Product Talk

What does it take to create impactful product-led transformations? In this podcast, Willow Innovations SVP of Product Melissa Pickering meets with IntoUniversity Partnerships CPO Namrata Sarmah to discuss her product management journey and the importance of putting the customer first, understanding their pain points, and building products that solve real problems for them. Discover how cross-industry experience and a diverse team can bring unique perspectives to product development and foster inclusivity on a global scale. Learn how impatience can be harnessed as a superpower, accelerating problem-solving efficiency.

The 8th episode of the CPO Rising Series features Harvey Performance Company CPO Greg Livelli. Our host, as usual, is the incomparable Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi. Above all, Greg speaks to Renée about navigating growth in challenging times. Along the way, Greg discusses his role as the Vice President of Product Management for Nidec's commercial and industrial motors business in the Americas. He also served as the Chief Product Officer for the Appliance, Commercial, and Industrial Motors (ACM) business. Greg emphasizes the importance of product managers as mini-CEOs, responsible for finding market opportunities and contributing to the company's profitability. Looking to the future, Greg discusses the evolving role of product management, data-driven decision-making, and the importance of focusing on profitable products for sustainable growth.

How can curiosity and adaptability drive success in product careers? In this podcast, Jonathan Ozeran meets with BCG X Product Lead Anne Jiao to discuss her inspiring journey in the product space. From her background in the entertainment industry to founding her own startup, Anne discusses how she leverages diverse skills in marketing, graphic design, and product management to excel in product development. She sheds light on approaching new challenges, using analytics for insights, and the rewards of helping clients succeed.

Episode 11 of the Product Awards Series features OmniSync CEO and Co-Founder Rupak Doshi. Doshi tells host Nacho Andrade about the company's focus on aiding life sciences and technology startups requiring research and development (R&D) to create innovative solutions is highlighted. Rupak emphasizes the importance of understanding the people behind the problems and tailoring solutions to their needs. OmniSync's success lies in securing grant money for startups' research phases, enabling them to build the best possible solution before seeking venture capital funding. With a background in life sciences and a fresh perspective on software development, OmniSync's product stands out as a niche solution with its focus on deep technical and scientific material. Rupak shares valuable advice for aspiring founders, emphasizing the need for passion, commitment, and patience in solving real problems rather than pursuing overnight success.

How can decision science principles revolutionize product management and drive user behavior? In this podcast, Join Bill.com VP of Growth Heidi Gibson as she interviews Duolingo Fmr. Director of Product Jorge Mazal to explore the fascinating world of decision science and its practical application in product management. Drawing from his extensive experience in the industry, Jorge shares valuable insights and real-life examples that highlight the power of understanding user behavior and leveraging decision science principles to design products that deliver exceptional outcomes.

In episode 7 of the CPO Rising Series, Glassdoor CPO Andy Chen speaks with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi. Andy shares his background and path to Glassdoor, highlighting his experience in the digital industry and his role in companies like Travelocity and match.com. Chen discusses Glassdoor's transformation into a community for workplace conversations, drawing analogies to online dating platforms. He explains the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Glassdoor's talent strategy and product roadmap, emphasizing the company's shift to remote work and the importance of asynchronous collaboration. Chen also addresses revenue challenges and the company's long-term product strategy focused on building a community. He emphasizes the role of product in driving growth, understanding customer needs, and navigating M&A activities. Chen discusses the evolving relationship between product design and product management, with product managers focusing on the overall management of the product while relying on the expertise of product designers. Overall, the podcast covers a range of topics related to product management, community-building, remote work, revenue challenges, and the future of product design.

In this podcast, Ammunition Founder Robert Brunner sits down with Willow Innovations Product VP Melissa Pickering. Brunner is a design leader with experience in various industries, and he shares insights from throughout his career. He discusses his work at Lunar Design and his role as the former director of industrial design at Apple. Brunner highlights the importance of design in building emotional connections with customers, drawing from his experience with Beats by Dr. Dre. He co-authored the book "Do You Matter? How Great Design Will Make People Love Your Company," exploring how design influences brand perception and customer loyalty. Brunner provides advice for product managers, emphasizing the need to understand the design process, advocate for great products, and foster a culture of great design within organizations.

