Product Talk with Malthi

Join Kapil Jaiswal, Head of Products at Whatfix with over two decades of experience in product management, as he delves into the impact of generative AI on the SaaS industry. He discusses how AI is reshaping product management and the evolving dynamics of product-market fit. Kapil sheds light on building strong enterprise customer partnerships and the challenges of subscription fatigue versus usage-based pricing. He also shares insights on validating customer problems and what it takes to create the next trillion-dollar startup in India.

Join us in an engaging conversation with Kapil Jaiswal, Head of Products at Whatfix, as we explore the journey of building a globally adopted B2B SaaS product. Kapil shares valuable insights on:How generative AI is disrupting product management.Evolving product-market fit in the SaaS ecosystem.Building strong global customer partnerships.Addressing enterprise expectations in product roadmaps.The future of SaaS and the road ahead for B2B startups.Time Stamps:-0:00:33 – Is engineering dead in the age of generative AI?0:03:05 – How does product-market fit evolve for Whatfix?0:08:23 – How does Whatfix approach global enterprise customers?0:18:23 – Is SaaS dead with the rise of generative AI?0:24:45 – Subscription fatigue vs. usage-based pricing models.0:28:54 – Managing customer expectations in enterprise SaaS.0:34:39 – How does B2B SaaS validate problems in its customer base?0:38:06 – Advice for B2B startups aspiring to go global.0:42:06 – What will creating the next trillion-dollar company from India take?Guest Corner: Kapil Ashok Jaiswal is the Head of Products at Whatfix, leading product management since 2015 with a customer-first approach. With more than two decades of experience in product building and management, Kapil's expertise lies at the intersection of technology, business, and user psychology. He co-founded CamBuzz and has held leadership roles at EdgeVerve (Infosys), Huawei, and Ketera (Deem). An MBA graduate from IIM Calcutta, Kapil is motivated by his belief in lifelong learning. LinkedIn Id:-https://www.linkedin.com/in/kapilajaiswal?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Host corner: Malthi SS, is Fractional Chief Product Officer at HerKey(formerly JobsForHer), a woman’s career engagement platform. She is a seasoned global product leader, Start-Up Mentor and Freelance Product Coach and Trainer. She has more than 2 decades of professional experience in building global software products working with PayPal, Societe Generale, Intuit, SAP and EMC catering to millions of customers. 🌟 S͇u͇b͇s͇c͇r͇i͇b͇e͇ t͇o͇ t͇h͇i͇s͇ Y͇o͇u͇T͇u͇b͇e͇ C͇h͇a͇n͇n͇e͇l͇ a͇n͇d͇ s͇t͇a͇y͇ a͇h͇e͇a͇d͇ i͇n͇ y͇o͇u͇r͇ p͇r͇o͇d͇u͇c͇t͇ m͇a͇n͇a͇g͇e͇m͇e͇n͇t͇ s͇k͇i͇l͇l͇s͇: https://www.youtube.com/@product-talk-with-malthi 🌟 🔗Gᴇᴛ ɪɴ ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜ ᴡɪᴛʜ Mᴀʟᴛʜɪ: 📧 Email: malthi.satish@gmail.com 🌐 Website : www.malthiss.com 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malthis 👉𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐔𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐢'𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: https://malthi.substack.com/

