The Findaway Journey: From Startup to Spotify Acquisition

In this episode of Rocketship.FM, we dive deep into the world of evidence-based product development with Connor Joyce, author of "Bridging Intention to Impact." Connor challenges the common assumption that high usage metrics automatically equate to product success. Instead, he introduces a comprehensive framework for measuring genuine impact on user outcomes and business goals. Connor shares insights from his experience at Microsoft and various startups, explaining how product teams can move beyond surface-level metrics to truly understand if their features are solving customer problems. He introduces key concepts like the user outcome connection, feature impact analysis, and the insights hub - all aimed at creating a culture of evidence-based decision making in product development. Whether you're a seasoned product leader or an individual contributor looking to drive change, this episode offers practical strategies for ensuring your products don't just get used, but actually work. This episode is sponsored by: Virtual Edition of INDUSTRY: The Product Conference: Join hundreds of Product Managers and Product Leaders from all around the world for a day-long virtual conference experience -- including keynote sessions, interactive discussions, virtual networking and more. Purchase your pass before September 15th, and you can register for just $99 (saving 50% off of the day of show rate). Wix Studio: Designed for agencies, freelancers and enterprises, Wix Studio lets professional web designers and developers unleash their creativity—faster and better than ever. You can create high-end sites at scale while harnessing the robust infrastructure and business solutions that already come with Wix.  Rocketship.FM is brought to you by Evergreen Podcasts.

In this episode of Rocketship.FM, we dive into an often overlooked but crucial aspect of product management: working effectively with internal partners and stakeholders. Join host Mike Belsito as he interviews John Haggerty, a seasoned product leader and coach, who shares insights on how product managers can build stronger relationships within their organizations. Learn why treating internal collaboration like a product itself can lead to better outcomes, and discover practical strategies for: Conducting "internal partner discovery" Segmenting and customizing communication with different stakeholders Measuring the success of your internal partnerships Avoiding common pitfalls in stakeholder management Whether you're a new product manager or a seasoned leader, this episode will equip you with valuable tools to enhance your influence and effectiveness across your organization. Don't miss this opportunity to level up your internal partnership skills and drive better product outcomes. This episode is sponsored by: Virtual Edition of INDUSTRY: The Product Conference: Join hundreds of Product Managers and Product Leaders from all around the world for a day-long virtual conference experience -- including keynote sessions, interactive discussions, virtual networking and more. Purchase your pass before September 15th, and you can register for just $99 (saving 50% off of the day of show rate). Wix Studio: Designed for agencies, freelancers and enterprises, Wix Studio lets professional web designers and developers unleash their creativity—faster and better than ever. You can create high-end sites at scale while harnessing the robust infrastructure and business solutions that already come with Wix.  Rocketship.FM is brought to you by Evergreen Podcasts.

In this episode of Rocketship.FM, we dive deep into the inspiring story of Findaway, a Cleveland-based tech company that went from a small startup to a $123 million acquisition by Spotify. Host Mike Belsito, one of Findaway's early employees, sits down with Mitch Kroll, co-founder and longtime CEO, to discuss the company's 18-year journey through various phases of growth and innovation. Kroll shares valuable insights on entrepreneurship, product evolution, and building a successful tech company outside of traditional tech hubs. He discusses Findaway's pivots from retail to institutional markets, its expansion into digital distribution, and the development of a strategically integrated business model that ultimately attracted Spotify's interest. This episode offers a wealth of lessons for product managers and leaders on resilience, adaptability, and the importance of focusing on the journey rather than just the destination. This episode is sponsored by: Virtual Edition of INDUSTRY: The Product Conference: Join hundreds of Product Managers and Product Leaders from all around the world for a day-long virtual conference experience -- including keynote sessions, interactive discussions, virtual networking and more. Purchase your pass before September 15th, and you can register for just $99 (saving 50% off of the day of show rate). Wix Studio: Designed for agencies, freelancers and enterprises, Wix Studio lets professional web designers and developers unleash their creativity—faster and better than ever. You can create high-end sites at scale while harnessing the robust infrastructure and business solutions that already come with Wix.  Rocketship.FM is brought to you by Evergreen Podcasts.