It's episode 10 of the Product Awards Series, hosted by Ubiety Techologies CPO Nacho Andrade! Here, Nacho speaks with inCitu Founding CEO Dana Chermesh. The focus is on the company's use of augmented reality (AR) to transform city planning and make it accessible to everyone. Chermesh's background in architecture and experience with immersive technologies in the Israeli Air Force inspired her to explore AR in urban planning. InCitu's mission is to improve the conversation around the future of cities by providing easy access to information and fostering engagement. The team prioritizes user experience and has shifted from an iOS app to web AR and QR codes for seamless access to AR experiences. Chermesh emphasizes the importance of passion and problem-solving in building great products. The podcast also touches on industry trends, the convergence of AR and city planning, and the need for responsible urban development.

How can product leaders design playful product experiences for users? In this episode, Willow Innovations VP of Product Melissa Pickering interviews LEGO Fmr. Product Design Leader Steve Geist on the art of designing playful product experiences. Discover Steve's unique ability to blend technology into play experiences, while always prioritizing the user experience and involving cross-functional stakeholders. Gain valuable insights into the design thinking process, stakeholder management tactics, and the importance of early prototyping and user testing. Explore how to create surprise and delight in product experiences and learn about Steve's favorite projects and proud moments.

Here is the 6th episode of the CPO Rising Podcast Series, hosted by Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi. In this podcast, Bose CPO Raza Haider discusses the company's focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences through various channels, including e-commerce and partnerships. Haider mentions that partnerships are sought when there are unmet needs that Bose's core products cannot fulfill. Additionally, Bose considers mergers and acquisitions to accelerate their plans. Haider highlights the evolving role of product management, emphasizing the importance of putting the customer at the center of decision-making. Purpose, people, profit, and planet are key considerations in product management, especially for companies with physical products, like Bose.

In this podcast, Product Director Jonathan Ozeran interviews Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Product Manager Anh-Vu Dinh on the challenges and considerations involved in internationalization and mobile app development. Uncover the role of technology, from mobile apps to augmented reality, and the evolving landscape of product development. Dive deep into the hybrid work culture, the impact of wearable devices on personal health, and the possibility of making a difference in the lives of those in need.

Here is the 9th episode of the Product Awards Series. Ubiety Techologies CPO Nacho Andrade speaks with Ellipsis Health CPO Melissa McCool. Listeners will explore the innovative use of AI and machine learning to detect anxiety and depression through voice analysis. McCool, a former social worker, recognized the limitations of traditional methods for identifying mental health issues and saw the potential for technology to scale interventions. The discussion covers Ellipsis Health's technology, which analyzes both spoken words and their delivery to determine levels of anxiety and depression. McCool shares her journey from clinician to product manager and emphasizes the importance of problem-solving and collaboration in product development. Listeners will gain insights into integrating behavioral health into primary care, managing cross-functional teams, and navigating a career in product management. Don't miss this discussion on transforming mental healthcare with AI.

How can product leaders navigate the challenges and opportunities of responsible AI in product management? In this podcast, Adobe Senior Product Director Heidi Gibson meets with Fiddler AI Advisor Natalia Burina to discover the nuances and challenges of integrating AI in product management, from leveraging existing capabilities to building AI-powered solutions from scratch. Gain valuable insights into the role of responsible AI in product management and the importance of fairness, privacy, robustness, explainability, and accountability in AI products. Explore the dynamic relationship between product managers and engineers, and learn how they can collaborate to overcome obstacles and create successful AI-driven products.

