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AI and LLMs like ChatGPT are revolutionising the world of product design (Amongst other things!). Whether you’re sketching wireframes, crafting user journeys, or iterating prototypes, these tools can really help for speed, creativity, and efficiency. Here are just...

  In 2010, designer Harry Brignull coined the term dark patterns to describe user interface (UI) designs that deliberately manipulate users into taking actions they might not otherwise choose. Over a decade later, dark patterns are widespread in product design...

As a product person with over two decades of experience, I’ve witnessed product roadmaps evolve from static plans to dynamic tools for alignment, prioritisation, and storytelling. I've also seen insanely detailed and unrealistic roadmaps with ludicrous stretch goals...

I love minimalism, I hate clutter. I love the gov.uk website for example - it really IS the best place to find government services and information. I find the design beautiful. It is so simple but the UX and UI work well together to create the path of least resistance...

I guess it had to happen in the design world at some point. Much in the same way that tech teams have moved away from hardcore Scrum, the one size fits all approach to development in the design world is also undergoing something of a renaissance. Frameworks are great...

Amazingly I see product teams continue to ignore or pretend accessibility standards don’t exist when building mobile applications. One of the most important foundations of any product team should be diversity, inclusion and a deep understand of accessibility...

When I started out as a product designer many years ago I never imagined that one of the most wonderful aspects of the world of product management and leadership would be storytelling. It became apparent to me that the glue that helps teams work wonderfully together...

I remember the transition to Figma a few years ago. Facilitated and encouraged almost by remote working, COVID and a need for better online collaboration, Figma is now the go-to for so many design practitioners. Design systems have become a critical part of modern...

Although no-code or low-code platforms have risen to prominence over the past few years I have fond memories of using some of the first variants over 25 years ago! Macromedia Dreamweaver and Fireworks were my go-to when I wanted to build websites in my twenties....

A while ago a service designer told me about an incredible music app start-up she was working on. The app in question was well funded and had some of the smartest minds on the project. From kick off, the team set about building a raft of incredible features that wowed...

It is amazing to think that Design Sprints were first introduced by Jake Knapp over 10 years ago! Once the buzzword in product teams as a surefire way to bring cross-functional teams together for successful ideation, I often get asked about the relevance of design...

I remember reading ‘Trillion Dollar Coach’ and being fascinated by Bill Campbell and how he coached some of the world’s greatest leaders. Something I realised later in my career in product is that continuous learning allows us as leaders to both take and receive...

I’m late to the party on this one but I recently started watching HBO’s brilliant series ‘Industry’. The premise ‘Young finance graduates venture out in the cut-throat competitive world to get a job during the recession times that followed as a result of the 2008...

It seems that every few months there are a bunch of shiny new tools to help us build products, design stuff or manage projects or teams. What’s your go-to stack for product management / development? Over the past few years remote work has been thrust to the fore....

We’ve all been there - you work tirelessly for months (or even years!) on the most groundbreaking new product or release but as soon as users get their hands on it all hell breaks loose. There are so many stories of disastrous product launches but also quite a few...

I spent the last week with my 16 year old son on holiday. It was amazing to have that uninterrupted time with him and we spoke on so many subjects. Both my children have been brought up in North London and I love how this has shaped their values when it comes to...

Ring-fencing product managers from the realities of the business is no longer acceptable. It is not enough to task product leaders with vision and strategy remits without tying these closely to the overarching business goals. Additionally it is now imperative for...

'Product-led' has been such a buzzword in recent years. The story goes that product-led companies not only harness great work cultures but are also set up for commercial success by this very culture and way of working. But what does it mean to be 'product-led', and...

There have been so many analogies and directives around what the role of a product manager entails. One minute it is being 'CEO of the product' and then not, another being 'data-driven' or product-led and so on. In reality the role of product managers has become...

Apple often wait in the sidelines - not always first with technology or innovation but most certainly extremely impactful on launch. Why is this so interesting? For years ‘intelligent assistants’ such as Google’s assistant have stolen the march on Apple’s often...

Communication is key. After running teams, coaching and also being a parent I realise that with good communication issues can be resolved quickly with the minimum amount of pain all round. A few years ago I decided to introduce Kim Scott's 'Radical Candour' concept to...

The old adage 'be careful for what you wish for' can often apply to career moves or aspirations. Many product managers see moving to VP Product, Head of Product or even CPO a natural career progression. However the transition to C-suite might not be for everyone. With...

Building products is hard, getting them to market harder and then turning that initial traction into something that becomes part of our daily lives...well, that's something different altogether! Whilst your teams or company may never reach the stratospheric heights of...

Epilogue 16 years ago, MindCandy, a kids' entertainment brand, launched an incredibly successful MMORPG (multiplayer online role-playing game) which was played in a web browser. With over 80 million registered users across 150 territories at several points the company...

Recently our CEO at Steer73 shared a Loom as part of a client update. And this got me thinking - there are so many great tools out there that help us make work easier, faster and more collaborative. As part of a ‘Tools’ series I’m going to dive into things that I use...

I came across this fascinating podcast last week - https://www.finguppodcast.com. Hosted by Deanne Rhynard the discussions centre around the realities behind success stories. The f’ing up podcast aims to ‘normalise the feelings of failure we all experience throughout...

The old adage ‘lead by example’ could not be truer than in cementing your position as a leader within a product-led organisation. Product management requires not only the wearing of so many hats but also a high level of understanding, stakeholder and crisis...

Moving from vision to a successful product launch is almost like setting sail into uncharted waters. The reality of bringing anything to market is always fraught with unexpected crests and troughs. A roadmap is almost like the rope helping you along that journey. A...

I’ll never forget listening to AJ&Smart founder Jonathan Courtney on the much loved ‘Jake and Jonathan’ podcast (Previously known as The Product Breakfast Club)  Being a founder, CEO, strategist and much more, Jonathan chose in one episode to simply state ‘we’re...

Whilst the world of product continues to espouse theory, seminars, training and hefty tomes on process, one aspect remains timeless and paramount: effective leadership. However, the definition of effective leadership has undergone a significant transformation. Today,...