on product messaging best practices and red flags to avoid; plus, they’ll explain why the best messaging is often the simplest. They’ll also attempt to message their own lives, as inspired by quotes from comment section fights and the great Humphrey Bogart. Revisi...
2022-04-2637 min
Better ProductHarnessing Fast Feedback for Better Product Marketing with Peep Laja, WynterProduct marketing is an evolving field with much left to define about what product marketers can actually measure and support. Peep Laja founded his company, Wynter, on the belief that product marketers do better work with swift, real-time feedback on their product messaging. In today’s conversation, he explains why taking weeks (or even months) to do critical testing and validation puts your product in a losing position. He’ll also describe how Wynter is helping B2B product marketers get impactful insights on their product’s messaging & positioning, without wasting time on KPIs that keep you looking in the re...
2022-04-1937 min
Raw Data with Rob CollieMapping the Road to Innovation, w/ Mike ReynoldsMapping the Road to Innovation, w/ Mike Reynolds On Today's episode special guest Mike Reynolds defines digital product and the genius behind InnovateMap. Mike explains that businesses must go digital if they touch a consumer or risk losing relevance. While most consumer-facing companies have embraced this tenant, many B2B companies just haven't accepted this yet and those who have are advancing quicker than ever. Rob and Mike also discuss Covid bonding and the pattern analytics that helped companies ride the storm. Revisiting the past couple of difficult years, the takeaway is clear, Covid19 was...
2022-04-121h 03Raw Data with Rob CollieMapping the Road to Innovation, w/ Mike ReynoldsMapping the Road to Innovation, w/ Mike Reynolds On Today's episode special guest Mike Reynolds defines digital product and the genius behind InnovateMap. Mike explains that businesses must go digital if they touch a consumer or risk losing relevance. While most consumer-facing companies have embraced this tenant, many B2B companies just haven't accepted this yet and those who have are advancing quicker than ever. Rob and Mike also discuss Covid bonding and the pattern analytics that helped companies ride the storm. Revisiting the past couple of difficult years, the takeaway is clear, Covid19 was...
2022-04-121h 03
Better ProductThe Skills You Need To Thrive In ProductOpportunities in product today are seemingly endless. But if you’re new to the industry or looking to break in, it can be hard to know what skills you need to succeed. Many roles don’t have precise requirements, and product itself is continuously evolving. Today, Christian & Meghan will share their takes on the habits and mindsets that will serve product people at any stage of their careers. We’re talking about the impact of good taste, critical thinking, ego vs. insecurity, and how knowledge of other product disciplines can accelerate your own work. Follow us on Lin...
2022-04-1239 min
Better ProductHow Great Food & Personalized Perks Support People Ops with Mel Skochdopole, ParkdayIt’s the series finale of Power to the People Ops, and today, we’ve got a real treat. We’re speaking with Mel Skochdopole, co-founder of Parkday—a.k.a. “the Tinder of food.” Using the power of data, Parkday curates personalized workplace meals that are tailored to everyone’s food preferences. As a result, Parkday is saving people ops leaders valuable time and protecting them from the awkward (and potentially damaging) mistake of ordering food someone on their team can’t eat. Meghan and Mel explore how food is a small but powerful way to affect work culture and how...
2022-04-0534 min
Better ProductDesigning Work to Fit People with Julie Jeannotte, OfficevibeEmployee engagement is at the core of what keeps people motivated, productive, and happy at work. But unlocking what keeps people engaged is easier said than done. That’s why Julie Jeannotte, senior researcher at Officevibe by GSoft, is on a journey to create a product that measures and responds to engagement. Using pulse surveys and curated conversation starters, Officevibe is measuring human nature with science and creating a space for real talk at all levels of the workplace. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter to see the latest in Better Product, a show part of t...
2022-03-2934 min
Better ProductProductizing Ideas in the Services Industry with Tim Pröhm, VP at the KellyX Digital Innovation LabWith an uptick in challenges like the Great Resignation and remote work, companies who are hiring today must understand people—their users—in order to thrive. Tim Pröhm, vice president at the KellyX Digital Innovation Lab, recognizes this opportunity and is using it to introduce agile product thinking and a significant digital transformation to the 75-year-old recruiting firm Kelly. Kelly impacts thousands of workers around the world each year and is setting the example for how to attract and retain talent at a critical moment. In this episode, Tim shares how his team encourages startup strategy in the enter...
2022-03-2236 min
Better ProductThe Future is People Ops with John Wetzel, GatherImagine a world where every person in a company is understood. They have engaging 1:1s with managers where their voices are heard, and consistent opportunities to connect with their peers—whether they work together or not. This is the future people ops products are building; and, it’s the same future John Wetzel is defining as CEO & co-founder of Gather. He explains how people ops is transforming companies, how product leaders in the space can get necessary feedback, and most importantly, how Gather strives to get people ops leaders at early-stage companies “off their islands” to deliver a better employee...
2022-03-1527 min
Better ProductSeries Kick-Off: Power To The People OpsMany employers are coming to a huge realization: there’s power in investing in people. But keeping teams happy, organized, and engaged at work can be easier said than done. That’s why in recent years, dozens of digital products have emerged to give rise to the challenge. So-called people operations, or people ops, products exist to give workers better processes that can help them believe in (and stay) at their companies amid challenges like the Great Resignation. In this series of Better Product, we’re exploring how people ops products are one way employers can ensure their teams are se...