Join us in this insightful episode as we talk to Tejas Vyas, who spent 12 incredible years at BigBasket, leading their journey from zero to one and scaling one to one hundred as Product Head. Now, Tejas is on a mission to create impactful products in sustainability and carbon footprint management.🎧 What to expect in this episode:The evolving role of product managers in the age of AI.Challenges and opportunities in quick commerce.Building a business at the intersection of profitability and sustainability.Practical insights on scaling startups and managing hypergrowth.Time Stamps:-0:00 – Introduction: Delhi’s air quality crisis and the context of unlivable cities.1:05 – Tejas Vyas joins the conversation: Background and experience in product management and commerce.2:03 – AI's impact on product management: Will product managers become obsolete?8:08 – Phases of scaling: From 0-to-1, 1-to-10, and 10-to-100, with Tejas's firsthand insights.17:08 – The diversification dilemma: Doubling down on core offerings versus exploring new avenues.24:02 – Metrics that matter: Balancing customer experience, sustainability, and profitability.32:02 – Quick commerce sustainability: Challenges, growth potential, and impact on local merchants.39:10 – Transition to sustainability: Tejas's mission to tackle climate change through innovative products.45:22 – The evolving role of PMs: Adding sustainability and efficiency to product management.46:29 – Rapid-fire round: Scaling fast, product-market fit, and hiring experienced leaders.47:20 – Closing thoughts: The importance of sustainability in the future of business growth. Guest corner:- Tejas Vyas is a seasoned product leader with 15+ years of experience in building impactful products and scaling startups. Passionate about sustainability, he is focused on creating solutions that address climate change challenges. Tejas combines consumer-centric innovation with a purpose-driven approach, aiming to make a meaningful difference through his work Host corner: Malthi is the CEO & Founder of SparkProd Consulting, a product consulting boutique firm and product advisor to start-ups. She is a seasoned global product leader, Start-Up Mentor and Freelance Product Coach and Trainer. She has more than 2 decades of professional experience in building global software products working with PayPal, Societe Generale, Intuit, SAP and EMC catering to millions of customers. 🌟 S͇u͇b͇s͇c͇r͇i͇b͇e͇ t͇o͇ t͇h͇i͇s͇ Y͇o͇u͇T͇u͇b͇e͇ C͇h͇a͇n͇n͇e͇l͇ a͇n͇d͇ s͇t͇a͇y͇ a͇h͇e͇a͇d͇ i͇n͇ y͇o͇u͇r͇ p͇r͇o͇d͇u͇c͇t͇ m͇a͇n͇a͇g͇e͇m͇e͇n͇t͇ s͇k͇i͇l͇l͇s͇: https://www.youtube.com/@product-talk-with-malthi 🌟 🔗Gᴇᴛ ɪɴ ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜ ᴡɪᴛʜ Mᴀʟᴛʜɪ: 📧 Email: malthi@sparkprod.in 🌐 Website : www.sparkprod.in 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malthis 👉𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐔𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐢'𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: https://malthi.substack.com/

Welcome to Product Talks with Malthi! In this episode, host Malthi SS chats with Raghu Ramanujam, a product leader from Flipkart, about the Indian startup ecosystem, its growth, challenges, and future opportunities. What’s Covered? Why hasn’t India produced global giants like TikTok or WhatsApp yet? How startups can achieve product-market fit and scale globally. The role of AI in transforming product management and startup strategies. Key advice for founders: resilience, innovation, and leveraging IPOs. Subscribe to Product Talks with Malthi for more inspiring conversations and expert advice! 0:00 - 0:22 The Challenge of India Producing Global Giants 0:22 - 1:10 Introduction to Ragu Ramanujam and Indian Startup Evolution 1:10 - 2:22 The Rise of India as a Startup Ecosystem 2:22 - 4:17 The Evolution of India’s Tech Industry from the 70s to Present 4:17 - 6:06 Incubators and Accelerators Driving Growth 6:06 - 8:06 The Value of Storytelling and Pitching for Startups 8:06 - 10:16 From Product-Market Fit to Scaling Challenges 10:16 - 12:32 The Role of Mentors as Sounding Boards 12:32 - 15:18 Transitioning from Services to Products 15:18 - 17:54 India’s Unique Tech Enablers for Startups 17:54 - 20:08 Challenges of Building Global B2C Platforms from India 20:08 - 24:08 B2B Success and Opportunities for Category Creation 24:08 - 27:28 Importance of IPOs for the Indian Startup Ecosystem 27:28 - 30:30 Leveraging AI for Product Management 30:30 - 34:01 Opportunities and Threats AI Brings for Startups 34:01 - 35:12 Key Advice for Indian Founders 35:12 - 37:45 Importance of Talent, Design, and Product Thinking 37:45 - 39:24 Future of Indian Tech Talent and Education Meet our Guest:- Raghu Ramanujam, Senior Director of Product at Flipkart, leads the Fintech and Payments division, driving affordability for customers and supporting the Digital India initiative. With prior leadership roles at Zoho and InMobi, and as the founder of the ride-sharing startup PoolCircle, Raghu brings a rich mix of entrepreneurial and product expertise. He passionately believes that a product’s success is best measured by its impact on customer success. LinkedIn:-https://www.linkedin.com/in/raghuramanujam?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app Host corner: Malthi is the CEO & Founder of SparkProd Consulting, a product consulting boutique firm and product advisor to start-ups. She is a seasoned global product leader, Start-Up Mentor and Freelance Product Coach and Trainer. She has more than 2 decades of professional experience in building global software products working with PayPal, Societe Generale, Intuit, SAP and EMC catering to millions of customers. 🌟 S͇u͇b͇s͇c͇r͇i͇b͇e͇ t͇o͇ t͇h͇i͇s͇ Y͇o͇u͇T͇u͇b͇e͇ C͇h͇a͇n͇n͇e͇l͇ a͇n͇d͇ s͇t͇a͇y͇ a͇h͇e͇a͇d͇ i͇n͇ y͇o͇u͇r͇ p͇r͇o͇d͇u͇c͇t͇ m͇a͇n͇a͇g͇e͇m͇e͇n͇t͇ s͇k͇i͇l͇l͇s͇: https://www.youtube.com/@product-talk-with-malthi 🌟 🔗Gᴇᴛ ɪɴ ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜ ᴡɪᴛʜ Mᴀʟᴛʜɪ: 📧 Email: malthi.satish@gmail.com 🌐 Website : www.malthiss.com 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malthis 👉𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐔𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐢'𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: https://malthi.substack.com/

