From Finders to Builders - A UX Research Show (Julian Della Mattia)
Explorez tous les épisodes de From Finders to Builders - A UX Research Show
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 May 2024 | Ep. 06 - The future of UXR with Yao Adantor | 00:36:37 | |
Enter Yao Adantor, a seasoned UX researcher and the founder of Research Bookmark. Yao shares his journey in UX, offering key insights on the evolution and future directions of UX research. We delve into the importance of building bridges between UX and business stakeholders, and strategies for aspiring researchers. Additionally, learn about the upcoming UXConf 2024 and how attending could benefit your professional journey. (00:00) Intro (00:43) Enter Yao Adantor (01:38) Deep Dive into Research Bookmark (03:17) The Future of UX Research and Industry Growth (05:45) Bridging Research and Business for Impact (17:04) The Evolution of UX Researchers (25:24) Advice for First Researchers in Organizations (30:30) Announcing UXConf and Final Thoughts Hungry for more? Subscribe to the From Finders to Builders newsletter or follow me on LinkedIn Join our Discord Community! Follow Yao on LinkedIn or check out Research Bookmark | |||
| 19 Feb 2025 | Ep.16 - Stakeholder Management with Jen Blatz and Amanda Gelbb | 00:44:51 | |
In this episode, we explore effective stakeholder management strategies for user researchers with Jen Blatz and Amanda Gelb. We explore the importance of understanding decision-makers' priorities, leveraging social listening, and aligning research objectives from the outset. Amanda and Jen share their experiences and methodologies, including stakeholder mapping, co-creation, navigating misalignments, and proving research value. This episode is packed with practical advice for first or solo researchers on prioritization, building relationships, and creating scalable frameworks to demonstrate research impact.(01:46) Intro(03:32) Amanda Gelb's Background and Current Endeavors(04:38) Discussion on Stakeholder Management(05:13) Common Challenges in Managing Stakeholder Expectations(06:59) The Role of Intake Process in Stakeholder Management(09:37) Mapping and Identifying Stakeholders(15:59) Involving Stakeholders Throughout the Research Process(21:58) Balancing Research Involvement(23:13) Building Relationships with Stakeholders(25:52) Handling Executive Requests(29:17) Effective Communication with Developers(32:20) Defending Research Decisions(38:03) Proving the Value of Research(40:27) Key Tips for Solo Researchers(44:22) Conclusion and Farewell Hungry for more? Follow me on LinkedIn or subscribe to our newsletter at https://finderstobuilders.com/ You can find our guests on: Jen Blatz's LinkedIn or her YouTube Channel BlatzChatz Amanda's LinkedIn or her fabulous Maven course | |||
| 30 Apr 2024 | Ep. 04 - Leading with Neurodiversity: A UXR Lead's Journey with Odette Jansen | 00:32:47 | |
In this talk with Odette Jansen, we cover topics such as: - Being the first UXR in a company - Being a neurodivergent leader - Neurodivergence in the workplace - Conducting research and neurodivergence - Tips for new UXRs Timestamps (00:00) Welcome to the Show: Introducing Odette Janssen Hungry for more? Subscribe to the From Finders to Builders newsletter or follow me on LinkedIn Join our Discord Community! Follow Odette on LinkedIn or check out her website | |||
| 26 Jun 2024 | Ep. 08 - Navigating Startup Research and AI with Caitlin Sullivan | 00:37:51 | |
Today we're joined by Caitlin Sullivan, a consultant who has focused on startups and scale-ups since 2018. Caitlin shares her passion for product-market fit research and outlines the challenges and approaches to managing research in early-stage companies, emphasizing the importance of moving fast and democratizing research within the team. Caitlin also delves into the impact of AI on user research and provides tips for integrating AI tools into the research process. (00:00) Introduction (01:43) Working with Startups and Scale-ups (03:06) The Role of Research in Startups (05:03) Challenges and Mindsets of Founders (08:30) When to Hire a User Researcher (11:05) Early Stage vs. Later Stage Research (17:24) Building Research Practices in Startups (26:54) AI and the Future of User Research (33:10) Tips for First Researchers (36:39) Conclusion and Farewell Hungry for more? Subscribe to the From Finders to Builders newsletter or follow me on LinkedIn Follow Caitlin on LinkedIn or check out the AI Customer Research newsletter. | |||
| 02 Apr 2024 | Ep. 01 - Why does this show exist? | 00:14:23 | |
In this first episode, I go over the reasons why I decided to start this podcast: - What's the future of UXR? - What's so special about first UXRs? Timestamps (00:00) Welcome to From Founders to Builders Hungry for more? Subscribe to the From Finders to Builders newsletter or follow me on LinkedIn Join our Discord Community! Resources mentioned in this episode: Strategic UX Research is the next big thing by Jared Spool The UX Research Reckoning is Here by Judd Antin How to be a Teacher—Not an Oracle by Behzod Sirjiani | |||
