Product Talk

Data analysis is one of the most important aspects of product management. It is how we get to know our customers and our product. In order to be successful product leaders, we need to dive deep into data and turn it into actionable insights. So, how can data analysis help propel your product forward? This week, Product Talk host and Product Leader, Neha Shah, interviews MongoDB Product Lead Rachelle Palmer who shares insights on a data-driven approach to product management.

What is the hardest part of being a product leader? Here is episode 18 of the CPO Rising Series, featuring ChargePoint CPO Bill Loewenthal. Bill sits down with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi to talk about the hardest part of being a product leader. A main thread in the conversation is that building great products includes building the systems around the product. All of that needs to work. In order to architect those systems, a product leader needs good prioritization systems in place. And that is a great clue to answer the question at the top of this blog.

Thanks to Products That Count's growing network of over 300,000 managers and leaders, we have been fortunate enough to speak with some of the top product people in the world. One of my favorite things this has led to is our podcast, Product Talk, which has been a Webby Awards honoree, was named by Forbes as a top podcast and has won other awards. Now, 250 episodes later, I have been delighted to see we've shared product strategies with people across the globe. Product execs from Netflix, Google, Wayfair, Instagram, and many more have helped to understand exactly what it takes to build great products. So, what are some of the best lessons learned since the founding of Products That Count? This week on Product Talk, I am honored and excited to share this special episode as we're taking a look back at some of our favorite conversations and the best product practices we have learned.

This is the episode 13 in the 2022 Product Awards series. In this talk, Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade speaks with MURAL VP of Product Rosalyn Lemieux. They discuss the ways that MURAL is helping solve the problem of disconnected hybrid teams. And also why Rosalyn dislikes the miscommunication that can happen between product and engineering teams. Additionally, Rosalyn gives insight into how MURAL tries to be a fun company to work with – and for. She says this is enshrined in a company value called "playing to wow."

Artificial intelligence has grown into one of the most formidable product tools on the planet. The Age of Product is being driven by automation and connectivity. and it is crucial that product managers understand what AI is and what it is not. So, how do product managers know whether or not AI should be a part of their product strategy? This week, Product Talk host, Neha Shah, interviews Tata Consultancy Services VP of Sustainability and Emerging Tech & Co-Founder of STRIDES.ai Malur Narayan on how artificial intelligence can impact your product and company.

Do you find comfort in constant chaos? If not, it might be time to shake things up. This is episode 17 of the CPO Rising Series, featuring Optimizely CPO Justin Anovick. Justin sits down with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi to talk about the value of constant chaos. It isn't that Justin loves chaos, but he does think it reminds the team not to get too settled. He always wants to keep improving. Beyond that, Justin and Renée also talk about structuring the organization, and what makes a great Chief Product Officer.

This is the 12th episode of the 2022 Product Awards series. Here, Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade sits down with TripleBlind CRO Jay Smilyk. Jay points out that product people need to listen to customers, but likewise, customers need to listen as well. Next, he discusses the idea that data is the new gold. Data creates business opportunities as well as opportunities to increase the greater good. He also explains what makes product managers unique, as well as successful.

More and more, companies are jumping on board the train to new and innovative developments. New technologies like artificial intelligence have improved customer service and optimized routine processes and tasks. So, how can artificial intelligence benefit your company? This week, Product Talk host and Universal Electronics Sr. Director of Product, Nikki Ahmadi, interviews YegaTech CEO Mehdi Nourbakhsh on real use cases of artificial intelligence and how it can help product development.

Is it a problem when your whole team agrees? According to UiPath CPO Param Kahlon, the answer is yes. In episode 16 of the CPO Rising Series, Param sits down with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi. They discuss what Param values in product leaders. Param also argues that if you've hired good people, you need to give them autonomy. And Param urges product teams to seek out diverse perspectives and dissenting views. That is the only way to challenge the status quo and grow the business.

In this age of technological advancement, the most successful companies are centered around products. Product management, as a function, means different things in different organizations because every company is in a different phase of the product lifecycle. So, how has product management evolved in fintech? This week, ProductTalk host, Neha Shah, interviews Marqeta VP of Product Management Archana Prasad on how fintech and product management interplay.

The 11th episode of the 2022 Product Awards series features the CEO and co-founder of an innovative mental health app. Bloom CEO Leon Mueller spoke with Wayfair Product Leader Nacho Andrade about the founding and development of the app. Leon's insights include the impetus behind the app and how women users made a difference. He also shares what makes a good product manager. Just like Bloom, it requires a laser focus on the consumer.

This is the fifth and final episode in the Capgemini Leaders in Innovation podcast series. In this conversation, Capgemini Consulting VP Adrian Penka speaks with Rockwell Automation Industry Lead Glen Fields. The discussion includes digital transformation in the manufacturing world relating to AR, cloud, and data analytics. Additionally, they consider digital twin opportunities for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). And Glen lays out five keys for companies looking to pivot from products to services.