In this must-watch episode of Product Talk with Malthi, we welcome Roopa, an accomplished product and technology leader in B2B SaaS. She shares her formula for building successful products and managing large, distributed teams in a global market. Roopa also shares her recipe for impactful leadership, focusing on clear communication, aligning vision with action, and ensuring seamless execution. This episode is filled with actionable insights for anyone looking to lead with a customer-first approach while scaling products across diverse markets. Tune in to gain valuable strategies for navigating the complex landscape of global product management! 🌐 TimeStamp 0:30 How did you manage large, remote teams during and after COVID? 4:53 What are the key challenges for remote teams and how can they succeed? 9:55 How can an organisation empower remote product teams? 13:26 How do you balance innovation with business as usual? 17:42 How do you align global teams when entering new markets? 24:03 What is your recipe for success as a global product leader? 40:19 Quick insights on productivity, leadership, and remote work. 43:17 Final thoughts on the product revolution in India. Meet our Guest:- Roopa Jayaraman is a seasoned product and technology leader with extensive experience driving product-led growth for a leading B2B SaaS platform. She excels in shaping product vision, innovation, and go-to-market strategies while leading cross-functional teams with a customer-first approach. As Chief Technology Officer and India Site Leader at Odessa, Roopa oversees a 1,000+ strong team, combining her expertise in technology and business to foster an innovative, inclusive, and growth-driven culture. Roopa is a recognized thought leader, speaking at events like Nasscom, Your Story, and the Women in Tech Global Conference. She also contributes to Business Today and serves on the Executive Product Industry Council at the Institute of Product Leadership. LinkedIn:-https://www.linkedin.com/in/roopajayaraman/ Host corner: Malthi SS, is Fractional Chief Product Officer at HerKey(formerly JobsForHer), a woman’s career engagement platform. She is a seasoned global product leader, Start-Up Mentor and Freelance Product Coach and Trainer. She has more than 2 decades of professional experience in building global software products working with PayPal, Societe Generale, Intuit, SAP and EMC catering to millions of customers. 🌟 S͇u͇b͇s͇c͇r͇i͇b͇e͇ t͇o͇ t͇h͇i͇s͇ Y͇o͇u͇T͇u͇b͇e͇ C͇h͇a͇n͇n͇e͇l͇ a͇n͇d͇ s͇t͇a͇y͇ a͇h͇e͇a͇d͇ i͇n͇ y͇o͇u͇r͇ p͇r͇o͇d͇u͇c͇t͇ m͇a͇n͇a͇g͇e͇m͇e͇n͇t͇ s͇k͇i͇l͇l͇s͇: https://www.youtube.com/@product-talk-with-malthi 🌟 🔗Gᴇᴛ ɪɴ ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜ ᴡɪᴛʜ Mᴀʟᴛʜɪ: 📧 Email: malthi.satish@gmail.com 🌐 Website : www.malthiss.com 🔹 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malthis 👉𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐔𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐢'𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: https://malthi.substack.com/

Dive into the fascinating world of gamification! Discover how storytelling and psychology can enhance user engagement and retention in product design. Hear about the journey from radio jockey to design expert and learn how to balance fun with core values. Explore ethical considerations in gamification and the importance of aligning motivational strategies with product goals. Plus, gain insight into navigating challenges and hear exciting success stories from real companies!

