I partner with startup executives to operationalize product excellence, provide fractional leadership, and unlock the full potential of product teams.
How I work with clients
"I cannot recommend Nick highly enough as a product thinker. He helped our team gain clarity and direction for our product like a true pro. Nick's mentorship and facilitation skills were vital in guiding our strategic planning and earned high praise from every member of our leadership team.
You can trust Nick to provide invaluable insights and direction for your team's product development efforts."
– Matt Conlen, Our World in Data
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"[Nick] has the full range of skills – he was able to take us from blue sky thinking about what might be possible, to then real-time translating that into tangible mock-ups that we could respond to and refine, he then oversaw the building of the resulting technology which was game-changing, novel and functional...
On top of all of that, the design sprint was fun and interactive – generating ideas, voting on them, discussing – I enjoyed the process as well as the results."
– Laura Lewis, Rise
Shaping our work together
While every engagement is unique, I have a process for efficiently defining even the most ambiguous projects. Here's what you can expect, from our first intro call to the conclusion of our work together.
Services & Activities
Fractional Head of Product
In my role as a fractional head of product, I create a powerful and durable bridge between the chief executive and the building teams. Once this foundation is established, I can help you recruit, interview, and hire the right people. The result is an accelerated and de-risked process for achieving strong product capabilities.
Product Operations
Your strategy is only as good as your ability to articulate it. There should always be a crystal-clear connection between the company strategy and what the team is building. I help teams create this connection through strong product operations: the processes, artifacts, and habits needed to enforce the strategy.
Strategic Advisor
A trusted advisor is the person you turn to when an issue first arises, often in times of great urgency: a crisis, a change, a triumph, or a defeat. In my role as a strategic advisor, I provide a safe haven for chief executives to hash out their hardest issues and emerge with a clear path forward.
Workshops & Facilitation
Andy Grove defines meetings as "the medium through which managerial work is performed." So it's essential that meetings are efficient and lead to clear, high-quality decisions. As a facilitator, I design and run such meetings. My outside perspective opens up the possibility for vigorous debate and positive outcomes.
Executive Coaching
Receiving coaching empowered me to enter the next chapter of my career more connected with my deepest Self. The result has been the most joyous and impactful work of my life. As a certified coach, I help executives listen to their own internal calling, and clear the way for them to become powerfully integrated leaders.
About Nick
Independent consulting is a new chapter for me. Previously, I had a 15-year career as a founder and product leader at venture-backed and mission-driven startups, including Khan Academy.
I've advised and mentored dozens of startups within the Union Square Ventures, Betaworks, and Techstars networks since 2011. I consider coaching, consulting, and strategic advising to be my zone of genius, and I love providing transformative, catalytic support to organizations. Find me on LinkedIn for a deeper dive on my professional background and career highlights.
I love discussing new opportunities and would be happy to connect over a 20-minute intro call.
Let's Chat
