Key Lessons from Millie Zah’s Keynote at Just Product 2024: Unlocking Product Success with an Entrepreneurial Mindset

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At Just Product 2024, Millie Zah, the Head of Product at DAZN, captivated the audience with her inspiring keynote. Her journey from entrepreneur to product leader at a global company is a testament to the power of an entrepreneurial mindset in driving product success. Millie’s keynote was not just about the challenges she faced, but also about how embracing risk, persistence, and curiosity can lead to breakthrough moments. Here are the key lessons from her talk, along with some actionable insights.

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1. Embrace an Entrepreneurial Mindset

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Millie’s path wasn’t a traditional one, and that’s what made it so impactful. From building a product that solved real problems to scaling it to millions of users, she shared how an entrepreneurial mindset can help product managers achieve success—even in large organizations. For her, entrepreneurship is about creating something out of nothing and solving meaningful problems.

Key Traits for Success:

• Self-Motivation: Stay driven, even when the path is unclear.

• Risk-Taking: Be bold enough to experiment and accept failure as part of the process.

• Persistence: Stick with your vision, even when it feels like no one else can see it yet.

• Value Creation: Focus on what brings real value to users and stakeholders.

“Entrepreneurship is about creating something out of nothing—solving problems that matter. That’s the heart of product management.”

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2. The Power of Storytelling

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One of the standout moments from Millie’s talk was her emphasis on the importance of storytelling in product management. Whether you’re pitching ideas to stakeholders, advocating for resources, or explaining the value of your product, how you tell your story matters. Millie shared how she refined her storytelling to effectively communicate her vision, which became a key factor in getting buy-in from investors and stakeholders.

Storytelling Tips:

• Start with a Hook: Open with a strong, attention-grabbing statement or question.

• Build Tension: Dive into the problem to create a sense of urgency.

• End with a Solution: Clearly outline how your idea or product will solve the problem.

• Tailor to Your Audience: Adjust your message based on who you’re speaking to—whether it’s an executive, your team, or stakeholders.

“It’s not just what you say, but how you say it, and who you say it to.”

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3. Growth Mindset Over Fixed Mindset

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For Millie, adopting a growth mindset has been crucial to her success. She emphasized the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement, sharing how she created a self-assessment spreadsheet to track her progress and ensure she was always evolving. For Millie, it’s about constantly pushing yourself to get better.

Key Practices:

• Challenge Yourself: Always look for new challenges to grow from.

• Ask for Feedback: Regularly seek input from colleagues, peers, and mentors to improve.

• Establish Routines: Develop habits that keep you focused on both personal and professional growth.

“Cultivating a growth mindset means constantly seeking to improve and evolve, both in your role and in your personal development.”

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4. Lead by Example and Build Trust

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Millie highlighted the importance of building trust through action. As a product leader, she quickly established herself at DAZN by proactively taking the initiative to solve problems and building relationships with key stakeholders. For Millie, leadership is about more than just managing a team—it’s about leading by example and creating an environment where innovation thrives.

“Are you looking at the entire business funnel? Are you creating space for innovation? Lead by example, and the team will follow.”

5. Breakthrough Moments Happen When You Stick to Your Vision

One of the most inspiring moments of Millie’s keynote was her reference to Roger Bannister, the first person to break the 4-minute mile. His achievement, which once seemed impossible, opened the door for many others to follow. Similarly, Millie encouraged the audience to stay committed to their vision, even when it feels like the odds are stacked against them.

Persistence is key to creating those breakthrough moments that can propel your product—and your career—to the next level.

“Breakthrough moments happen when you hold on to your vision. Even if others can’t see it yet, your persistence will make it real.”

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Final Thoughts

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Millie Zah wrapped up her keynote with a few essential takeaways for product managers and leaders:

Key Lessons:

• Differentiate by creating value—whether as a product or as a leader. Always look for ways to deliver meaningful impact.

• Don’t be afraid to fail: “Don’t be afraid to suck at first. That’s how you get good.”

• Cultivate curiosity: Curiosity fuels innovation and keeps you ahead in an ever-changing market.

Millie’s keynote was a powerful reminder that anyone can adopt an entrepreneurial mindset to make a significant impact, whether they’re building a new product or leading a team. Her story is proof that staying curious, proactive, and persistent can lead to extraordinary success.

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