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.
39:14
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Quick takeaways
- Balancing the strategic goals of the acquiring company with the original product's legacy is essential for successful integration post-acquisition.
- Maintaining a customer-centric focus throughout the M&A process helps reassure existing users while attracting new clients and fostering innovation.
Deep dives
The Role of Product Legacy in Successful M&A
A successful merger and acquisition (M&A) hinges on the importance of product legacy as it guides the integration process. It is essential to balance the strategic goals of the acquiring company with the understanding of what made the original product successful. This involves engaging with remaining team members to grasp the product's core customer base and gathering insights on past successes and pitfalls. By utilizing customer feedback and success stories, leaders can preserve key elements that resonate with customers while adapting to new corporate strategies.
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