Product Thinking
Melissa Perri
Successful product management isn’t just about training the product managers who work side by side with developers everyday to build better products. It’s about taking a step back, approaching the systems within organizations as a whole, and leveling up product leadership to improve these systems. This is the Product Thinking Podcast, where Melissa Perri will connect with industry leading experts in the product management space, AND answer your most pressing questions about everything product. Join us each week to level up your skillset and invest in yourself as a product leader.
Episodes
Mentioned books
112 snips
Feb 19, 2025 • 1h 3min
Episode 211: The Power of Team Topologies with Matthew Skelton
Matthew Skelton, co-author of "Team Topologies," is a leading voice in organizational design for software delivery. He discusses how team topologies can revolutionize product management by enhancing collaboration and reducing cognitive load. The conversation highlights the shift from project-based to product-focused models, the importance of domain expertise, and the strategic use of metrics in improving customer outcomes. Skelton also shares insights on navigating the challenges of rigid planning and the evolving role of AI in product development.
66 snips
Feb 12, 2025 • 52min
Episode 210: Navigating Product Leadership in Complex Industries with Fabio Brocca
Fabio Brocca, Chief Product Officer at Xeneta and former Amazon and MSC executive, joins to share his insights on product leadership in the freight industry. He emphasizes the importance of adapting strategies through real-time feedback to drive innovation. Balancing speed with quality in product launches is crucial, and he provides actionable tips for maintaining this equilibrium. Fabio also discusses navigating compliance in shipping software and highlights the significance of relationship building and team dynamics in fast-paced environments.
Feb 5, 2025 • 58min
Episode 209: From Databases to Developer Platforms: The MongoDB Story with Andrew Davidson
Andrew Davidson, Senior VP of Products at MongoDB, shares his journey in transforming the company into a powerful developer data platform. He discusses the motivation behind MongoDB's creation, emphasizing the need for flexibility over traditional relational databases. The conversation dives into the significance of user experience in technical products, balancing innovation with customer feedback, and the essential role databases play in enhancing product development and user satisfaction. Tune in for actionable insights on navigating the complexities of product management!
22 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 53min
Episode 208: Scaling Research Ops to Drive Organizational Change with Kate Towsey
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.
50 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 43min
Episode 207: Mastering Predictable Product Success with the ODI Strategy with Tony Ulwick
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.
43 snips
Jan 15, 2025 • 43min
Episode 206: Building and Scaling Zero to One Products with Uday Marepalli
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.
34 snips
Jan 13, 2025 • 53min
Episode 205: Revolutionizing Workforce Agility Through AI with Karthik Suri
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.
53 snips
Jan 2, 2025 • 53min
Episode 204: Building Women's Health Products: From Validation to Scale with Inessa Lurye
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.
5 snips
Dec 24, 2024 • 9min
Episode 203: Christmas Special Greatest Hits 2024: Mastering Product Leadership Through Research, Goals, and Growth
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.
17 snips
Dec 18, 2024 • 45min
Episode 202: Transforming Product Teams into Investment Partners with Fabrice des Mazery
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.
