Scandinavian Product Podcast
#25 Building products in different contexts: big tech, scaleups, and startups | Melissa Mills (Ardoq, Kahoot!, Google)
Dec 5, 2024
Melissa Mills, VP of Product at Ardoq, shares her wealth of experience from leading product teams at Kahoot! and Google. She discusses the unique challenges of product management in big tech versus startups and scale-ups, highlighting essential skills for different company stages. Mills emphasizes the importance of domain knowledge in B2B environments and the need for effective collaboration between product and sales teams. She also contrasts the work cultures of Silicon Valley and Norway, shedding light on how each influences product development strategies.
52:46
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Quick takeaways
- Networking within companies, especially in large organizations like Google, is essential for fostering collaboration amid structural changes.
- Product management approaches differ based on company size, with early-stage roles demanding versatility while larger firms prioritize specialization.
Deep dives
The Importance of Networking in Large Organizations
Networking within a company is crucial, especially in large organizations like Google, where roles and responsibilities are deeply specialized. Employees must continuously connect with those around them to navigate constant structural changes and reorganization. Understanding the various departments and their functions can reveal potential collaborative opportunities that might go unnoticed initially. Building relationships across teams fosters awareness and enhances collaboration, which is essential for effective product management.