This is episode 5 of the CPO Rising Podcast Series, hosted by Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi. Here, Calix CPO Shane Eleniak discusses the company's transformation from a traditional systems entity to a software and services organization, a shift he led. Eleniak delves into the company's product-led approach, asserting that product strategy, customer value, and market needs drive their operations. He also explains his collaborative role with the Head of Global Sales and CFO, detailing their product management sales strategy, the generation of comprehensive P&L plans, and how these factors influence decisions on quota targets, product transitions, and investments. Eleniak's passion for creating new products, using technology to solve problems, and balancing business and product perspectives underpins his belief that this is an exciting era to be a Chief Product Officer.

Why is adopting a product-focused mindset important? In this podcast, Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade meets with Craft.io CEO Elad Simon to discuss how adopting a product-focused mindset can drive transformation and growth. Discover valuable insights on embracing curiosity, leveraging qualitative and quantitative data, and exploring innovative tools.

In the 8th episode of the Product Awards Series, Ubiety Techologies CPO Nacho Andrade interviews Sagetap Co-Founder Kevin Hughes. Originally inspired by dating apps, the Sagetap team realized the broken state of software discovery and the need for a platform that categorizes and offers technology in a consumable way. Hughes emphasizes the importance of a clear mission, strategy, and product goals, as well as the value of resources like books, frameworks, and design tools such as Figma. Sagetap's current focus is on cybersecurity dev tools and cloud infrastructure, with plans for expansion. Hughes also shares insights on the company's hiring process and the passion for creating frictionless connections between participants.

How can you navigate a non-linear career path in the tech industry? In this podcast, Kaboo Founder Neha Shah meets with Atlassian Data Science Lead Nisha Lyer to discuss non-linear career paths, the power of continuous learning, and the significance of product-market fit. Gain valuable insights on leveraging user interviews, synthesizing data, and understanding customer needs.

In episode 4 of the CPO Rising Podcast Series, Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi hosts SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Chief Product and Digital Officer Kou Raghavan. Through the modernization of websites, improvement of the mobile app, and increased digital usage, SeaWorld has enhanced guest satisfaction, increased revenue, and attracted new visitors. The product team's focus on optimizing the pre-visit and in-park experiences has resulted in a high utility mobile app that minimizes waiting times and maximizes time spent on attractions. Raghavan guides the team's initiatives, collaborating with other teams, and plays a strategic role in driving growth and aligning with company objectives. The episode also delves into the team structure, metrics, lessons learned, and the qualities of a great product leader driving digital transformation.

How can thoughtful design and innovative products address women's health? In this podcast, Willow Innovations Product CXO Melissa Pickering meets with Herself Health CPO Nicole Lyon to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and inspiring companies that are revolutionizing women's health and the FemTech industry. Gain insights into user-centric design, the motherhood journey, and the importance of inclusive design. Uncover the potential for transformative solutions and the impact of addressing real needs in women's health and FemTech.

In episode 7 of the Product Awards Series, Ubiety Techologies CPO Nacho Andrade interviews Novo Director of Product Roger Liu. Liu discusses the importance of balancing customer needs and business outcomes. He underscores the crucial role of robust internal communication and swift execution, which he views as the pillars of successful product creation. Liu emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying target markets, a strategy that has significantly influenced Novo's product development process. As a proponent of urgency in product release, Liu believes in maintaining high-quality standards while rapidly responding to market needs. For those aspiring to join product management, Liu advises developing a customer-centric mindset, improving communication skills, and gaining a deep understanding of stakeholder management.

How can product leaders navigate product management challenges? In this episode, join Jonathan Ozeran as he interviews Google Product Lead Dan Chuparkoff to gain valuable insights into product management challenges and strategies. Discover Dan's experiences in small startups and large enterprises, his lessons learned, and the importance of effective communication and storytelling in product management.

Episode 3 of the CPO Rising Podcast Series sees Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi hosting Brex CPO Karandeep Anand. A seasoned tech executive, Anand discusses his transition from large firms like Microsoft and Meta to Brex, a dynamic financial services company that has evolved into a mid-market enterprise SaaS provider. Anand offers insights into the strategic pivots Brex had to undertake amid financial uncertainties, placing an emphasis on core value, strategic focus, and talent acquisition. He shares their journey of creating an enterprise workflow for expense management, serving corporations such as DoorDash and Coinbase, and the role of their cultural values in accelerating development. With a keen focus on 'responsible growth', transparency, and customer-centric decisions, Anand sheds light on Brex's approach to mergers and acquisitions, their lessons learned, and his philosophy on what makes a great product leader. Tune in for a thoughtful discourse on navigating financial uncertainties, fostering a nimble corporate culture, and driving responsible growth.

