Product Ops Chronicles

In this discussion, Thorsten Löwenberg, Product Operations Lead at Miro with over 20 years of scaling tech organizations, shares his insights on building product ops from the ground up. He emphasizes how crucial effective communication is for aligning teams during rapid growth and highlights the surprises faced in scaling operations. Thorsten also discusses the importance of structured planning and fostering team connections through engaging social events, all while advocating for trust-building to enhance collaboration across diverse work styles.

Lucky #7! 🎊Welcome to the seventh episode of the Product Ops Chronicles podcast, where our hosts Graham Reed and Antonia Landi sit down for an engaging discussion with special guest Beks Yellend. This episode is all about the unique challenges product professionals, particularly those in single-serving roles like product operations, face when it comes to their mental health and well-being. Product professionals often find themselves isolated, facing a mountain of responsibilities solo. Graham, Antonia, and Beks dive deep into these challenges, sharing personal stories and practical advice. They underscore the importance of building a robust support network, both within your organization and through external communities. This network is your lifeline, helping you navigate the loneliness and isolation that can sometimes accompany these roles.What’s in store for episode 7? 👀The importance of mental health support and community for product professionals, especially those in single-serving roles like product operationsThe need for product teams to constantly prove their value to the organization Balancing ambition and agency as a product personUnique challenges of product ops rolesThe value of product communities, both online and in-person, in providing a supportive environment for product professionals to learn, share, and build relationshipsListen now!Embark on a journey of product ops enlightenment by subscribing now. Grab your favorite beverage, and let's dive deep into the captivating world of product ops. Because in the Product Ops Chronicles, we don't just talk products; we make them legendary. 🚀✨There's more where that came from! Catch the previous episodes, out now.

Can AI actually help you manage feedback better – or is it just adding more noise?In this episode of Product Ops Chronicles, hosts Graham Reed and Antonia Landi sit down with Aly Mahan to discuss using AI to handle feedback at scale, prioritize product decisions, and close the loop more effectively. Plus, why chasing “inbox zero” for product feedback is a trap – and what to do instead.Key talking points of episode 12: Staying on top of customer feedbackUsing AI to sort, summarize, and quantify feedbackWhy you don’t need to respond to every customer requestUsing feedback to help with product discoveryHow Pendo's product team is learning about AISubscribe now, grab your favorite beverage, and let's deep dive into the fascinating world of product ops. In the Product Ops Chronicles, we don't just talk about products; we make them legendary. 🚀About our guest, Aly MahanAly cut her teeth in the world of venture-backed startups, where the most important thing was getting sh*t done in a scalable way, with minimum friction and maximum flexibility. Over the last 15+ years she’s worked in everything from financial auditing to marketing consultancy, and – most recently – spent the last few years helping Pendo ship more consistently while scaling their product team. Aly is flexible, quick to adapt, and happiest when she’s helping people, learning something new, and turning chaos into clarity.About our hosts, Graham and AntoniaGraham Reed is the Head of Product Operations at HeliosX Group. He’s a seasoned, results-driven & strategic Product Operations leader with over 10 years as a hands-on product manager/leader. He’s also the Founder of the Product Mind Community, a product-focused mental health and wellbeing support hub.Antonia Landi is a Senior Product Operations Coach & Consultant dedicated to transforming competitors into market leaders through the power of Product Operations. She specializes in designing and implementing tailored operational frameworks that drive alignment, effectiveness, and measurable outcomes. 

“Creating a house we all want to live in is where great product work can happen.”On this episode of Product Ops Chronicles, hosts Graham Reed and Antonia Landi sit down with Jana Debusk to discuss building and maintaining product culture, especially in the face of change. Plus, the reason you should show your colleagues your pets…Key talking points from episode 11:Collaboration with HR and product leadershipManaging change through cultureThe impact of acquisitionsBoosting morale and having fun at workFinding your tribeSubscribe now, grab your favorite beverage, and let's deep dive into the fascinating world of product ops. In the Product Ops Chronicles, we don't just talk about products; we make them legendary. About our guest, Jana Debusk As Product Operations Leader at Playvox by NICE, Jana Debusk streamlines processes, drives growth, and optimizes operational efficiency across global, cross-functional teams with a focus on feature adoption, customer retention, and GTM strategies. As a storyteller, she excels at transforming complex concepts into clear, compelling narratives that engage stakeholders at all levels. Her passion for authentic communication allows me to connect with audiences and foster meaningful relationships, both internally and externally, and she thrive on bringing together people, ideas, and solutions to drive innovation and success. Jana is also a professional jazz musician, lyricist, educator, and mom.About our hosts, Graham and AntoniaGraham Reed is the Head of Product Operations at HeliosX Group. He’s a seasoned, results-driven & strategic Product Operations leader with over 10 years as a hands-on product manager/leader. He’s also the Founder of the Product Mind Community, a product-focused mental health and wellbeing support hub.Antonia Landi is a Senior Product Operations Coach & Consultant dedicated to transforming competitors into market leaders through the power of Product Operations. She specializes in designing and implementing tailored operational frameworks that drive alignment, effectiveness, and measurable outcomes. 

