Product Talk

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!

Do you get excited about regulations? This is the second episode in our podcast series hosted by the 2023 Awards Advisory Board. Here, ZEFR Senior PM Bharat Manglani leads the conversation. He sits down with Google Play Product & Business Consultant Tammy Taw. Their conversation is all about AdTech. (Be sure to check out our Adtech infographic.) They talk quite a bit about regulations, including why they can be (surprisingly enough) exciting. They also discuss opportunities in AdTech, for example in the free-to-play gaming space.

Product management has evolved and grown in almost every industry, including Fintech. With Fintech comes great responsibility. Building customer trust, and ensuring cybersecurity and data safety are at the core of product management in this space. So, what practices and strategies are needed to be a PM in the Fintech world? Extend Chief Product Officer Orna Albus shares insights on core strategies and practices for product management in the Fintech space.

In this Age of Product, people are seeing the potential in starting their own businesses. But starting a business from the ground up can be extremely challenging. These trailblazers need people to help them make the money move faster, and also to make the checking experience powerful and specific to their needs. So, how do entrepreneurs access powerful banking experiences that fuel their businesses? Novo Group Product Leader Akash Desai shares insights on how to gain a business edge with powerful and simple business banking.

"Where can I find bacon on a stick?" From such simple origins, Satisfi Labs built an AI product to answer the questions event-goers really want to know… Here is the first episode in our podcast series hosted by the 2023 Awards Advisory Board. Here, Fmr Groupon Head of Product Kristopher Drey leads the conversation. His guest is Satisfi Labs CEO & Co-Founder Don White. They talk about Satisfi Labs' quest to build a conversational AI tech platform on the theory that it should answer everything. Including where to find bacon on a stick.

This is the fifth episode in our series presenting the Awards Advisory Board (AAB) for the 2023 Product Awards. In this episode, seasoned product leader Neha Shah speaks with two product leaders. First up is Pulse PEMF Director of Product Ryan House. And second is TimelyMD Head of Product Zac Fleming. The subject of the conversation is Life Sciences.

This is the fourth episode in our series presenting the Awards Advisory Board (AAB) for the 2023 Product Awards. In this episode, seasoned product leader Neha Shah speaks with three product leaders. First, is Xander CEO Alex Westner. Second is A10 Networks VP of Product Line Management Ganesh Rajan. And third is Vertafore VP of Product Development Nand Shivkumar. The subject of the conversation is B2B Tech.

This is episode three in our series presenting the Awards Advisory Board (AAB) for the 2023 Product Awards. In this episode, seasoned product leader Neha Shah speaks with two product leaders. First, Fmr Groupon Head of Product Kris Drey talks about the PropTech industry. Next, TrueML VP of Product Michael Krafft leads us on a deep dive into FinTech. So sit back and listen to these "product leaders to watch" as they explain two key product industries.

Does your team have its eye on the prize? Or is it constantly chasing the shiny new object? Here, Symantec Product Lead Michael Dubinsky explains why it is important not to do that. As he tells PayPal Product Lead Dimitry Shvartsman, it is vital that teams are not chasing the shiny new object. Rather, you should know your agenda, and what you are focusing on. Stick to that, and watch the new business roll in.

This is the 20th episode in the CPO Rising Series, featuring Teladoc CPO Donna Boyer. Donna speaks with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi on leading change in telehealth. A key theme is looking forward to the next horizon, rather than wallowing in what has come before.

This is the second episode in our series presenting the Awards Advisory Board (AAB) for the 2023 Product Awards. Here, seasoned product leader Neha Shah speaks with three product leaders. First, Macy's Product Lead Alisher Rakhimov discusses trends in telecom. Next, ZEFR Product Lead Bharat Manglani shares insights on the AdTech industry. And finally, Universal Electronics Product Lead Nikki Ahmadi talks about the Internet of Things (IoT). Altogether it is a good introduction to telecom, AdTech, and IoT.

Here is episode 19 of the CPO Rising Series, featuring Ford CPO Hau Thai-Tang. Hau speaks with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi on the big transitions at Ford. A key theme is how Ford decided to stop hedging their bets and go all in on electric vehicles, or EVs.

This is the first episode in our series presenting the Awards Advisory Board (AAB) for the 2023 Product Awards. Here, Fmr ALTR Product Lead Neha Shah speaks with two of the AAB members about the B2B tech product vertical. First up is Oscar Health Product Lead Aditya Subramaniam. And second is Intuit/Quickbooks Product Lead Rosa Gonzalez Welton.

This is the final episode in the 2022 Product Awards series. Here, Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade speaks with Kura Technologies Founding CEO Kelly Peng. They quickly got into the topic of digital transformation. This has resulted in a hugely diverse VR market, with clients in automotive, medical, and smart homes. They also discussed why Kelly believes the enterprise companies are the early adopters who will pave the way for consumers. And of course, Kelly shares what she believes makes a great product manager.

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.