How can product managers effectively drive innovation and manage resources in larger organizations? Join Adobe Senior Product Director Heidi Gibson as she interviews Linkedin Senior Product Director Laura Teclemariam in an insightful discussion about product management and innovation. Discover valuable insights on managing resources, building effective product teams, and driving innovation in larger organizations.

In episode 6 of the Product Awards Series, Ubiety Techologies CPO Nacho Andrade interviews Earkick Co-Founder Herbert Bay. The conversation revolves around the company's mission and approach to building a digital companion in the form of an assistant in your ear. Earkick prioritizes privacy-focused data usage and aims to differentiate itself from other AI models. Initially targeting enterprise customers, Earkick focuses on workplace mental health, offering employees a tool to share their experiences and concerns while providing aggregated data to employers for insights and improvements. The company emphasizes understanding customer problems, achieving product-market fit, and maintaining a high standard of quality. They employ metrics like the Product-Market Fit (PMF) and Net Promoter Score (NPS) to track and improve their product. Earkick values customer feedback, actively iterates based on user input, and considers every touchpoint with the product and brand as part of the overall experience.

What are the key principles and challenges of product development in the legal technology industry? In this podcast, Ubiety Technologies CPO and Product Talk Host Nacho Andrade interviews Linksquares SVP of Product & Engineering Andrew Leverone on product and engineering leadership, challenges in prioritizing work in a new market with little competition, and the importance of staying close to customers to develop solutions. He also offers career advice for those interested in product development, emphasizing networking, finding the right team members, and self-awareness. Leverone discusses the importance of trust and communication when scaling teams, psychological safety in the workplace, the role of data in decision-making, and the Agile approach as a culture or behavior. Subscribe to the Product Talk podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and catch every conversation with leading product executives. Episodes drop on Wednesdays.

In episode 2 of the CPO Rising Podcast Series, Rockwell Automation CPO Claudia Chandra speaks with Products That Count CPO Renee Niemi. Claudia's portfolio includes the FactoryTalk Hub, Edge, Data, and Analytics portfolio. And also the delivery of common cloud services for all Rockwell cloud offerings, data and AI services, Edge and Edge Gateway, FactoryTalk Analytics (DataView, LogixAI, Pavilion8), and the Innovation Suite products. Claudia emphasizes the importance of scalability, manageability, and close collaboration with the services team in embracing the future of industrial automation. Discover the challenges and opportunities faced by product leaders as they navigate end-to-end product lifecycle management, adoption, and delivery.

What are the key challenges in building AI-powered products and how can they be overcome? In this podcast, Product Leader and Product Talk Host Neha Shah meets with PeopleReign CEO Dan Turchin to discuss the latest developments in the field of AI and its impact on the workplace and society. They explore the challenges and opportunities of building AI-powered products, with a focus on creating personalized experiences and addressing ethical considerations. They also share insights into their own experiences building companies and navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of technology.

In episode 5 of the 2023 Product Awards podcast series, Pando Founding CEO Barbra Gago speaks with Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade on building a better future of work. Gago emphasizes the importance of taking a differentiated approach to problems and filling a need rather than automating existing workflows. Pando's vision is to kill performance reviews and introduce just-in-time promotions, and its mission is to level the playing field for all employees. The podcast also covers Pando's product management approach, which is agile, iterative, and opinionated, and its success in solving the pain point of career progression.

What does it take to build a successful startup from scratch? In this episode, Groundswell CPO Tammy Hahn meets with Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade to discuss her experience working in the startup industry. She offers valuable insights into building a successful company from scratch. Tammy discusses the importance of being strategic when starting with zero customers, adapting to change, and being less of a perfectionist.

