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DevReady PodcastAuthor: Aerion Technologies
We started the DevReady podcast to help non-techs build better technology. We have been exposed to so many non-techs that describe the struggle, uncertainty and challenges that can come with building technology. The objective for the DevReady podcast to share these stories and give you the tools and insights so that you to can deliver on your vision and outcomes. You will learn from non-tech founders that have invested their time and money into developing technology. We will discuss what worked, what didnt and how they still managed to deliver real value to their users. These stories are inspirational demonstrating the determination, commitment and resolve it really takes to deliver technology. Throughout the DevReady Podcast we also invite subject matter experts to the conversation to give you proven strategies and techniques to successfully take your idea through to delivery and beyond. Enjoy the Podcast, it will challenge you, inspire you and provide the tools you will need ... Language: en Genres: Business, Technology Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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How to Build Products People Actually Use and Pay For | Ep 289 | DevReady Podcast
Episode 285
Tuesday, 5 May, 2026
In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo is joined by Abi Iyer, Director of Product Design at APAC, Zendesk, Head of Product Design at Lyrebird, and Investor at Startmate, to explore how product design drives real business outcomes. With a career spanning design leadership, startups, and medtech AI, Abi shares practical insights into building products that deliver measurable value. This conversation covers product strategy, user experience, startup execution, and the role of design in scaling modern businesses. Abi explains that the value of design depends heavily on the type of organisation and product being built. In high-volume consumer markets, design often supports marketing and sales outcomes, while in medtech and healthcare, it must prioritise empathy, usability, and seamless integration into complex workflows. He highlights how well-designed technology can reduce administrative burden for clinicians, improve work-life balance, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. The goal is to create products that feel intuitive and almost invisible, allowing users to focus on their core tasks without friction. The conversation then explores Abi’s journey into design, beginning with his early ambitions in animation before transitioning into user experience, consulting, and product strategy. His exposure to commercial decision-making reshaped his understanding of design as a strategic lever for growth rather than a purely visual discipline. Andrew and Abi discuss how design contributes directly to engagement and revenue, with strong product design enabling businesses to increase adoption, improve retention, and drive monetisation. By linking design decisions to measurable outcomes, organisations can position design as a key driver of competitive advantage. A key theme throughout the episode is the importance of simplicity and usability. Andrew and Abi emphasise that effective product design focuses on reducing friction and enabling users to achieve outcomes quickly. They highlight the need for intentional trade-offs, where functionality and clarity take precedence over visual complexity. The discussion also reinforces the importance of observing real user behaviour, as there is often a disconnect between what users say and how they actually interact with products. Direct observation and usage data provide far more reliable insights for improving user experience. The episode also dives into startup thinking and product validation. Abi shares his experience transitioning into the startup ecosystem, including his involvement with Startmate as both an investor and mentor. He outlines a practical framework for early-stage founders, focusing on clear positioning, continuous iteration, and securing a first paying customer. He also breaks down research into generative and evaluative approaches, emphasising the need to balance idea generation with real-world validation. Ultimately, the conversation highlights that successful products are built by solving real problems, iterating quickly, and validating ideas through user behaviour and revenue rather than assumptions. #ProductDesign #StartupGrowth #UserExperience #TechPodcast #DevReadyPodcast #ProductStrategy
