Productside Stories

In this episode of Productside Stories, Rina Alexin sits down with Elena Leonova, CPO at Spryker, to dive into the challenges of managing platform products. Elena shares her journey from business analyst to product leader, breaks down the complexities of platform management, and reveals how to make strategic decisions that move the needle. If you’re tackling platform products or scaling B2B solutions, this episode delivers practical insights you can put to work right away. Key Topics Discussed in This Episode Key topic #1 Navigating Platform Complexity Learn how platform products differ from traditional offerings and the critical considerations for success. Key topic #2 Effective Decision-Making in Product Management Discover Elena’s approach to prioritization and stakeholder alignment to create real business impact. Key topic #3 Career Growth in Product Management Get inspired by Elena’s unconventional career path and her advice for aspiring product leaders. Why Listen to This Episode? In this thought-provoking episode, you’ll gain: A deeper understanding of platform product challenges and how to tackle them. Practical frameworks for making strategic product decisions with multiple stakeholders. Leadership insights from a CPO who’s scaled product teams globally. Tips on how to position yourself for success in your PM career. This is your opportunity to learn from one of the top voices in product management and keynote speaker for an 800+ audience. 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

Peter Moot, Co-founder of Promi and former Lead PM at Uber, shares insights on harnessing pricing as a strategic tool. He discusses why pricing should be integral to product management, explaining how it shapes customer behavior. The conversation delves into AI's role in optimizing personalized pricing and contrasts B2B and B2C strategies. Peter also provides tips to avoid common pricing pitfalls and emphasizes the need for data-driven experimentation in crafting effective pricing strategies.

Abner Rosales, Senior Director of Product Management Analytics at Experian, dives into building high-performing product teams and making smart, data-driven decisions. He shares insights on hiring for emotional intelligence alongside technical skills, ensuring effective collaboration. Abner emphasizes the importance of validating user needs to avoid pitfalls and discusses real-world challenges in product management. He also advocates for patience as a career strategy, urging listeners to think long-term for sustainable growth.

Cynthia Petti, Chief Operating Officer of Productside, dives into her inspiring journey and the power of professional development for product managers. She emphasizes how certification can lead to faster promotions and higher salaries, while sharing strategies for negotiating raises with confidence. Cynthia also highlights the importance of building a personal board of directors and finding mentors to navigate career growth. Listeners will gain actionable insights to upskill and enhance their value in the workplace.

In this engaging conversation, Michelle Felice-Steele, Vice President of Product Management at Experian Consumer Services, shares her impressive 24-year journey in product leadership. She explores the critical blend of customer insights, creativity, and technical skills necessary for product success. Michelle discusses effective communication tailored for various stakeholders and offers valuable advice for women entering the field. Her emphasis on continuous learning and mentorship shines as essential elements for navigating a rewarding career in product management.

Aruna Adhikari, Head of Product Clinical Technologies at IQVIA, brings over two decades of impactful experience in product leadership, earning recognition as one of the “100 Most Inspiring People” in Pharma Voice. She discusses the importance of empathy and humility in leadership, the emotional journey of industry recognition, and her transition from engineering to product management. Aruna emphasizes aligning professional goals with personal purpose, fostering collaborative team dynamics, and integrating kindness and humor for effective product leadership.

Marc Klingen, co-founder of LangFuse, dives into the fascinating world of AI product management. He discusses the art of selecting impactful AI use cases while balancing cost and quality. Marc emphasizes the importance of user feedback and metrics for successful integration. He also tackles the complexities of managing large language models and shares strategies for prompt engineering that boost productivity. Additionally, he reveals how AI tools can empower non-technical product managers to enhance their skills and outcomes.

Anna Nuñez, Growth Manager of Sales at Databricks, shares her expertise in aligning product management and sales. She emphasizes the necessity of open communication to enhance collaboration and boost customer satisfaction. Anna discusses how actionable customer feedback can drive product development and foster strong partnerships. She highlights tools that streamline interactions and the crucial role sales leaders play in guiding product priorities. Tune in for insights on breaking down silos to fuel business growth!

In this Productside Stories episode, we chat with Angela Fleming, VP of Product at Free Agent, about her unique journey from the world of marketing into product management. Angela shares how her passion for solving customer challenges led her to product leadership and offers practical advice for professionals looking to pivot into product roles. Discover how she applies frameworks like "jobs to be done" to create meaningful solutions, and why empathy and diverse perspectives are essential to building impactful products. If you’re navigating your own product career, Angela’s story is packed with actionable insights. 

Join us as we dive into AI-powered healthcare with Anne Pelz, Vice President of Product Management at OM1. Discover the transformative impact of AI in diagnosing rare diseases and optimizing treatment plans. Learn how OM1 bridges the gap between data and human empathy, and get valuable advice for product management leaders in AI-driven innovation.