| 11 Jun 2024 | Ep. 07 - On Product Discovery | 00:16:20 | |
In this episode of 'From Founders to Builders,' we delve into the intricate world of product discovery, a framework widely embraced in the product space. We analyse its premise, the importance of operational efficiency, and the pitfalls of a wrong execution. How do researchers come into play? How can we get involved? Find out this and more on this episode. (00:00) Introduction (01:15) Defining Product Discovery (05:12) Operational Challenges in Product Discovery (08:05) Quality and Cadence (11:31) The Role of Researchers (14:33) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hungry for more? Subscribe to the From Finders to Builders newsletter or follow Julian on LinkedIn | |||
| 26 Sep 2024 | Ep. 12 - Building User Research Practices with Nikki Anderson | 00:30:40 | |
Welcome back after the summer break! This time, we host Nikki Anderson, a seasoned user researcher with over a decade of experience. Nikki discusses her diverse roles in the field, from in-house researcher to coach, and delves into her recent work, including her book 'Impact'. We cover essential topics such as building effective research practices, stakeholder management, and navigating user research operations. Nikki shares valuable tips for solo researchers, including the importance of engaging with stakeholders, understanding organizational context, and tracking your impact. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced researcher, Nikki offers practical advice to help advance your career and improve your research processes. (00:00) Intro (00:28) Nikki Anderson's Background and Career (02:00) Writing the Book 'Impact' (03:32) Importance of Research Practices (05:23) Engaging with Stakeholders (08:24) Research Operations Essentials (13:18) Assessing UX Maturity (18:30) Challenges for First Researchers (25:36) Top Tips for Solo Researchers (29:37) Conclusion Hungry for more? Subscribe to the From Finders to Builders newsletter or follow me on LinkedIn Follow Nikki on LinkedIn , take a look at her website User Research Academy or check out her latest book "Impact". | |||
| 02 Apr 2024 | Ep. 02 - What's ahead for UXR + Continuous Discovery with Ruby Pryor | 00:29:37 | |
In this talk with the always amazing Ruby Pryor, we cover topics such as: - UXR and strategy - Research and AI - Continuous Discovery Timestamps (00:00) Welcome to the Show: Introducing Ruby Hungry for more? Subscribe to the From Finders to Builders newsletter or follow me on LinkedIn Join our Discord Community! Follow Ruby on LinkedIn or check out REX | |||
| 06 Mar 2025 | Ep 18 - Navigating Your UX Career with Meltem Naz and Marvin Olukayode Hassan | 00:34:28 | |
In this episode of Refunders to Builders, I sit down with two incredible guests, Meltem and Marvin, who are seasoned UX career coaches. We dive deep into the challenges faced by UX professionals, from feeling stuck in well-paid jobs to navigating career transitions and deciding on the next steps. We discuss the importance of taking time to learn, understanding one's unique strengths, the role of soft skills, and networking. Whether you're just starting in UX, considering a shift, or wondering how to stand out in the current job market, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical advice. Tune in to understand how to align your career goals with what truly motivates you and how to approach career development in a meaningful and impactful way. (01:57) Meet Our Guests: Meltem and Marvin (02:48) Understanding Career Stagnation (06:46) Advice for Career Transitioners (09:12) Growing in Your UX Career (13:19) Finding Direction When Feeling Lost (17:00) Considering a Step Back from Management (20:45) The Importance of Soft Skills (24:52) Navigating the Current UX Job Market (29:36) The Power of Networking (33:38) Conclusion and Farewell Hungry for more? Subscribe to our newsletter or find me on LinkedIn You can find Meltem on LinkedIn or Substack And you can find Marvin on LinkedIn | |||
| 26 Feb 2025 | Ep. 17 - Basic Profiling for User Recruitment | 00:11:57 | |
In this episode, I discuss how to profile your users for participant recruitment in user research. By creating a detailed differentiation between your users, you'll learn how to effectively contact and recruit them for your studies. Using simple tools, I demonstrate a structured method you can use when you arrive as the company's first researcher to categorize and assess your user base, considering factors like response time, recruitment costs, and user roles.(01:17) Intro(02:01) Overview of User Profiling for Recruitment(02:59) Creating a User Differentiation Table(04:35) Detailed Breakdown of User Categories(07:25) Recruitment Strategies and Considerations(11:29) Conclusion and Additional Resources Hungry for more? Follow our Newsletter! | |||
