Most startups begin with vision but lack execution. Founders understand their industry but often struggle to translate ideas into working products.
In this episode of Product Excellence, Drew Falkman, Principal at Moves the Needle, reflects on his time as a CTO in the late 2000s. He explains how working with non-technical founders led him to fill the gap between business vision and real-world products. Over time, this work became less about writing code and more about product leadership.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
- Why many startups fail to connect business ideas to product reality
- How guiding founders through customer discovery changes outcomes
- Why early CTOs often became product leaders by necessity
- How product management as a discipline evolved in the 2000s
- Why balancing vision, product, and execution is critical for success
Want even more?
Members of The Product Way on Patreon get exclusive access to the full interview and early access to clips before they are released anywhere else in Product Excellence, plus strategies, case studies, and examples from award winning product leaders.
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Email: jhorn@theproductguy.com
About the Podcast:
| Product Excellence: Insights from Award-Winning Leaders | Strategies for Success |
| “Product Excellence: Insights from Award-Winning Leaders | Strategies for Success” brings you behind the scenes with the top product management minds who have shaped some of the world’s most successful products. Each episode features award-winning product leaders sharing their real-world experiences, lessons learned, and the strategies that have driven their success. From building innovative digital products to navigating the complexities of stakeholder management, you’ll hear firsthand how these experts have achieved product excellence. Whether you’re an aspiring product manager or a seasoned leader, this podcast offers valuable insights, actionable takeaways, and inspiration to elevate your product management career. Tune in WEEKLY to discover the key strategies that make products—and product leaders—truly exceptional. |
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