UX is critical to creating usable, enjoyable products, but not everyone is aware of it or convinced of UX's value. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/riksansone/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rik Sansone</a>, User Experience &amp; Designer - CW at <a href="https://www.deltafaucet.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Delta Faucet</a>, joins us to share how he's been a UX evangelist throughout his career.We discuss how to handle conflicts of interest between the business and UX by sharing information to align user and business goals. Rik compares UX to the planning and setup of a Broadway show or an amusement park. The whole experience is intricately designed to meet user (or visitor) goals as well as business stakeholder goals. We also dig into learning from failure, staying objective, and uncovering root problems.You can find more information about this podcast at&nbsp;<a href="https://listen.casted.us/embed/62/Behind-The-Product-a6f18f96/sep.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sep.com/podcast</a>&nbsp;and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening!

Rik is a creative UX / UI designer who thinks on a different level. He has a passion for building common-sense, intuitive HCI experiences that “wow” users and benefit the bottom line. In his current role at Delta Faucet, Rik presents tactical storytelling and concise, data-driven, problem-solving solutions to executives.

Rik Sansone

User Experience & Designer at Delta Faucet

Chelsie collaborates with our clients, stakeholders, developers, fellow designers, and end users to curate products that are sustainable and built with high quality. She emphasizes whole-product squad ownership which includes product owner (viable), technical lead (feasible), and designer (usable).

Chelsie Christian

Guest Host and Senior Interaction Designer at SEP

Rik Sansone of Delta Faucet joins us to discuss UX design. We dig into learning from failure, uncovering root problems, what it means to be a UX evangelist.


Rik Sansone: Delta Faucet

Rik Sansone: Delta Faucet | SEP Podcast

In this episode of Behind the Product, host Zac Darnell talks with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/satyaganni/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Satya Ganni</a>, CEO of <a href="https://www.userflow.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Userflow</a> and <a href="https://www.getbeamer.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Beamer</a>, about the evolving landscape of user-centric product design and its implications for product management. Key Points from this episode:<ul><li>User-Centric Product Experience: Satya emphasizes the importance of measuring "time to value" for first-time users and "time to outcome" for repeat users. He argues that a product should enable users to achieve their goals efficiently, minimizing the need for human intervention in support and customer service.</li><li>Macroeconomic Trends and Product Development: The conversation delves into how macroeconomic factors and the pandemic have influenced the rise of user-centric experiences. Satya notes that products must cater to a global audience, requiring teams to prioritize compelling user experiences that can operate independently across diverse geographies.</li><li>Strategies for Scaling: Satya outlines a strategic approach for product teams looking to scale, which includes identifying their current development stage, clarifying strategy and resource needs, and hiring experienced individuals who can guide them through the scaling process. This structured approach is vital for building effective systems that support growth.</li></ul> We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to <a href="https://app.casted.us/account/62/shows/81b7557b-52e8-4ea3-87b9-a8f2cdaa00e4/episodes/9b8e5049-3269-4d01-a208-ec35aa12083d/podcast@sep.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcast@sep.com</a> to share your feedback on this show.You can find more information about this podcast at <a href="https://app.casted.us/account/62/shows/81b7557b-52e8-4ea3-87b9-a8f2cdaa00e4/episodes/93ecce9c-0530-4661-a507-b77e2748f4ee/sep.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sep.com/podcast</a> and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening!

B2B Software CEO with a strong understanding of the levers of profitable revenue growth. Love creating products that customers love, solving hard problems, and building revenue engines in Enterprise software. 

Satya Ganni

CEO of Userflow & Beamer

In this episode of Behind the Product, host Zac Darnell talks with Satya Ganni, CEO of Userflow, about the evolving landscape of user-centric product design and its implications for product management.

Satya Ganni: User-Centric Success

Unlocking User-Centric Success: Insights from Satya Ganni on Product Design and Scaling Strategies

In this episode of "Behind the Product," we sit down with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-locke-69b88854/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ryan Locke</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-d-jensen/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Natasha Jensen-Matta</a> from the <a href="https://iedc.in.gov/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)</a> to explore how this unique quasi-government organization is driving economic growth in Indiana. From supporting early-stage startups to attracting international businesses, the IEDC plays a pivotal role in the state's business ecosystem. Ryan and Natasha share insights on how they leverage public resources to spur private investment, bridge market gaps, and support entrepreneurs across Indiana. Whether you're in a startup, BigCo, or investment firm; understanding this ecosystem could help you move your innovation forward. A few key moments:<ol><li>The role of IEDC in Economic Development</li><li>The support for Diverse Business Models</li><li>Public-Private Collaboration and Market Adaptation</li></ol> We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to <a href="https://app.casted.us/account/62/shows/81b7557b-52e8-4ea3-87b9-a8f2cdaa00e4/episodes/9b8e5049-3269-4d01-a208-ec35aa12083d/podcast@sep.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcast@sep.com</a> to share your feedback on this show.You can find more information about this podcast at <a href="https://app.casted.us/account/62/shows/81b7557b-52e8-4ea3-87b9-a8f2cdaa00e4/episodes/93ecce9c-0530-4661-a507-b77e2748f4ee/sep.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sep.com/podcast</a> and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening!

