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Product Thinking
Melissa Perri
254 episodes
2 days ago
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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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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Business
Episodes (20/254)
Product Thinking
Episode 254: Pushing Back on Unsustainable Workloads

Join Melissa Perri in this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast as she tackles the complex issue of managing an overwhelming workload as a product manager. A senior product manager shares their struggle of handling five engineering teams, a task typically assigned to multiple product managers. Melissa offers practical advice on how to communicate with leadership, prioritize effectively, and implement systems to manage scope.

If you've ever faced the challenge of balancing broad strategic oversight with detailed management, this episode is a must-listen. Melissa's insights will help you understand how to align your team's work with company goals while maintaining quality and focus.


You’ll hear us talk about:

  • 03:36 - The Classic Project Management Trade-Off

Melissa discusses the well-known project management saying about scope, quality, and speed, explaining how product managers must often choose between these competing priorities.

  • 04:44 - Proposing Solutions to Manage Workload

Melissa provides a framework for presenting options to leadership, including hiring additional product managers and weighing the opportunity costs of current workloads.

  • 07:40 - Building Internal Systems for Workload Management

Melissa advises on creating internal systems to distribute work, allowing development leads to step into prioritization roles, thus enabling a more balanced workload distribution.

Tune in to gain actionable strategies and ensure your product management approach aligns with your organization's strategic goals.


Episode resources:

Check the localization report: https://lokalise.com/library/data-reports/localization-revenue-report-2025/

Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/

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6 days ago
10 minutes 39 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 253: Intelligent Friction in Digital Banking with Tony Brancato

Tony Brancato, Chief Product Officer at Charlie Financial, joins Melissa Perri on the Product Thinking Podcast to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in developing financial products for older Americans. With a focus on security and user-friendliness, Tony shares how Charlie Financial is reimagining banking for the senior demographic, often overlooked by tech innovations.

The conversation reveals insights into building trust with users, the role of intelligent friction in product design, and the importance of understanding user needs in product development.

Want to know how to create impactful financial products that cater to the senior market? Listen to the full episode with Tony Brancato to discover how empathy, security, and strategic product decisions are shaping the future of digital banking for older adults.


You’ll hear us talk about:

  • 07:15 - Understanding Different User Needs Across Ages

Tony explains the distinct differences between 62-year-olds and 75-year-olds when it comes to digital banking needs and preferences, highlighting how product features must be tailored accordingly to meet diverse expectations.

  • 12:59 - Designing Intelligent Friction to Prevent Fraud

Discover how Charlie Financial's Fraud Shield introduces strategic friction to secure transactions and empower users to prevent fraud, offering peace of mind and control over their financial activities.

  • 23:12 - Measuring Success Beyond App Usage

Tony discusses how Charlie Financial measures success not just by app engagement, but by the financial health and security of its customers, emphasizing the educational aspect of their services to help users recognize and prevent scams.


Episode resources:

Charlie Financial: https://www.charlie.com/

Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonybrancato/

Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/

Check the localization report: https://lokalise.com/library/data-reports/localization-revenue-report-2025/


Timestamps:

00:00 Tony’s Journey to Charlie Financial

07:06 Feature Design and User Research for Seniors

12:57 Tackling Fraud With Empathy and Innovation

20:50 Accessibility and Simplification Strategies

30:18 Surprises, Trust, and Social Media Vulnerabilities

34:15 Fraud Trends, AI, and Closing Thoughts

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1 week ago
38 minutes 8 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 252: Understanding Product vs Project Management

In this episode, Melissa Perri dives into the often-confused realms of product management and project management. Many people conflate these roles, but they serve distinct purposes and bring different values to an organization. Melissa unpacks the unique responsibilities and skills required for each role and discusses how they can effectively complement each other to drive product success.

Whether you're a seasoned product leader or new to the field, this conversation will provide clarity and actionable insights on how to align these functions within your teams.

If you're eager to distinguish between product and project management, and to learn how these roles can work in harmony to propel your product initiatives forward, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to hear Melissa's expert advice and start applying these insights to your own product strategies today.


You’ll hear us talk about:

  • 01:19 - Differentiating Product and Project Management

Melissa clarifies the core differences between product and project management, emphasizing the importance of focusing on value creation and timelines.

