Ep27: Paul Hilsen: Building Successful Products with Empathy and Iteration
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In this episode of "Your Business Your Next Level," I welcome Paul Hilsen, CEO and founder of Compose Labs, a software consulting firm specializing in app development, data, and AI solutions. Paul shares his approach to building successful tech products with a focus on empathy and a product mindset. We explore his "Triple D" process—Discover, Design, and Deliver—which helps ensure that businesses build the right products that drive outcomes, not just output. Paul emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs through empathy and how that can lead to more impactful product development. He also discusses the pitfalls of focusing on solutions too early and the value of continuous iteration. This episode provides valuable insights for business leaders and entrepreneurs on how to approach product development with a customer-first mindset.
Key Takeaways:
Empathy in Product Development: Paul stresses that understanding the end user's daily life and needs is critical to building the right product. Empathy should guide every step of development.
Triple D Process: His "Triple D" process—Discover, Design, Deliver—ensures that businesses take the time to understand the problem, design a solution based on those needs, and then deliver the product, focusing on outcomes.
Outcomes Over Output: Focusing on achieving real outcomes, rather than just completing tasks, is key to delivering value. Paul highlights the importance of aiming for small but impactful products rather than overcomplicated, ineffective ones.
Iterative Development: Product development should be an ongoing cycle, not a linear process. Continuous feedback and rapid iteration are essential to delivering a successful product.
Collaboration and Radical Candor: Paul emphasizes the importance of open communication within teams, encouraging a culture where everyone’s input is valued, from entry-level staff to executives.
Timeline Summary:
[00:00] - Introduction to Paul Hilsen and his company, Compose Labs.
[02:00] - The importance of empathy in product development.
[05:00] - Overview of the "Triple D" process—Discover, Design, Deliver.
[08:00] - The dangers of falling in love with solutions instead of focusing on problems.
[12:00] - Why focusing on outcomes, not just output, drives success.
[15:00] - The role of collaboration and radical candor in building effective teams.
[20:00] - Final thoughts on iterative development and constantly refining your approach.
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