Supra Insider
#57: What product leaders get wrong about strategy | Melissa Perri (board member, author of Escaping The Build Trap)
May 12, 2025
Melissa Perri, an esteemed product strategy expert and author of "Escaping the Build Trap," shares her insights on scaling product leadership and effective strategy building. She discusses the evolving dynamics between product leaders and CEOs, emphasizing the need for mutual respect and adaptability. Melissa also tackles how AI is transforming product management while underscoring the importance of customer engagement. Lastly, she highlights the balance between personalized customer interactions and automation in the digital age.
01:11:34
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Quick takeaways
- Product strategy acts as an enabling framework that balances clear objectives with flexibility to effectively guide software development and address customer needs.
- Transitioning to a CPO role requires product leaders to shift from focusing solely on products to influencing overall business objectives and fostering executive communication.
Deep dives
The Importance of Product Strategy
Product strategy serves as an enabling framework that guides teams in making informed decisions about software development and how to effectively address customer problems. It involves a careful balance between outlining clear objectives while allowing enough flexibility for teams to explore solutions that align with the broader vision. Successful product leaders recognize the significance of understanding not only the target market and customer needs but also the underlying technology and competitive landscape. This comprehensive grasp of various elements helps create a cohesive product strategy that aligns organizational resources and efforts.
