Kevin Long
Director of Product Management
Kevin brings extensive technical depth to his role as Director of Business Analysis at Orases, having built his career from the ground up in IT operations. Beginning as a software developer and Unix system administrator, Kevin developed a passion for translating complex technical challenges into elegant, practical solutions. His diverse experience across multiple technical disciplines gives him a unique perspective when analyzing business requirements and designing software solutions. Since joining Orases, Kevin has distinguished himself through his methodical approach to problem-solving and his ability to bridge communication between technical teams and stakeholders. His exceptional leadership and strategic vision earned him a well-deserved spot on the Orases Leadership Team in 2023, where he continues to drive innovation and excellence in business analysis across the organization.
Speaking Topics
Topic
Translating Technical Complexity: Communication Strategies for Product Leaders
In this illuminating session, Kevin Long draws on his journey from software developer to Director of Product Management to reveal the communication strategies that transform technical complexity into business clarity. With a background built from the ground up in IT operations, Kevin demonstrates how effective product leaders serve as crucial interpreters between technical teams and business stakeholders. Through engaging real-world examples and practical frameworks, you’ll discover how successful product managers create shared understanding that drives confident decision-making and aligns technology investments with business objectives. Kevin shares proven techniques for demystifying complex technical concepts without sacrificing accuracy, enabling more productive collaboration and ensuring solutions that deliver tangible business value. This presentation equips product leaders with essential communication tools to bridge the persistent gap between technical possibilities and business requirements, ultimately transforming technology from a source of friction to a catalyst for organizational success.
Key Takeaways:
- Master communication techniques that effectively translate complex technical concepts into business-relevant terms, enhancing stakeholder confidence in product decisions while maintaining technical integrity and accuracy.
- Learn practical strategies for uncovering the true business needs behind feature requests, enabling you to propose solutions that address underlying objectives rather than simply implementing specified requirements.
- Develop a structured approach to facilitating productive dialogue between technical teams and business stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring solutions that not only work today but continue to drive business forward as requirements evolve.
Topic
Inspire + Invent: The Essential Role of a Product Manager in Delivering Tangible Business Value
In this compelling session, Kevin Long reveals why product management is the critical differentiator between custom software that merely functions and solutions that drive sustained business growth. Drawing on his extensive technical background and leadership experience, Kevin demonstrates how effective product management transforms technology investments from cost centers into strategic assets that deliver measurable ROI. Through illuminating case studies and practical insights, you’ll discover how product managers bridge the gap between technical capabilities and business objectives—ensuring solutions that not only meet today’s requirements but anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. Kevin illustrates how this often-overlooked discipline prevents the common pitfalls that lead to implementation failure, user resistance, and technological stagnation. Whether you’re embarking on a new development project or working to maximize value from existing systems, this presentation provides actionable strategies for leveraging product management to create technology solutions that continuously propel your business forward.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand the fundamental differences between project-focused and product-focused approaches to software development, and how implementing product management principles creates solutions that deliver sustainable business value beyond initial deployment.
- Learn practical methods for integrating product management into your technology initiatives, including key organizational structures, essential processes, and critical decision points that maximize ROI and user adoption.
- Develop effective strategies for measuring and communicating technology’s business impact, enabling you to transform the perception of software investments from necessary expenses to strategic enablers of growth, scale, and competitive advantage.
