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.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Episode 242: Why Context Switching Slows You Down

    What advice do you have for a situation where multiple product managers are accessing the same developer team, potentially slowing down delivery? Navigating multiple product managers sharing the same development team can lead to inefficiencies and context switching, which negatively impacts productivity. It's crucial to have dedicated developers for specific areas to improve ownership and accountability. The typical ratio of product managers to developers should be reconsidered, and if the workload is too high, hiring more developers may be necessary. Tracking productivity metrics and engaging developers in discussions can help present a case for leadership to make informed decisions about team structure and resource allocation. Episode resources: Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev Get a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissa Check all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking

    10 min

  2. 3 DAYS AGO

    Episode 241: Mastering AI Strategy in Enterprise Teams with Maryam Ashoori

    In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Dr. Maryam Ashoori joins Melissa Perri to explore the transformative impact of AI on product management. Maryam shares her insights into how AI is reshaping roles within the industry, particularly the evolving relationship between product managers and engineers. With AI increasingly influencing design processes, she discusses the shift from traditional UI building to prompt definition. The conversation also delves into the distinct capabilities of AI agents compared to generative AI, highlighting their potential for reasoning and task automation. Maryam provides valuable guidance for enterprises on adopting AI strategically, emphasizing the importance of focusing on specific problems rather than being swayed by emerging technologies. The episode also touches on the challenges large organizations face in integrating AI tools amidst rapid technological changes. Curious about how AI can redefine your product management approach? Tune in to this episode for a deep dive into AI's role in transforming industry practices and discover actionable insights for leveraging AI within your organization. You’ll hear us talk about: 05:45 - The Evolution of Product Management Roles with AI Maryam discusses the increasing integration of AI in product management, emphasizing the shift towards focusing on building the right products, not just any products. She highlights how AI is changing the dynamics between product managers and engineers. 14:10 - Designers' New Role in the AI Era The conversation shifts to how AI is impacting design roles, with designers moving away from traditional UI construction to defining prompts for AI. Maryam explains how this evolution is changing the design landscape. 22:30 - Strategic AI Adoption in Enterprises Maryam shares her insights on how enterprises can successfully adopt AI by starting small with proof of concepts and scaling strategically. She emphasizes focusing on problem-solving rather than being distracted by the latest tech trends. Episode resources: Maryam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mashoori/ Watsonx.governance: https://www.ibm.com/products/watsonx-governance Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:43 Maryam's career journey 05:07 AI agents and their role in business 07:45 Capabilities and limitations of AI agents 16:07 Guardrails and practical use of AI in teams 24:21 Creativity, UI standardization, and product strategy 28:10 Enterprise AI adoption and building future-ready strategy 34:38 Emerging trends and opportunities for product leaders

    38 min

  3. 29 AUG

    Episode 240: Mastering Product Craft as a New VP

    What advice can a new VP of product, with extensive industry experience but limited product management experience, receive to succeed in their role? Advice for a new VP of product with industry experience but limited product management knowledge includes understanding product management as a craft, learning key concepts and methodologies, and leveraging industry expertise to empathize with customers. It's essential to establish a collaborative environment with product managers, focus on defining problems rather than solutions, and continuously engage with users to inform product strategy. Building strong relationships with engineering and design teams, while being open to feedback and learning, will help in successfully transitioning into the role. Episode resources: Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev Get a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissa Check all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking

