Episode 236: Real Career Advice From Product Leaders
Join Melissa Perri as she dives into some of the best advice about career growth in product management from an incredible group of industry leaders. Monica Lewis from LinkedIn, Kristin Dorsett from Viator, Dheerja Kaur from Robinhood, Lucie Buisson from Contentsquare, Ben Hafele from the Lean Startup Co., Marco De Freitas and Amber Brestowski from Vanguard, Oliver Seil from Belkin International, David Myszewski from Wealthfront, and Eilon Reshef from Gong share their insights on developing strategic judgment, embracing learning, and leveraging AI for productivity.Discover how focusing on impact over scope, obsessing over problems, and starting small can accelerate your growth in product management. Our guests also discuss the importance of market fit strategy, learning from missteps, and being open to unexpected opportunities.Want to accelerate your product management career with practical advice from industry leaders? Tune in to this episode for actionable insights and strategies to help you grow and succeed.You’ll hear us talk about:07:45 - Embracing Learning on the JobKristin Dorsett talks about not sweating the small stuff and embracing learning on the job, emphasizing that nobody has it all figured out and the value of continuous growth in product management.15:22 - Leveraging AI for ProductivityLucie Buisson explains how using AI can enhance productivity, allowing product managers to focus on strategic thinking and customer engagement by freeing up valuable time.23:10 - Starting Small to Prove ConceptsBen Hafele introduces the "Convinced Do Loop," highlighting the importance of starting small to prove concepts instead of trying to convince everyone at once, thereby enabling more effective product management strategies.Episode resources:Monica Lewis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamlewis/Kristin Dorsett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristindorsett/Dheerja Kaur: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dheerja/Lucie Buisson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-buisson/David Myszewski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmyszewski/Amber Brestowski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-brestowski-019b56ab/Marco De Freitas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-de-freitas-80416714/Oliver Seil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-seil/Eilon Reshef: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eilonreshef/Ben Hafele: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hafele/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Introduction03:03 Monica Lewis: Grow where you are04:28 Kristin Dorsett: Don’t sweat the small stuff07:36 Lucie Buisson: Use AI to reclaim time for strategy11:12 David Myszewski: Lean into what’s working13:30 Amber & Marco: Obsess over problems, be ruthless with priorities18:50 Oliver Seil: Learn with intention21:20 Ben Hafele: Start small and let doing drive buy-in
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Episode 235: Inside Product Ops: How Teams Scale Strategy
In this episode, Quincy Hunte, Mark Rosenberg, Vivian Finney, Jessica Soroky and Hugo Froes join Melissa Perri to delve into the evolving world of Product Operations (ProdOps) and its impact on scaling product management within organizations. They explore how structuring product operations can enhance efficiency, align business and technology goals, and transform how product teams function. The conversation also touches on the integration of AI in prod ops, aiming to elevate strategic involvement while minimizing administrative tasks.Join us to discover how these leaders are pioneering scalable planning, OKR systems, and treating internal teams as customers to improve decision-making and reduce friction.Want to learn how to optimize product operations for better strategic insights and decision-making? Tune in to this episode to gain practical insights and strategies for enhancing your product management functions.You’ll hear us talk about:08:45 - Structuring Product Operations for EfficiencyQuincy Hunt discusses the significance of structuring product operations to boost efficiency and align technology with business goals. He emphasizes the need for agile teams and clear decision-making roles, which are crucial for product managers to understand.18:20 - AI's Role in Shifting from Admin to StrategyThe conversation shifts to how AI can transform product operations by reducing the focus on administrative tasks, allowing product managers to engage more in strategic roles and decision-making processes.31:50 - Treating Internal Teams as CustomersMark Rosenberg and Vivian Finney share insights on how treating internal product teams as customers can streamline processes, reduce friction, and improve overall decision-making, which is essential for product managers looking to enhance team dynamics and outcomes.Episode resources:Quincy Hunte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quincyhunte/Mark Rosenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rosenberg-724653/Vivian Phinney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivian-phinney/Jessica Soroky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicasoroky/Hugo Froes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugofroes/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Introduction02:42 Prod Ops fundamentals07:45 Bridging tech and business through prod ops09:42 Driving visibility and standardization at scale16:11 Balancing autonomy and structure17:39 Integrating AI and evolving product ops tools21:35 Creating scalable planning and OKR systems24:39 Enabling faster decisions through insight curation
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Episode 234: What Product Leaders Are Saying About AI
