September 2024
I love September.
So many SkyMiles..
It has been a big, big month in the Mattis household.
Earlier this month, Jenelle and I were thrilled to share the news that we are expecting a baby boy in February 2025. It has been a long journey to get to this point, and we are cherishing every moment as we prepare for his arrival.
As if that weren’t enough to write about, it has also been a busy month of events and business travel. As I write this newsletter, I’m wrapping up a 17-day run that started with a GenAI Meetup in Raleigh and continued through Berlin, DC, and finally Boston.
Instead of sleeping (because who has time for that?), I’ve been hard at work preparing for the November 4 launch of Bean’s Power Clean. Jenelle has done an amazing job sourcing and hiring our founding team members, and we can’t wait to serve our community!
Product Management AI Prompts
The September Triangle Digital Product and Technology Meetup, powered by Scaled Agile, had 72 registrants! As always, the team at MacGregor Downs made sure everyone felt welcome, keeping the drinks and legendary popcorn flowing.
During the event, I demonstrated the power of tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity for conducting market research, identifying unique value propositions for products, and crafting customer communications.
While these tools don’t replace the role of the Product Manager, they are incredibly effective in helping PMs bring great products to market faster.
Interested in the seven prompts I demonstrated? Download them below!
Meetups and More
Have you ever attended a Meetup? Have you ever hosted one?
Meetups are a great tool for learning, connecting, and adding value to your local community. So far in 2024, I have hosted a dozen events in Raleigh, Rio de Janeiro, Singapore, DC, Boston, Boulder, and Berlin. Through hosting these events, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many amazing people and learn countless unexpected things.
While online events and webinars have their place, there’s something special about in-person Meetups. The energy and connection you experience when face-to-face with others simply doesn’t compare. The conversations flow more naturally, the networking is more authentic, and the value you create for each other is unmatched.
I firmly believe that giving value is the best form of promotion. If you have a story to tell, consider joining or hosting a Meetup group and provide a ton of value to that community. Be useful, be helpful, and people will remember you and your business for all the right reasons.
What I Learned in August ‘24
Do what you need to do, not what you want to do.
When you go above and beyond, people often care less than you'd expect.
Saying no isn’t just okay – it’s something you need to do.
Quote of the Month
I always carry a journal so I can write down the interesting things that people say (thanks for the idea, Gene!) Here is a gem from September:
“Don't be afraid to be different. The world needs more contrarians.”
Reflection: I’ve spent my life trying to fit in or be enough. From college to grad school, and in my interactions with employers and clients, I’ve always focused on exceeding expectations to gain acceptance.
But I’ve come to realize it doesn’t really matter. What’s more important than being accepted by others is staying true to yourself and embracing your own talents and strengths.
In fact, I’ve learned that the very skills I’ve tried to dull or suppress are actually my superpowers. I see the world differently. I’m not a specialist in one area, but a strong generalist across many. I have a clear sense of the connections between people, their emotions, and what drives their decision-making.
I go against the grain to be decisive and execute, and that can make some people uncomfortable.
And that’s okay.
The point is: get to know the person in the mirror, embrace that beautiful mess, and get damn comfortable being unapologetically you.
Just don’t be a jerk. 😊
Someone You Should Know
Dora Hajnal
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting thousands of people through training sessions, conferences, and events. Among them, only a select few have become close friends. Dora Hajnal is one of those few.
I met Dora while conducting a product workshop in Amsterdam in 2015. Within the first five minutes of our meeting, all the qualities I still admire about her were already evident.
Dora is a remarkable human being. She has a unique worldview, possesses unparalleled emotional intelligence, and carries a heart of gold.
Since we first met, Dora has grown both professionally and personally in truly impressive ways. She recently launched a new project called “The Quantum Leadership Podcast,” which focuses on connecting the mind and soul of emerging leaders.
One of my favorite episodes is titled, “Integrating Your Inner Child: What it is and Why it is Important for Your Growth.”
I encourage you to meet Dora and explore her work—she is an extraordinary person!
Bean’s Power Clean
To be the best, you have to surround yourself with the best.
Jenelle and I started Bean’s Power Clean for two reasons:
One: To give people an amazing place to work.
Two: To serve our community.
Okay, there’s also a third reason:
Three: To completely redefine and dominate the power washing industry.
To accomplish these goals, we are leveraging technology to drive efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction. We’ve partnered with many great companies to bring this vision to life, but the one I’m most excited about is Southeast Soft Wash, based in Roanoke, Alabama.
SESW is the undisputed world leader in the manufacture of power wash equipment and chemicals. The founder, Coty Yarbrough, is just as crazy about precision and detail as Jenelle and I are, and we could not be more excited to be working with him and his team.
Over Labor Day weekend, I drove "Bean-1" to the SESW headquarters for a complete and proprietary build that will allow our crew to quickly and safely perform soft washing, pressure washing, window cleaning, and drone-assisted cleaning.
We plan to operate three locations in Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Durham, with franchise opportunities available for those outside our in-house service area.
This may not be a glamorous business, but it’s one that allows us to serve and support our community!
Swag, coming soon. To learn more, follow the link below.
Thank You.
I want to say a big THANK YOU to all of you once again. I do my best to provide value each month, and if there's any way I can improve, please hit “reply” and share your thoughts. Feedback is a gift, and I always appreciate it.
If you know anyone else who might enjoy this content, feel free to forward this newsletter their way. Social links are below—you know the drill.
Until next month,
Adam