04: Yashar Ahmadpour (Advice Analytics)

Yashar Ahmadpour is Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer (CPO) of Advice Analytics. Advice Analytics is building compliance software for the retirement management industry. We discuss how they are solving a $13 billion dollar problem, getting started with limited funds, selling prospects before you have a product, and more.

Yashar is an industry veteran, having worked in and started multiple startups over his career. This episode also talks about the difference between product management and project management, culture, hiring, and team composition. There is great advice for people looking to break into the world of startups. Enjoy!

GUEST

Yashar Ahmadpour LinkedIn
Advice Analytics LinkedIn
Advice Analytics Website

PODCAST

Safa Mahzari
Patreon
Alluxo Website

TERMS

Fortran = programming language from the 1950s
AUM = assets under management
CEO = chief executive officer
CPO = chief product officer
CTO = chief technology officer
B2B = business to business
UI = user interface
UX = user experience
VC = venture capital

RESOURCES

"Drive" by Daniel Pink
"Lean Startup" by Eric Ries
"The Lean Entrepreneur" by Brant Cooper
"Inspired" by Marty Cagan
"Blue Ocean Strategy" by W. Chan Kim

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Episode intro
0:45 - Yashar background
2:01 - Product vs. project management
6:30 - How did you find this problem?
12:11 - Building the right product
13:52 - Focus on your strengths, not weaknesses
16:12 - Balancing product between CEO and CPO
20:29 - How to hire and manage people
25:38 - Communication skills
28:42 - Has the lockdown affected your business?
31:23 - Advice for someone who wants to join a startup
36:25 - Wrap up and final thoughts