Product Thinking

Kate Towsey, an independent research ops advisor and former manager at Atlassian and the BBC, shares her expertise in research operations. She discusses the evolution of research ops and its vital role in aligning product strategy with organizational growth. Key topics include strategies for effective participant recruitment and the importance of collaboration among product managers, designers, and researchers. Kate emphasizes how democratizing research can improve product decisions and highlights the necessity of structured processes for managing insights.

Tony Ulwick, Founder and CEO of Strategyn and a pioneer of the jobs-to-be-done theory, shares his groundbreaking insights on Outcome-Driven Innovation (ODI). He emphasizes the separation of innovation from development, ensuring that only winning concepts move forward. Ulwick reveals the importance of truly understanding customer needs before developing solutions. He provides practical strategies for aligning teams around these needs, highlighting how a focused approach to innovation can lead to more successful products and a stronger market position.

Uday Marepalli, Director of Product Management at Upwork, is an expert in AI-driven initiatives and zero-to-one product development. He discusses the thrilling challenges of creating new products from scratch, emphasizing the need for balancing speed with strategic validation. Uday shares insights on navigating conflicting information and making agile pivots. He also delves into the unique obstacles of building AI products, such as data collection and ensuring transparency, all while keeping the customer's needs at the forefront.

In this engaging discussion, Karthik Suri, Chief Product Officer at Cornerstone OnDemand, reveals his insights into leveraging AI for workforce development. He emphasizes the importance of bridging skill gaps and enhancing career pathways using generative AI. Karthik discusses the increasing need for human-centric skills over digital ones and highlights how AI can create holistic profiles for employees. He also touches on the significance of adaptable enterprise software and cultivating a unified product strategy to meet evolving workforce demands.

Inessa Lurye, former Senior Director of Product and Head of Women's Health at Hinge Health, shares her insightful journey in healthcare innovation. She discusses the crucial process of validating women's health products through extensive user engagement and market research. Inessa highlights the balance between clinical excellence and operational efficiency in healthcare product development. She also emphasizes strategies for gaining buy-in in B2B markets, revealing how collaboration and a hands-on approach can lead to transformative solutions in women's health.

Explore the evolution of user research and its vital role in product development. Discover insights on navigating decision-making complexities in large organizations. Learn how implementing OKRs can enhance focus and align teams effectively. Gain valuable coaching strategies for product leadership and empowering team growth. Finally, uncover strategic approaches to product-led growth that highlight the essentials for building and scaling successful products.

Fabrice des Mazery, Chief Product Officer at productROI, brings 22 years of experience, including his roles at TripAdvisor's TheFork. He discusses the shift for product managers to think like investors, emphasizing ROI and risk assessment. Fabrice highlights the real cost of product development, advocating for a data-driven approach to attract the right customers. He also explores cultural differences in product management, the importance of collaboration, and the balance between innovation and risk management in product teams.

Mark Rosenberg, VP of Product at Workday Financials, and Vivian Phinney, Senior Product Operations Program Manager at Workday, dive into the intricacies of product operations. Mark shares insights on establishing transparent prioritization and a continuous delivery system to enhance enterprise software for over 2,000 clients. Vivian discusses her data-driven approach to improving visibility for leadership. They highlight frameworks like Playing to Win and the importance of collaboration to address the challenges of growth while delivering impactful, customer-focused solutions.

Tomer London, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Gusto, discusses pioneering the concept of 'Minimum Lovable Products' to create delightful user experiences. He shares insights from his journey revolutionizing payroll for small businesses, emphasizing the balance between automation and manual processes. Tomer reveals how understanding customer needs drives product development and stresses the importance of patience in crafting meaningful solutions. The conversation highlights Gusto's unique framework that integrates intuitive design and emotional connections with users.

Jessica Hall, Chief Product Officer at Just Eat Takeaway, shares her extensive experience managing diverse product portfolios across global markets. She discusses the challenges of merging brands while enhancing customer experience. With a critical eye on AI, Jessica addresses its true costs, emphasizing the need for sustainable ecosystems and diverse teams in tech. She highlights the potential savings against ongoing expenses and the importance of transparency to build trust and address biases in AI integrations. Tune in for insights that balance innovation with responsibility.