Priyanka, Chief Design Officer at Dream11, and Muru, CTO at HerKey, dive into key insights on building inclusive social platforms. They discuss the challenges of developing products like WhatsApp, balancing openness, safety, and privacy, and how thoughtful design strategies foster user trust. Discover how customer empathy is transforming user experiences and why safety and privacy are non-negotiable in today’s digital landscape.. They also discuss the powerful role of women in technology and the shift in career platforms driving today’s workforce. This episode offers valuable insights into designing platforms that empower and connect diverse users. 00:00 How to build Inclusive Social Platforms 02:46 How its like to build a product like watsapp 08:49 Balance on creating open, engaging and safe platform for women 15:05 How to follow safety and privacy protocols while building a platform for women 22:22 Applying design strategies in a product for better user trust and experience 29:00 Product iteration roadmap on building a inclusive social platform 35:41 Forher platform for women’s career growth  36:04 Priyanka shares her Career journey as a women in STEM  39:55 importance of team understanding about userbase for better product quality 43:16 How including diverse talents make a change in the product journey 48:25 Role and career growth of women in technology 52:30 The 4 M’s of a woman's life and career impact  55:25 insights from the innovative project return to work by watsapp for women’s career growth led by priyanka  Meet our guests : Priyanka Kodikal Priyanka is the Chief Design Officer at Dream Sports, having returned to India in 2023 after two decades of design experience in the U.S. She leads the expansion of the design team and influences the design philosophy across the Dream Sports portfolio. Prior to this role, Priyanka was the Head of Design for WhatsApp’s consumer products, where she shaped core user experiences for calling, messaging, and status. Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyankakodikal/ Murugan Arjunan With over 20 years of global leadership experience in technology, SaaS product development, and cloud transformation, he has served as Chief Technology Officer at HerKey since 2023. He is passionate about leveraging technology, AI, and data to create products that empower millions of women to access opportunities, learning, and supportive communities for their career aspirations. Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/muru-arjunan/ Host corner: Malthi SS, is Fractional Chief Product Officer at HerKey(formerly JobsForHer), a woman’s career engagement platform. She is a seasoned global product leader, Start-Up Mentor and Freelance Product Coach and Trainer. She has more than 2 decades of professional experience in building global software products working with PayPal, Societe Generale, Intuit, SAP and EMC catering to millions of customers. Connect with Malthi:  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malthis Website : www.malthiss.com Subscribe to the Newsletter at - https://malthi.substack.com

Explore the world of data with Sathish KS, CTO of Zeotap GMBH. Sathish discusses the transformative power of data platforms, from the concept of "data as the new oil" to how businesses are leveraging data for innovation and growth. Key topics include the evolution of data platforms, the challenges posed by data silos, the role of AI in enhancing product management, and the importance of data quality and privacy. Sathish also highlights how modern organizations are balancing data-driven strategies with trust and privacy concerns, while providing practical insights on managing data platforms effectively in the digital age. 1:40 Sathish takes us back to his journey into data space 5:48 importance of distribution of data platforms  8:26 Shirky Principle explained  12:20 Conways law and data platforms  17:16 Understanding the evolution of data strategies  20:29 New age innovations and regulations  21:11 Roles & responsibilities of a data product manager  24:45 thought process of a product manager in ai systems  25:10 How to get proper decision based on experiments, predictions & judgements 28:40 why starting as a analyst is important for a product manager  31:15 Advice for product and tech teams to achieve stakeholders requests 35:58 How can a data platform organizations manage trust and privacy concerns  45:30  Ai becomes a good partner for product managers in data platforms  50:51 Next evolution with Ai in data space  Meet our guest  Sathish KS is the CTO of Zeotap GMBH, a leading customer data platform provider in Europe and the UK. With over 22 years of IT experience, he has built cutting-edge data and analytics solutions in industries like MarTech, AdTech, IoT, and Anti-Fraud. Prior to Zeotap, Sathish played key roles at Ola and Cisco, developing fraud prevention systems and IoT solutions. An avid Tai Chi practitioner, he brings a unique perspective to technology and leadership. Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sathishks/ Host corner  Malthi SS, is Fractional Chief Product Officer at HerKey(formerly JobsForHer), a woman’s career engagement platform. She is a seasoned global product leader, Start-Up Mentor and Freelance Product Coach and Trainer. She has more than 2 decades of professional experience in building global software products working with PayPal, Societe Generale, Intuit, SAP and EMC catering to millions of customers.  Connect with Malthi:  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malthis Website : www.malthiss.com Subscribe to the Newsletter at - https://malthi.substack.com

