Productside Stories

Building Platform Products That Scale — Without Drowning in Stakeholders Platform products are some of the most complex beasts in product management. They have to serve multiple teams, stay flexible, and scale across the org—all while keeping technical and business needs in sync. In this episode, Rina Alexin chats with Aindra Misra, Director of Product Management for AI, Data, and Developer Experience at BILL (and former Twitter PM), about how to bring structure to platform chaos, build for scale, and win over even the loudest stakeholders.Key Topics Discussed in This EpisodeWhat Makes a Great Platform PMWhy platform product management is the sweet spot for technically curious PMs—and how mindset matters more than your coding background. The Art (and Science) of PrioritizationAindra’s framework for balancing competing use cases, weighing business impact, and keeping the long-term platform vision intact. Stakeholder Alignment Without the DramaHow to turn “fight for priority” meetings into data-driven discussions that build stronger teams and better platforms. Why Listen to This Episode?What will you get out of this discussion? In this thought-provoking conversation, you’ll gain: A framework for prioritizing platform features by impact, effort, and strategic value Real talk on managing competing stakeholders (and surviving to tell the tale) Insight into “horizontal thinking” and why it’s key to scalable platforms Lessons from Twitter and BILL on how to balance speed, flexibility, and tech debt If you’ve ever tried to scale a platform product (or want to move into this space) this is your playbook. Related ResourcesCheck out these additional tools and resources to add to your PM belt:Productside Resource Library More Productside Stories Podcast Episodes Explore Productside Courses 

Jose Quesada on Discovery, Strategy, and the Value of Product Management Jose Quesada, VP of Product Management at American Express, joins Rina Alexin to unpack how Amex built a globally recognized mobile app by running discovery and delivery in parallel. From killing bad ideas quickly to making strategy concrete, Jose shows how product leaders can balance long-term vision with day-to-day execution... all while keeping skeptical stakeholders on board. Key Topics Discussed in This Episode Discovery ≠ delivery Why Amex runs two tracks in parallel and why “killing hypotheses” is as valuable as proving them. Stakeholder judo How to align skeptics, win champions, and use communication, relationships, and data to build trust. Strategy that sticks Building blocks of a good strategy, why context is everything, and how to link product bets to company goals. Why Listen to This Episode? In this thought-provoking episode, you’ll gain: A practical model for running discovery and delivery in parallel Tactics for disproving bad ideas fast (and celebrating the red) Stakeholder management techniques that actually lower friction A blueprint for building strategies that align with business context If you’re tired of being told “be more strategic” without any how-to, this conversation will give you concrete tools and mindset shifts you can use tomorrow. Related Resources Check out these additional tools and resources to add to your PM belt: Productside Resource Library More Productside Stories Podcast Episodes Explore Productside Courses 

How Scientists and PMs Really Build: Dr. Christina Agapakis with Rina AlexinA synthetic biologist who became a creative and marketing leader? Yes, please. In this kickoff to Season 4, Dr. Christina Agapakis (Founder, Oscillator; former SVP Creative & Marketing at Ginkgo Bioworks) joins Productside CEO Rina Alexin to explore the messy, very human loop between research, product, and story. From lab benches to launch plans, we talk silos, funding models, and the art of “staying with the trouble” when the real world refuses your neat roadmap.Key Topics Discussed in This EpisodeThe science ↔ product tangle (not a pipeline):Christina explains why discovery isn’t a tidy flowchart—it’s a back-and-forth hairball of hypotheses, constraints, and collaboration that looks suspiciously like modern product discovery. Funding, impact, and translating research:Who pays shapes what gets built. We dig into grants, incentives, and new models (e.g., focused research orgs) that bridge lab breakthroughs to useful products without pretending it’s frictionless.Personas for molecules vs. people:Scientists often model cells; PMs model users. Christina makes the case for bringing real human context into upstream work—and why clear stories beat sterile slides when stakes are high.Why Listen to This Episode?In this thought-provoking episode, you’ll gain: A fresh mental model for discovery that treats research like product (small bets, fast feedback). Tactics for working across silos without losing craft (or outcome). Language to translate messy reality into narratives stakeholders actually act on. A reminder to “stay with the trouble” when ambiguity spikes and why that’s where impact lives. If you build things for humans (or with humans), this conversation will sharpen your process and your story.Related ResourcesCheck out these additional tools and resources to add to your PM belt: Productside Resource Library More Productside Stories Podcast Episodes Explore Productside Courses 