2022-03-0822 min
Better ProductGrowth Design Is More Than Just Another BuzzwordGrowth design is a powerful concept. It’s how we bring the goals of product marketing into focus and activate those goals through great design. As Christian puts it, it’s about evolving the areas of your product that grow metrics like revenue and users. But too often, growth design is reduced to a buzzword; to make the most of the practice, you have to consider the context in which you’re working. This episode explores what growth design looks like today, what it is not, and how it takes the best of two product disciplines, PMM and UX, to acc...
2022-03-0126 minBetter ProductWhat Platform Strategy Can Teach Us About ProductSome of the most popular digital products today, including the world-recognized FAANG stocks, are platforms. They are spaces that facilitate communication, connection, or a specific activity core to your lifestyle or business—and in almost every case, platforms have succeeded so much because they’ve monetized the interactions that happen on them. It’s because of this achievement that many in product strive for the platform model, in what Jonathan Knee describes as “the platform delusion.” To win in product, you actually don’t need a platform; instead, Christian & Meghan explain, you can learn from the way platform leaders think, and a...
2022-02-2232 minBetter ProductHow To Know If Your Product Is Creating A New CategoryIn today’s digital product landscape, the possibilities seem endless. We’re watching new products emerge to serve completely new categories—many of which, like web3 and the decentralized internet, have yet to be totally defined. Finding the answers and taking charge of a new product category, Christian and Meghan share in this episode, is up to you as the product leader. And any good journey in category creation starts with thinking about how the product you’re building can set the standard. When done well, your product becomes “the proof” new categories need to survive and thrive. Want to add...
2022-02-1522 minBetter ProductHow Community Inspires Product with Sly Tanenbaum, Urvin FinanceOne year ago, an online movement on Reddit led GameStop stock to skyrocket. The moment awakened a widespread conversation about retail investment, meme stocks, and who actually has power over the markets. Now, everyday retail investors are demanding more transparency and education in investing—and they’ve embraced community to get there. Urvin Finance Head of Design Sly Tanenbaum came from that community to his current role building The Terminal, a digital product that will connect investors and provide them with the in-demand resources they need to make smarter decisions. In this episode, Sly walks through the compe...
2022-02-0840 minBetter ProductThe Questions To Ask Before Showing Off Your ProductTo show—or not to show—your software is a question we hear a lot working in digital product. It’s not only a big question with many answers, but one with high stakes that ultimately depends on many intersecting parts of your product process. As inspired by a LinkedIn post from Wynter’s Peep Laja, Christian & Meghan unpack the critical decision to show your product to potential users, and all the smaller choices you’ll have to make along the way around your messaging, brand, product usability, and selling potential. Want to add your own take? Write a note or recor...
2022-02-0132 minBetter ProductThe Future of Social Media is “Anti-Social Media” Products - Part 2 with Emma Bates, DiemSocial media has been called “the people’s platform.” But for all its benefits to the public, many challenges still exist. Misinformation is widespread, and for women & non-binary users, harassment is a common experience. Emma Bates, the co-founder & CEO of Diem, a “social universe” for women & non-binary people, shares the alternative answer her product is offering to those who want a better experience on social media. As she explores with Christian, much of the answers lie in how we foster empathy online and how we encourage people to “pass their power.” This episode is part 2 of our two-episode exploration of social media...
2022-01-2547 minBetter ProductSquare, Block, and the Impact of Your Product NameChanging a company or product name in a rebrand is a big decision. That’s because renames are usually seen as a way to cement a changed identity. But what if we told you that names are only as valuable as what we build around them? We’re exploring the concept through the recent Square-to-Block rename, and what to consider when putting a name to your own product. Want to add your own take? Write a note or record a voice memo, and send it to erica.irish@innovatemap.com to join the conversation. Follow us on...
2022-01-1830 minBetter ProductThe Future of Social Media is “Anti-Social Media” Products - Part 1Social media is one of the most popular and well-used kinds of digital products out there—but of course, it’s not without its problems. That’s why we’re talking about a new trend in the social media world, where digital product creators are building alternatives to the Facebooks and Twitters of the world. In these “anti-social media” products, creators are paving the way for a new future and building distinct communities through tech. This episode is part 1 of our two-episode exploration of anti-social media. Listen to part 2 when it releases on Jan. 25. Follow us on LinkedI...
2022-01-1131 min
Business of ProductThe Business of Product Finale with Mike Reynolds, CEO of InnovatemapMike Reynolds revisits the big idea behind our show: why the business of product is never just about the product. As the co-founder & CEO of Innovatemap, a full-service digital product agency in Indianapolis and NYC, Mike explores from decades of personal experience what it takes to build a successful product business. Spoiler: Doing so takes so much more than a good product idea. In today’s environment, Mike explains that success hinges on knowing which ideas are worth building a business around. This episode will give you the roadmap you need to make that big decision. Follow us o...
2022-01-0615 minBetter Product2021’s Shift To Opportunity-Focused InnovationWe saw a LOT happen in product in 2021. After digital products responded to the immediate problems of 2020, this year, we saw them innovate on unexplored opportunities, build communities, and in some cases, just have fun. Today’s episode brings us Meghan & Christian’s observations from the year, and their predictions about how current trends could continue to show up in 2022. Want to add your own take? Write a note or record a voice memo, and send it to erica.irish@innovatemap.com to join the conversation. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter to see the latest...
2021-12-2127 minBetter ProductProduct Goes Public With Justin Bauer, Amplitude Analytics2021 was the year cookies died, and the year the public started paying more attention to how their data was being used online. These movements also introduced new considerations for product leaders who rely on data to make their digital products better and informed by users. Take it from Justin Bauer, senior vice president of product for Amplitude Analytics. Amplitude went public this fall after expanding as the leading data analytics tool for product managers at GoFundMe, Intuit, and others. Justin shares more about Amplitude’s growth path and how it’s helping product managers find “insight to action” o...