In this captivating episode of Rocketship.FM, host Mike Belsito sits down with Rahul Vohra, founder and CEO of Superhuman, to explore the company's groundbreaking journey into AI-powered email. Vohra shares insights on how Superhuman recognized the potential of AI early on and made the bold decision to pivot their entire product strategy. He details the challenges of integrating AI features, from assembling the right team to developing a new "theta mode" of operation that accelerated their innovation process. Product managers and leaders will gain valuable lessons on prioritizing emerging technologies, balancing existing product roadmaps with disruptive innovation, and measuring the success of AI features. Vohra's candid discussion about Superhuman's three-phase approach to AI implementation - from on-demand features to always-on capabilities and agentic AI - provides a roadmap for product teams looking to harness the power of artificial intelligence in their own offerings. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of AI and product development in the fast-paced world of tech. This episode is sponsored by: Virtual Edition of INDUSTRY: The Product Conference: Join hundreds of Product Managers and Product Leaders from all around the world for a day-long virtual conference experience -- including keynote sessions, interactive discussions, virtual networking and more. Purchase your pass before September 15th, and you can register for just $99 (saving 50% off of the day of show rate). Wix Studio: Designed for agencies, freelancers and enterprises, Wix Studio lets professional web designers and developers unleash their creativity—faster and better than ever. You can create high-end sites at scale while harnessing the robust infrastructure and business solutions that already come with Wix.  Rocketship.FM is brought to you by Evergreen Podcasts.

In this episode of Rocketship.fm, host Mike Belsito dives deep into the challenging world of tech job hunting with Phyl Terry, author of "Never Search Alone: The Job Seeker's Playbook." With nearly half of US tech workers looking for new roles in 2024, this timely discussion offers invaluable insights for navigating the current job market. Phyl shares the three big ideas behind the book and "Never Search Alone" movement: understanding your candidate market fit, the power of job search councils, and mastering collaborative interviewing and negotiation. Listeners will gain practical advice on how to approach their job search strategically, from forming support groups to negotiating beyond just salary. The episode concludes with ten actionable steps listeners can take immediately to enhance their job search, making it a must-listen for anyone in tech considering their next career move. Whether you're a product manager facing unexpected layoffs or simply looking for a change, this episode provides the tools and mindset needed to tackle the job market with confidence. This episode is sponsored by: Virtual Edition of INDUSTRY: The Product Conference: Join hundreds of Product Managers and Product Leaders from all around the world for a day-long virtual conference experience -- including keynote sessions, interactive discussions, virtual networking and more. Purchase your pass before September 15th, and you can register for just $99 (saving 50% off of the day of show rate). Wix Studio: Designed for agencies, freelancers and enterprises, Wix Studio lets professional web designers and developers unleash their creativity—faster and better than ever. You can create high-end sites at scale while harnessing the robust infrastructure and business solutions that already come with Wix.  Rocketship.FM is brought to you by Evergreen Podcasts.

In this insightful episode of Rocketship.fm, host Mike Belsito sits down with Bruce McCarthy and Melissa Appel, co-authors of "Aligned: Stakeholder Management for Product Leaders." The conversation delves into the often challenging world of stakeholder management, offering practical advice for product managers and leaders looking to navigate complex organizational dynamics. Throughout the episode, McCarthy and Appel share valuable strategies from their book, covering topics such as understanding organizational structures, building rapport with stakeholders, and managing roadmap changes. They emphasize the importance of treating stakeholders as individuals, aligning goals, and fostering trust through effective communication and collaboration. This episode provides listeners with actionable insights to enhance their stakeholder management skills and drive product success. This episode is sponsored by: Virtual Edition of INDUSTRY: The Product Conference: Join hundreds of Product Managers and Product Leaders from all around the world for a day-long virtual conference experience -- including keynote sessions, interactive discussions, virtual networking and more. Purchase your pass before September 15th, and you can register for just $99 (saving 50% off of the day of show rate). Gigantic: Upskill your team with real-world, practical video-based training on topics like Product Strategy, Product Leadership, AI for Product Managers, and more. Rocketship.FM is brought to you by Evergreen Podcasts.