  • 02:43 - The Role of Agile in Product Development

A discussion on how Agile practices have transformed traditional project management roles and why product managers often take on project tasks in smaller teams.

  • 04:04 - Leveraging Roles for Product Success

Insights into how larger organizations can benefit from dedicated project managers and the value they add in coordinating across multiple products and teams.


Episode resources:

Check out Angel Squad: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissa

Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/

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2 weeks ago
7 minutes 17 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 251: From CERN to FemTech Innovation with Magda Armbruster

Dr. Magda Armbruster, Head of Product at Natural Cycles, joins Melissa Perri to discuss her unique journey from physics to product management, and how she leverages her scientific background to innovate in women's health technology. As the first FDA-cleared birth control app, Natural Cycles offers a non-hormonal alternative for women and is expanding into new areas such as perimenopause. Dr. Armbruster delves into the challenges and opportunities of integrating user feedback, scientific data, and regulatory compliance in product development. Explore how Natural Cycles maintains user trust through data privacy, and discover the role of AI and wearables in personalizing health experiences. Dr. Armbruster shares her insights on fostering collaboration between product and regulatory teams, balancing innovation with compliance, and the importance of transparency and communication in product management.Want to understand how to successfully develop compliant, user-centered health tech products? Tune in to gain insights from Dr. Armbruster's experience in transforming women's health through product innovation.You’ll hear us talk about:10:45 - Integrating Scientific Rigor in Product DevelopmentDr. Armbruster explains how her background in physics informs her approach to product management at Natural Cycles. She discusses the importance of applying scientific methods to product development, ensuring that products are both innovative and evidence-based.22:15 - Ensuring Data Privacy and User ControlThe conversation turns to data privacy, where Dr. Armbruster highlights how Natural Cycles prioritizes user control over their data. She details the features that allow users to manage their data, reflecting the company's commitment to trust and security.35:00 - Balancing Innovation with Regulatory ComplianceDr. Armbruster shares strategies for maintaining a balance between innovation and compliance. She emphasizes the importance of early collaboration with regulatory teams to ensure that new products meet compliance requirements without stifling creativity and user-centric design.Episode resources:Natural Cycles: https://www.naturalcycles.com/Magda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magda-armbruster-326692a/Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/Timestamps:00:00 From CERN to FemTech06:18 Scientific Thinking in Product Leadership14:03 Education and transparency20:52 Science-Backed Collaboration Across Teams26:54 Regulation as a Framework for Innovation31:46 Future of FemTech and Advice for Product Leaders

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3 weeks ago
37 minutes 42 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 250: Building Smart: Clarity Over Perfection

What framework or experience do product managers rely on to determine when a feature is ready for delivery?


Product managers should balance clarity and collaboration with developers when determining if a feature is ready for delivery. Key considerations include validating the feature's worth, assessing risk levels, and ensuring specifications provide enough context for developers to start coding without needing every detail defined. Iteration and communication are essential for successful product development, allowing teams to adapt and refine features as they progress.


Episode resources:

Get a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissa

Check all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking

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1 month ago
12 minutes 37 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 249: Moving Beyond Function in Product Management with Nesrine Changuel

In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri welcomes Nesrine Changuel, a seasoned product coach, trainer, and author, known for her work at Google, Spotify, and Microsoft. Nesrine shares her journey and insights into creating products that users truly love by focusing on emotional connections and the concept of "Product Delight” - the name of her recently launched book.

She discusses how understanding both functional and emotional user motivators is crucial in designing tech products that stand out and are memorable. Throughout the conversation, Nesrine explores the challenges and strategies for implementing emotional elements into product design, emphasizing the importance of balancing functional needs with the emotional experiences of users. She shares examples of how tech giants approach product delight and the significance of inclusivity in product design.

Want to learn how to create tech products that are not just functional but also delight users on an emotional level? Tune in to this enlightening conversation with Nesrine Changuel.


You’ll hear us talk about:

  • 06:39 - The Pillars of Product Delight

Nesrine explains the three pillars of product delight: removing friction, anticipating needs, and exceeding expectations. She shares how they apply to products like the Revolut app, which continuously surprises users with new, useful features.

  • 13:40 - Tackling Zoom Fatigue

Nesrine discusses how Google Meet tackled user boredom and low interaction during COVID-19 by introducing features like background blur and emoji reactions to enhance privacy and engagement, helping alleviate "Zoom fatigue."