2021-12-1429 minBetter ProductMonkeying Around with Product BrandFrom Mailchimp’s humble monkey beginnings to a huge acquisition and SurveyMonkey’s recent rebrand, we’re talking about brand glow-ups & grow-ups in this episode. Consider it a “what not to wear” for brands. Meghan and Christian explain how MailChimp and SurveyMonkey have used their brands to connect with customers. The takeaway? Brand leaders should go all-in on any decision. Email Christian with design questions: christian.beck@innovatemap.com Email Meghan with brand questions: meghan.pfeifer@innovatemap.com
2021-09-2125 minBetter ProductShould You Start with Product Brand or Product Design? The Answer Depends.After getting many questions from startup founders about starting with product design vs. product brand, Christian and Meghan take on the debate. Of course, they’re both important, but when you’re tight on cash and talent, which should you prioritize? We won’t spoil their conclusions, but here's a hint: it depends Don’t worry - Meghan and Christian explain exactly what “it depends” on. Whichever path you choose - design or brand - don’t neglect collaboration. Your brand and product need to stay connected as you iterate. Revisit to our conversation wi...
2021-09-1418 min
Marketing Today with Alan Hart271: Making Your Product Marketable, Valuable, and Usable with Innovatemap’s Christian BeckChristian Beck is the Executive Partner at Innovatemap, where he focuses on growth strategy and design. He is also the host of the podcast Better Product. While Christian doesn't consider himself a marketer, he and Alan discuss design, user experience, and how marketing is tied closely to his role. Throughout the rest of their conversation they also touch on how technology scale is outpacing human cognition, why that matters, and what making a good product is all about.According to Christian, a “better product is marketable, valuable, and usable.” Since technology is evolving rapidly, companies must...
2021-08-0439 min
The Product Design PodcastJon Moore - How to build a career in product designIn this episode of The Product Design Podcast, Seth Coelen interviews Jon Moore, the Product Design Principal at Innovatemap, a digital product agency in Indianapolis, where he leads a team of product designers. He's passionate about design systems, tooling, and helping new designers grow in their craft.During our interview with Jon, you will learn more about how he built his career path to product design and the leadership role he is currently in today. He provides excellent advice and tips, including:Tips for new and aspiring product designersTop two areas to focus on when navigating...
2021-07-1300 min
Untold Stories of InnovationImportance of Storytelling for Digital Products with Mike Reynolds of InnovatemapWe speak with Mike Reynolds of Innovatemap about the ways he uses product storytelling to create successful marketing campaigns. Mike discusses the ways all types of products, from simple commodities to technical services, can harness storytelling to communicate with their customers on an emotional level. Mike also gives great advice on the ways leaders can integrate a unifying vision into their organization by utilizing storytelling.
Mike Reynolds LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-reynolds-8594932/
Mike’s BetterProducts Podcast: https://betterproduct.community/podcasts/
For more information, visit our website: https://untoldcontent.com/
You can also find us on Instagram: @untoldcontent
2021-06-1431 minBetter ProductThe Minute: Meet Meghan + Newly Updated Better ProductBetter Product has a new co-host! Meet Meghan Pfeifer, Senior Product Marketer & Brand Strategist at Innovatemap. In this newly updated Better Product, Meghan will bring her perspective of art, product marketing, messaging, and brand to the show...as well as challenge Christian every once in a while. Hear what else is coming to the Better Product feed in this episode of The Minute.
2021-05-1303 min
Converge CoffeeThe Digital Product's Life is the Customer Experience. Build the Right Thing and Building the Thing Right.In this episode, Sean sits down with Mike Reynolds, CEO at Innovatemap. They dive into how Mike started the company and how the customer landscape has changed. Hint: Digital products are not exclusively for the tech scene. They go deeper into how Mike's company has adapted well to digital innovation and the workplace. Mike goes deeper on new digital trends but the importance of keeping customer experience as a primary focus in product messaging, design, and technology. Mike's enthusiasm about digital products and his team is evident of Innovatemap's success and how passion can come success.
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2021-03-1939 minBetter ProductThe Minute: Dave Gerhardt on Building an AudienceWhat comes first the product or the audience? For Dave Gerhardt, formerly CMO of Drift, now CMO for Privy, the audience. In The Minute, Anna and Christian are joined by Mike Reynolds, CEO of Innovatemap to talk about how to build an audience before you launch a product. With his experience, Mike provides insight on how to approach building an audience first while creating momentum.
2021-02-2509 min
Better ProductSeries Wrap-Up: How to Use Data with Christian and AnnaData is often a complicated topic wrapped around confusing jargon and direction on how to analyze it effectively. Our series on how to use data provides a narrative on the subject, highlighting organizations thinking differently from the implications AI has to why your gut has to guide more than just the vision. The wrap-up episode pulls out key takeaways from the guests featured in the series, including Kat Kennedy from Degreed, Marieke McCloskey from Humu, Dennis Mortenson with x.ai, and Kendra Clarke, sparks & honey. Series Takeaways: Understanding data is an evol...
2021-02-2307 minBetter ProductThe Minute: Twitter - Breaking Down Product RebrandTwitter recently announced their rebrand, but don't worry the bird lives on. What can we learn from this iconic product? In The Minute, Christian invites Meghan Pfeifer Senior Brand Designer and Product Marketer of Innovatemap to discuss the Twitter rebranding strategy. You’ll hear how to think about product rebrands and how to apply it.
