We create memorable stories.

As 25Friday expanded from a small startup to a growing company, they encountered operational challenges requiring a shift from manual processes to a fully automated, scalable framework. This journey, documented here, reveals the lessons, tools, and strategies that supported their evolution into an efficient, autonomous organization—serving as a roadmap for others seeking operational agility and seamless workflow integration.

Facing talent shortages and soaring costs, Dutch tech businesses must choose between local sourcing, outsourcing (offshoring), or nearshoring. This article explores and clarifies these options, weighing their pros and cons from cost, collaboration, and cultural compatibility perspectives, detailing how companies can achieve a balance between cost-efficiency, seamless collaboration, and access to skilled professionals, while simultaneously revealing why nearshoring to Portugal is appealing to Dutch tech scene.

A product manager's success is significantly influenced by their reporting structure. Understanding the product manager's distinct role and its strategic nature is crucial in determining the optimal reporting line. While the CEO is often considered the ideal choice, factors like company size, product complexity, and organisational culture play a key role in determining the most effective reporting structure.

In this Product Guru Insight, Janet and Jasper go all-in on product vision and its importance in guiding product development. They explore how a product vision is the heart of a great product company and the important role of storytelling in communicating the product vision. Janet discusses the concept of strategic storytelling in product pitches, emphasising the importance of identifying a strategic shift in the world and positioning your product as a solution to the new reality.

In the context of migrating to a new web-based platform, a partner evaluated the use of a low-code platform for frontend development while developing the backend in-house. This case study explores the trade-offs associated with this approach as well as potential risks and suggests alternative solutions when applicable.

In this second Insight, we touch upon Problem-thinking vs. Solution-thinking, leveraging the use of Language, Strategic direction and Leadership & Discipline. The details of this episode can help Founders, CEO’s and Product people leverage a product operating model, especially in the B2B space. Something both 25Friday and Saeed Khan are actively supporting companies with.

We often meet prospective partners and identify the need to transition from a traditional business model to a product-centric one. However, it has proven quite difficult to convey that specific need to the founders and management teams. It’s not just a nice-to-have we’re talking about here - it's a necessity for staying competitive.

Does your product development feel like a bet? It definitely has elements of chance. But there's a way to stack the deck in your favor: Product Discovery.

It's not just brainstorming ideas. It's a system for deeply understanding your users' needs and building solutions that truly solve their problems.

By focusing on users and learning as you go, Product Discovery helps you create products users love, leading to long-term success. Want to learn more? We'll break down key principles and techniques to guide you through Product Discovery and avoid common roadblocks.

In our very first Insight, we focus on the importance of Prioritisation, People, Processes, and Perception. These concepts are essential for guiding companies towards growth and innovation. Something both 25Friday and Out of Owls are actively helping partners with.

In the dynamic realm of product development, the primary compass that guides your teams through uncertainties and challenges is a well-defined Product Vision.

At 25Friday, we recently hosted our 6th Product Circle for product people, delving into the complexities of product vision; a subject often underestimated but crucial for success. This article serves as a comprehensive recap, exploring the prerequisites for a robust product vision, the theoretical underpinnings that make it indispensable, and practical insights into crafting a compelling vision.

In the ever-evolving world of technology, the role of product management has undergone a significant transformation. No longer are product managers solely responsible for crafting product features and overseeing their development. Today's product managers are expected to adopt a broader perspective, encompassing both product delivery and product validation, while driving business outcomes rather than simply churning out features and reporting on them.

Stepping into the buzz of the #MTPcon 2023 in London, it struck me how the term 'Product Owner' in the Netherlands can mean vastly different things. This got me thinking—how well do we really understand our own product roles back home?

Here's something to chew on: the title 'Product Owner' can mean anything from a team role to a managerial position in the Dutch tech scene. Does this flexibility help or hinder us? It's worth considering how organizations define these roles and the impact that it has on our products and teams.

Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Jasper, my 25Friday colleague, in attending #mtpcon London 2023. This prestigious event brought together top product management professionals, offering invaluable insights and industry trends.

In the following sections, we'll dive into the key takeaways from speakers that we found particularly interesting for product professionals in the scale-up arena.

In the field of product development, roadmapping plays a vital role in guiding the path towards success.

Sybren's article "Roadmapping" dives deep into the art and science of effective roadmapping, offering valuable insights and practical guidance, and we invite you to join the conversation! 🚀