Product Talk with Malthi

Anurag Verma, a seasoned product manager with over 16 years in the industry, shares his expertise on ad tech monetization. He discusses an array of strategies for both B2B and B2C environments, emphasizing the significance of non-intrusive ad formats to enhance user experience. Anurag outlines the importance of cross-functional collaboration and details essential ad tech metrics. He also explores how new technologies like AI and AR/VR are revolutionizing ad strategies, offering actionable insights for effective product management.

Ranjani Mani, Director & Country Head of Generative AI at Microsoft India, joins host Malthi to explore AI's transformative impact on product management. They discuss practical examples of Generative AI, its role in productivity, process automation, and customer experience enhancement. Ranjani also addresses challenges in AI project implementation, underscores the product manager's crucial role in aligning technology with business goals, and offers strategic insights for effective AI integration. Whether new to AI or a seasoned pro, gain actionable strategies and expert perspectives on driving innovation in product management with AI. 00:00 Introduction to GenAI Product Management 02:45 Ranjani Shares Her Life Journey and Purpose 06:23 Most Common Use Cases in Gen AI Projects 10:00 Understanding Top-Down Methodology 13:43 Common Reasons for Project Failures 16:58 Guidelines for Building AI Products for Product Managers 20:52 The Role of Product Managers and Evolution with GenAI 23:33 Optimizing Cost vs. Need for AI Products 26:15 Key Considerations for PMs and Engineering Leaders in AI Product Development 28:50 Real Learning vs. Hype in Productive Work Environments 31:00 Recommended Resources & Books for GenAI Product Management 34:50 Linear vs. Exponential Growth Frameworks Explained About the Guest  Ranjani Mani, Director and Country Head of Generative AI at Microsoft India. A recognized leader in AI, Ranjani brings over two decades of expertise in AI product platforms and data sciences from VMWare, Dell, and Atlassian. She mentors startups and champions women in AI leadership, speaks at TEDx and industry panels, and hosts the podcast "Generative AI & I." Discover her journey and deep industry insights on staying ahead in the evolving world of AI. LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ranjanimani/ 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 transformative impact of AI on the tech industry and startups with Rajan as he shares his journey from working on SaaS products to focusing on AI SaaS, highlighting the evolution of AI from its early days to the present. The discussion emphasizes the revolutionary potential of AI, comparing its impact to the advent of cloud computing, and covers the differences in AI adoption and investment between the US and India. Gain valuable insights into the AI landscape, including practical advice for early-stage startups on identifying genuine AI opportunities. Rajan stresses the importance of building first and focusing on accessible goals. Packed with expert knowledge on the future of AI in product development, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the tech industry, AI advancements, and startup strategies. Tune in to understand how AI is poised to redefine industries and learn how to navigate this exciting technological shift.   00:00 - Transformative Impact of AI  03:58 - 06:59 how rajan explores the landscape of AI and product development 07:39 - AI future in Indian ecosystems  10:05 - Startup investment and market value of india vs US in AI segment  16:05 - Understanding Persona, Problems, and Customer Requirements 22:05 - Is AI a co-pilot for the product managers ?  26:00 - Four steps to meet market expectations  30:26 - Does AI influence software ecosystem investment and product market  37:18  - Awareness of AI in product management and a PM’s role of translator  42:04 - Unconventional AI use cases and Rajan's Product Experience 47:10 - Generative AI's Impact on Work Compression About the guest:  Rajan, managing partner at Upekkha, an AI accelerator investing in 100+ early-stage startups founded by Indian entrepreneurs with global product focuses. Previously, he led product at Intuit and founded a computer vision startup. Linkedin - http://linkedin.com/in/thiyagarajan About the Host:  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

Discover how strategic pivots can lead to successful acquisitions with Bhaskar, a seasoned product leader in supply chain, accounting, and fintech. He shares EasyTap's shift from hardware-first to software-first, leading to its acquisition by Razorpay, and explores the impact of India's digital stack, especially UPI.  Bhaskar discusses deploying e-commerce devices and digital payment solutions, highlighting innovations like UPI Lite and the National Common Mobility Card. He also covers emerging trends in contactless payments and cybersecurity, and emphasizes the evolving role of product managers, focusing on empathy, customer understanding, and AI integration. About guest:  Bhaskar Chatterjee is a seasoned product leader, orchestrated Ezetap's transition from hardware to software-first, leading to its acquisition by Razorpay. With expertise in fintech and digital payments, he offers strategic insights into market innovations and the evolving role of product managers. Connect with him on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bchatterjee About Host:  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 at:  Email: malthi.satish@gmail.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malthis

I'm thrilled to share the latest episode of the Level Up Prodcast with Malthi where I had an enriching conversation with Karthi Subbaraman, Senior Design Director at Salesforce. 🌟 In this episode, we cover: 🛤️ Karthi's Career Journey: From a C++ programmer to a strategic designer and product manager, Karthi shares her incredible two-decade journey in the tech industry. 📝 The Importance of Writing: Discover why writing is a crucial skill for product managers and how it enhances clarity and cognitive processes. 🤖 ChatGPT and Productivity: Karthi's insightful views on leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to boost productivity and collaboration. ⏰ Productivity Hacks: Learn effective time management strategies and the significance of prioritizing impactful work. 🔍 Decision Making: Gain insights into Karthi's decision-making process, focusing on actions' significance and impact. 👥 Community Building: Explore Karthi's drive to create and nurture communities for better learning and collaboration. 🔮 The Future of Product Professionals: Predictions for the next decade in product management and the evolving role of AI. 🎧 Tune in to the full episode for an engaging conversation filled with valuable insights and practical advice for product builders and leaders. Don't miss out! #Podcast #ProductManagement #AI #Productivity #CommunityBuilding #Leadership #CareerJourney #ChatGPT #FutureOfWork

