Episode 220: Designing Products That Click with Jake Knapp
Join Melissa Perri on the latest episode of the Product Thinking Podcast as she chats with Jake Knapp, creator of Design Sprint at Google, and general partner at Character Capital. Known for for his seminal book “Sprint”, Jake discusses nuances from his latest book, "Click," and emphasizes the critical role differentiation plays in product success.This episode dives into the importance of starting product ideation with a clear differentiation strategy, ensuring that by the time you're ready to launch, you're not just another face in the crowd. Learn how to apply Jake's insights to make your products stand out from the rest, using the Foundation Sprint.Want to understand how to make your product unique in today's competitive market? Tune in for some practical takeaways from Jake's extensive experience helping startups and established companies refine their product strategies.You'll hear us talk about:5:53 - The Power of DifferentiationJake explains why thinking about differentiation should be the starting point of any product project, and how it connects to finding product-market fit.16:48 - Foundation Sprint to Design SprintJake walks through how a two-day foundation sprint can set the perfect stage for design sprints, helping teams define their hypotheses and move quickly from ideas to testable prototypes.35:53 - Lean Startup vs. Design SprintExplore the similarities and differences between Lean Startup and Design Sprint methodologies, and why rapid iteration and experimentation are key to product success.Episode resources:Click book: https://www.theclickbook.com/Jake on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-knapp/Try Liveblocks: https://liveblocks.io/Timestamps:00:00 Introduction02:57 Dear Melissa06:57 Finding the gap before building14:39 Foundation sprint and why differentiation matters25:21 Customer research timing and magic lenses30:29 How to use lenses for decision-making35:53 Lean Startup vs design sprint and planning time43:19 Reclaim case study
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Episode 219: The Real Role of Product Marketing in Strategy with Rebecca Shaddix
Rebecca Shaddix, a seasoned marketing executive and go-to-market strategist, joins Melissa Perri to explore the balance of acceptable mistakes in market strategy. Rebecca discusses the importance of defining acceptable mistakes to avoid unnecessary delays and to better align team efforts with strategic goals. This episode focuses on how acknowledging acceptable mistakes can accelerate development without compromising core objectives.Rebecca also addresses the overemphasis on latest trends like AI, stressing the importance of intentional use rather than succumbing to hype. She provides insights into managing internal pressures and steering conversations back to meaningful customer outcomes.If you want to learn how to effectively balance strategic goals with market pressures while maintaining a focus on customer value, tune in to gain practical insights from Rebecca’s experiences.You’ll hear us talk about:09:04 - The Concept of Acceptable MistakesRebecca explains what an acceptable mistake entails, offering examples such as opting for fewer customer interviews to accelerate go-to-market strategies without significant risk.29:19 - Navigating AI HypeDiscusses the cycle of trendy technologies and how AI has become a prevalent, though often superficial, part of product strategy, emphasizing the importance of intentionality.15:32 - Product and Product Marketing PartnershipHighlights the need for a bidirectional relationship between product management and product marketing, focusing on how they should collaboratively drive strategy and insights.Listen to the full episode for more in-depth discussions and insights.Episode resources:Rebecca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccashaddix/Try Liveblocks: https://liveblocks.io/Timestamps:00:00 Intro02:57 Dear Melissa06:17 Defining acceptable mistakes in go-to-market12:22 How product and go-to-market should collaborate17:48 What data product and marketing teams should track22:53 Turning competitive noise into strategy29:21 Responding to AI pressure from the market34:29 Crafting real differentiators, not buzzwords39:29 Advice for future product marketers
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Episode 218: Turning Belkin into a Design-Led Company with Oliver Seil
Oliver Seil, Vice President of Design at Belkin, joins Melissa Perri on the Product Thinking Podcast to explore how Belkin has transitioned into a design-focused company. Oliver discusses the role of design in creating products that resonate with users while fulfilling their functional needs. He shares how Belkin's design philosophy prioritizes consumer insights and prototyping to create products that are both innovative and intuitive.Through this episode, Oliver outlines the importance of integrating empathy and creativity in the design process and how these elements can foster a dynamic and inclusive company culture. He provides valuable insights into how product managers and designers can collaborate effectively, ensuring that the products not only meet market demands but also enhance user experiences.Interested in learning more about how design can drive product innovation and company culture? Tune in to gain practical insights from Oliver’s experiences at Belkin.You’ll hear us talk about:14:20 - The Importance of Executive Buy-In for Cultural ChangeOliver explains how having the support from top leadership, such as the CEO and a chief design officer, was crucial to fostering a design-focused culture at Belkin, promoting an environment where design is celebrated and integrated into the company's DNA.21:47 - Embracing Experimentation in DesignOliver shares strategies for balancing the need for rapid prototyping with the constraints of manufacturing timelines. He emphasizes the importance of testing and validating products through consumer feedback before full-scale production.25:29 - Collaboration Between Product Managers and DesignersHighlighting the significance of prototyping and communication, Oliver discusses how designers can effectively share their ideas and collaborate with product managers to bring innovative products to life.Episode resources:Oliver on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-seil/Belkin website: https://www.belkin.com/Try Liveblocks: https://liveblocks.io/Timestamps:00:00 Coming Up01:23 Intro06:00 Discovering design and joining Belkin10:30 Transforming culture through design19:20 User insights and product joy24:47 Pitching and selling design ideas30:35 Foster creativity and passion40:48 Building diverse teams