| 16 Apr 2024 | Ep. 03 - On Repositories: what to consider before starting one | 00:17:55 | |
In this episode, we discuss repositories: - Why are repositories useful? - What are the common misconceptions? - 5Cs to build a repository Timestamps: (00:00) Welcome to the Research Repository Deep Dive Hungry for more? Subscribe to the From Finders to Builders newsletter or follow me on LinkedIn Join our Discord Community! Resources mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 23 Oct 2024 | Ep. 13 - From Academia to UX Research with Elizabeth Morin-Lessard | 00:26:54 | |
Today we explore the journeys of individuals transitioning from academia to UX research, featuring insights from Elisabeth Morales Arch of Elastic and Elizabeth Morin-Lessard. We talk about leveraging academic skills in the tech industry, overcoming unexpected challenges, and understanding industry-specific dynamics. Elizabeth reflects on the differences between academic and industry research, emphasizing the critical importance of analytical skills, time management, and stakeholder communication. If you're in academia and considering a career shift into tech, this episode is for you! (00:00) Welcome (00:29) Elizabeth's Background and Transition to UX (03:23) Challenges and Fears of Transitioning (05:02) Job Search and Skill Application (08:52) Unexpected Aspects of UX Research (11:07) First Job Experience in UX (13:15) Academic Research vs. Business Research (14:54) Adapting to a Faster Pace (16:02) Reflecting on the Transition (17:43) Encouraging Academia to Industry Transitions (19:27) Preparing for a UX Research Role (20:57) Advice for Aspiring UX Researchers (24:17) Leveraging Academic Work in Industry (25:50) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hungry for more? Subscribe to From Finders to Builders or follow me on LinkedIn Follow Elizabeth on LinkedIn or follow her on Medium | |||
| 10 Jul 2024 | Ep. 09 - The first steps in a new UXR role | 00:15:58 | |
In this episode, we discuss essential steps for new researchers joining a company. How to prepare during the interview process, how to better understand company dynamics in the first 30-60 days, and how to set yourself up for success through identifying key stakeholders and current research practices. We talk about the importance of understanding the 'who, how, and where', the team's operational setup, and how to approach this with a playmaker mindset to elevate the overall research culture within the company. (00:00) Introduction to the First Researcher Role (00:26) Preparing During the Interview Process (02:22) Starting the Job: Onboarding Essentials (04:04) Understanding the Team and Their Roles (06:42) Exploring Existing Research Practices (08:54) Identifying Current and Future Research Opportunities (12:10) Operational Setup and Long-Term Planning (15:26) Conclusion and Community Engagement Hungry for more? Subscribe to the From Finders to Builders newsletter or follow me on LinkedIn | |||
| 13 Mar 2025 | Ep. 19 - Time to ditch The Big Reveal | 00:10:06 | |
In this episode, we discuss why the traditional 'big reveal' in research presentations is often ineffective and detrimental to the research process. Instead, I advocate for a 'building in public' approach, where insights and updates are shared regularly with the team. This method ensures alignment, reduces misunderstandings, and increases the likelihood that your insights will be acted upon. I also share practical tips on how to keep stakeholders engaged throughout the research process. (01:43) Welcome and Personal Anecdote (02:20) The Big Reveal: Why It's Harmful (06:30) Alternatives to the Big Reveal (09:36) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hungry for more? Subscribe to our newsletter or find me on LinkedIn | |||
| 21 Aug 2024 | Ep. 11 - Exploring ResearchOps with Pedro Vargas | 00:28:27 | |
In this episode of 'From Finders to Builders', we welcome Pedro Vargas to discuss the significance and intricacies of ResearchOps. Pedro shares insights from his experience as a researcher starting in 2018, the importance of research jobs, and common misconceptions. The conversation also covers practical advice for first-time researchers, such as starting with simple tools and focusing on efficiency. We dive into areas like participant management, repositories, and the indispensable value of treating internal tools as products. Tune in to uncover valuable tips for anyone involved in research operations and learn how to effectively implement ResearchOps in various organizational contexts. (00:00) Introduction (01:50) Pedro's Journey into UX Research (04:27) The Importance of Research Ops (09:38) Getting Started with Research Ops (19:10) Common Misconceptions about Research Ops (22:45) Final Thoughts and Farewell Hungry for more? Subscribe to the From Finders to Builders newsletter or follow me on LinkedIn Follow Pedro on LinkedIn or check out Research Pro. | |||
