Jun 16, 2021 • 2 min read Just as we think differently of how we grow grapes and how we make wine, digital products and platforms yield value in different ways.What's the Difference Between Digital Products & Platforms?The way in which we think about digital products and platforms can impact the way we manage and prioritize them. Referring to products as "front-end" and platforms as "back-end" might be true but it doesn't explain the value each has on its own. Understanding the diff...

Jun 16, 2021 • 2 min read Just as we think differently of how we grow grapes and how we make wine, digital products and platforms yield value in different ways.What's the Difference Between Digital Products & Platforms?The way in which we think about digital products and platforms can impact the way we manage and prioritize them. Referring to products as "front-end" and platforms as "back-end" might be true but it doesn't explain the value each has on its own. Understanding the diff...

Jun 7, 2021 • 1 min readWhat is a "platform"?#platform is an overloaded buzzword. To disambiguate this term, I've broken down 3 uses of "Platform" with a quoted definition and examples.Platform as a Business Model (Marketplace)"A platform is a business model that creates value by facilitating exchanges between two or more interdependent groups, usually consumers and producers." -Alex Moazed, Platform Business ModelTypical business models have considered the linear downstream approach of ...

Jun 7, 2021 • 1 min readWhat is a "platform"?#platform is an overloaded buzzword. To disambiguate this term, I've broken down 3 uses of "Platform" with a quoted definition and examples.Platform as a Business Model (Marketplace)"A platform is a business model that creates value by facilitating exchanges between two or more interdependent groups, usually consumers and producers." -Alex Moazed, Platform Business ModelTypical business models have considered the linear downstream approach of ...

Feb 4, 2022 • 16 min readDecade in Review (2012-2022)As I've turned 30 this year, I have given some reflection on the past decade and the insights I've gained. This post is ordered chronologically for each year, highlighting key insights I've learned and will apply to my next decade, and answering questions from other friends and family.2012: 20 Years OldMatching Tampa Bay Rays caps with my cousin, Jackson It was 2012 and I was in my sophomore year in college. I was definitely ...

Feb 4, 2022 • 16 min readDecade in Review (2012-2022)As I've turned 30 this year, I have given some reflection on the past decade and the insights I've gained. This post is ordered chronologically for each year, highlighting key insights I've learned and will apply to my next decade, and answering questions from other friends and family.2012: 20 Years OldMatching Tampa Bay Rays caps with my cousin, Jackson It was 2012 and I was in my sophomore year in college. I was definitely ...

Jun 11, 2021 • 1 min read How do you answer the question of "How's work going?" If you let out a big sigh before answering, it might be worth digging and reflecting a bit more. To help guide you, here are 4 steps to answer that question with a smile.4 Steps For Finding Fulfilling Work in Tech1. Leverage your skillsEven if you're looking for an entry-level role in the tech industry, you should have a relative understanding of what you are good at and what you aren't. I found tha...

Jun 11, 2021 • 1 min read How do you answer the question of "How's work going?" If you let out a big sigh before answering, it might be worth digging and reflecting a bit more. To help guide you, here are 4 steps to answer that question with a smile.4 Steps For Finding Fulfilling Work in Tech1. Leverage your skillsEven if you're looking for an entry-level role in the tech industry, you should have a relative understanding of what you are good at and what you aren't. I found tha...

Jun 8, 2021 • 1 min read We all want to grow and learn more but sometimes making the room for it is challenging. I found that I wanted to designate a specific time for just heads-down learning. Every Saturday I would try to go to a coffee shop to just isolate myself in a book and burn through the pages for the next few hours. The issue with that is that its not sustainable. A principle I follow is to add small iterative ways to reach your outcomes. There are small moments throughout the day t...

Jun 8, 2021 • 1 min read We all want to grow and learn more but sometimes making the room for it is challenging. I found that I wanted to designate a specific time for just heads-down learning. Every Saturday I would try to go to a coffee shop to just isolate myself in a book and burn through the pages for the next few hours. The issue with that is that its not sustainable. A principle I follow is to add small iterative ways to reach your outcomes. There are small moments throughout the day t...

Jun 1, 2021 • 1 min read Recommending books to the human race is daunting, except for these two. I had my eureka moment about design after reading these books. Design was not just something well-dressed artsy creatives could do and know about. I came to understand good design as something that solves the problems and challenges humans have. The all-encompassing “user” had a different perspective. This insight is too valuable to keep only within the practice of design and product. Whether you’...

Jun 1, 2021 • 1 min read Recommending books to the human race is daunting, except for these two. I had my eureka moment about design after reading these books. Design was not just something well-dressed artsy creatives could do and know about. I came to understand good design as something that solves the problems and challenges humans have. The all-encompassing “user” had a different perspective. This insight is too valuable to keep only within the practice of design and product. Whether you’...