In episode 15 of the CPO Rising Series, Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi interviews Tenable CPO Nico Popp. Nico speaks a lot about the Chief Product Officer mindset, such as thinking like a coach. He also stresses the importance of sharing the company vision with the whole team. This includes making meaningful connections and leading with transparency. Finally, Nico shares his key measurements for performance and growth. He calls these his "magnificent seven" KPIs.

Product management is unique. Unlike many other professions, product managers must forge their own path. They must build roadmaps, plans, and strategies, and they must collaborate with engineers to build the actual product. So, how can product managers ensure their success? This week on Product Talk, Transfix Director of Brand Content & Sustainability, Patrick Blute, interviews Notion Chief Product Officer Madhu Muthukumar on how to successfully navigate the product management journey.

Do you believe in the dichotomy between utility and delight? In episode 10 of the 2022 Product Awards series, we learn why that dichotomy may be false. Here, Wayfair Product Leader Nacho Andrade speaks with Pendo SVP of New Products Tatyana Mamut. They discuss why great company culture at Pendo starts with having a transparent culture. Tatyana explains her biggest product pet peeve. And why PMs often should consider giving their product teams the same attention as their product customers.

Great products solve real problems, are understandable by users, and perform their tasks as easily and efficiently as possible. In order to be successful, product managers and leaders need to understand their customers and their pain points. So, how can product managers and leaders ensure that they provide their consumers with a seamless user experience? This week, Product Talk host and Product Leader, Neha Shah, interviews Rent the Runway Sr. VP of Consumer Product Preethi Ramani on how to create a seamless user experience.

Here comes episode 14 in the CPO Rising Series. It features Vonage CPO Savinay Berry speaking with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi. Savinay and Renée touch on several key topics, all of them revolving around the owner's mindset. First, Savinay gives his list of key features he looks for in product leaders. One of those is the owner's mindset, which he explains in detail. Ultimately, he believes that instilling new hires with this mindset can give your company a significant boost over the competition.

No matter what type of product your company develops, the goals and vision should always be customer-driven. Product managers need to understand their customers' pain points, and how they do their work in order to create proper frameworks and strategies. So, how do product managers create a stubborn long-term vision that is flexible in execution? This week, ProductTalk host and Transfix Director of Brand Content and Sustainability, Patrick Blute, interviews CareRev COO, Filiz Genca, who shares insights on how to create customer-driven frameworks that align with your company's vision.

When setting priorities, are you properly sizing the opportunity? In the ninth episode in the 2022 Product Awards series, we learn that, with prioritization, sizing is everything. Wayfair Product Leader Nacho Andrade sits down with Hootsuite SVP of Product Darren Guarnaccia. They discuss the best way to go about choosing the best opportunities. They also talk about why curiosity and empathy are two key traits for PMs. Finally, Darren sheds light on how he fosters curiosity in his PMs.

New technologies have allowed for devices to be invented that are truly revolutionary. Because of haptics, we now have technologies that provide the sensation of digital touch feedback. So, how can product managers implement universal adaptive design? This week, Product Talk host & ALTR Product Leader, Neha Shah, interviews WearWorks Co-Founder & Inventor Kevin Hoil Yoo who shares insights on the impact that inclusive product design can have on broader populations.

Get ready for episode 13 in the CPO Rising Series. Here, Fmr GitLab CPO Scott Williamson sits down with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi. Scott talks about the importance of transparency when leading people and driving change. When it comes to change, he keeps it old school by writing things down. With talent, he makes sure people know where they stand (and where they need to go). And because GitLab is all-remote, transparent communication is key to making sure everybody stays in the loop.

How do PMs create trends in innovation? This is episode four in the Capgemini "Leaders in Innovation" Podcast Series, featuring guests in the Capgemini portfolio of products. Here, Capgemini Invent Senior Director Eric Cohen talks with Unilever Global Head of Digital Innovation Darren Adams. The conversation ranges from data in consumer products, to how PMs balance long and short term priorities. Finally, Darren gives insight into how PMs can set and reach goals for both innovation and sustainability.

In episode eight in the 2022 Product Awards series, we learn that people still miss things about the office. Wayfair Product Leader Nacho Andrade sits down with SpatialChat CEO Almas Abulkhairov. They discuss why sometimes stubbornness is a key quality in creating a successful product. They also touch on why great PMs not only have a coding background, but they are also often entrepreneurs. Finally, they talk about the 4 things remote teams still miss about the office, and how SpatialChat can help.

One of the consumers' main concerns when it comes to buying and using products is security. Product managers need a strategic approach to cybersecurity that secures both the organization and the consumer. So, how do product managers ensure security? Google Cloud Director of Product shares insights on how Zero Trust Security helps protect your product.