In this episode, host Mike Belsito sits down with Elliott Poppel, a product leader who's experienced both sides of the tech world - from managing products at Meta (formerly Facebook) to founding his own startup, General Collaboration. Elliott shares his journey, highlighting the stark contrasts in resources, decision-making processes, and product development approaches between tech giants and startups. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities each environment presents for product managers. Elliott discusses how his experiences at Meta shaped his approach to founding General Collaboration, particularly in areas like user research and making calculated bets on product features. Whether you're considering a move from a big tech company to a startup (or vice versa), or simply curious about the differences, this episode offers a wealth of practical advice and real-world perspectives on navigating product management across diverse tech landscapes. INDUSTRY: The Product Conference: Join hundreds of Product Managers and Product Leaders this September 23-25, 2024 for INDUSTRY. Save $100 when you use the code Rocketship. Or, use the code RocketshipVIP before August 1st -- and double your discount (and receive more bonuses!) Gigantic: Upskill your team with real-world, practical video-based training on topics like Product Strategy, Product Leadership, AI for Product Managers, and more. Rocketship.FM is brought to you by Evergreen Podcasts.

In this eye-opening episode, Mike Belsito sits down with Jason Fried, CEO of 37 Signals, to discuss their revolutionary "Once" family of products. Fried explains how 37 Signals is challenging the dominant SaaS model by reviving the concept of paying once to own software forever. The conversation includes the (re-)launch of Campfire, a group chat tool, and Writebook, a simple online book publishing platform, both offered under this unique model of "you host it, you own it." Listeners will gain insights into the rationale behind this bold move, including the technical challenges of self-hosted software and the potential for customers to modify and build upon the products they purchase. Fried also shares his thoughts on software pricing, the importance of business viability, and the luxury of offering free products. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in alternative business models and the future of software distribution. INDUSTRY: The Product Conference: Join hundreds of Product Managers and Product Leaders this September 23-25, 2024 for INDUSTRY. Save $100 when you use the code Rocketship. Or, use the code RocketshipVIP before August 1st -- and double your discount (and receive more bonuses!) Gigantic: Upskill your team with real-world, practical video-based training on topics like Product Strategy, Product Leadership, AI for Product Managers, and more. Rocketship.FM is brought to you by Evergreen Podcasts.

In this episode of Rocketship.FM, we dive deep into one of the most monumental tech failures in recent history - the CrowdStrike glitch that brought the world to a standstill. From grounded flights to disrupted emergency services, we explore how a single software update caused chaos on a global scale, affecting millions of people and businesses worldwide. Join host Mike Belsito as he breaks down the incident, featuring recordings of commentary from industry experts and CrowdStrike's own CEO. We'll examine the far-reaching consequences of this digital disaster, discuss the critical importance of robust quality assurance in tech, and extract valuable lessons for product managers and tech leaders. Don't miss this eye-opening exploration of what happens when our reliance on technology meets an unexpected glitch. This podcast is brought to you by: INDUSTRY: The Product Conference: Join hundreds of Product Managers and Product Leaders this September 23-25, 2024 for INDUSTRY. Save $100 when you use the code Rocketship. Or, use the code RocketshipVIP before August 1st -- and double your discount (and receive more bonuses!) Gigantic: Upskill your team with real-world, practical video-based training on topics like Product Strategy, Product Leadership, AI for Product Managers, and more. Rocketship.FM is brought to you by Evergreen Podcasts.

In this episode of Rocketship.FM, host Mike Belsito talks through the crucial skill of leading without authority with guest Jocelyn Davis, author of The Art of Quiet Influence. Drawing from ancient Eastern wisdom and modern leadership research, Davis offers invaluable insights for product managers and leaders who must guide teams and influence stakeholders without formal power. The episode explores three key themes: participation, power, and progress, providing practical strategies for building genuine engagement, aligning interests, and maintaining momentum in product development. Listeners will gain a fresh perspective on influence, learning how to convert adversaries to allies, support others' initiatives, and navigate conflicts effectively. Davis challenges traditional notions of authority, emphasizing the power of consistent effort, upstream focus, and engaged presence in driving sustainable progress. This episode is a must-listen for product professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and create lasting impact in their organizations, offering timeless wisdom adapted for the modern product management landscape. This podcast is brought to you by: INDUSTRY: The Product Conference: Join hundreds of Product Managers and Product Leaders this September 23-25, 2024 for INDUSTRY. Save $100 when you use the code Rocketship. Gigantic: Upskill your team with real-world, practical video-based training on topics like Product Strategy, Product Leadership, AI for Product Managers, and more. Rocketship.FM is brought to you by Evergreen Podcasts.