In this episode of Product Chronicles - The Brazilian Way, Joca Torres, Fabio Duarte, and Paulo Carolli delve into the concept of metrics in product development, addressing the complexities of measuring success in modern products. They discuss how choosing the right metrics is pivotal to ensuring that a product solves real customer problems effectively and how it impacts both team behavior and the product's success.
Key Topics Discussed:
➡️ The challenge of defining product success through metrics;
➡️ Product vs. software: What makes a product truly valuable?
➡️ The importance of aligning metrics with customer happiness;
➡️ Balancing the right metrics with organizational goals;
➡️ Why focusing on customer outcomes is more important than tracking every metric;
➡️ Real-world examples of how to measure the success of products effectively;
➡️ How to ensure that your product’s outcome aligns with your team’s and customer’s expectations;
➡️ The danger of focusing too much on dashboards and losing sight of the bigger picture.
Tune in to hear how measuring the right metrics can lead to better product development, focusing on outcomes that genuinely solve customer needs.
In this episode of Product Chronicles - The Brazilian Way, Joca Torres, Fabio Duarte, and Paulo Carolli dive into the misconceptions surrounding OKRs and how to use them effectively in both strategic and tactical contexts. They explore how these tools can drive business success, but also the pitfalls to avoid.
➡️ Why OKRs should differ between strategic and tactical levels;
➡️ The common mistake of equating OKRs with tasks and deliverables;
➡️ The role of leadership in guiding OKRs vs. team ownership;
➡️ How to create alignment and focus within cross-functional teams;
➡️ The importance of measuring outcomes, not just outputs;
➡️ When to use OKRs for product launches and when not to;
➡️ Key lessons from real-world applications of OKRs.
Discover how the right approach to OKRs can clarify your team's direction and accelerate results without getting caught in unnecessary complexity.
On this edition of Product Chronicles - Brazilian Way, Joca Torres, Fabio Duarte and Paulo Caroli explore how AI is reshaping product development, beyond the hype. They share lessons on when AI drives real value, where it falls short, and why clear product vision and minimal lovable products remain essential for success.
➡️ Deterministic vs. probabilistic solutions and why this matters for product teams;
➡️ Generative AI vs. Analytic AI – choosing the right approach for your problem;
➡️ The risks of “AI for AI’s sake” and how to avoid wasted effort;
➡️ Human-in-the-loop: the critical role of humans in guiding and refactoring AI-driven code;
➡️ How AI accelerates MVPs but doesn’t replace clear product strategy;
➡️ Lessons from real cases in conversational interfaces and recommendation algorithms;
➡️ The future of user interfaces, voice, natural language, and beyond.
Discover how adopting the right AI mindset can transform product development into a driver of real business outcomes and customer impact.
On this edition of the "Products Brazilian Way" podcast, Fabio Duarte, Joca Torres, and Paulo Caroli explore the concept of MVP (Minimum Viable Product) and its evolving role in the tech industry. They discuss how MVP has transformed from a Lean Startup concept to a critical framework for building products that solve real customer problems, fast and effectively.
Key Topics Discussed:
➡️ The origin and evolution of the MVP concept
➡️ MVP vs. MSP (Minimum Sellable Product) – understanding the differences
➡️ The significance of rapid testing and iteration in product development
➡️ How MVPs are applied in both startups and established companies
➡️ Lean methodology and the core principle of “Build, Measure, Learn”
➡️ Real-life MVP challenges and how to overcome them with limited resources
➡️ The impact of MVPs in both new and updated products
➡️ Why embracing simplicity and speed is essential for modern product success
Dive into the discussion to learn how embracing the MVP mindset can help you accelerate product development and better address customer needs, even with limited resources and tight deadlines.
In today's episode of the "Products Brazilian Way" podcast, Fabio Duarte and Joca Torres welcome Paulo Caroli, a veteran in the product world, to discuss his international journey. Caroli shares how he started in Brazil, his experience in startups, and his transition to ThoughtWorks. He also talks about the cultural differences when working with international teams, highlighting how Brazilians have a unique and creative approach to products, as well as his experiences in countries such as the United States, India, and Spain.
Key Topics Discussed:
➡️ Paulo Caroli's start in product management and his international journey
➡️ How his experience in Silicon Valley shaped his view on products
➡️ Cultural differences in the workplace in countries like the USA, India, Brazil, and Spain
➡️ The Brazilian flexibility and their unique ability to communicate and solve problems
➡️ How working in different countries impacts product management and agile methodologies
➡️ The importance of adapting to local cultures, from communication styles to hierarchical approaches
➡️ Leadership, collaboration, and team management lessons in global environments
Join the conversation to understand how international experience and Brazilian culture combine to build impactful products worldwide.