Are you communicating enough with your team? Here is episode 12 in the CPO Rising Series. Autodesk EVP of AEC Amy Bunszel sits down with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi. Amy shares tips on shifting the culture, structuring the organization, and setting priorities. For Amy, this story begins with embracing overcommunication. And considering how wide-ranging this discussion is (not to mention authoritative), communication is clearly one of Amy's strengths.

Here is number three in the Capgemini "Leaders in Innovation" Podcast Series, featuring guests in the Capgemini portfolio of products. In this conversation, Synapse Product Development VP of Engineering Martine Stillman talks with Hamilton Beach Senior Industrial Designer Drew Carlson. They discuss the ways that Hamilton Beach is leading sustainability efforts, from reduced packaging to recycling test appliances. Drew argues that even small steps add up to big impact when it comes to sustainability in product.

What does a good product leader have in common with Henry Kissinger? Here is episode seven in the 2022 Product Awards series. In this conversation, Wayfair Product Leader Nacho Andrade sits down with PandaDoc SVP of Product Bernard Desarnauts. They touch on the importance of grit and iteration in building a Product Award-winning product. They also discuss why PMs must learn to ask the right questions. Finally, Bernard shares why he thinks a good product leader is more like a diplomat than a president – or CEO.

There has yet to be a job field that has grown as exponentially as product management. Many product managers and leaders are attempting to expand both their careers and their companies. And are searching for the right kinds of career development. So, how do you develop your career as a product manager? In this episode, Product Talk host and ALTR Product Lead, Neha Shah, interviews Root Insurance fmr CPO Hemal Shah who takes us on a journey through product management and into leadership.

Do your products make a difference in people's lives? This is episode 11 in the CPO Rising Series. Here, SoFi Chief Product Officer Assaf Ronen talks about leading product at the San Francisco-based financial services company. In particular he talks about building what he calls "the AWS of banking," the importance of thought diversity on product teams, and why he is passionate about building products that make a difference.

Media companies whose main focus is producing content are still delivering a product to consumers. Knowing how to navigate the waters of product development, operations, and management are equally important in the media industry as in the product world. So, how do media companies redefine their playbook? Morning Brew VP of Product shares insights on how content and product management interplay.

How do you get to know your users? This is episode six in the 2022 Product Awards series. Here, Wayfair Product Leader Nacho Andrade speaks with User.com Chief Commercial Officer & Co-Founder Mike Korba. Their conversation covered topics from live chatting with customers to the silver lining of COVID for digital platforms. In the final analysis, Mike says that your value proposition has to be easily understood by users.

In this new Age of Product, the way that we approach product management and product operations must change, and so must our product teams. Product excellence is measurable and can be achieved through various practices. So, how do we ensure product excellence? Contentsquare VP of Product Excellence, Danny Carvajal, shares how a product excellence team can help drive overall success.

This is episode 10 in the CPO Rising Series. Here, Elsevier Chief Product Officer Mikhail Vaysbukh talks about leading product at the Netherlands-based academic publishing company. In particular he talks about building with the right people, beginning with the interview process, to structuring teams, to the two most important behaviors for any product leader.

Here is the second podcast in our Capgemini "Leaders in Innovation" Series, featuring guests in the Capgemini portfolio of products. In this conversation, Capgemini VP of Product Management Masood Amin talks with Intel Global GM for New IOT Markets Sameer Sharma. Their main topic of discussion is Intel's innovative roadside technology, an AI-integrated infrastructure enhancement designed to make cities safer and more efficient.

Here is the fifth episode in the 2022 Product Awards series. The conversation features Wayfair Product Leader Nacho Andrade and InVision CPO Jeff Chow. The discussion began with Jeff explaining that InVision has long been obsessed with building simple tools to improve team engagement. Jeff then shared how InVision had the opportunity to build and flex new muscles — for new customer segments — during the pandemic. Finally, Jeff laid out three traits of a great product manager.

With the invention of SaaS, cloud infrastructure, and global technology advancements, the cyber security industry is constantly evolving. Instead of the old "wall" method, product managers are taking a new approach to product, including building straight to platform. How can PMs take advantage of platform products to serve multiple use cases? Authomize VP of Product Guy Katzir shares the holistic approach to cyber security and how to build great platform products.

Does your company build a strong talent pipeline by investing in a culture of learning and development? Here's the ninth episode in the CPO Rising Series, in which Fidelity Investments Chief Product Officer Deba Sahoo talks about building and developing a strong talent pipeline. Train your team. Provide them with mentorship opportunities. Let them spread the word about your company culture. Then, even during a difficult transition like the digital transformation, your team will always have the right people.