Product and engineering love to blame each other—but the best teams skip the turf war and figure out how to move forward together. In this episode, Rina talks with Guy Gershoni, Head of Engineering at genesIT, about what makes that partnership work (and what breaks it). From lean experiments to shared metrics to real talk about trust, this one’s packed with hard-earned lessons from someone who’s seen both the chaos and the magic. Key Topics Discussed in This Episode Why engineers care more about impact than frameworks Turns out, engineers don’t want to ship shiny features. They want to ship useful ones. The key is making the impact visible.  Experiments that don’t waste time (or careers) Guy shares a dead-simple way to test new ideas without overinvesting—or getting stuck in analysis paralysis.  The MAC Model: A cheat code for fixing team dynamics Mindset, Articulation, Capability. If your team is off-track, this framework can tell you exactly where things are breaking down. Why Listen to This Episode? In this episode, you’ll get: Real advice on how product and engineering can stop talking past each other A new way to think about experimentation (it’s not about frameworks) Tactics to make success metrics a shared responsibility A refreshingly honest take on what actually builds team trust If you’re navigating cross-functional tension or just want to collaborate better, this one’s worth your time. Related Resources Check out these additional tools and resources to add to your PM belt: Productside Resource Library More Productside Stories Podcast Episodes Explore Productside Courses 

Product transformations don’t fail because of bad tools—they fail because of ignored people. In this episode, transformation expert Joeri Devisch joins Productside CEO Rina Alexin to break down what real change leadership looks like. They talk through the difference between change and transformation, why words matter more than you think, and how to avoid top-down change that fizzles out. Key Topics Discussed in This Episode What separates transformation from “just change.” Joeri breaks down how to spot real transformation—and why project-to-product shifts are often misunderstood from the start. Why most transformation efforts fail. From overused buzzwords to under-communicated strategy, Joeri explains where teams get stuck and how to fix it. How to lead change from the inside. Hear how T-shaped product managers and early adopters can carry change forward, even in the most complex orgs. Why Listen to This Episode? In this thought-provoking episode, you’ll gain: A fresh lens on product transformations (and why most don’t stick) A better understanding of how to create buy-in across your org Tactics to simplify change through pilots and internal storytelling Insight into the overlap between product management and transformation leadership Whether you’re mid-change or just getting started, this one’s a must-listen.  Related Resources Check out these additional tools and resources to add to your PM belt: Productside Resource Library More Productside Stories Podcast Episodes Explore Productside Courses 

In this engaging conversation, Orly Stern, General Manager of Business Applications at Payoneer, shares her inspiring journey from product manager to senior leadership. She dives into her experience of reviving failed products by taking ownership and fostering collaboration. Orly also discusses the challenges of leading global teams across diverse cultures, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement. Listeners will gain insights on effective leadership strategies, making bold career moves, and the significance of a customer-centric approach in product management.

In this insightful discussion, Rachel Owens, a product executive and growth expert, shares her expertise in scaling B2B SaaS products. She emphasizes the importance of refining product-market fit by deeply understanding user pain points. Rachel also highlights how product and go-to-market teams can collaborate effectively for sustainable growth. Moreover, she warns against the AI hype trap, advising when AI truly adds value versus being just a distraction. Her insights provide actionable strategies for overcoming common pitfalls in product scaling.