Ryan brings his background as a lawyer and experience in the public sector to support the innovation and startup ecosystem of Indiana Tech. 

Ryan Locke

Vice President, Venture Finance

Raman has spent his career at SEP, starting as an engineer out of Rose-Hulman. He is now CEO and President. Raman leads SEP in building exceptional software products and stronger teams by collaboratively identifying the right product to build, executing the project, and leveling up our clients' teams' software practices. 

Raman Ohri

CEO at SEP

Natasha draws on her experience in public management, economic development, operations, and finance to help her community and neighbors thrive. Dedicated to the SPEA mantra, "lead for the greater good," she aims to positively influence society, the environment, and government systems in every role she takes on. 

Natasha Jensen-Matta

Vice President, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development

Discover how the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) drives economic growth in Indiana by supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses, and larger enterprises. Join Ryan Locke and Natasha Jensen-Matta as they discuss the IEDC’s unique role in bridging public and private sectors to foster innovation and investment across the state.

IEDC: Ryan Locke & Natasha Jensen-Matta

How the Indiana Economic Development Corporation Fuels Business Growth: Insights from IEDC Experts

We welcomed CEO, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougtrue/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Doug True</a> and CTO, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronpiercefield/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cameron Piercefield</a> with FORUM Credit Union. FORUM has a long history of embracing technology to better serve its members, from being an early online banking pioneer to developing in-house software solutions. Their member-centric approach and cooperative philosophy have been key drivers, involving members in the design process and sharing innovations with other credit unions. Through partnerships, FORUM continues to enhance its offerings to best serve their members. In this episode we discuss many aspects of FORUM's journey with a few key points:<ol><li>FORUM Credit Union was an early adopter of online banking, offering it in the mid-1990s via floppy disks and modems.</li><li>They developed their own online banking platform in-house after their initial vendor went bankrupt, leveraging their experience building a loan origination system.</li><li>FORUM took a member-centric approach, involving members in the design process through storyboarding sessions and pilot groups.</li><li>They embraced a cooperative philosophy, sharing their lending software with other credit unions to improve the product.</li><li>They successfully migrated from a 40+ year old system over a three year long project. </li></ol> We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to <a href="https://app.casted.us/account/62/shows/81b7557b-52e8-4ea3-87b9-a8f2cdaa00e4/episodes/9b8e5049-3269-4d01-a208-ec35aa12083d/podcast@sep.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcast@sep.com</a> to share your feedback on this show.You can find more information about this podcast at <a href="https://app.casted.us/account/62/shows/81b7557b-52e8-4ea3-87b9-a8f2cdaa00e4/episodes/93ecce9c-0530-4661-a507-b77e2748f4ee/sep.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sep.com/podcast</a> and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening!

Cameron serves as the Chief Technology & Risk Officer at FORUM Credit Union. He has been with the FORUM team for almost 25 years. He is responsible for all aspects how FORUM applies technology to best serve their members. 

Cameron Piercefield

Chief Technology & Risk Officer at FORUM Credit Union

Serves as the Chief Executive Officer at FORUM Credit Union. Has been a FORUM Credit Union team member since July 1988. Started his career as a management trainee and served in a variety of leadership roles primarily in the areas of consumer lending, retail, and technology. 

Founded FORUM Solutions as a wholly owned subsidiary of FORUM Credit Union in September 2000. Invented the consumer lending scoring engine and workflow in the TAPS Lending software solution that was ultimately sold to Akcelerant/Temenos in 2008.

Doug True

CEO at FORUM Credit Union

This episode explores FORUM Credit Union's pioneering journey in online banking, from developing their own in-house platform in the 1990s to embracing a member-centric approach and cooperative philosophy in enhancing their digital offerings. 