2021-02-1109 minBetter ProductThe Minute: Product Hierarchy Webinar AnnouncementToday’s episode is a little different because instead of revisiting the past, we want to highlight something coming up that our listeners might want to know more about. Today, Tina Hafer of Innovatemap joins Better Product to talk about the upcoming webinar she’s hosting on January 26. The topic is a foundational aspect of product marketing: product hierarchies. Whether you’re thinking about positioning, presentation decks, or even onboarding, product hierarchies can give you a common language and framework to refer to as you figure out how to market and sell your product. Interest...
2021-01-2203 min
Better Product[Re-Release] Defining Product-Led Growth with Blake Bartlett, OpenView Venture PartnersBlake Bartlett from OpenView Venture Partners has been on the frontlines of this term helping define product-led growth and advocating for product companies to lean into the methodology. In the conversation with Blake, you can expect to understand the term in more detail while breaking down the barriers for implementation. When it comes to the term product-led growth there are many misconceptions holding product professional back from embracing the approach. Find out for yourself over the next few episodes as we hone in on what it really means to have product-led growth. Connect with Chris...
2020-11-1831 min
Better Product[Re-Release] How a Product-Led Company Utilizes Storytelling Instead of Feature Pushing with Kyle Lacy, LessonlyDoes product lead marketing or does marketing lead product? This is the question we set out to answer on this episode with Kyle Lacy, VP of Marketing at Lessonly. Outside of exploring this question, you’ll learn how Kyle launched the brand’s first user conference that didn’t feel like a user conference, and how they doubled down on their brand messaging while making sure the company never lost the voice of its founder - Max Yoder. In this episode, you’ll learn why Lessonly’s do-better work position is consistent through their product brand, messag...
2020-11-1729 min
REWORKBetter Product with Adam Stoddard Better Product is a podcast by Innovatemap, a digital product agency. We are playing their episode featuring Basecamp's marketing designer, Adam Stoddard, who joins them to talk about Basecamp's design philosophy and the thought process behind the look of HEY.com. Show NotesAdam Stoddard on Twitter - 1:04Basecamp co-founder and CTO David Heinemeier Hansson discussed Superhuman in a previous Rework episode - 12:20"Superhuman is Spying on You" by Mike Davidson - 13:23HEY's pixel tracker blocking feature - 13:33
2020-10-2726 min
Better ProductSeries Launch: Product Brand with Andy Kennedy, InnovatemapWhat do you think users think about your product? Their opinion may have more to do with its look and feel than its functionality. As we kick off our new series on product brand, Andy Kennedy, Principal Brand Partner at Innovatemap, joins the show helping to define product brand and discussing its influences on the perception of your product. To learn more and connect with other product professionals you can join the conversation at betterproduct.community.
2020-10-1329 min
Better ProductSeries Kickoff: The Business Impact of Product DesignOur newest series, The Business Impact of Product Design, is near and dear to both hosts, Anna Eaglin and Christian Beck’s hearts. If it weren’t for product design, there would be no Better Product. Join us over the next five weeks as we explore the impact strong product design has on the business. To help kick off the conversation, Evan Tank, Senior Product Designer with Innovatemap sits down to share his product design definition while distinguishing it from the user experience. To never miss an episode and gain exclusive access to additional resources head ov...
2020-08-2515 min
The Digital Workplace PodcastMike Reynolds - Creating a highly innovative digital culture is hardInnovatemap runs on pure innovation. So how do you keep collaboration at its height without whiteboards and windows? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-07-2327 min
Gut + ScienceGetting Stuff Done! | Mike ReynoldsMike Reynolds is the CEO of Innovatemap, a digital product agency helping companies dream, design, and deliver digital products and services. In this episode, Mike joins Nikki to share insights on how he's built a culture that innovates constantly and moves fast to get things done. Listen in to hear the unique way team structure affects speed and relationship building. Truth You Can Act On 1. Feed the prospective employee pipeline constantly, not just when you are ready to hire. [00:05:33] I'm always and our team is alw...
2020-07-1625 min
The Digital Agency Show | Helping Agency Owners Transform Their Business Mindset to Increase Prices, Work Less, and Grow ProfitsE156: Agile-based billing to reduce custom project risk with Mike ReynoldsMike Reynolds is the CEO of Innovatemap, a digital product agency located in Broad Ripple. Mike has been ideating and delivering digital products to market for over 20 years. He is an expert in product management, user experience, and product marketing. Mike believes there is a digital solution to every problem.
Mike brings a fresh perspective on product strategy and guides clients to find the right product-market fit.
2020-06-1634 min
Better ProductBetter Product on Supporting the Black Tech CommunityWe built this podcast as a platform for leaders in the tech community, and we take that responsibility seriously. As a way to use our privilege for change, we added a special episode with Kelli Jones, co-founder of Be Nimble Foundation & Black Hatch Fund, to hear her perspectives on diversity in the tech space. As an Indianapolis tech connector working to bridge the gap between the Black community and the tech community, Kelli sheds light on what’s creating this gap, what her organization has been doing to address it, and specific actions you can take towards cr...
2020-06-0935 min
Middle Tech99. Innovatemap: Christian Beck on the Importance of DesignOn this week's episode, we sat down with the Executive Design Partner of Innovatemap, Christian Beck. Innovatemap is an Indianapolis-based design firm that helps companies of all sizes design & build digital products and services. In this episode, we focus heavily on the importance of good design. Christian walks us through what early stage companies should be doing in regards to design, and also shares lots of wisdom about the role that good design plays in building successful digital products.