Explore how machine learning is transforming cancer detection and the challenges of bringing this technology to the forefront of healthcare space. Dive into the inspiring story behind Niramai's mission to break social barriers in rural healthcare, fueled by a personal tragedy. Gain insights into the tech hurdles of healthcare innovation, learn about effective go-to-market strategies, and uncover the possibilities for nationwide healthcare coverage and future innovations that could reshape the industry. 00:00 AI in Healthcare: Dr. Geetha Manjunath on Cancer Detection and Innovation 03:58 How Nirmai was founded  06:32 Inventing a new method for breast cancer detection 11:00 Understanding Rural area concerns for cancer detection  13:39 Self experiment and medicine professional support to build the solution 17:21 Educating Users Through Interactive and Accessible Approaches 19:27  Key challenges of developing the healthcare solution  21:30 Tech expectations and cancer detection  27:00 Global Adoption of New Cancer Detection Methods 29:00 Key Elements in NIRAMAI’s Go-to-Market Strategy 30:24 Understanding revolution in healthcare space 35:20  Listener Q&A: Implementing Nationwide Healthcare Coverage Systems About guest  Dr. Geetha Manjunath Dr. Geetha Manjunath is the Founder, CEO, and CTO of NIRAMAI Health Analytix, where she pioneered an AI solution for early, non-invasive breast cancer detection. With 25+ years of IT innovation experience, she previously led AI projects at Xerox and HP and was Lab Director for Data Analytics at Xerox India. Recognized on Forbes' Top 20 Self-Made Women 2020 list, Dr. Geetha holds 20 US patents and has received multiple awards for her work in healthcare and entrepreneurship. Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/geetha-manjunath-82b8058/ Host corner  Malthi SS, is Fractional Chief Product Officer at HerKey(formerly JobsForHer), a woman’s career engagement platform. She is a seasoned global product leader, Start-Up Mentor and Freelance Product Coach and Trainer. She has more than 2 decades of professional experience in building global software products working with PayPal, Societe Generale, Intuit, SAP and EMC catering to millions of customers.  Connect with Malthi:  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malthis Website : www.malthiss.com Subscribe to the Newsletter at - https://malthi.substack.com

Explore the journey from UNIX to modern microservices and learn about integrating diverse data sources and building products from scratch using non-SQL databases. Dr. Srikant discusses the shift to decentralized ecosystems with open APIs and shares his experiences with industry leaders and early Silicon Valley's collaborative innovation. He advocates for practical, hands-on educational initiatives in AI and data sciences, addressing current gaps in product management and stressing the need for immersive, industry-relevant education to prepare future technologists and product managers. Key takeaways  Tech Evolution: Explore the shift from UNIX to microservices and APIs. Product Development: Understand the value of building products from scratch and data integration. Decentralisation: Learn the benefits of decentralised ecosystems and open APIs. Industry Insights: Gain inspiration from Dr. Srikant's experiences with tech pioneers. Practical Education: Recognize the importance of blending theory with hands-on experience. Product Management: Identify current gaps and the need for immersive, industry-relevant training. About guest Dr Srkanth Sundararajan General partner at VenturEast  VC, Senior Exec, Entrepreneur, Professor - with a focus on tech, enterprise tech, SaaS, startups, incubators, etc., spanning 36+ years! Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/srikanth-99?originalSubdomain=in Host corner  Malthi SS, is Fractional Chief Product Officer at HerKey(formerly JobsForHer), a woman’s career engagement platform. She is a seasoned global product leader, Start-Up Mentor and Freelance Product Coach and Trainer. She has more than 2 decades of professional experience in building global software products working with PayPal, Societe Generale, Intuit, SAP and EMC catering to millions of customers.  Connect with Malthi:  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malthis Website : www.malthiss.com Subscribe to the Newsletter at - https://malthi.substack.com