Mike Gleichman, VP of Product at knownwell and Former Executive Director of Product at CVS Health
Jul 10, 2024
auto_awesome
Mike Gleichman, VP of Product at knownwell, blends his expertise in quantitative economics and jazz to revolutionize healthcare. He shares his journey from professional services to product management, discussing innovative strategies for obesity care. Mike emphasizes the importance of empathy in user engagement and the strategic use of AI in technology. He delves into user testing, product-market fit, and the recent acquisition of Alfie, all while advocating for a culture that integrates technology with compassionate care.
Establishing a clear product strategy is vital for prioritizing features effectively and aligning team efforts with overall company goals.
Knownwell emphasizes a holistic care model that combines medical, behavioral, and educational resources to support patients living with obesity.
Prioritizing user feedback through various research methods ensures healthcare solutions are tailored to real-world patient needs and enhance care delivery.
Deep dives
The Importance of Clarity in Prioritization
Establishing a clear product strategy is essential for effective prioritization in product management. A lack of clarity may result in an overwhelming list of features to prioritize, signaling a disconnect between the team's understanding and the company’s strategic goals. By narrowing down the focus to the most critical aspects that align with the overall strategy, teams can streamline their efforts and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently. It is crucial to define what is currently important to avoid getting lost in a backlog of ideas and features.
Transferable Skills from Implementation to Product Management
Shifting from an implementation role to product management can leverage existing skills that are highly transferable. Empathy for users, a comprehensive understanding of client pain points, and strong communication skills are valuable assets that enhance a product manager’s effectiveness. Engaging with product teams and learning about their processes can foster a deeper understanding of how to make informed contributions, facilitating smoother transitions into product roles. The importance of rigorous preparation, such as reading industry-relevant materials, cannot be underestimated when seeking to pivot careers.
Optimizing Product Operations for Efficiency
The concept of product operations aims to alleviate the administrative burden typically placed on product managers. Organizations can streamline their functions by clearly defining roles within product management, product operations, and analytics. Utilizing effective tools and methodologies, such as Agile and OKRs, can enhance cross-functional alignment, ensuring that teams work cohesively towards shared objectives. By identifying and automating repetitive tasks, product teams can focus on delivering value rather than becoming mired in administrative details.
The Role of Comprehensive Care in Addressing Obesity
Knownwell’s approach emphasizes compassionate, inclusive, and holistic care for patients living with obesity. By combining medical, behavioral, and educational resources, they aim to provide comprehensive treatment rather than simply prescribing medications. The company seeks to address the stigma associated with obesity, ensuring a welcoming environment for all patients by offering longer appointment times and diverse care teams. This model not only mitigates healthcare disparities but also aims to foster better long-term health outcomes.
Leveraging User Feedback for Iterative Improvement
Gathering user feedback is essential for refining both product offerings and overall patient experiences. Developers at Knownwell utilize various methods, such as surveys and user panels, to glean insights directly from the patient population. These insights inform necessary adjustments to the user interface and features while helping to eliminate inefficiencies in service delivery. By prioritizing user research, organizations can better align their healthcare solutions with the real-world needs of their patients, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of their care models.
Mike Gleichman is the VP of Product at knownwell, a pioneering post-Series A company transforming healthcare with its weight-inclusive care model. Mike brings a unique blend of creativity and analytical thinking, with a background in quantitative economics from Tufts and jazz performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. He has honed his skills in product management through roles at athenahealth and CVS's Aetna. In our conversation, Mike talks about:
His journey from professional services to product management
His thoughts on product operations and effective use of OKRs
knownwell's comprehensive care model and strategies for addressing weight stigma
Achieving product-market fit and building a written culture
Feedback and user testing processes at knownwell
Strategic use of AI in their technology stack
The recent acquisition of Alfie to enhance clinical decision support
Balancing operational efficiency and user-centered design
Continuous adaptation to meet evolving patient needs
Mike’s insights underscore the necessity of integrating technology with empathetic care to drive healthcare innovation.