In this first episode of the 2023 CPO Rising Series podcast, Renee Niemi interviews Synapse Product Development President Jeff Hebert. Jeff shares insights into the challenges that companies face in the current economic climate, discusses the importance of upskilling existing teams, and highlights the growth of the Climate Technologies market. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the world of product development and the current state of the industry.

How can leaders effectively motivate cross-functional teams in the post-pandemic era to achieve escape velocity and drive business success? In this episode, Product Talk Host & Willow Innovations, Inc VP of Product, Melissa Pickering, meets with Fractional Executive and CPO Eleanor Morgan. They discuss her transition from consultancy to e-commerce, the importance of cross-functional teams, and the challenge of motivating individuals and teams. The conversation touches on topics such as work-life balance, psychological safety, diversity and inclusion, and effective leadership.

In episode #4 of the Product Awards Series, Mperativ Co-Founder and CMO Daniel Raskin speaks with Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade. According to Raskin, the roles of product management and marketing are intertwined, especially in the world of SaaS companies. Mperativ is focused on helping Chief Marketing Officers connect their activities to revenue, and how the CMO role is evolving to take more ownership of growth. They also discuss how product management is changing as companies specialize and become more sophisticated, creating new opportunities for businesses like Mperativ. Overall, the discussion offers insights on connecting product and revenue and the changing landscape of marketing and product management.

How can you lead product development with an entrepreneurial mindset? In this episode, Product Talk Host & Willow Innovations, Inc VP of Product, Melissa Pickering, meets with ABN CTO & Co-founder Valdemar Ostergaard to discuss his journey as a product leader. He speaks on the importance of leading with inherent curiosity, including how new product leaders can navigate PM tools, overcome potential setbacks, and embody an entrepreneurial mindset.

In episode #3 of the Product Awards Series, Nitra Founder and CEO Jonathan Chen speaks with Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade. Nitra is a fintech company building financial solutions for the healthcare industry, primarily targeting small healthcare practices. As doctors often prioritize treating patients over optimizing their business, product companies like Nitra face challenges in helping clients understand the importance of business optimization.

How do you create a customer-centered product experience? In this episode, StockX Product Lead Josh Sklar discusses the company's approach to product management, which emphasizes listening to customers to create an experience that reflects the brand's values. StockX's product detail pages consider usability, design, legal regulations, and buyer behavior. Pricing is determined by analyzing market trends, and customer feedback is used to improve the user experience and maintain trust and loyalty.

How do you build a product that will provide a rewarding experience for product users? In episode #2 of the Product Awards Series, radd. Founder Sivan Baram meets with Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade and discusses her unique approach to building successful products that provide value to the intended product users. She speaks on her personal journey as a product manager and the product management considerations that made radd. successful. This includes embodying the user perspective, the influence of verticalization and specialization trends, and building a human connection through a product.

How can a positive user experience drive product-led growth? In this episode, Oscar Health Director of Product Management Aditya Subramaniam speaks with Chameleon CEO and Co-Founder Pulkit Agrawal about how the user experience drives product-led growth. They start by defining product-led growth and the role of PLG at Chameleon. Then, they dive into a discussion on how user onboarding influences PLG, and the differences in PLG between a B2B and B2C product.

What does it take to create a sustainable and innovative product? In this episode, Spira Inc. Founder Elliot Roth meets with Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade to discuss his journey founding Spira and what made his product successful. He speaks on what using his own product taught him, how his team built a product that stands out, and how his approach to product management led to the creation of a thriving and innovative product.

As a product manager, how do you implement team building and collaboration? In this episode, Adobe Chief Product Officer Scott Belskey meets with Heidi Gibson to discuss how he considers team building and collaboration to ensure success in the product space. He covers the role of the product leader in the context of the whole team, the importance of collaboration between product leaders and design teams, and the traits a product manager should possess.