  • 36:46 - AI and Emotional Connections

Nesrine expresses her concerns about AI's current inability to address emotional needs in products, emphasizing the importance of maintaining emotional connections in the increasingly functional world driven by AI advancements.


Episode resources:

Product Delight on Amazon: https://a.co/d/9sLws71

Book landing page: www.productdelightbook.com

Delight Tips (Substack): https://nesrinechanguel.substack.com/

My website: www.nesrine-changuel.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nesrinechanguel/

Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev

Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/


Timestamps:

00:00 Nesrine Career Journey

11:16 Emotional Motivators

17:22 Measuring Delight: Happiness and Impact

22:17 Deep vs. Surface Delight

28:19 Inclusivity, Missteps, and the Excellence Checklist

36:23 AI, Emotion, and the Risk of Sameness

40:47 Advice and Final Thoughts

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1 month ago
43 minutes 37 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 248: Escaping the Reactive Trap in Product Teams

How can a product manager handle a backlog of unanswered customer support tickets and enhancement requests while transitioning to a more strategic approach?

Addressing a backlog of customer requests requires strategic thinking rather than reactive responses. To manage this, categorize requests into buckets, establish communication rhythms for backlog reviews, and reset stakeholder expectations. Focus on quick wins to build credibility, engage with stakeholders collaboratively, and protect time for strategic discovery. Ultimately, create a framework for product strategy to prioritize feature enhancements effectively while involving customer support in the triaging process.

Episode resources:Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/devGet a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissaCheck all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking

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1 month ago
13 minutes 37 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 247: Freeing Teams from Operational Overload with John Cutler

In this episode, Melissa Perri is joined by John Cutler to explore the often overlooked yet crucial role of product operations in driving organizational success. They dive into the balancing act between having the right people and the right processes, emphasizing how both are essential in managing complexity and fostering innovation.

The conversation takes a deep dive into strategic planning, discussing flexible frameworks and the balance between simplification and nuance. They also touch upon the potential impact of AI in product operations, addressing the opportunities and challenges it presents for product managers.

Curious about how to enhance your product management approach through strategic product operations? Listen to the full episode!


You’ll hear us talk about:

14:10 - The Balance Between People and Processes

John Cutler explains the false dichotomy between having great people and needing processes in product management. He emphasizes the importance of both elements to effectively navigate uncertainty and complexity in product development.

28:05 - Simplification vs. Nuance in Product Operations

The discussion revolves around how to balance simplifying models for broader understanding while retaining the necessary nuance to capture the complexity of operations. John Cutler shares his perspective on maintaining this delicate balance.

35:20 - Leveraging AI in Product Operations

Melissa Perri and John Cutler discuss the potential for AI tools to streamline processes in product operations, reducing the need for large teams and enhancing productivity. They also address some of the skepticism around the necessity of these roles.


Episode resources:

John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpcutler/

TBM Newsletter: https://cutlefish.substack.com/

Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev

Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/

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1 month ago
54 minutes 41 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 246: Rethinking the Role of R&D

How can a company successfully integrate an R&D department that primarily works with academia within a product management model that emphasizes engineering, design, and business?


The discussion emphasizes the role of R&D in product management, questioning its necessity when engineering teams are empowered. R&D can serve as content or market experts but may become disconnected from customer value if not integrated properly. It's important to align R&D efforts with customer needs and business value, especially considering the size of the company and available resources.


Episode resources:

Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev

Get a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissa

Check all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking

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1 month ago
7 minutes 17 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 245: Building Product Thinking in Engineering Teams with Matt Watson

Join Melissa Perri as she sits down with Matt Watson, founder and CEO of Full Scale, to delve into the evolving world of product management and software development. In this insightful conversation, Matt shares his journey from developer to CEO, offering lessons on how to blend engineering expertise with product thinking. Discover how Matt encourages a culture of ownership and courage among teams, and how AI is reshaping the roles of engineers and product managers alike.

If you're interested in enhancing your product management skills and understanding the importance of clarity, communication, and collaboration in tech teams, this episode is a must-listen. Matt’s insights will resonate with anyone looking to break out of the build trap and focus on delivering real value to customers.