Listen to more from Christian at his podcast, Better Product.
Visit us at middletechpod.com
2020-05-2650 minBetter ProductBetter Product Weekly: Prioritizing Product Improvements Over Growth with Eric PrughWhat would happen to your product if you could shift your roadmap from growth-oriented features to making those improvements you know are needed? Eric Prugh, Chief Product Officer and Co-founder of PactSafe share with us how they’ve looked at their product roadmap in light of the recent pandemic. While the business objectives for the company haven’t changed, they’ve made it a priority to focus on retention and serving existing customers. For them, that means slowing down growth and making improvements to the product. As always we invite you to connect with us at Inno...
2020-05-0522 min
Better ProductProduct-Led Growth | Breaking PLG Down for Midwest TechWhat are some of the common misconceptions when it comes to product-led growth? How should you lean into the methodology? What can the Midwest learn from other product-led growth organizations? We discuss the answers to these questions and more by bringing on Innovatemap’s Katie Lukes. She is our resident PLG expert along with being one of our principal production managers and product researchers. While this episode debunks many of the commonly held beliefs around PLG, it also sheds light on how exactly a specialized SaaS company can use it effectively. Join the conversation. Conne...
2020-03-1223 min
Better ProductProduct Marketing Series | How Does Product Marketing Differ from Traditional Marketing?In the first episode of our new series on Product Marketing, we talked to some key players in the industry to answer the most obvious question: What is product marketing? On today’s show, we dig a little deeper to learn some ways that product marketing differs from traditional marketing. Regardless of where product marketing lives within an organization, the role requires a lot of collaboration. So how do product marketers work with other marketers? And how can product developers best understand the role and how they can play in part in crafting the narrative of the pr...
2020-02-1724 min
Better ProductAnnouncing the Better Product CommunityOver the past year, the Better Product podcast was focused on sharing the stories of industry-leading product people. While we got some amazing answers to our ‘better product’ question we uncovered a bigger one, “where is the digital product community?” The reality is - we couldn’t find it. We learned that product people want to meet, learn from, and build connections with each other. So now we’re creating the Better Product community as a way to bring product people together around one simple concept: creating the best possible digital products. Will you join the communit...
2020-02-0502 min
Better ProductAcquisition Series | Salesforce’s Joanna Milliken on Growth and Perspective through AcquisitionThis week, we wrap up our series on managing products through acquisition by digging into one of the most notable acquisition stories here in Indianapolis. In 2013, San Francisco-based tech company Salesforce purchased Indianapolis-based digital marketing company ExactTarget, effectively forming what is known today as Salesforce Marketing Cloud. In this episode, we talk with Joanna Milliken about her experience going from one of the first employees at ExactTarget in 2001 to being Senior Vice President of Product Management at Salesforce. Joanna shares her career journey from sales and marketing into product and what has changed from her early days...
2020-01-2828 minBetter ProductAcquisition Series | A Matter of Perspective: The Two Sides of Product AcquisitionSo far in this series, we have focused on aligning product teams and product lines after an acquisition is made by a company, but what about the experience on the other side? On today’s show, we juxtapose the experience of the acquired and the acquirer. Being acquired can be a huge moment for a product. A chance to expand its reach to a whole new audience with resources that may not have previously been available. But there can obviously be challenges, as well. For example, how hard is it to loosen your grip on a product you...
2020-01-2120 minBetter ProductAcquisition Series | Finding Alignment Before, During and After an AcquisitionThere are a lot of moving parts during an acquisition, and it is easy for alignment to fall by the wayside. How do you actually ensure that a new product, and product team, aligns with your internal vision, processes, and methodologies? Our series on managing product through acquisition continues with a look at some various perspectives on the subject. We talk with a few different product leaders whose experiences shed light on how acquired products should align from a brand perspective and how to effectively graft new product teams into your existing architecture to ensure success for...
2020-01-1519 minBetter ProductAcquisition Series | Genesys’ Mimi Nguyen on Innovating Through AcquisitionHow do you successfully manage products during an acquisition? As we kick off a new year of Better Product, we want to focus on a topic that has come up often during our interviews: how do you manage products (and product teams) through acquisition? Acquisitions are a natural part of company growth, but they also present a number of challenges that can look very different depending on your situation. In this first episode of our new series, we talk with Mimi Nguyen about Genesys’ acquisition of Interactive Intelligence in 2017 and what she learned during that tr...
2020-01-0826 minBetter ProductBuilding a Product Based on a Philosophical Approach | Claire LewWe find that conviction often leads to great product stories, and today’s is no different. Christian came across our guest on Twitter, and the more digging he did, the more interested in her story he became. Claire Lew is the CEO of Know Your Team, a software that helps you become a better manager. Claire is passionately focused on helping leaders become better at leading, and her story to success is driven by a philosophical approach. In fact, that approach led to some unexpected turns that have transformed the possibilities for what Know Your Team could ac...
2019-12-1933 minBetter ProductMoving Your Product Up-Market as You Scale | Justin BauerThere is nothing quite like those early days of product success. Seeing your vision come to life as customers begin to adopt your services is not only validating, it can lead to new opportunities to scale. Of course, scaling has its own challenges. what happens when you wake up and realize that your target customer has changed? How do you move your product up-market, targeting a completely new audience while maintaining the customers that you already have? We talked with Justin Bauer, VP of Product at Amplitude Analytics, which helps people use customer data to build great...
