Product Development Professional

1. Expertise in User Research or Customer Development
The speaker should have hands-on experience in talking to prospective users, whether in the context of user interviews, market research, or customer discovery. They should understand both qualitative and quantitative research methods for gathering user insights.
2. Background in Product Development or UX/UI
A background in product management, UX design, or customer success will be extremely helpful. This knowledge allows the speaker to relate user conversations directly to product development, user experience, and market fit.
3. Strong Communication Skills
Given that the topic revolves around how to talk to users, the speaker must be a strong communicator themselves. They should be able to articulate key concepts clearly and empathetically, adapting their language to various audiences (e.g., product teams, developers, marketers, etc.).
4. Empathy and Active Listening
The speaker should exemplify the ability to listen carefully to user concerns, not just talk at them. They must show empathy and the ability to interpret users' feedback to shape product decisions.
5. Experience in Facilitation and Training
The workshop will likely involve group activities, role-playing, or interactive exercises. A good speaker should be comfortable facilitating discussions and guiding participants through exercises that help them practice these skills.
6. Knowledge of Interviewing Techniques
The speaker should understand different user interviewing techniques such as open-ended questions, follow-ups, probing for deeper insights, and how to avoid bias in interviews.
7. Understanding of Psychology or Behavioral Science
Basic knowledge of psychology or behavioral science is helpful in understanding how users think and make decisions. It can help frame conversations in a way that encourages honest and open responses from prospective users.
8. Industry Experience (Optional but Helpful)
While not mandatory, having experience working in the industry relevant to the workshop's audience (e.g., tech, healthcare, education, etc.) can provide practical insights that participants can relate to.
9. Ability to Provide Actionable Takeaways
Attendees should walk away with practical skills, such as how to prepare for a user conversation, how to ask the right questions, and how to synthesize feedback to inform product decisions.
Potential Speaker Roles:
User Researcher or UX Researcher: They specialize in interviewing users and gathering insights to improve products.
Product Manager: Experienced in communicating with both users and stakeholders, understanding their pain points, and shaping product development.
Customer Success Manager: They interact directly with users and have a solid understanding of user needs and behaviors.
Founder/Entrepreneur: Especially in startups, founders who have directly engaged with prospective users will bring real-world, practical insights.
Behavioral Scientist: For deeper understanding into user motivations and how conversations can be framed to reveal honest feedback.