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Episode 217: Behind the Scenes of Pendo’s Product Operations Evolution with Jessica Soroky
Join us for an insightful episode of the Product Thinking Podcast as we delve into the world of product operations with Jessica Soroky, the Senior Director of Product Operations at Pendo. In this episode, Jessica reveals the transformative strategies that have redefined Pendo's product operations, highlighting their innovative approach to integrating data and AI for enhanced product management.Jessica and I discuss the evolving landscape of product operations and the strategic shifts necessary to elevate the role beyond administrative tasks. We explore how Pendo empowers product managers by streamlining data insights and fostering a cross-functional communication framework that improves product launches and customer satisfaction.If you're eager to understand how product operations can drive strategic value and innovation within your organization, this episode is a must-listen. Gain practical insights and inspiration from Pendo's journey in optimizing their product operations.You’ll hear us talk about:09:17 - Evolution from Scrum Master to Program ManagerJessica explains the bold transition of Scrum Masters to Program Managers at Pendo, expanding their roles to oversee the entire product lifecycle and enhancing cross-functional collaboration.15:04 - Leveraging AI in Product OperationsDiscover how Pendo is integrating AI into their operations to reduce the burden of data tasks for product managers, allowing them to focus on strategic decision-making.20:56 - Implementing Effective Launch ProcessesLearn about the introduction of go-to-market checklists and launch briefs at Pendo, which have streamlined product launches and improved cross-departmental alignment.Episode resources:- Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicasoroky/- Pendo: https://www.pendo.io/- Try Liveblocks: https://liveblocks.io/Timestamps:00:00 Coming Up01:17 Intro05:53 Jessica's journey to Product Ops leader11:48 Improving launches through whole-company alignment19:19 Structuring product ops for impact25:00 Building effective cadences and data rituals30:14 Driving data culture and exploring AI tools36:30 Making product ops strategic
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Episode 216: Getting OKRs Right: Planning with Impact at OLX with Hugo Froes
Join Melissa Perri in an insightful episode of the Product Thinking Podcast featuring Hugo Froes, Head of Operations at OLX. In this episode, Hugo shares his remarkable journey from UX and service design to leading product operations, a transition that highlights the importance of bridging design with business needs.This conversation dives into how Hugo has effectively shaped product operations at OLX, focusing on process optimization, reducing friction, and empowering teams to deliver true value. Hugo’s approach showcases how strategic product operations can drive innovation and efficiency within organizations.Ready to explore how product operations can transform your organization? Listen to the full episode and gain practical insights from Hugo's experiences!You’ll hear us talk about:00:25:08 - Making OKRs Work Across the OrganizationHugo discusses the challenges and solutions for standardizing OKR frameworks to ensure consistent and measurable outcomes while allowing flexibility for team-specific practices.00:30:41 - The Product Ops MixHugo explains the multi-faceted approach of OLX's product operations team, focusing on improving efficiency, streamlining processes, and supporting organizational growth through strategic tooling.00:39:03 - Measuring Value in Product ManagementHugo and Melissa explore the importance of continuously validating product value against business outcomes, emphasizing learning over feature delivery.Episode resources:Hugo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugofroes/Thoughts Unravelled: https://thoughtsunravelled.substack.com/Try Liveblocks: https://liveblocks.io/Timestamps:00:00 Coming Up01:01 Intro05:37 From UX to Product Ops: Hugo’s Journey09:17 Shift to Product Thinking16:33 Starting Product Ops at OLX21:23 Rethinking OKRs for Real Teams25:08 Making OKRs Work Across the Org30:41 The Product Ops Mix35:48 The Real Limits of AI43:07 What’s Next for Product Ops
Successful product management isn’t just about training the product managers who work side by side with developers everyday to build better products. It’s about taking a step back, approaching the systems within organizations as a whole, and leveling up product leadership to improve these systems. This is the Product Thinking Podcast, where Melissa Perri will connect with industry leading experts in the product management space, AND answer your most pressing questions about everything product. Join us each week to level up your skillset and invest in yourself as a product leader.
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