People of Product

Let’s talk about everyone’s favorite business artifact: org charts! It’s simple documentation at face value that provides the necessary structure for support. But there are many benefits to org charts beyond just that. In this episode, George & Dan explain the unique structure of the matrix management model plus how org charts enable companies to retain and enhance culture, scale profitably, and d...

Meet Justin Mast - Founder & CEO of Bloomscape, fifth-generation greenhouse grower, & serial entrepreneur. Listen in as he shares his pathway to success, where the plant market is headed, and how Bloomscape has leveraged tech to improve the “plant parent” experience while maintaining their core values. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...

Overwhelmed by the 2021 to-do list? Learn why it’s important to prioritize the initiatives that have higher risks + how you can still make time for innovation that aligns with your principles. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Implementing any new tool within an organization takes time and will likely cause some friction - even the great ones! In this episode, Tyler Hilker and Justin Mertes discuss what factors prompt organizations to adopt new products despite the hurdles, the characteristics of those powerful products, plus recommendations for navigating the change.  People of Product is hosted by George Brooks and Da...

Crema is going on a short holiday break. But before we do, let's take a look back at 2020.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Business advisor and author Barry O’Reilly joins George this week to discuss why ‘copy and paste’ transformation doesn’t work, why being able to rapidly test a hypothesis and ask good questions is imperative to business success, and how to align your team around the deeper issues.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, v...

Stockpiling funds feels comfortable during a pandemic, but now is not the time to freeze. If you want to spark a tech revolution within your organization and do more than just survive, you’ve got to innovate. In this episode, hear why teams are investing in digital transformation now and how to start small by creating “startups within.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this w...

Why has Apple suddenly lowered its commission rate for small businesses on the Apple Store? And why have they faced so much heat from hey.com and the European Commission this year? We explore these questions and more in the latest episode of People of Product.   People of Product is hosted by George Brooks and Dan Linhart. The show is edited by Larissa McCarty. Brought to you by Crema. Crema is a...

Values & principles - companies love to boast about them! But what does it mean to put these into practice? Is there a real difference between the two? In this episode, George and Dan talk over the nuance of principles vs. values and make a case on the importance of defining these foundational concepts in your organization. People of Product is hosted by George Brooks and Dan Linhart. The show is...

LiDAR technology in the new iPhone 12 is paving the way for a whole new world of innovation. George and Dan sit down with CK Hicks, a Lead Architect at Crema and emerging tech guru, to discuss what LiDAR technology is, how it’s being used with the new iPhone, and the larger implications of this depth perception capability.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other su...

Is Roam Research just another note-taking tool? The #RoamCult claims they’re on the precipice of a new era of idea management. It’s not just the ingenious features like bi-directional linking that make this platform next-level. It’s how it gets to the core of thought-tracking in a more human way. In this episode, find out what makes digital products have a truly devout fanbase.  Links/Sources: Roa...

We’ve revamped the Option Five podcast and are excited to introduce you to: The People of Product. It’s the same show you love, but with some updates and a fresh take on the world of digital product and the people behind the tech. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Dan and George sit down with Richard Banfield, VP of Design Transformation at InVision.   Option 5 is brought to you by Crema Crema is a digital product agency that works with partners from top innovative brands to funded startups. Our team of creative thinkers and doers simplify the complex to discover the right solutions faster. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with ot...

"Humble Confidence" - contradiction, or culture saver? Dan and George explain how humble confidence can bring out the best in your teams. Follow us on Instagram: @Option5Podcast Tweet at us: @cremalab Option 5 is brought to you by Crema Crema is a digital product agency that works with partners from top innovative brands to funded startups. Our team of creative thinkers and doers simplify the comp...

Dan and George return to the mics to discuss the next phase of the Option Five podcast & philosophize about the way humans in product teams learn best. Follow us on Instagram: @Option5Podcast Tweet at us: @cremalab Option 5 is brought to you by Crema Crema is a digital product agency that works with partners from top innovative brands to funded startups. Our team of creative thinkers and doers sim...

In this week's episode, George and Dan discuss how size affects level of structure, how to prevent team members from getting siloed within a product team, why customized professional development is the most effective, and more. Follow us on Instagram: @Option5Podcast Tweet at us: @cremalab Option 5 is brought to you by Crema Crema is a digital product agency that works with partners from top innov...

George and Dan trot down memory lane in our latest episode, reflecting on their favorite Option Five podcast moments. From interviews with renowned authors to discussions around learning frameworks, the podcast has been a springboard for some pretty amazing ideas. Sixty episodes down and we’re just getting started…   Follow us on Instagram: @Option5Podcast Tweet at us: @cremalab Option 5 is brough...

Over the past 7 months, we’ve been forced to unlearn what we assumed was the only way to work and live. At this time, many of us have created new & better habits to adapt to our new situations. Think… what if you kept searching for routines to replace so that you could continue to grow? In this week’s episode, George & Dan discuss how to hone in the skill of “unlearning.” Look within and decide if...

On a scale of 1-10, how curious of a person are you? In this episode, George & Dan unpack the real value of curiosity on an individual and team-wide level, backed by research from Harvard’s 3-part series, “Why Curiosity Matters.” Hear some of the life-changing advantages of curiosity and how to foster a more naturally curious environment at work.  Follow us on Instagram: @Option5Podcast Tweet at u...

So many enterprises want to innovate but don’t know how to balance monetary and time allocation between their existing business model and riskier ventures. George interviews Brian Ardinger, Director of Innovation at Nelnet, to learn his formula for starting small and validating innovation ideas with the 2-3-4 method. You won’t want to miss this one! Follow us on Instagram: @Option5Podcast Tweet at...

Dave Feldman, VP of Design at Heap, uses his 20 years of tech experience to drive a conversation around collaborative teams and user manipulation (aka ‘guidance’). Follow us on Instagram: @Option5Podcast Tweet at us: @cremalab Option 5 is brought to you by Crema Crema is a digital product agency that works with partners from top innovative brands to funded startups. Our team of creative thinkers a...

The sole purpose of building tech isn’t to make us more efficient or profitable, it’s to make our work and lives better.  In this episode, George and Dan discuss how creating software can serve as a generous act towards employees or customers. Hear why organizations are investing in tech to create space for re-skilling and repurposing of creativity. Follow us on Instagram: @Option5Podcast Tweet at...

Imagine the alignment you could achieve by giving your Craft Teams an entire day to dive deep into high-priority topics and build their relationships with one another.  George and Dan chat with Crema’s Director of Product Management, Tucker Sauer-Pivonka, about the PdM Summits he’s put on this year and the planning process that went into them.  Tweet at us: @cremalab Option 5 is brought to you by...

What would happen if organizations made the radical decision to remove bureaucracy? In this week’s episode, George talks with Aaron Dignan (founder of The Ready and author of Brave New Work) about how to challenge institutionalized thoughts to work in a more adaptive and human way. Get ready to move towards doing “the best work of your life.” Follow us on Instagram: @Option5Podcast Tweet at us: @c...

Dan Olsen and George Brooks talk product teams and principles in our latest episode. They delve into the importance of having an 'A team', how shared knowledge can resolve conflict, and the dangers of silos. Follow us on Instagram: @Option5Podcast Tweet at us: @cremalab Option 5 is brought to you by Crema Crema is a digital product agency that works with partners from top innovative brands to fund...