How can a comprehensive operating system help with scaling brands? In this episode of Product Talk hosted by Nacho Andrade, Settle Head of Product Warren Brown discusses how the company is building a comprehensive operating system to help scaling brands manage the complexities of their operations. Warren explains the four key dimensions of complexity that growing brands face – SKU, channel, vendor, and investor complexity – and how Settle’s platform aims to provide a unified solution to address these challenges. He emphasizes the importance of balancing revenue growth and cost reduction, as well as the value of deep customer understanding and empowered product teams.
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Show Notes
- Settle’s focus is on serving the needs of scaling CPG brands by providing capital and software to help them grow faster.
- Brands face four key dimensions of complexity as they scale: SKU, channel, vendor, and investor complexity.
- Settle’s operating system combines inventory management, accounts payable, payments, and catalog management into a single platform.
- The goal is to provide a comprehensive solution that integrates all aspects of a brand’s operations.
- Helping brands grow revenue is more impactful than just reducing costs, though both are important.
- Settle’s software can optimize inventory and forecasting to drive revenue growth.
- Standardizing customer engagement processes is crucial for consistent user research and feedback.
- Building a user council can enable quick access to customer insights.
- Great product leaders need strong communication skills, vision, problem-solving, and the ability to translate across functions.
- Focusing on a few key innovation areas and providing clear direction is important for empowering product teams.
- Removing obstacles and delegating to talented teams is a key part of product leadership.
- Understanding business finances and metrics is critical for effective product leadership.
- Balancing standardized processes and allowing team-level innovation is a constant challenge.
- Building empathy and trust with sales teams is essential to avoid conflicts.
- Continuous learning and improvement should be a priority for product leaders.
- Developing a diverse set of skills is key for aspiring product leaders.
- The product management community can be a valuable resource for learning and support.
- Warren is passionate about Daily Health Regimen’s supplement gummies.
- Warren is interested in sustainable lawn alternatives like microclover.
- Microclover offers benefits like reduced water usage and better drought resistance compared to traditional grass.
About the speaker
Warren is the Head of Product at Settle. He’s been building innovative products and teams for over twenty years across startups and enterprise companies, including Order.co, Settle and Northern Bank. Warren’s teams have launched and scaled innovative solutions in B2B procurement, lending, payments and treasury. He is passionate about customer-driven innovation and lean, iterative process. Outside of work, Warren loves spending time outdoors and is a self-professed sustainability nerd.
About the host
Nacho is an Evangelist for all things product, advocating for innovation, diversity, and building amazing products. Nacho has spent over 10 years in product roles ranging from startups to enterprise in industries like education, healthcare, finance and gaming.