JTBD: Jobs to Be Done - What it is, why it matters, how to use it, and a real life example

Today we show you how to do a Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) interview with a live example with one of my former clients, Ryan Findley. He is the Chief Learning Officer at Learn to Win, and helped launch the company as well as serve as the company’s founding Head of Product.

I invited him to talk about the JTBD framework and how PMs can use this powerful approach in their work. This is another tool that fits in the tool belt for any PM and is also useful for sales, marketing, and company leaders. The insights inform everyone involved in the buying journey for your leads and customers.

Show Notes

Key Links from this episode:

• Follow along with the questions Jason asked in his post How to do a Jobs to Be Done interview
• Links from Ryan's search for a mattress:
  • DreamCloud - The mattress Ryan ultimately bought
  • Wirecutter - A review site Ryan referrenced
  • Sleep Foundation
  • 33 Best Mattresses of 2022 on NYT - A site Ryan referenced in his search
• On Clayton Christensen and JTBD:
  • The Milkshake video and JTBD by Clayton Christensen
  • Clayton Christensen Institute 
  • How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen - A great book by JTBD co-creator on a healthy philosophy of life

Connect with Ryan Findley

• Ryan on LinkedIn
• Learn to Win

Learn more and connect with Jason Evanish:

• Get more product advice on Jason's blog
• For more product advice, thoughts on tech, and more, Follow Jason on Twitter 
• You can take your learning to the next level and get coaching from Jason or take his course here

Topics:

(0:35) - Introducing JTBD: What is Jobs to be done?

(3:03) - Setting the stage with the product Ryan recently bought

(3:45)- When did you first start thinking it was time for a new mattress?

(4:17) - When do you first start thinking about the mattress?

(4:34) - Who was involved in the purchasing decision?

(6:04) - How did you decide on DreamCloud?

(7:51) - How did budget play a role here?

(9:14) - Where did you go to get ratings and reviews?

(11:26) - What led to the 3 month delay in being able to finally get the product?

(13:45)- Zooming out: Black Friday & Forcing Functions

(21:36) - The purchase moment

(32:07) - Did you need customer support at all? 

(33:37) - How did this purchase differ from other things you buy?

(34:50) - What happened with a recent disappointing purchase you made?

(40:40) - Where did your buying discussions physically taking place?

(47:17) - Did you visit any third party locations when you were in the process?

(48:39) - Digging into Ryan's experience using what he purchased

(49:59) - Advice for marketers applying JTBD

(54:53) - Ryan’s thoughts on this experiment

(59:48) - Learn to Win & Connecting with Ryan

What is Practical Product w/ Jason Evanish?

Practical Product is the most actionable and practical podcast for B2B and SaaS Product Managers. This show is hosted by Jason Evanish, a Product Manager for over 12 years as a Founder, coach, and early-stage Product Leader.

Practical Product will talk about building a great strategy, avoiding pitfalls, balancing the many demands of a career in product management, and so much more.

We have many awesome guests lined up, some you've heard of in the Product Management space and some lesser-known, yet very talented PM's that you should get to know.

Follow the show and get ready to learn the practical product advice you've been dying to hear.

Get more product advice on Jason's blog: https://jasonevanish.com

Follow Jason on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Evanish

Get coaching from Jason or take his course: https://becustomerdriven.com