What’s the difference between being a product manager at an agency vs. in-house? In this episode of Productside Stories, host Rina Alexin sits down with Anne Veit, Head of Product Strategy at Razorfish, to dive deep into how agency product management works, how to navigate rapid innovation, and why problem-solving skills matter more than industry expertise. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to manage products on behalf of multiple clients, this episode is a must-listen. Key Topics Discussed in This Episode Key topic #1 Product Acceleration Teams: How Razorfish builds cross-functional teams that rapidly innovate and execute at speed. Key topic #2 The Agency vs. In-House Product Manager Experience: The unique challenges and advantages of leading product in a client-driven environment. Key topic #3 AI & Product Innovation: How agencies help companies cut through AI hype and find real business value. Why Listen to This Episode? In this thought-provoking episode, you’ll gain: Learn how to thrive in an agency product role – Managing multiple stakeholders and moving fast without breaking things. Get insights on cross-functional collaboration – How blending data, design, and tech accelerates innovation. Discover the secrets of product acceleration teams – The agency approach to shipping fast, learning faster, and keeping clients ahead of the curve. Understand AI’s real role in product management – Why “AI everywhere” isn’t always the right answer, and how to separate hype from strategy. If you’re in product—whether agency or in-house—this episode will challenge how you think about strategy, execution, and innovation. Related Resources Check out these additional tools and resources to add to your PM belt: Productside Resource Library More Productside Stories Podcast Episodes Explore Productside Courses 

Stepping into product leadership means balancing strategic vision, customer focus, and emerging tech. In this episode of Productside Stories, Neha Bansal, Head of Product at Meta Ads Manager Reporting, joins Nicole Tieche to discuss her career, the high-speed role of AI in advertising, and how PMs can stay ahead of industry shifts. Key Topics Discussed in This Episode Key topic #1 From Consulting to Product Leadership – Neha shares how a customer-first mindset led her from consulting to product management at companies like Google and Meta. Key topic #2 AI’s Impact on Advertising – How AI is transforming ad targeting, fraud detection, and campaign performance for small businesses and enterprise brands alike. Key topic #3 Thriving as a Product Leader – Why adaptability, data fluency, and domain expertise are the future of product management—and how PMs can develop these critical skills. Why Listen to This Episode? In this thought-provoking episode, you’ll gain:  Insider insights on AI-driven advertising and how it impacts businesses  Practical advice on developing leadership skills in product management  Strategies for balancing customer needs with data-driven decision-making  A roadmap for upskilling and future-proofing your product career Neha’s journey from data analytics to leading product at Meta Ads Manager Reporting is packed with takeaways for aspiring and experienced product managers alike. Related Resources Check out these additional tools and resources to add to your PM belt:  Productside Resource Library  More Productside Stories Podcast Episodes  Explore Productside Courses 

In this episode, Rina Alexin chats with Brian Fugere, a product veteran who’s led M&A strategies at symplr and beyond. They dive into the good, bad, and downright shocking sides of acquisitions—covering why some deals fail, how to avoid due diligence pitfalls, and tips for making cultural integration actually work. Whether you’ve been through M&A chaos or are bracing for your first, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom. Key Topics Discussed in This Episode Key topic #1 The Real Reasons Companies Do M&A: Growth shortcuts, customer acquisition plays, and competitive pressures that drive deal-making. Key topic #2 Why Product Leaders Need a Seat at the M&A Table: How skipping PMs during due diligence leads to expensive surprises post-acquisition. Key topic #3 Cultural Integration—The Silent Deal Killer: Proven tactics to avoid brain drain and create a unified product team post-acquisition. Why Listen to This Episode? In this thought-provoking episode, you’ll gain:  Battle-tested advice on navigating M&A as a product leader  Red flags to watch for during due diligence  Tips on retaining top talent during acquisitions  Strategies to unify product processes post-M&A If you’re a product leader facing a potential acquisition—or just want to be prepared—this episode is a must-listen. Related Resources Check out these additional tools and resources to add to your PM belt:  Productside Resource Library  More Productside Stories Podcast Episodes  Explore Productside Courses