What Makes a Great Platform Product Manager? Insights from a Salesforce VP

Nov 5, 2025

Ram Sangireddy, former VP of Product at Salesforce, shares insights from his journey as a leader in platform and AI product management. He debunks the myth that platform products are solely engineering-driven, emphasizing the importance of strong product management involvement. Ram defines technology innovation platforms and discusses critical health metrics like security and scalability. He also explores LLM ops, the importance of AI ROI, and essential skills for aspiring product managers. Plus, he reflects on the dynamics of product leadership at home.

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INSIGHT

Platform PMs Are Essential

Platform products need strong product management, not just engineering leadership.
Treat platform PMs as strategic leaders who shape technology and market adoption.

INSIGHT

What Defines A Technology Innovation Platform

A technology innovation platform enables enterprises to build their own innovations.
It includes cloud services, developer platforms, data and reasoning layers for vertical solutions.

INSIGHT

Platform Customers Are Multi‑Faceted

Platform customers include external paying enterprises, internal dev teams, and ecosystem partners.
Platform PMs often directly engage in GTM, pricing, and customer success for external customers.

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If you’ve ever wondered what separates good product managers from great ones, the kind who shape technology platforms and drive innovation across entire ecosystems, this conversation will spark new ideas, mindsets, and possibilities.

In this week’s of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, host Shobhit Chugh reconnects with Ram Sangireddy, former VP of Product at Salesforce, who brings decades of experience leading in the world of platform and AI product management.

This conversation isn’t just about career advice, it’s about understanding how to truly stand out in today’s rapidly evolving product landscape. Ram shares how his journey from engineering to product leadership reshaped the way he thinks about innovation, strategy, and scaling teams. He dives into the critical mindset shifts that helped him succeed after business school, revealing how great product leaders balance vision with disciplined execution.

From defining what a technology innovation platform really is to unpacking the emerging world of LLM Ops, Ram offers rare, behind-the-scenes insights into how platform products get built, scaled, and sustained. You’ll hear how he drives project closure across complex organizations, structures product management teams for impact, and empowers engineers to become exceptional Product Managers.

Whether you’re an aspiring platform Product Manager or a product leader looking to sharpen your edge, this episode will challenge the way you think about AI platforms, product careers, and innovation at scale.

Episode Highlights

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:23 Guest Introduction: Ram Sangireddy

00:59 Ram's Career Journey and Insights

05:37 Defining Platform Product Management

13:21 AI Platforms and LLM Ops

25:58 Career Advice for Platform PMs

39:24 Breaking into Platform Product Management

42:44 Fun Questions and Conclusion

Follow Shobhit Chugh at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/

Follow Ram Sangireddy at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ram-sangireddy/