179. The Curly Paths to Product Success (w/Kenan Akbas)

Product Coffee

0:00

-25:14

179. The Curly Paths to Product Success (w/Kenan Akbas)

Kevin Gentry

May 02, 2024

Transcript

Description:

In this episode, Kevin Gentry interviews Kenan Akbas, a multifaceted entrepreneur with a diverse background ranging from photography and music to traditional Chinese medicine and product management. Kenan shares his unique journey, insights on co-founding and leading businesses, and his current role as CEO of AlignWith. They delve into the importance of empathy, cross-functional collaboration, and the use of AI in product management. We discuss:

Kenan’s eclectic career path and how each phase connected to the next
The challenges of building a startup in a niche market
The role of empathy and understanding in product management
Strategies for effective cross-functional communication
Leveraging AI to improve product management processes
Personal stories and lessons learned from Kenan’s entrepreneurial journey

Key Takeaways:

Eclectic Career Path: Kenan's journey from traditional Chinese medicine to product management illustrates the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. Each phase of his career provided valuable skills and insights that contributed to his success in product management.
Building in a Niche Market: Kenan’s experience with Unified Practice highlights the challenges and rewards of building a product for a highly specific market. Persistence and a deep understanding of the problem are crucial.
Empathy and Understanding: Building strong cross-functional relationships requires empathy and a genuine understanding of each team's needs and perspectives. This fosters collaboration and effective problem-solving.
AI in Product Management: AlignWith uses AI to streamline communication between product and go-to-market teams. This allows product managers to focus on strategic tasks and improves overall efficiency.
Continuous Learning: Kenan emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and being open to new ideas. This mindset has been key to his success in various fields.