Tune in to gain practical strategies for fostering innovation and empowering your team to think beyond the code.


You’ll hear us talk about:

  • 10:15 - Encouraging Product Thinking in Engineers

Matt discusses the importance of engineers understanding the product's broader impact, not just focusing on the technical aspects. He emphasizes the need for engineers to see themselves as part of the product team, contributing to the overall vision and strategy.

  • 22:40 - The Role of Clarity and Communication

In this segment, Matt highlights the significance of maintaining clarity in software development. He shares how regular communication and one-on-ones are essential for coaching and ensuring everyone understands the vision and scope of projects.

  • 35:55 - The Impact of AI on Engineering Roles

Matt explores how AI is transforming traditional engineering roles, pushing engineers to adopt more product thinking. He underscores the growing importance of emotional intelligence and teamwork as AI takes on more technical tasks.


Episode resources:

Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwatsonkc/

Product Driven: https://productdriven.com/

Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/about-us/

Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev

Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/


Timestamps:

00:00 Matt's career journey

08:07 Giving engineers context and autonomy

15:51 Building psychological safety for courage

21:26 Creating ownership through one-on-ones

26:31 Redefining roles in the age of AI

30:16 Shifting from order takers to product owners

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1 month ago
37 minutes 15 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 244: Thriving as a Platform Product Manager

What advice can you give for transitioning from end-user product management to platform product management, particularly regarding daily responsibilities and understanding the new role?


The podcast discusses the transition to platform product management, emphasizing the importance of understanding internal users and workflows. It advises product managers to learn technical aspects like APIs and DevOps, collaborate with engineering teams, and align platform strategies with commercial goals. The role requires a focus on scalability and internal user experience while maintaining awareness of business objectives, highlighting the growing demand for skilled platform product managers.


Episode resources:

Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev

Get a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissa

Check all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking


This episode was originally aired on December 15th 2023.

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1 month ago
9 minutes 40 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 243: Embracing Visual Collaboration in the Age of AI with Elaina O’Mahoney

In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri sits down with Elaina O'Mahoney, the Chief Product Officer at Mural, to explore the evolving landscape of product operations, the strategic use of AI, and the essential collaboration between product and go-to-market teams. Elaina shares her insights into how organizations can streamline their product operations and effectively integrate AI to enhance user experience without losing the human touch.

She also delves into the dynamics of working with go-to-market teams to ensure products are aligned with market needs from the outset. For product leaders looking to enhance their strategic approach and better align with sales and marketing, this episode provides valuable perspectives and practical advice from a seasoned expert in the field.

Want to understand how to integrate AI into your products strategically and enhance your product operations? Tune in to hear Elaina's insights on building a collaborative product culture.


You'll hear us talk about:

  • 06:01 - Visual Collaboration and Decision Making

Elaina discusses the transformative role of visual collaboration tools like MURAL in product development. She highlights how these tools enable faster decision-making and efficient iteration by providing a shared visual language across teams.

  • 20:57 - Embedding Product with Go-To-Market Teams

Elaina explores the benefits of integrating product management with go-to-market strategies. She explains how involving product marketing early in the process leads to a more seamless transition from development to market, reducing friction and accelerating time-to-market.

  • 28:27 - Future of Product Operations

Elaina shares her vision for the future of product operations, emphasizing the need to streamline tools and processes. She talks about the importance of focusing on outcomes, customer needs, and metrics to avoid the trap of building features without clear purpose.


Episode resources:

Mural: https://www.mural.co/

Elaina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eomahoney/

Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev

Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/


Timestamps:

00:00 Entering Mural and navigating product leadership

10:57 Enabling product creativity and outcome-driven teams

16:26 Building strong partnerships with sales and GTM teams

24:29 Balancing AI innovation with enterprise needs

30:34 Future of product leadership and final reflections

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1 month ago
33 minutes 28 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 242: Why Context Switching Slows You Down

What advice do you have for a situation where multiple product managers are accessing the same developer team, potentially slowing down delivery?


Navigating multiple product managers sharing the same development team can lead to inefficiencies and context switching, which negatively impacts productivity. It's crucial to have dedicated developers for specific areas to improve ownership and accountability. The typical ratio of product managers to developers should be reconsidered, and if the workload is too high, hiring more developers may be necessary. Tracking productivity metrics and engaging developers in discussions can help present a case for leadership to make informed decisions about team structure and resource allocation.