| 20 Mar 2025 | Ep. 20 - Content Creation for UX Professionals with Nikki Anderson and Chris Nguyen | 00:51:34 | |
Join me in this episode as I sit down with two amazing guests, Nikki and Chris, to dive into the world of content creation. Nikki is a user researcher and founder with a passion for horror fiction, while Chris runs the creator businesses UX Playbook and Backlog. We explore their journeys, the importance of creating content, overcoming challenges, and tips for getting started. From the pitfalls of chasing vanity metrics to the positives of finding your authentic voice, we cover it all. Whether you're considering content creation or looking to improve, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice. (05:35) Starting Content Creation: Nikki's Perspective (06:42) Starting Content Creation: Chris's Perspective (08:31) Challenges and Rewards of Content Creation 10:15 Inspiration and Tools for Content Creation (17:33) Writing Tips and Overcoming the Blank Page (21:26) Benefits of Content Creation for Career Growth (23:29) Exploring Content Creation on Instagram (23:52) The Benefits of Creating Content (24:48) Challenges of Creating Content for Business (27:14) The Long Game in Content Creation (29:27) Horror Stories and Challenges (33:12) Dealing with Plagiarism (42:34) Tips for New Content Creators (48:16) Conclusion Hungry for more? Subscribe to our newsletter or find me on LinkedIn You can follow Nikki on Linkedin or her User Research Strategist page You can find Chris on Linkedin at or at UX Playbook | |||
| 13 Feb 2025 | Ep. 15 - On Online Fearmongering and Season 2 Intro | 00:09:27 | |
Hello and welcome to Season 2 of From Finders to Builders! There is a lot of new stuff coming up this season! We will have dual guest interviews, in-depth one-on-one conversations, and, of course, plenty of solo episodes like this one! This 2025 there's a lot of fearmongering out there. Loads of people writing and claiming "UXR is dead", "AI will eat us alive", "The industry is...." and things of the sort. Let's not dive into the negative and keep pushing forward. You've got this! Let's kick start this Season 2 with some positivity! (00:41) Exciting Plans for 2025 (01:17) New Interview Formats (01:49) Adopting a Positive Mindset Despite Fear (05:43) On Current Challenges (07:58) Final Thoughts Stay tuned! Subscribe to theFrom Finders to Builders Newsletter. | |||
| 13 May 2024 | Ep. 05 - The Power of Workshop Facilitation | 00:16:50 | |
Workshops can change your game. It can help you align teams, move projects forward and take your insights that extra mile into the product. In this episode, I explore how workshop facilitation changed my career and why everybody should learn this skill. (00:00) Introduction to Workshop Facilitation (01:12) The Essence and Impact of Facilitation (02:12) A Personal Journey into Facilitation (08:52) The Importance and Uses of Workshops (12:24) Getting Started with Workshop Facilitation (15:03) Final Thoughts and Resources Hungry for more? Subscribe to the From Finders to Builders newsletter or follow me on LinkedIn. Join our Discord Community! | |||
| 18 Dec 2024 | Ep. 14 - Well, this is a 2024 Epilogue. | 00:02:42 | |
Thank you for tuning in for Season 1 and sorry I could not record the 5 episodes I had planned. However... this lead me to confirm Season 2! See you soon in Feburary 2025! Subscribe to our newsletter at finderstobuilders.com and stay up to date. | |||
| 24 Jul 2024 | Ep. 10 - Leading in UXR with Roberta Dombrowski | 00:29:24 | |
Today we host Roberta Dombrowski, a seasoned research partner at Maze and a leadership coach at Learn Mindfully. Roberta shares her insights on what it means to lead in UX research, emphasizing that leadership can come from any role, not just those with managerial titles. She discusses the essential traits and skills needed for effective leadership, such as communication, conflict resolution, and visionary thinking, along with the common challenges researchers face. We also touch on topics like imposter syndrome, the importance of onboarding, and actionable tips for solo researchers or teams of one. (00:00) Introduction (00:16) Roberta's Background and Experience (01:04) Leadership in UX Research (02:37) Challenges of Leading Without a Title (07:59) Traits and Skills for Effective Leadership (11:26) Scaling the Team and Transitioning to Leadership (19:16) Imposter Syndrome in Leadership (23:23) First 30, 60, 90 Days as a Researcher (27:23) Final Tips and Closing Remarks Hungry for more? Subscribe to the From Finders to Builders newsletter or follow me on LinkedIn Follow Roberta on LinkedIn or check out Learn Mindfully. Check out some of Roberta's articles to dig deeper into what we discussed in this episode:
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