What exactly is the role of product operations? Is it PM'ing the PM experience or something far more nuanced? In the latest episode of The Product Ops Chronicles, hosts Graham Reed and Antonia Landi dive deep into this question with guests Christopher Fox and Chris Butler. Together, they explore the evolving role of product ops as a strategic partner, change agent, and enabler for product managers, tackling everything from organizational dynamics to the future of cross-functional collaboration. If you’ve ever wondered how product ops fits into the bigger picture of product success, this episode is a must-listen! 🎙️What’s cooking in this episode?The role of product operations as manager to product managers Balancing internal vs. external customer focus for product opsThe need for product ops to act as a systems thinker and change agent, not just a process implementerThe tension between specialization and generalization in product ops rolesThe evolving nature of management and leadership in the context of product opsListen now!Ready to embark on a journey of product ops enlightenment?Subscribe now, grab your favorite beverage, and let's deep dive into the fascinating world of product ops. In the Product Ops Chronicles, we don't just talk about products; we make them legendary. 🚀

Lindsay Bell, former Head of R&D Operations at Foursquare and a key figure in product ops, discusses the critical role of product operations in delivering high-quality products efficiently. She highlights how product ops adapts to modern business demands while maintaining quality and fostering collaboration. Lindsay also addresses the challenges of quantifying the intangible benefits of product ops, emphasizing its importance in nurturing workplace culture and team effectiveness despite financial constraints.

In the latest episode, Graham Reed, Antonia Landi, and guest host May Wong delve into the profound effects of layoffs and navigate the uncertain terrain of finding new employment amidst mental health strains and financial burdens. Come explore how product management and operations roles are changing amid a gradual job market recovery, offering optimism to those seeking new opportunities. Our hosts illuminate the indispensable value of product operations during organizational change, emphasizing its role in supporting employee well-being, retention, and career advancement. What’s cooking in episode 4?Impact of layoffs and challenges faced by those laid off, such as finding new employment, mental health issues, and financial pressureUncertainty around the future of product management and product operations rolesGradual recovery in the job market and optimism for those seeking new rolesThe value and importance of product operations during times of organizational change and restructuring The value proposition of product operations in supporting employee retention, well-being, and career development The need for product operations to navigate and adapt to the unique challenges of each organization, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all framework or playbook.Listen now!Embark on a journey of product ops enlightenment by subscribing now. Grab your favorite beverage, and let's dive deep into the captivating world of product ops. Because in the Product Ops Chronicles, we don't just talk products; we make them legendary. 🚀✨There's more where that came from! Catch the previous episodes, out now.Listen now

Buckle up for an exhilarating dive into the heart of product operations with episode 3 of Product Ops Chronicles – the podcast that's more than just conversation; it's your gateway to understanding the intricacies of product strategy, operations, and beyond. In this latest episode, join hosts Graham Reed, Antonia Landi, and guest host Diana Soler as they uncover pivotal themes that not only define the discipline but also shape the course of your product organization's journey. From unraveling the best communication approaches to leadership styles – our hosts are here to guide you every step of the way.What's brewing in episode 3?Role of product operations in supporting product function: Framing product operations as a function supporting the entire product function.Iterative approach and change management: Discussing the importance of an iterative approach and effective change management.Continuous feedback loops: Emphasizing maintaining a feedback loop to gather input from teams.Transparency and understanding of internal processes: Acknowledging the importance of opening up internal processes for transparency.Building empathy between teams: Encouraging empathy between teams for better collaboration.Transparency in communication: Discussing the need for transparent communication within and between departments.Listen now!Embark on a journey of product ops enlightenment by subscribing now. Grab your favorite beverage, and let's dive deep into the captivating world of product ops. Because in the Product Ops Chronicles, we don't just talk products; we make them legendary. 🚀✨There's more where that came from! Catch the previous episodes, out now.Listen now

Join John Cutler, Head of Product at Dotwork and a seasoned product enabler, as he delves into the four hats of product operations: the operational leader, designer, builder, and wrangler. He discusses the critical balance between collaboration and transactional work, revealing that not all dependencies are detrimental. John emphasizes the importance of removing workload to enhance collaboration and offers insights into navigating team dynamics and boosting productivity. Find out which product operator you relate to!

Would you describe product operations as a support function? Or does that trigger thoughts of cost centres and subordination? Clare Hawthorne argues the term ‘support’ undersells the importance of the product operations function.On this episode of Product Ops Chronicles, hosts Graham Reed and Antonia Landi sit down with Clare Hawthorne to look back at the last few years of product operations development to uncover the pitfalls and trends to futureproof the function.Key talking points from episode 10:Is product ops a support function?The true goal of product operationsFinding a compelling argument for product opsMeasuring product operationsWhat does the future of product ops look like?About our guest, Clare HawthorneClare Hawthorne, Senior Director of Engineering & Product Operations at Oscar Health, is a technology leader with a passion for optimizing engineering and product teams. Her super power is "run state" – she gets out of bed each morning with the goal of paving the road to make products and software easier to ship.Clare is also a keynote speaker at the upcoming Product Operations Summit in New York. About our hosts, Graham and AntoniaGraham Reed is the Head of Product Operations at HeliosX Group. He’s a seasoned, results-driven & strategic Product Operations leader with over 10 years as a hands-on product manager/leader. He’s also the Founder of the Product Mind Community, a product-focused mental health and wellbeing support hub.Antonia Landi is a Senior Product Operations Coach & Consultant dedicated to transforming competitors into market leaders through the power of Product Operations. She specializes in designing and implementing tailored operational frameworks that drive alignment, effectiveness, and measurable outcomes.