Episode resources:

Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev

Get a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissa

Check all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking

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2 months ago
10 minutes 13 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 241: Mastering AI Strategy in Enterprise Teams with Maryam Ashoori

In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Dr. Maryam Ashoori joins Melissa Perri to explore the transformative impact of AI on product management. Maryam shares her insights into how AI is reshaping roles within the industry, particularly the evolving relationship between product managers and engineers. With AI increasingly influencing design processes, she discusses the shift from traditional UI building to prompt definition. The conversation also delves into the distinct capabilities of AI agents compared to generative AI, highlighting their potential for reasoning and task automation.


Maryam provides valuable guidance for enterprises on adopting AI strategically, emphasizing the importance of focusing on specific problems rather than being swayed by emerging technologies. The episode also touches on the challenges large organizations face in integrating AI tools amidst rapid technological changes.


Curious about how AI can redefine your product management approach? Tune in to this episode for a deep dive into AI's role in transforming industry practices and discover actionable insights for leveraging AI within your organization.


You’ll hear us talk about:

05:45 - The Evolution of Product Management Roles with AI

Maryam discusses the increasing integration of AI in product management, emphasizing the shift towards focusing on building the right products, not just any products. She highlights how AI is changing the dynamics between product managers and engineers.

14:10 - Designers' New Role in the AI Era

The conversation shifts to how AI is impacting design roles, with designers moving away from traditional UI construction to defining prompts for AI. Maryam explains how this evolution is changing the design landscape.

22:30 - Strategic AI Adoption in Enterprises

Maryam shares her insights on how enterprises can successfully adopt AI by starting small with proof of concepts and scaling strategically. She emphasizes focusing on problem-solving rather than being distracted by the latest tech trends.


Episode resources:

Maryam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mashoori/

Watsonx.governance: https://www.ibm.com/products/watsonx-governance

Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev

Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/


Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

02:43 Maryam's career journey

05:07 AI agents and their role in business

07:45 Capabilities and limitations of AI agents

16:07 Guardrails and practical use of AI in teams

24:21 Creativity, UI standardization, and product strategy

28:10 Enterprise AI adoption and building future-ready strategy

34:38 Emerging trends and opportunities for product leaders

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2 months ago
37 minutes 32 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 240: Mastering Product Craft as a New VP

What advice can a new VP of product, with extensive industry experience but limited product management experience, receive to succeed in their role?


Advice for a new VP of product with industry experience but limited product management knowledge includes understanding product management as a craft, learning key concepts and methodologies, and leveraging industry expertise to empathize with customers. It's essential to establish a collaborative environment with product managers, focus on defining problems rather than solutions, and continuously engage with users to inform product strategy. Building strong relationships with engineering and design teams, while being open to feedback and learning, will help in successfully transitioning into the role.


Episode resources:

Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev

Get a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissa

Check all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking

Show more...
2 months ago
13 minutes 43 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 239: Navigating the AI Shift at Stack Overflow with Jody Bailey

Jody Bailey, the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Stack Overflow, joins Melissa Perri to discuss the integration of AI and product strategy in one of the world’s largest online communities for technologists. Jody shares insights on how Stack Overflow is navigating the rapid technological advancements and adapting to maintain long-term trust within its community.

They delve into the challenges and opportunities AI presents and how it influences product management at Stack Overflow. Curious about how AI is reshaping the product landscape and how Stack Overflow is positioning itself in this new era? Tune in to discover how Jody Bailey is leading the charge at the intersection of technology and community.


You'll hear us talk about:

  • 06:52 - Building Trusted AI Knowledge for Enterprises

Jody Bailey describes Stack Overflow's enterprise solution that maintains a positive feedback environment and identifies subject matter experts. He emphasizes the need for a trusted knowledge layer to manage and distribute proprietary information within organizations.

  • 13:43 - Leveraging Core Strengths in the AI Era

Jody discusses how Stack Overflow is focusing on its core strengths, such as human connection and technical information, to position itself as a vital source for technologists in a world increasingly turning to AI tools for quick answers.

  • 19:52 - Trust, Adoption, and the Limits of AI in Development Work

The conversation covers the importance of trust in Stack Overflow's community and how the platform ensures transparency and reliability, especially when integrating AI into its offerings. Jody highlights the need for a balanced approach to using AI without compromising on human interaction and knowledge.