In this episode, Fabio Duarte interviews Joca Torres, one of the most experienced product leaders in Brazil, to dive into his journey from building internet companies in the '90s to leading global product teams at companies like Gympass and Lopes. They explore how Brazilian professionals approach product differently, what it takes to succeed across cultures, and how to structure teams for real impact, no matter the country.
Key Topics Discussed:
➡️ How Joca’s product mindset started before the role even existed
➡️ The pros and cons of leading product and tech under the same hat
➡️ Team topologies: by product, journey, or persona?
➡️ Cultural nuances when building products for global markets
➡️ Why Brazilian PMs are gaining recognition worldwide
➡️ What companies need to understand about product culture
➡️ Why transformation doesn’t happen by decree — but by results
In this episode, Joca Torres and Fabio Duarte reflect on their journeys in product management, both in Brazil and internationally. They share personal stories and insights from their global experiences, offering valuable lessons on how to succeed in the dynamic world of product management.
Key Topics Discussed:
➡️ How Brazilian product managers tackle global challenges
➡️ Creativity and adaptability in cross-cultural product teams
➡️ The significance of data-driven decision-making
➡️ The importance of understanding cultural nuances in product delivery
➡️ Tips on navigating international product markets
Ever thought about how product challenges are strikingly similar around the world?
That’s what I discovered when I stepped out of my comfort zone and traveled across six European cities. The goal? To launch my book in new languages and (in)validate a hypothesis: that the challenges of product management and development are universal.
With each conversation I had with professionals from different countries, the hypothesis proved true. Regardless of language or digital maturity, the same questions kept coming up: how to create real impact, how to align technology with strategy, how to build the trust needed to operate autonomously.
I came back even more convinced that, in product, listening carefully and acting with intention remain our greatest strengths.
Have you ever thought that managing a portfolio with numbers alone can blind you to the future? Just as the BCG Matrix helps you understand where to allocate resources today, Product Vision shows you where we should go. But used in isolation, each has its limitations.
Together, they expand our decision-making capacity—both tactical and strategic—and reveal not only what needs attention now but also what deserves investment in the years ahead. Portfolio management isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about direction.
Have you ever thought that writing was once seen as a threat? Just as Socrates feared it would weaken memory and human knowledge, today many view artificial intelligence with the same concern. But like writing, AI can be a lever — not a replacement — to expand our thinking, creativity, and the way we create products.
Are we really preparing those who are just starting out in product? Understand why turning APMs into assistants can be a mistake — and how to offer more complete and effective learning from the very beginning of their careers.
Business on one side, product on the other? That model is outdated. Companies like Nubank and Netflix grow because they integrate strategy, technology, and product in a unified way. Want to understand how to apply this approach to your company? Listen to the episode.
Have you ever stopped to think about how the separation between strategy and execution can impact the user experience? Learn how a common concept in tech companies can lead to unexpected challenges — and why aligning roles and goals is essential to creating truly integrated products
Have you ever wondered how misinterpretations can affect product management structures? Discover why the role of the Product Owner is not always subordinate to the Product Manager and how this confusion can impact the organization.
Through a series of articles, we will explore the most common misconceptions about the role of the Product Owner and present solutions for more effective product management. Our goal is to promote an open and constructive debate that contributes to the evolution of the field and the delivery of increasingly innovative and relevant products.
In this final episode of the first season, we’ll discuss how technology can transform your business strategy. We'll explore how product culture and digital transformation put innovation at the heart of business decisions. From agile, results-driven delivery to an ecosystem mindset, discover how companies of various profiles use these principles to achieve digital maturity and solve problems effectively.
Have you ever wondered what takes priority in a product's success: the user experience or the value it delivers? This dilemma is common among startup founders and product leaders. Drawing from my experiences at Gympass and other companies, I’d like to share some insights on this crucial issue.
Have you ever stopped to think about the challenges of product discovery? In this episode, we will dive deeper into the topic and uncover three common misconceptions that can undermine your success: the idea that you need to do discovery for everything, the belief that the focus is solely on understanding the problem, and the notion that the engineering team should prioritize delivery. Discover how addressing these myths can transform your approach and elevate your product to a new level.
Have you heard about the concept of Founder Mode? This emerging topic has been gaining attention among startup founders and the product community. In today's episode, we explore how Founder Mode goes beyond being involved in operational details. It's about defining and clearly communicating the vision of what you want to build, assembling a team to bring that vision to life, and working on the crucial details with the team to make that idea a reality.
Want to better understand what product discovery is and how to avoid common misconceptions? In this fourth episode, I explore the pitfalls many fall into by confusing discovery with a rigid process. Through illustrative stories, I demonstrate that discovery is actually a set of tools for mitigating risks and a crucial mindset for spotting opportunities, even in mistakes.