2019-12-1729 minBetter ProductMoving from Product Vision to Strategy to Execution | Hubert PalanA great product story always starts with a vision. But as we all know, it is those next steps that can be challenging and ultimately dictate whether a product becomes a success. And what exactly are those next steps and what is the best way to approach them? We spoke with Hubert Palan, Founder and CEO of productboard, a product management system that enables teams to get the right products to market faster. Hubert is passionate about product strategy and has worked to fill a need was hearing repeatedly: that there was no clear definition of what...
2019-12-1027 minBetter ProductWhat Defines a Minimum Viable Product? | Ade OlonohHow do you define an MVP, or minimum viable product? Whatever your definition, one thing is for sure. It is not about perfection. But where do you draw the line? Our latest guest has a pretty good idea, because he has created a lot and spends a lot of time with the creations of others. We talked with Ade Olonoh, an investor and entrepreneur who has founded numerous companies, including Formstack, Formspring, and Jell, and has invested in a dozen start-ups. All of these experiences have given Ade a unique perspective when meeting with other entrepreneurs who...
2019-12-0332 minBetter ProductCommunity Series | Navigating Community CarefullyWhen do you draw the line between letting your community own the roadmap and using them to influence your roadmap? Our series on community comes to a close with an examination on how several product leaders are approaching feedback from their communities. It can be easy to assume that your users know best about what they need, but can we dig deeper and read between the lines to gain a better understanding? In this episode, we share some insights into how to navigate your community when it comes to feedback, managing users, and understanding how...
2019-11-1918 min
Better ProductCommunity Series | When to Place an Emphasis on CommunityHow do I know when to invest in building a community for my product? The first few episodes in our new series have highlighted the power of community when it comes to product. But it is clear that each story - and community - is unique. So how do you know when and how to place an emphasis on community? In this episode, we share stories that give indicators that placing an emphasis on community is the right decision for a particular product. We’ll also learn how each product and community requires its own in...
2019-11-0515 minBetter ProductInVision's Adam Fry-Pierce and Mike Davidson on the 3 P's of CommunityAs our series on community continues, we dig deeper into the fundamental elements that create a successful product community. Adam Fry-Pierce, Director of Design Community and Curator of the Design Leadership Forum at InVision, previously shared what they consider to be the 3 P’s that guide their view of community. InVision’s VP of Partnerships and Community, Mike Davidson, joins the conversation to share how these principles look when put into action. For the team at InVision, community means creating a better product while also creating a stronger community for designers everywhere. Listen in t...
2019-10-2427 minBetter ProductCommunity Series | Tapping into CommunityWhat does it mean to develop a product with community in mind? Over the first two seasons of Better Product, we’ve found that many of our conversations seem to involve community, whether the word is blatantly spoken or not. In many cases, it’s a matter of how much a company wants to invest in community that dictates the impact its community has on the success of a given product. In this first episode of this new series, we’ll be looking into a few examples of product stories that were heavily influenced by their...
2019-10-2213 minBetter ProductThere Will Be No Season 3Big announcement from Better Product: There will be no Season 3. But that’s just because we love this podcast so much, we want to do it without the constraint of seasons! Sorry, was that misleading? We hope you’ll join us over the coming weeks as Anna and Christian take us on a journey into stories of how community and product intersect and what product teams can learn from their community of users. We’ll also be exploring a variety of other themes in upcoming episodes, as well as sprinkling in full-episode interviews with some of our...
2019-10-0802 minBetter ProductGenius Cuts | Season 2 RecapAnother season of Better Product is in the books, which makes this the perfect time to reflect on some of the conversations we’ve had over the course of Season 2. Instead of re-hashing what you’ve already heard, we decided to dig through the tapes to find some great soundbites that got left on the cutting room floor. We’re calling them ‘Genius Cuts’ after our good friends at Share Your Genius, who produce this podcast. You’ll hear additional product insights from great guests like Marty Cagan, Pieter Omvlee, April Dunford, and Sara Mauskopf about everyt...
2019-08-2712 minBetter ProductFilling Out the Five Blanks to Create a Positioning Statement | April DunfordIs there a formula for developing the right product positioning statement? The positioning statement is arguably one of the most important aspects of any product company. April Dunford, the author of Obviously Awesome, shares with Anna and Christian the impact of getting the positioning statement right. When it’s done well all the other ‘stuff,’ from building out the marketing plan to developing the sales strategy, becomes easy. The conversation yields clear insights on how any company can tackle the perfect positioning statement. One of the key takeaways goes beyond ‘what to do’ - rather it teaches y...
2019-08-0630 minBetter ProductCreating a Better Product Starts By Solving a Real Problem | Pieter Omvlee Should what a founder wants to build take priority over what the customers want? Well, for Pieter Omvlee, CEO of Sketch, it was really one and the same. Sketch was created to solve a real problem he and his co-founder were experiencing. While the company has grown in response to its users' high demand, they have been able to stick to their original goal - solve their own problem by creating a better product. In this episode, you’ll learn how the best products are built and how to have a growth reluctant mindset, which may sound counterintuitive. Yet, this mental...
2019-07-2325 minBetter ProductScaling Your Product Team with a Customer-Centric Approach | Craig Sturgis How do you know when your company is no longer in‘startup’mode? When does your team need project management more than product management? Craig Sturgis, VP of Product at SmarterHQ, was a part of the company’s founding team, before he left, did his own thing, and came back to take the company from startup to scale up. It was at this inflection point where Craig realized one impactful thing - in order to grow the company and improve the product, the focus needed to shift. In this episode, Christian and Anna discuss how each team in the organization from custo...