Jun 4, 2021 • 1 min read Rejection can feel like a failure, but it has some surprising benefits. Graduating with a Computer Engineering degree, I had hopes of becoming a software engineer. Having applied to many positions with no replies, I was given a few opportunities to interview. It wasn't until getting rejected several times that I realized my coding skills were lacking. At this point, I realized I needed to find other career opportunities. I asked myself "What else am I good at?". ...

Jun 4, 2021 • 1 min read Rejection can feel like a failure, but it has some surprising benefits. Graduating with a Computer Engineering degree, I had hopes of becoming a software engineer. Having applied to many positions with no replies, I was given a few opportunities to interview. It wasn't until getting rejected several times that I realized my coding skills were lacking. At this point, I realized I needed to find other career opportunities. I asked myself "What else am I good at?". ...

Jun 9, 2021 • 1 min read As a product manager, I want to practice shipping products in a small and short way, so that I can grow and learn my product skillset. Writing atomic essays within 250 words every day has been such a great impact on my writing abilities and confidence. I started to think, why can't this same framework and principle be applied to those aspiring, new, or wanting to better their skills as product managers? I had found that reading books and some of the courses I&apo...

Jun 9, 2021 • 1 min read As a product manager, I want to practice shipping products in a small and short way, so that I can grow and learn my product skillset. Writing atomic essays within 250 words every day has been such a great impact on my writing abilities and confidence. I started to think, why can't this same framework and principle be applied to those aspiring, new, or wanting to better their skills as product managers? I had found that reading books and some of the courses I&apo...

Jun 3, 2021 • 1 min read I managed to survive the Memorial Day Weekend sales without buying anything. I find myself getting caught looking at the novel and new items that get released every season. But to keep my closet lean, I have to apply logic to the emotional urge of consumption. Before you hit "add to cart", ask yourself these questions to ensure your purchase is a sound one. 1. Is this something I need or something I want? An obvious way to filter out unnecessary purchases is asking yo...

Jun 3, 2021 • 1 min read I managed to survive the Memorial Day Weekend sales without buying anything. I find myself getting caught looking at the novel and new items that get released every season. But to keep my closet lean, I have to apply logic to the emotional urge of consumption. Before you hit "add to cart", ask yourself these questions to ensure your purchase is a sound one. 1. Is this something I need or something I want? An obvious way to filter out unnecessary purchases is asking yo...

Jun 5, 2021 • 1 min read My entire month of May was jam-packed with housewarmings, picnics, dinner parties, and birthdays. Those who've played calendar tetris know the feeling of trying to make plans that work for both parties. We were finally able to have that double date we set a month and a half ago. Being overbooked and underbooked present its own consequences. A completely open schedule allows you to roam freely and completely flexible. But with the endless flow of events, you'...

Jun 5, 2021 • 1 min read My entire month of May was jam-packed with housewarmings, picnics, dinner parties, and birthdays. Those who've played calendar tetris know the feeling of trying to make plans that work for both parties. We were finally able to have that double date we set a month and a half ago. Being overbooked and underbooked present its own consequences. A completely open schedule allows you to roam freely and completely flexible. But with the endless flow of events, you'...

Jun 13, 2021 • 2 min read For the past 5 years, I've been wanting to pick up writing.3 Key Takeaways From Writing Every Day for 30 DaysFor the past 5 years, I've been wanting to pick up writing. I hadn't realized until taking on this challenge that in order to start something, you have to actually start. Today marks the 30th day of writing every day. I've reflected and distilled 5 of my key takeaways from actually starting and doing what I've been meaning to do for th...

Jun 13, 2021 • 2 min read For the past 5 years, I've been wanting to pick up writing.3 Key Takeaways From Writing Every Day for 30 DaysFor the past 5 years, I've been wanting to pick up writing. I hadn't realized until taking on this challenge that in order to start something, you have to actually start. Today marks the 30th day of writing every day. I've reflected and distilled 5 of my key takeaways from actually starting and doing what I've been meaning to do for th...

Jun 23, 2021 • 2 min readConsidering Becoming Post-Technical? Why You Should Focus On Building Soft SkillsAs an engineer or analyst, most of your world revolves around being given a problem to solve for. This has its benefits of having helped you develop the technical skills of designing a solution, using the tools and methods and implementing the changes to provide your expected results. When you're given a clear problem, technical skills will ensure that you are building the thing righ...

Jun 23, 2021 • 2 min readConsidering Becoming Post-Technical? Why You Should Focus On Building Soft SkillsAs an engineer or analyst, most of your world revolves around being given a problem to solve for. This has its benefits of having helped you develop the technical skills of designing a solution, using the tools and methods and implementing the changes to provide your expected results. When you're given a clear problem, technical skills will ensure that you are building the thing righ...