The immediate success of a product is always highlighted, but we often forget to mention the time spent hustling to get there. This is especially true in the post-pandemic world, where our lives took an immediate pivot in 2020 and many unique products have been developed as a result. How did a former political campaign creative develop a first-to-market tech product? VODIUM Co-founder Camille Padilla shares her nonlinear path and unique experiences that led her to build a tech startup. Try VODIUM now and use promo code PRODUCTALK for 30% off! (code expired on 8/31/2022)

How can you make sure that you're solving a problem that matters? This is the fourth episode in the 2022 Product Awards series. In this conversation, Wayfair Product Leader Nacho Andrade speaks with Amplitude SVP of Product Justin Bauer. At Amplitude, says Justin Bauer, the customer is part of the team. From the company's origins, to its evolution into new product directions, the direction comes from spending time with customers.

What gets you excited about product solutions? This is the first podcast in our Capgemini "Leaders in Innovation" Series, featuring guests in the Capgemini portfolio of products. Here, frog Creative Director Inna Lobel sits down with Heatworks Founder & CEO Jerry Callahan. They discuss a few innovative Heatworks Technologies products, each inspired by Jerry's passion for efficient design.

Does your company have a value system that it truly lives by? Or does it simply have platitudes stuck on a wall? In this, the eighth episode in the CPO Rising Series, Atlassian Chief Product Officer Joff Redfern talks about the importance of values. Why? Because a company's culture sits on top of its value system. This comes into play in hiring, communicating, and working out problems. The strength of the culture is largely determined by the strength of the core tenets at its base.

There are different customer mindsets within FinTech, as the industry's journey sets its eyes on understanding the customer product wants. This process isn't always clear, and it might include educating customers but also sometimes just helping them navigate through the process. How can PMs create products and experiences that everyday people can relate to? Republic Product Lead Matt Hamilton shares insights into the importance of the customer journey and the future of FinTech. (The views, information, or opinions expressed during this [series, episode, podcast] are solely those of the Matt Hamilton and do not necessarily represent those of Republic, its affiliates, and its employees and may not be current. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to constitute legal or investment advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available expressed are for general informational and entertainment purposes only.)

In this podcast episode, the third in the 2022 Product Awards series, Optimizely VP of Product Thilo Richter speaks with Wayfair Product Leader Nacho Andrade about why PMs should do more exploratory testing, why actually understanding your customer's problem is the most important thing, and why a great PM might have a few things in common with a scientist.

In this ever-changing world, it is part of the product leader's responsibility to navigate their teams toward continuous improvement and success. This can include a few methodologies and strategies to create a system that teams can rely on. How can a product leader build a systematic approach while giving room for flexibility? American Express VP of Product Development Penelope Madry shares how to lead through change and align successful product teams. (The views expressed by Penelope Madry in this podcast episode are her own and do not represent American Express.)

Change is the only constant in life. And in the world of product, digital transformation over the past 2 years has effected everyone from the largest corporation down to the individual remote freelancer. Few companies are as plugged in to that reality as Upwork, "the world's work marketplace." In this conversation, the seventh in our CPO Rising series, Upwork Chief Product and Experience Officer Samuel Bright talks about leading his teams to navigate that transformation. It starts, he says, with a culture of making the customer win big.

As product managers, we are told to be curious. There are many books, guides, and resources explaining how to create a product management framework that can be used to achieve success. Is it truly one size fits all or different frameworks for different problems? In this episode, Product Talk host and ALTR Product Lead, Neha Shah, interviews Zoopla Product Head Yanislava Petrova who talks about the craft and context of PM frameworks and how PMs can create their own.

In this podcast episode, the second in the 2022 Product Awards series, Heap VP of Product Rachel Obstler sits down with Wayfair Product Leader Nacho Andrade to give insights into how Heap built its Product Award-winning analytics tooling. A major key, says Rachel, is not only listening to what customers are saying, but also to what they are not saying.

We are seeing people from all types of work backgrounds and cultures becoming a part of product. It is a critical shift as you build products for a emerging global market. How do PMs empower diversity in thought leadership and product management? PayPal Senior Product Leader Ronke Majekodunmi shares insights about diversity within roles and customer relationships for successful PMs.

As product leaders, you probably have seen the evolution of your product teams. It hasn't been an easy transition as of late, with talent spread all over the world, hybrid working environments, and massive growth in product marketplaces. How can you align your product teams to fit your company's mission? Next Insurance CPO and 2022 Global CPO 20 winner Effi Fuks Leichtag shares some truths about hiring talent and scaling product teams for accelerating growth.

A product leader's strategy and vision are naturally ingrained in the development process. However, it boils down to a team's talent and execution, which can be complicated by our increasingly remote-working world. How do product leaders maintain culture when building a hybrid team? The Infatuation and Zagat CPO Janko Bazhdavela shares the best practices for setting up a great team to make strategy come to life.