Transforming Dow Jones into a Product-Led Powerhouse with Artem Fishman, Chief Product & Technology Officer
Mar 24, 2025
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In this conversation with Artem Fishman, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Dow Jones, they explore the transformation of tech cultures globally and the nuances of cross-cultural communication. Artem shares insights on embracing directness in dialogue and the importance of empathy in tech leadership. He discusses how generative AI is reshaping industries and the role of Dow Jones as more than just a stock market entity. Additionally, he highlights Barcelona's rise as a tech hub and emphasizes the significance of adaptive leadership in managing global teams.
Artem Fishman highlights the necessity of understanding cultural communication differences to effectively lead and manage global teams.
The transformation of Dow Jones into a product-led organization underscores the pivotal role of generative AI in enhancing content creation and user experience.
Deep dives
Career Path and Leadership Style
Artem Fishman reflects on his non-traditional path to technology, initially studying pre-med before realizing his passion for engineering. Despite acknowledging that he might not be the most technically skilled engineer, he finds strength in leading teams and facilitating communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders. His experience across various companies has provided him with a broad view of challenges and solutions, fostering a leadership style that combines empathy, directness, and the ability to adapt to different communication norms based on cultural context. He emphasizes the importance of starting discussions with concise conclusions before delving into the details, adapting this approach to suit the preferences of diverse cultural communication styles.
Cultural Awareness in Global Teams
Understanding cultural differences is crucial when managing global teams, as different cultures have unique communication preferences and feedback styles. For instance, low-context cultures, such as the U.S., prefer direct and succinct communication, while high-context cultures, like Japan and Italy, value a more nuanced approach that provides context before conclusions. Artem highlights his experiences in various international settings, noting that effective interaction requires sensitivity to these differences in feedback and conflict resolution methods. He underscores that successful collaboration in global teams is built on recognizing and respecting these cultural nuances to enhance cooperation and productivity.
Role and Innovations at Dow Jones
At Dow Jones, where Artem serves as a leader in product engineering and operations, the focus is on transforming the company into a modern, product-led organization. Dow Jones is not solely about stock market data; it encompasses a range of media brands, including the Wall Street Journal and Barron's, as well as B2B products that deliver valuable content to professionals. Artem discusses the company's ambition to rethink consumer experiences and integrate AI tools to enhance journalism and data accessibility. This drive for innovation positions Dow Jones to remain relevant and effective amidst a rapidly evolving media landscape.
The Impact of Generative AI
Generative AI is increasingly becoming a pivotal force in transforming how companies like Dow Jones operate, particularly in the realm of content creation and analytics. Artem notes the rapid advancements in AI technologies that improve semantic search and personalization, facilitating more effective interactions with extensive databases. He addresses the ongoing experimentation within the industry, recognizing the valuable lessons learned from failures and successes alike. Artem underscores the necessity for companies to embrace generative AI, not only as a tool for consumption but also as a means to enhance organizational workflows and customer engagement through innovative applications.
Today, we're talking to Artem Fishman, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Dow Jones. We discuss the ways in which tech cultures change around the world, how and when to be blunt, and why we should be optimistic about the future.
All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast!
To learn more about Dow Jones, check out their website here.
