LaunchPod | Product Management Podcast A PM’s guide to mergers and acquisitions | Sowmya Sundararagavan, Sr. Dir. Product (Freshworks)
Mar 18, 2025
Sowmya Sundararagavan, Senior Director of Product at Freshworks, shares her expertise in product leadership through acquisitions. She highlights the pitfalls to avoid post-acquisition and emphasizes the importance of integrating different product visions. Sowmya also discusses bridging the gap between legacy and new teams, ensuring a customer-centric focus during transitions. Additionally, she dives into evaluating M&A opportunities and the role of FinOps in managing cloud expenditures, showcasing how AI can enhance product management and user insights.
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Preserve Product Legacy Post-Acquisition
- Understand the legacy of the acquired product deeply by engaging with remaining team members and analyzing customer feedback.
- Preserve what customers love and identify pain points to inform balanced product evolution post-acquisition.
Balance Legacy and Innovation
- Respect the product's DNA and preserve key unique features to keep customer loyalty intact.
- Balance innovation with stability while aligning with the acquirer's strategy and maintain transparent communication with customers.
Quell Customer Acquisition Fears
- Segment your customer base and engage high-value customers gradually with data-driven decisions.
- Maintain transparent, clear communication to explain the impact of the acquisition on roadmaps, pricing, and support.