2019-07-1630 minBetter ProductThe Real Definition of a Product Manager | Marty CaganHow are great products built? What is a good product culture? How can you get started in product management when there’s no blueprint for the role? So many questions for this week’s guest, Marty Cagan, Partner at the Silicon Valley Product Group and author of INSPIRED (a book that ‘inspired’ the creation of Innovatemap). In this conversation, Christian and Anna dig into the details of what it takes to be a successful product manager and how it impacts the company’s product culture. Yep, product culture is a real thing and affects how a company delivers va...
2019-07-0926 minBetter ProductGrowing Up With Your Customer Base Without Having to Recode | Nick Tippmann What is product hierarchy and why does it matter? In this week’s episode, Christian and Anna are talking with Nick Tippmann, VP of Marketing at Greenlight Guru. Through thought leadership marketing tactics, Nick positioned the company as a leader in the medical device industry—and subsequently spurred impressive growth. This growth created new opportunities to offer additional value to its customer base. Instead of reinventing the wheel, Nick uses smart messaging to sell the exact same product to the same person, but at different phases of the relationship. In doing this, Greenlight Guru is able...
2019-07-0232 minBetter ProductEvolving Product to Deliver the Right Solution | Stephanie RagozzinoWhat happens when your audience doesn’t use your product like you anticipated they would? If you’re like Stephanie Ragozzino, you evolve your solution to deliver the right user experience. Stephanie is the EVP of Product Development at PERQ, which leverages Artificial Intelligence to help guide buyers through complex purchase decisions. PERQ wasn’t always a digital product company, but they had a vision for how a product could elevate their existing service business. When Stephanie joined, she took this vision and turned it into a usable and marketable product. However, the journey to identi...
2019-06-1126 minBetter ProductWhat to Do When the Product Doesn’t Sell Itself | Jon GilmanHaving a product-market fit doesn’t guarantee sales, and sometimes, founders find out the hard way. Jon Gilman started Clear Software with a clear vision of who his end users were. That vision had to shift as he quickly learned he was selling to the wrong audience. His messaging wasn’t resonating, and his demos weren’t converting. Instead of closing up shop, he changed his go-to-market strategy to deliver in the enterprise space. Join Christian and Anna as they discuss how Jon navigates the complex sale to drive value for his end users. Connect...
2019-06-0429 minBetter ProductWhat Does Better Product Mean to You? | Season 1 RecapThroughout Season One of Better Product, we’ve been fortunate to have some amazing guests on our show from product marketers, to head of products, to the CEOs who run these organizations. One thing we ask all our guests is, what is better product? We’ve sourced some amazing answers and as a way to close out our first season, we are sharing the answers to this now infamous question with you. So, what does Better Product mean to you? Connect with Christian Connect with Anna Learn more about Innovatemap
2019-05-2805 min
Better ProductBalancing Technology and the Human Element in a Tech-Enabled Service | Sally ReasonerCan you turn a services business into a digital product company without losing the human element? Sally Reasoner had this same question when Ascend decided to build a product with the goal of serving their customers better. Ascend’s mission is to connect college students to the right job opportunities. Join Christian and Anna on this week’s show as they discuss how companies can use products to scale without sacrificing personalization. From Sally’s viewpoint, the product enabled their growing organization to provide better service without losing the personal touch, which drives partnerships and relati...
2019-05-2028 min
Obsessed Show118 - Christian Beck, InnovatemapToday on Obsessed Show we're chatting with Christian Beck, leader of the UX design team at Innovatemap, and host of the Better Product Podcast. The Innovatemap team in Indy was my connection to Anna Saraceno at Trello, and Art Viger at Peak Design, so I'd like to say a big thank you to Innovatemap for making those initial connections!
2019-05-201h 03Better ProductBuilding a Tech Company Without a Tech Background | Carrie GriffithHow do you start a tech company when you don’t have a tech background? That’s the position Carrie Griffith was in when she started Little Nugget, a baby photo app that helps parents personalize, organize and treasure their favorite moments. This week on the Better Product podcast, we’re breaking down the process of bringing a product vision to life when you’re not a ‘tech person.’ Carrie was her own user case study, yet she quickly learned the power of research and connecting with a community outside of her existing circle. So b...
2019-05-1330 min
Better ProductReexamining Your Product Portfolio to Better Serve Your Users | Amy ReitzHow do you balance the old with the new? For product companies, knowing your audience and continually evaluating your portfolio is key to driving value for your users. This week on Better Product, we are talking with Amy Reitz (@AmyReitz), General Manager of the Intersect™ product line at Hobsons, which offers a recruitment optimization platform for higher ed admissions offices. On this episode, you’ll hear why Hobsons was forced to take a step back because their portfolio, made up of more than 80 products, was in conflict - the story no longer made sense. Go...
2019-05-0624 min
Better ProductBuilding an Audience Before Your Digital Product Launches | Dave GerhardtHow do you build an audience when you don’t yet have a product? This week on the Better Product podcast, we’re talking with Dave Gerhardt (@davegerhardt), VP of Marketing at Drift and author of Conversational Marketing. When Dave, a.k.a “DG”, started with Drift, there was no product. Yet his first assignment was to build an audience. So, how did he do it? He started by asking questions. Just like when you go to build your product, you talk to who you think the end user is. You ask them questions, you seek to...
2019-04-2930 min
Better ProductHow Sales and Product Work Together to Achieve Product-Market Fit | Rod FeuerHow can you build a product based on feedback and observations, all while staying true to the problem you’re trying to solve in the first place? On this week’s episode of Better Product, you’ll hear from Rod Feuer, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Costello, an AI-driven software platform designed to help salespeople sell better. When it comes to Rod’s target market, he knows his users. He understands exactly what they do, how they do it, the way they make decisions, and what is important to them. In this episode...