How do you traverse the ever-changing terrain of the FinTech industry? In this episode, True ML VP of Product Michael Krafft meets with Alloy Head of Product Parilee Wang. They begin by discussing Parilee's journey with product and FinTech, while uncovering her perspective as to how great products are built and how she implements this at Alloy today. Following that, they dive into the uncertainties surrounding FinTech in 2023. They cover fraud in the product space, the current macro economics climate, and the rise of new data signals and sources.

What does it take to be a successful product manager? In this episode, Vowel Head of Product Anna Marie Clifton speaks with Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade about her journey from earning a degree in Medieval Art History to entering her dream career as a product manager. From there, she speaks as to how aspiring product managers can enter the industry, and the skills and attributes that make an excellent product manager.

How do you build a world class telecom product? Here is episode seven in our podcast series hosted by the 2023 Awards Advisory Board. In this episode, Macy's Product Leader Alisher Rakhimov speaks with Calix CPO Shane Eleniak. They discuss build versus buy, and the poetry of high performing teams. But the conversation kicks off with Shane's explanation of the value in delivering managed services.

Product managers are like acrobats. They are required to juggle countless responsibilities. There is so much input that they have to take in, evaluate, and understand to make sure they are meeting the needs of their users. So, what does it take to be successful as a product leader? This week, Product Leader and ProductTalk host, Neha Shah, interviewed CarMax Product Leader Susan Stavitzski on the skills required to be a great product leader.

This is episode six in our podcast series hosted by the 2023 Awards Advisory Board. In this episode, Pulse PEMF Director of Product Ryan House sits down with Microsoft Product Leader Arun Ravi. They discuss Arun's work on Microsoft's AI platform, Nuance. First, they discuss the value of AI for voice in healthcare. Ravi also shares his thoughts on how to use one product stack for multiple uses in B2B. And finally, Ryan asks Ravi to share what he believes makes a great product. According to Ravi, it comes down to value.

A looming recession feels like a big challenge for product managers & innovators. However, innovating in a recession will lead your brand, product, and business to grow. So, how do you turn the downturn into a creative opportunity? This week, Product Talk Host & Willow Innovations, Inc VP of Product, Melissa Pickering, interviews Ooni Pizza Ovens Fmr Head of Product Ben Diamant on strategies for product innovation in recessions.

This is episode five in our podcast series hosted by the 2023 Awards Advisory Board. In this episode, Vertafore VP of Product Development Nand Shivkumar sits down with Boomi Product Leader Ramkumar Menon. Their conversation included Ramkumar's journey from a computer science degree in India to product management in America. They also talked about what makes a great product. And Ramkumar explained what it takes to be thriving in the new B2B world.

Product managers and leaders across the globe are facing layoffs. Product teams are looking for ways to increase efficiency while doing more with less. So, what does it take to be successful as a PM today? Asset Panda VP of Product Management and Design Ram Shamanna shares insights on key traits needed to be successful as a product manager.

What does digital health have in common with Spotify? More than you might think. This is episode four in our podcast series hosted by the 2023 Awards Advisory Board. In this episode, TimelyMD SVP of Product Zachary Fleming speaks with Transcarent Head of Product Vikas Sabnani. They discuss the evolution of the music industry and how that relates to digital health. Then Vikas shares his four markers of what makes a great product. Overall, the theme is about creating an integrated digital health experience for every user.

Product management is an extremely lucrative and engaging career path for creative minds who want to help improve the lives of their customers. And it is in the top 10 on Glassdoor's list of America's 50 best jobs (2022). So, how do you develop and advance your career in product? Bill.com Chief Product Officer Irana Wasti shares key insights on best practices for developing a career in product.

How do you scale with software and services? Turns out, that is a tricky question. Here is episode three in our podcast series hosted by the 2023 Awards Advisory Board. In this episode, Fidelity Investments VP of Product Management Alex Westner interviews two product leaders from Forecastr. The two guests are Forecastr's Head of Product Zack Pennington and Fractional CFO Evan Diaz de Arce. They discuss their financial modeling software and the accompanying services. If you're a PM thinking about scaling software and services, listen up!