Productside Stories

What does it take to build a product from nothing? Scott Jones, VP of Product at Realeyes, shares his journey from analyst to product leader, the mindset shifts required to navigate ambiguity, and how to validate ideas in real time. If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome in a leadership role or wanted a seat at the table for big product decisions, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Key Topics Discussed in This Episode The Art and Science of Product Leadership Scott explains how his background in film, music, and economics shaped his approach to product management, and why creativity and structure go hand in hand when building products from scratch. Managing Uncertainty: The Zero to One Playbook From handling imposter syndrome to validating ideas quickly, Scott shares how he builds confidence while leading new product initiatives – without waiting for perfect information. Experimentation, Sales, and the Power of Storytelling Why every product manager needs to be closer to sales, and how storytelling and strategic validation drive better decision-making in early-stage product development. Why Listen to This Episode? In this thought-provoking episode, you’ll gain:  A blueprint for navigating ambiguity – how to make decisions even when you don’t have all the answers.  Lessons in leadership – how Scott transitioned from individual contributor to leading product and strategy at an AI company.  Tips on experimentation and validation – how to gather the right signals before committing resources.  A behind-the-scenes look at AI-powered identity verification – Scott’s latest work at Realize and how it’s transforming fraud prevention. If you’re a product manager who wants to skill up your leadership game and own your decisions confidently, this episode is for you. 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 of Productside Stories, Rina Alexin sitsdown 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 EpisodeKey topic #1Navigating Platform ComplexityLearn how platform products differ from traditional offeringsand the critical considerations for success.Key topic #2Effective Decision-Making in Product ManagementDiscover Elena’s approach to prioritization and stakeholderalignment to create real business impact.Key topic #3Career Growth in Product ManagementGet inspired by Elena’s unconventional career path and heradvice 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 ofthe top voices in product management and keynote speaker for an 800+ audience.Related ResourcesCheck out these additional tools and resourcesto add to your PM belt:Productside Resource LibraryMore Productside Stories Podcast EpisodesExplore 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.