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
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Episode 231: Laying the Groundwork for Startup Success with Julia Austin
In this episode, Melissa Perri is joined by Julia Austin, Author, Lecturer at Harvard Business School, and Founder of Good For Her, to discuss the essentials of building a strong startup foundation. They delve into the importance of understanding your customer and the problem you’re solving, the dynamics of co-founder relationships, and transitioning to outcome-based roadmaps. Julia shares insights on how AI can play a role in product development and gives advice for first-time product managers in startups.Julia emphasizes the need for founders to focus on financial and legal aspects, often overlooked in the excitement of building a product. The conversation offers valuable advice for product managers and founders aiming to build sustainable and successful startups.Want to gain insights into building a strong foundation for your startup and the role of product managers? Listen to the full episode for practical tips and strategies from Julia's extensive experience.You’ll hear us talk about:05:20 - Understanding Foundational Work in StartupsJulia Austin discusses why startups should spend 80% of their time on foundational work and discovery, emphasizing the importance of understanding the problem and target audience before developing solutions.12:45 - Transitioning to Outcome-Based RoadmapsMelissa Perri explains how product managers can shift from feature-based roadmaps to outcome-based ones, focusing on connecting outputs to outcomes and effectively communicating with stakeholders.24:10 - Advice for First Product Managers in StartupsJulia provides tips for new product managers on building trust with founders by understanding the company's history and aligning with the founders’ vision to help structure the startup's roadmap and priorities.Episode resources:Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaaustin/After the Idea book: https://www.aftertheideabook.com/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Introduction03:08 Dear Melissa08:34 Understanding Founder Relationships15:53 Operational Foundations for Startups26:20 Applying AI Thoughtfully35:26 Role of PMs in Startups43:48 Closing Remarks
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Episode 230: Structuring Product Teams Around Outcomes with Jose Quesada
Join us this week on the Product Thinking Podcast as we explore the intersection of digital innovation and product management with Jose Quesada, VP of Product Management for Mobile and Web at American Express. With over 15 years of experience, Jose provides valuable insights into transforming digital experiences within the financial industry and the pivotal role of experimentation in fostering innovation.Jose shares his approach to creating a culture of safe experimentation, the seamless integration of digital and physical financial products, and the importance of developing soft skills in product management. He offers a compelling perspective on how digital transformation is reshaping customer interactions and product strategies at American Express.You'll hear us talk about:- 11:25 - Embracing ExperimentationJose discusses the importance of using experimentation as a tool to reduce uncertainty, encouraging his team to innovate and learn from mistakes without fear.- 25:31 - Data-Driven Product StrategyJose emphasizes the significance of a dual-track approach in product development, balancing immediate business outcomes with future-focused discovery.- 33:24 - Building Psychological Safety for InnovationJose shares strategies for fostering a team environment where making mistakes is part of the learning process, thereby driving innovation and growth.Episode resources:Jose on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josequesadamedina/Careers at AMEX: https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/careers/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Coming Up01:23 Intro03:00 Dear Melissa08:38 Entering product14:53 Outcome-Driven Teams25:41 Making Data Work34:28 Embracing Change41:44 Future Of Digital Products
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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