In this episode we deep dive with Sumit Singh on the two sides of Hiring and Interviewing. We delve into topics of "What goes in Hiring Product Managers and preparing for the interviews". Some very candid share outs. 0.00 - 4.39 Introduction of Sumit's experience 4.40 - 14.51 How does Hiring manager get to the "most suitable" candidates. Unpacking it layer by layer from sourcing resumes to exploratory conversations 14.52 - 24.30 How does one assess PM craft, attitude, culture fitment, creativity. What are the rounds to expect in a PM role and why having a genuines conversation is important 24.31 - 30.57 Trends in technology is constantly eveolving the way we build products, how does this impact hiring decisions. How Sum 30.58 - 38.33 What Sr. PMs should focus on when they switching their jobs or looking to move to the next level 38.34 43.30 How can PMs demonstrate their craft in the interview or case study submissions 43.31 - 47.38 What are the mistakes that candidates should avoid while interviewing 47.39 - Teachable point of view for PM #podcast #productmanagement #hiring #interviews #jobs

In this episode, I chat with Sonali Nands, who is Senior Vice President at Exxat. Prior to Exaat, Sonali was product leader with High Radius and managed a fairly large team with Product, Design, Analytics and Engineering. We spoke about: - Managing different things as a Product Leader - people, product, strategy etc - How to Foster Innovation and Creativity - Balancing Speedy Execution and Strategic Thinking - Advice for Women in Product Management - Managing Diverse Teams and Priorities 00:00 Introduction 6:39 Sonali's Journey in Product Leadership 7:38 Managing Diverse team and context switching 12:52 Fostering Innovation and creativity 27:21 Advice for women in Product Leadership 34:40 Managing Priorities and Conflicts

Key Takeaways Entrepreneurial Journey and Insights: Chaitra shares her transition from a software engineer to a serial entrepreneur, highlighting her experiences and learnings from Stanford and Silicon Valley, emphasizing the importance of diverse experiences in shaping her approach to startups and product innovation. Focusing on Women in Fintech: The conversation reveals the significant potential in addressing the financial needs of women, underscoring the untapped market and the unique insights gained from focusing on women as a primary user base for fintech products. Design Thinking and Empathy: The importance of empathy in product design, especially in fintech, is discussed, showcasing how understanding users' needs and behaviors leads to more intuitive and successful products. Technology Integration and Challenges: Chaitra delves into the technical challenges and solutions in implementing AI and NLP to create user-friendly financial tools, demonstrating the balance between technology and user experience. Continuous User Research: Continuous engagement with users and adapting based on their feedback is stressed as crucial for product evolution and maintaining relevance in a fast-changing market. Word-of-Mouth and Trust: Insights into how women, as a user base, can drive organic growth through word-of-mouth and the importance of building trust with users, especially when dealing with financial products. Partnership Between Product and Tech Teams: The dialogue underscores the synergy between product managers and technical teams, emphasizing the need for a balance of business acumen and technical expertise for innovative product development. Customization at Scale: The conversation touches on the importance of providing personalized user experiences while managing scalability through smart technology solutions.

In today's episode, we're joined by Neha Bagaria, the founder of Herkey(formerly JobsForHer), as she shares the journey of her product's evolution alongside her company's growth. Key takeaways - Do it manually before you build it - Be obsessed with your customers - Embracing change is the only way to succeed - Find your fly-wheels - Beat the things into details for perfect execution - Manage your time

I am thrilled to share my latest episode with our own "Product(Value)-Led Growth" Guru - Deepak Singh(Founder of PMcurve.com and Author of TechSimplified) Deepak shared invaluable insights into transitioning from a traditional Product Manager to a Growth PM, emphasizing the shift towards value-led growth strategies. From discussing the essence of understanding user behavior to leveraging data and experimentation, Deepak outlined the pathway to impactful product leadership. His journey from leading roles at startups like UpGrad and Flipkart to founding PMcurve.com illustrates a masterclass in fostering product-led growth in India's dynamic tech landscape. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Embrace a mindset focused on creating impact rather than just shipping software. Master data analysis and experimentation to uncover high-leverage growth areas. Deep domain and customer knowledge are crucial as you advance in your PM career. At leadership levels, persuasion and self-awareness become your greatest tools. 🌟 Deepak's journey and the detailed examples of product-led success stories, like Scaler and Meesho, not only inspire but also guide aspiring PMs towards realizing their own growth potentials. For anyone looking to make a significant impact in the product management sphere or seeking to understand the nuances of product-led growth, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom. Catch the full conversation and let us fuel your next big leap in the product world. And remember, whether you're building for India or the globe, understanding your users and innovating around their needs is the key to unlocking unprecedented growth. 🌍💡 #ProductManagement #GrowthHacking #TechInnovation #StartupIndia #LevelUpProdcast #ProductLedGrowth