2019-04-1528 min
Better ProductWhat's in a (Digital Product) Name? | Cara WagnerWhat matters most when it comes to digital product? Is it design? Is it the features? The functions? Or is it marketing? Cara Wagner (@cara_saur) is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Mimir, a software company that grows the software engineering workforce through its core product, Mimir Classroom. In this episode, Cara digs into how to develop marketing strategies for your product. You’ll also hear a brand new perspective on how product companies should think about marketing and PR. If you’re part of a startup or product company, you...
2019-04-0134 min
Better ProductNavigating a Complex Product Roadmap to Launch | Jeremy LeventhalWhen is the right time to build a new product? And who should lead the charge: Sales or product? What features should you build and when? These are the questions we explore in this week’s episode. We’re talking to Jeremy Leventhal, Chief Product Officer for Springbuk, a health analytics software company. You’ll hear product management best practices and Jeremy’s insight when it comes to first to market versus best in market. Learn how he managed a complex roadmap for launching a new product. You’ll also hear from Innovatemap’s Lacey Lavi...
2019-03-1829 min
Powderkeg - Unvalley#77: A Master Class on Product Development Process with InnovatemapThe product development process needs far more than just an exciting idea and money. Your idea is just the beginning. You also need a team to get it out of the dream phase, and a plan to keep it on track. Not to mention, a marketing strategy that clearly defines the problem to your audience—and why your product is the solution.
Today on the Igniting Startups podcast, you’ll learn how to take a product from concept to market. Joining us are two veterans in the field of new product development. First up, we have Mike Reynolds, founder and CEO...
2019-03-1255 min
Better ProductIdentifying Product Market Success in the Public Sector | Dan MoyersWhere does digital product fit in a market that traditionally relies on manual processes? In this episode with Dan Moyers, Vice President of Product and Solutions for 120WaterAudit, we dive into a digital product in the public sector and how to build product features that are customer informed - not customer driven. You’ll learn the difference. You’ll also hear how Dan leverages design deliverables for both the product development team and sales and how to use those mockups for product iteration. And if that’s not enough, you’ll also learn how to i...
2019-03-0429 min
Better ProductHow to Add New Features and Balance Workarounds | Myles Grote & Tyler HillWhat would happen if the engineers who created the product actually spent time with the end users? That’s what Myles Grote, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, and Tyler Hill, Chief Design Officer, of Upper Hand, wanted to find out. Hear how an off site experience gave new perspective and drove innovation for this digital product company. Join us as our hosts dig into the details of what it takes to transform a product company to find the right market fit. You will learn how design drives decisions, what to consider, and how to educate user...
2019-02-1829 min
Better ProductConnecting the Product Dots by Looking Backwards | Dan HanrahanHow do you go from your first user to your millionth? How can product integrations be strategic for growing a company’s user base? And how do you decide what integrations are worth creating? These questions and more are explored in this episode with Dan Hanrahan, (@danhanrahan8), Founder and President of Sigstr. Dan gives us insights on packaging, pricing, and when to make the decision to build again. If you’re looking to evolve your product and take your company to the next level, then this is one conversation you don’t want to miss. Co...
2019-02-1822 min
Better ProductPitch Perfect: The Five Minute Product Pitch | Chelsea LinderThe product pitch deck is often the ‘thing’ you need to fundraise, to share the vision and to secure buy-in. For many, the pitch ends up guiding the development of the product. On this episode, we’re talking with Chelsea Linder. She’s the Director of the gBeta Indy program - a seven week accelerator program for early stage companies. A common misconception we explore is that people think it’s easy to 1) develop a product and 2) raise money. But she’s telling us right now, those people are wrong. It’s a full-time job - and you’ll h...
2019-02-1821 min
Better ProductHow a Product-Led Company Utilizes Storytelling Instead of Feature Pushing | Kyle LacyDoes product lead marketing or does marketing lead product? This is the question we set out to answer on this episode with Kyle Lacy, VP of Marketing at Lessonly. Outside of exploring this question, you’ll learn how Kyle launched the brand’s first user conference that didn’t feel like a user conference, and how they doubled down on their brand messaging while making sure the company never lost the voice of its founder - Max Yoder. In this episode, you’ll learn why Lessonly’s do-better work position is consistent through their product brand, mes...
2019-02-1828 min
Better ProductBetter Product: What's This All About? | Christian Beck and Anna EaglinWhat is better product? And how do we create it? From Innovatemap, hosts Christian Beck and Anna Eaglin are on a mission to answer these questions. In its first season, Better Product will feature product leaders and product practitioners from marketing to design. This podcast was created based on the belief that the better products we have in the marketplace, the better experiences we create, the better work we inspire, and the better our lives become. Connect with Christian - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianmbeck/ Connect with Anna - https://www.linkedin.com...
2019-02-0702 min
Powderkeg - Unvalley#46: Expert Product Design 101: A Case Study with the CEOs of Canvas and InnovatemapA company’s product is its lifeblood. It’s the one thing most responsible for a company’s success or failure, which is why smart product design is an absolute must for every business. And truly expert-level product design goes much deeper than nailing the visual aesthetic for your website.
I called in help from Aman Brar and Mike Reynolds, two respected Indianapolis-area CEOs, to unpack this very loaded and very important topic. Brar is the founder of Canvas, the first ever recruitment platform based on text messaging. Reynolds heads up Innovatemap, a product design agency that has helped more than 7...
2017-10-0347 min