FORUM Credit Union: Pioneering Online Banking

How Forum Credit Union Pioneered Online Banking with a Member-Centric Approach

In this episode, our guests are <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisshinkle/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chris Shinkle</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/croninmike/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mike Cronin</a> from SEP to discuss how the company approaches product strategy engagements with clients. They explain SEP's philosophy of clarifying the problem, defining a guiding policy, and outlining coherent actions - going beyond just creating a PowerPoint strategy deck. They share examples of helping clients align stakeholders, refine roadmaps to reflect the true strategy, and rapidly validate technical feasibility through prototyping. They emphasize the importance of a roadmap as a "prototype of strategy" and a starting point for productive strategy conversations. Some key points:<ul><li>Many clients come to SEP with a broad idea or goal for a product, but lack clarity on the specific challenge, approach, and steps needed to execute successfully</li><li>A major differentiator for SEP is rapidly validating the technical feasibility of the roadmap through prototyping and proof-of-concepts, giving clients confidence in their ability to deliver the strategy</li><li>Product strategy involves understanding the problem to be solved, having a guiding policy on how to approach it, and defining a coherent set of actions to take</li></ul> We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to <a href="https://app.casted.us/account/62/shows/81b7557b-52e8-4ea3-87b9-a8f2cdaa00e4/episodes/9b8e5049-3269-4d01-a208-ec35aa12083d/podcast@sep.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcast@sep.com</a> to share your feedback on this show.You can find more information about this podcast at <a href="https://app.casted.us/account/62/shows/81b7557b-52e8-4ea3-87b9-a8f2cdaa00e4/episodes/93ecce9c-0530-4661-a507-b77e2748f4ee/sep.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sep.com/podcast</a> and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening!

With 20 years of project and technology management experience in the Information Technology field, he helps identify business opportunities and solve business challenges. Leverage technology to solve each customer’s unique business situation. His efforts the past 10+ years have been on business systems (B2B, B2C, Business to partner, Business internal, Mobile) with an emphasis on reducing complexities. As part of his role at SEP, he leads the Product Strategy and Innovation group to help customers clarify and refine the strategy for creating their product ideas and initiatives. 

Mike Cronin

Engagement Manager, SEP

Chris has worked with SEP since 1997 in roles ranging from software engineer to recruiter to development manager. He has experience customizing and fitting process models to many different domains including aerospace, defense, medical, consumer electronics, and automotive. He has used Agile and Lean methods to lead large complex projects, most notably, a military aircraft engine monitoring and maintenance system and an FDA regulated remote patient monitoring system. He introduced FDD to SEP in 2004, and then continued to evolve the internal processes and approaches over the following years. In 2007, SEP began to adopt Kanban processes under Chris' guidance, as he trained and mentored engineers across the company. In his current role, he is focused on helping customers find clarity and develop product strategy in their pursuits. 

Chris Shinkle

Director of Innovation, SEP

In this episode, our guests are Chris Shinkle and Mike Cronin from SEP to discuss how the company approaches product strategy engagements with clients. They explain SEP's philosophy of clarifying the problem, defining a guiding policy, and outlining coherent actions - going beyond just creating a PowerPoint strategy deck. 

Inside SEP: Product Strategy and Innovation

How To Develop Effective Product Strategies and Validate Roadmaps

In this episode, we sit down with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">April Dunford</a>, founder of Ambient Strategy and author of the books "Sales Pitch" and "Obviously Awesome". She is most known for her expertise in market positioning, having personally launched 16 products and influenced many others. Our conversation covers several key insights from Dunford's work:<ul><li>The disconnect between how marketing and sales teams communicate product value, with marketing focused on perfect messaging while sales reverts to feature-dumping demos.</li><li>The importance of crafting a sales pitch that tells a compelling story about why a customer should choose your product over competitors, rather than just listing product capabilities.</li><li>Her experience launching her own positioning-focused podcast, where she was able to dive deeper into niche positioning topics than is typically possible as a guest on other shows.</li></ul>This episode offers valuable lessons for anyone involved in product marketing, sales, or positioning - whether at a tech company or any other type of business. Dunford's insights provide a framework for crafting more effective, customer-centric sales and marketing narratives. A big thank you to our guest co-host, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcolter/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Josh Colter</a>. Josh is the CEO of <a href="https://cardboardit.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cardboardit</a> and has great experience in marketing and positioning. We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to <a href="https://app.casted.us/account/62/shows/81b7557b-52e8-4ea3-87b9-a8f2cdaa00e4/episodes/9b8e5049-3269-4d01-a208-ec35aa12083d/podcast@sep.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcast@sep.com</a> to share your feedback on this show.You can find more information about this podcast at <a href="https://app.casted.us/account/62/shows/81b7557b-52e8-4ea3-87b9-a8f2cdaa00e4/episodes/93ecce9c-0530-4661-a507-b77e2748f4ee/sep.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sep.com/podcast</a> and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening!