Episode resources:

Jody on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodybailey/

Stack Overflow: https://stackoverflow.com/

Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev

Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/


Timestamps:

00:00 Coming Up

02:18 From retirement to Stack Overflow

06:52 Building trusted AI knowledge for enterprise

12:19 Redefining Stack Overflow’s strategy for the AI era

19:52 Trust, adoption, and the limits of AI in dev work

26:08 Keeping junior roles relevant in an AI future

32:22 Internal transparency and advice for ambitious leaders

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2 months ago
38 minutes 10 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 238: Managing Success Beyond the Build

What product management principles can be applied in an enterprise setting where teams implement a purchased SaaS tool rather than building their own?


The podcast discusses the role of product management in organizations that implement purchased software rather than building it. Melissa Perri emphasizes that product managers still need to evaluate whether the tools solve the right problems, customize them for their needs, and ensure they align with business goals. She encourages teams to practice good product management principles, regardless of whether they own the tools, and to communicate the importance of these practices to leadership.


Episode resources:

Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev

Get a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissa

Check all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking

Show more...
2 months ago
8 minutes 51 seconds

Product Thinking
Episode 237: Leading Creative Teams with Discipline with Keith Lucas

Keith Lucas, author and former product leader at Roblox, joins Melissa Perri to discuss his new book "Impact," which focuses on building high-performing, innovative teams. Keith shares insights from his experience leading teams at Roblox and explores how visionary leadership and mission-driven strategies can inspire and align teams for success. The conversation delves into creative constraints, the balance between vision and mission, and the continuous improvement necessary for effective leadership.

Ready to learn how to lead innovative teams and align them with your organization's mission? Tune in to gain valuable insights from Keith's experience and discover practical strategies for building impactful teams.


You’ll hear us talk about:

  • 05:45 - Visionary Leadership and Team Alignment

Keith explains the importance of visionary leadership and involving teams in strategy formation to inspire and align them with the organization's goals. He discusses how this approach helps in building trust and fostering a shared sense of purpose among team members.

  • 15:30 - Creative Constraints and Innovation

In this section, Keith emphasizes the need for creative constraints and maintaining flow states to foster innovation. He shares strategies on how leaders can set boundaries that encourage creativity without stifling the team's potential.

  • 27:20 - Decency Over Niceness in Leadership

Keith talks about the distinction between being decent and being nice as a leader. He argues that transparency and honesty are more valuable than mere niceness, especially when it comes to making tough decisions and fostering a culture of trust.


Episode resources:

Impact book: https://keithvlucas.com/writing/impact/

Keith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvlucas/

Check our course: https://productinstitute.com/


Timestamps:

00:00 Coming Up

02:40 Why Keith wrote Impact

09:33 Creating focus and the year of growth

15:30 OKRs, cadence, and Kanban approach

22:58 Mastery and ownership in high-performing teams

33:11 Course correction and tough calls

35:40 Decency over niceness and creating space for creativity

44:56 Intuition, mastery, and first steps for leaders

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2 months ago
51 minutes 35 seconds

Product Thinking
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 Job

Kristin 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 Productivity

Lucie 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 Concepts

Ben 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-overview


Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

03:03 Monica Lewis: Grow where you are

04:28 Kristin Dorsett: Don’t sweat the small stuff

07:36 Lucie Buisson: Use AI to reclaim time for strategy

11:12 David Myszewski: Lean into what’s working

13:30 Amber & Marco: Obsess over problems, be ruthless with priorities

18:50 Oliver Seil: Learn with intention

21:20 Ben Hafele: Start small and let doing drive buy-in

Show more...
2 months ago
23 minutes 58 seconds

Product Thinking
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 Efficiency

Quincy 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 Strategy

The 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 Customers

Mark 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-overview


Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

02:42 Prod Ops fundamentals

07:45 Bridging tech and business through prod ops

09:42 Driving visibility and standardization at scale

16:11 Balancing autonomy and structure

17:39 Integrating AI and evolving product ops tools

21:35 Creating scalable planning and OKR systems

24:39 Enabling faster decisions through insight curation

Show more...
3 months ago
27 minutes 23 seconds

Product Thinking
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.