In this episode, we delve into the transformative role of AI in product management through conversations with some of the best Product leaders. You’ll hear from Anthony Maggio (VP Product Management at Airtable), Jessica Hall (CPO at Just Eat Takeaway), Karthik Suri (CPO at Cornerston OnDemand), Mario Rodriguez (CPO at Github), Steve Wilson (CPO at Exabeam), Darren Wilson (CPO at Soul Machines), and Tamar Yehoshua (Former Glean President of Product and Technology).We explore how AI tools are reshaping strategy and efficiency, while personalizing customer experiences. Join us as we discuss the impact of AI, and the future of product strategy. Are you curious about how AI can revolutionize your product management approach? Tune in to discover insights and practical applications that could redefine your strategies and customer interactions.You’ll hear us talk about:10:05 - AI's Role in Product StrategyExplore how product leaders are integrating AI into their strategic planning, focusing on addressing significant business and customer problems. The discussion highlights the experimental applications of AI in enhancing customer journeys and optimizing backend processes.18:45 - Enhancing Customer Interaction with Digital AvatarsWe dive into the world of digital avatars and their role in creating empathetic and personalized customer interactions. This section covers how avatars can be used for language learning and practicing difficult conversations in a non-judgmental setting.27:30 - Cybersecurity in the Age of AIUnderstand the evolving landscape of cybersecurity with AI's influence. Learn about the dual nature of AI in enhancing defenses and creating new threat vectors, emphasizing the importance of rapid AI adoption to stay competitive in the cybersecurity arena.Episode Resources:Anthony Maggio (VP Product Management at Airtable): https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonymaggio/Jessica Hall (CPO at Just Eat Takeaway): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicalrhall/Karthik Suri (CPO at Cornerston OnDemand): http://linkedin.com/in/surikarthik/Mario Rodriguez (CPO at Github): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorodriguez3/Steve Wilson (CPO at Exabeam): https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilsonsd/Darren Wilson (CPO at Soul Machines): https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpjwilson/Tamar Yehoshua (Former President of Product): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamar-yehoshua-886217/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Coming Up01:37 Intro02:57 AI raising the bar for PMs06:57 Using AI to improve personalization10:52 Reimagining products with emerging AI14:55 AI behind GitHub Copilot20:21 AI’s risks and impact on cybersecurity24:22 AI avatars and emotional interaction30:42 How PMs can stay relevant in the AI age
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Episode 233: How Linear Builds Tools Developers Actually Want with Nan Yu
Join Melissa Perri as she sits down with Nan Yu, Head of Product at Linear, to explore how Linear is reshaping project management tools for software development. This episode delves into creating seamless user experiences, the evolving role of AI in product management, and the importance of aligning product strategy with company goals.In this engaging conversation, Nan shares insights on how Linear is designed to enhance software development, the strategies for balancing feature requests with strategic development, and the role of AI in reducing administrative burdens for product managers. If you're looking to understand how to align product strategy with real-world customer needs while leveraging cutting-edge technology, this episode is a must-listen.Don't miss out on this insightful discussion! Tune in to learn how to elevate your product management skills and strategies.You’ll hear us talk about:08:00 - Restoring the Joy in Software DevelopmentNan Yu explains how Linear aims to bring back the fun in software development by minimizing friction and enhancing user experience, allowing developers to focus on creating.21:00 - Rethinking Estimation and CapacityDiscussing the challenges of scope and estimation in Agile environments, Nan provides insights on how Linear encourages milestone-based development rather than fixed scopes.40:00 - AI's Role in Streamlining WorkflowsNan talks about the impact of AI on product management, highlighting how AI can take over routine tasks, allowing PMs to focus on strategic and customer-focused activities.Episode resources:Nan on X: https://x.com/thenanyuLinear: https://linear.app/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Coming Up02:38 Dear Melissa06:57 Getting into Linear14:54 Making Linear engaging for developers and PMs22:58 Capacity, estimation, and internal collaboration29:58 AI’s role in streamlining PM workflows36:07 Linking strategy to execution and future trends40:45 Advice to younger self
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Episode 232: The Art and Science of Product Decisions with Jameson Troutman
Join Melissa Perri as she sits down with Jameson Troutman, Head of Product for Small Business at JP Morgan Chase, to explore the dynamic world of product management. In this episode, Jameson shares his insights on balancing the art and science of product management, emphasizing the need for product managers to trust their judgment alongside leveraging data and research.Jameson delves into the importance of maintaining a customer-centric approach, ensuring that every product decision aligns with customer feedback and business goals. He also touches on the integration of AI in product management, which automates routine tasks, allowing product managers more time for strategic thinking.If you're interested in how to harness the power of curiosity within your product team, align strategies in large organizations, and utilize data insights to enhance customer experience, this episode is a must-listen.Want to gain a deeper understanding of successful product management strategies? Tune in to hear Jameson's expert advice on how to navigate the challenges of product management in a corporate setting.You’ll hear us talk about:15:40 - Empowering Product Managers with AIJameson discusses how AI can be used to automate mundane tasks in product management, freeing up time for more strategic activities. He highlights the importance of leveraging AI tools to improve efficiency and decision-making processes within product teams.28:15 - The Role of Curiosity in Product TeamsIn this section, Jameson emphasizes the need for product managers to cultivate curiosity within their teams. He explains how asking the right questions and understanding the "why" behind products can lead to more impactful solutions and innovations.42:05 - Strategic Alignment and Flexibility in Large OrganizationsJameson addresses the challenges of aligning product strategy with budget constraints in large companies. He highlights the importance of maintaining flexibility and open communication to successfully navigate these challenges and achieve organizational goals.Episode Resources:Jameson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameson-troutman/Chase for Business: https://www.chase.com/businessCheck our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Intro02:44 Dear Melissa07:05 Evolving into product leadership12:27 Building judgment in product teams15:50 Discovering customer insights and adapting strategy21:32 Building with data and platform readiness28:18 Aligning strategy and budget35:13 Collaborative prioritization and ownership38:26 AI’s real value in product management43:07 Future trends and advice for PMs
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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