Josh is an experienced marketing leader and now CEO with many years of building comprehensive and strategic programs in competitive markets. He is known for his ability to craft compelling strategic narratives and lead cross-functional teams. Josh's background includes roles spanning sales, product marketing, product management, and marketing leadership. He has a track record of driving results by bridging the gap between quantitative and qualitative analysis to reduce sales friction and amplify business impact.

Josh Colter

CEO, Cardboardit.com

April is an experienced startup executive with a deep interest in how companies bring new offerings to market and get them into the hands of customers that are willing to pay for them. She has deep expertise in Market Positioning and has launched 16 products into market. She has experience creating new markets, expanding markets and positioning new products in existing established markets. 

She's held executive roles in a series of successful startups as CEO, COO, and VP Marketing. She's also held executive roles at global companies such as IBM where she launched and grew a new product division. 

She is the author of two books. Her best-selling book on positioning "Obviously Awesome - How to Stand out in Noisy Crowded Markets," and the recently released "Sales Pitch - How to Build a Story to Stand Out and Win."

April Dunford

Author, Founder, Marketing Leader

In this episode, we sit down with April Dunford, founder of Ambient Strategy and author of the books "Sales Pitch" and "Obviously Awesome". She is most known for her expertise in market positioning, having personally launched 16 products and influenced many others. Our conversation covers several key insights from Dunford's work.

Positioning with April Dunford

Market Positioning with April Dunford

In this episode, Zac and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/noellewebster/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Noelle Webster-Milam</a> delve into the world of design, aiming to demystify its complexities and shed light on its significance in building great products. Noelle shares her thoughts on how design brings value to software product development as a key team member, alongside engineering and product management. She also shares how SEP thinks about design and has organized our practice to serve our clients. Key Takeaways:<ol><li>Software design sits at the crossroads of business and art, focusing on delivering user-centric solutions while meeting business objectives.</li><li>Design involves more than just visual aesthetics; it encompasses system design, user experience, and addressing user needs efficiently.</li><li>Balancing user goals with business needs is crucial to avoid misalignment and ensure product success in the marketplace.</li><li>Design roles at SEP include interaction designers and UX designers, each contributing unique skills to create cohesive and user-friendly products.</li><li>The value of design lies in its ability to enhance user experiences, solve business problems effectively, and contribute to de-risking strategies in product development.</li></ol> We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to <a href="https://app.casted.us/account/62/shows/81b7557b-52e8-4ea3-87b9-a8f2cdaa00e4/episodes/9b8e5049-3269-4d01-a208-ec35aa12083d/podcast@sep.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcast@sep.com</a> to share your feedback on this show.You can find more information about this podcast at <a href="https://app.casted.us/account/62/shows/81b7557b-52e8-4ea3-87b9-a8f2cdaa00e4/episodes/93ecce9c-0530-4661-a507-b77e2748f4ee/sep.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sep.com/podcast</a> and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening!

As SEP's Director of UX, Noelle is responsible for improving and safeguarding SEP’s UX fitness. This means integrating UX service delivery into our overall product outcomes for clients, building UX into SEP's culture and ecosystems, encouraging UX growth and excellence, and advancing the community. Noelle is passionate about growing designers and design teams, building UX functional areas within organizations, and using UX practices/methods to contribute to overall growth, strategy, and sustainability of an organization.

Noelle Webster-Milam

Director of UX at SEP

Zac and Noelle Webster-Milam explore design's complexities and its role in building great software products. Noelle discusses design's value in software development, emphasizing its integration with engineering and product management to serve business needs.

Inside SEP: Demystifying Design

Demystifying Design: Unveiling the Intersection of Business and Art in Software Design | Inside SEP Podcast

All Episodes

Behind The Product takes a behind-the-scenes look at how software products are made. From the people who innovate, to the makers who use their craft, each influencing products in different ways. We will put the spotlight on the practices that guide decision-makers to solve some of the toughest challenges and the people who make it happen. For more information visit www.sep.com/podcast.

Rik Sansone: Delta Faucet

DESCRIPTION

Today's Host

Zac Darnell

Today's Guests

Rik Sansone

Chelsie Christian

Recent Episodes

Rik Sansone: Delta Faucet

DESCRIPTION

Today's Host

Zac Darnell

Today's Guests

Rik Sansone

Chelsie Christian

Related Resources

Recent Episodes

Satya Ganni: User-Centric Success

IEDC: Ryan Locke & Natasha Jensen-Matta

FORUM Credit Union: Pioneering Online Banking

Inside SEP: Product Strategy and Innovation

Positioning with April Dunford

Inside SEP: Demystifying Design