Finetuning a Career: Product Leadership in AI

Since 2022, Jared has been on a mission to bring actionable, integrated insights with immediate results to competitive golfers of all skill levels around the world with his patented wearable golf technology, SmartGrip. What started as a passion project to improve his own golf game, has quickly become a growing global phenomenon. In this session, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look into the unexpected journey of bringing an idea from concept to reality, while delivering immediate value and successful outcomes to customers around the world. Jared will share his story of SmartGrip's evolution, the highs and lows, pivots and breakthroughs, and a glimpse into where his company, Umbrella Sports, is going next.

In this interactive session, we'll dive into the core principles of Product-Led Growth (PLG) and explore how successful products leverage network effects and key product loops to drive exponential user growth and retention. We'll discuss how PLG shifts the traditional marketing-driven growth strategies to a product-first approach, where the product itself is the main driver of acquisition, expansion, and retention. By the end of this session, participants will have a solid understanding of how to apply PLG strategies in their own products, harnessing network effects and designing effective product loops to drive sustainable growth.

As AI reshapes the tech landscape, product designers face new challenges and opportunities. This session explores how AI is transforming key design processes and the future of our profession. Learn how to leverage AI technologies to create innovative, user-centric designs while adapting to the evolving nature of product design. Join us to discover strategies for thriving in the AI era, turning potential disruptions into opportunities for growth and creativity.

This session will explore the unique challenges and opportunities that arise when transitioning between different sectors as a designer. Drawing on the speakers experience in corporate, freelance, and startup environments; key insights would be highlighted on how to adapt your design approach to different organizational cultures and business models. The session will also focus on strategies for gaining leadership buy-in, emphasizing the importance of communicating the value of design in driving business outcomes. Whether you're a designer looking to pivot your career or a leader seeking to better integrate design into your company’s strategy, this session will provide actionable takeaways for success.