    14 min

  4. 27 AUG

    Episode 239: Navigating the AI Shift at Stack Overflow with Jody Bailey

    Jody Bailey, the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Stack Overflow, joins Melissa Perri to discuss the integration of AI and product strategy in one of the world’s largest online communities for technologists. Jody shares insights on how Stack Overflow is navigating the rapid technological advancements and adapting to maintain long-term trust within its community. They delve into the challenges and opportunities AI presents and how it influences product management at Stack Overflow. Curious about how AI is reshaping the product landscape and how Stack Overflow is positioning itself in this new era? Tune in to discover how Jody Bailey is leading the charge at the intersection of technology and community. You'll hear us talk about: 06:52 - Building Trusted AI Knowledge for EnterprisesJody Bailey describes Stack Overflow's enterprise solution that maintains a positive feedback environment and identifies subject matter experts. He emphasizes the need for a trusted knowledge layer to manage and distribute proprietary information within organizations. 13:43 - Leveraging Core Strengths in the AI EraJody discusses how Stack Overflow is focusing on its core strengths, such as human connection and technical information, to position itself as a vital source for technologists in a world increasingly turning to AI tools for quick answers. 19:52 - Trust, Adoption, and the Limits of AI in Development WorkThe conversation covers the importance of trust in Stack Overflow's community and how the platform ensures transparency and reliability, especially when integrating AI into its offerings. Jody highlights the need for a balanced approach to using AI without compromising on human interaction and knowledge. Episode resources: Jody on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodybailey/ Stack Overflow: https://stackoverflow.com/ Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 Coming Up 02:18 From retirement to Stack Overflow 06:52 Building trusted AI knowledge for enterprise 12:19 Redefining Stack Overflow’s strategy for the AI era 19:52 Trust, adoption, and the limits of AI in dev work 26:08 Keeping junior roles relevant in an AI future 32:22 Internal transparency and advice for ambitious leaders

    38 min

  5. 22 AUG

    Episode 238: Managing Success Beyond the Build

    What product management principles can be applied in an enterprise setting where teams implement a purchased SaaS tool rather than building their own? The podcast discusses the role of product management in organizations that implement purchased software rather than building it. Melissa Perri emphasizes that product managers still need to evaluate whether the tools solve the right problems, customize them for their needs, and ensure they align with business goals. She encourages teams to practice good product management principles, regardless of whether they own the tools, and to communicate the importance of these practices to leadership. Episode resources: Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev Get a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissa Check all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking

    9 min

  6. 20 AUG

    Episode 237: Leading Creative Teams with Discipline with Keith Lucas

    Keith Lucas, author and former product leader at Roblox, joins Melissa Perri to discuss his new book "Impact," which focuses on building high-performing, innovative teams. Keith shares insights from his experience leading teams at Roblox and explores how visionary leadership and mission-driven strategies can inspire and align teams for success. The conversation delves into creative constraints, the balance between vision and mission, and the continuous improvement necessary for effective leadership. Ready to learn how to lead innovative teams and align them with your organization's mission? Tune in to gain valuable insights from Keith's experience and discover practical strategies for building impactful teams. You’ll hear us talk about: 05:45 - Visionary Leadership and Team AlignmentKeith explains the importance of visionary leadership and involving teams in strategy formation to inspire and align them with the organization's goals. He discusses how this approach helps in building trust and fostering a shared sense of purpose among team members. 15:30 - Creative Constraints and InnovationIn this section, Keith emphasizes the need for creative constraints and maintaining flow states to foster innovation. He shares strategies on how leaders can set boundaries that encourage creativity without stifling the team's potential. 27:20 - Decency Over Niceness in LeadershipKeith talks about the distinction between being decent and being nice as a leader. He argues that transparency and honesty are more valuable than mere niceness, especially when it comes to making tough decisions and fostering a culture of trust. Episode resources: Impact book: https://keithvlucas.com/writing/impact/ Keith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kvlucas/ Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/dev Check our course: https://productinstitute.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 Coming Up 02:40 Why Keith wrote Impact 09:33 Creating focus and the year of growth 15:30 OKRs, cadence, and Kanban approach 22:58 Mastery and ownership in high-performing teams 33:11 Course correction and tough calls 35:40 Decency over niceness and creating space for creativity 44:56 Intuition, mastery, and first steps for leaders

    52 min

  7. 13 AUG

    Episode 236: Real Career Advice From Product Leaders

    Join Melissa Perri as she dives into some of the best advice about career growth in product management from an incredible group of industry leaders. Monica Lewis from LinkedIn, Kristin Dorsett from Viator, Dheerja Kaur from Robinhood, Lucie Buisson from Contentsquare, Ben Hafele from the Lean Startup Co., Marco De Freitas and Amber Brestowski from Vanguard, Oliver Seil from Belkin International, David Myszewski from Wealthfront, and Eilon Reshef from Gong share their insights on developing strategic judgment, embracing learning, and leveraging AI for productivity. Discover how focusing on impact over scope, obsessing over problems, and starting small can accelerate your growth in product management. Our guests also discuss the importance of market fit strategy, learning from missteps, and being open to unexpected opportunities. Want to accelerate your product management career with practical advice from industry leaders? Tune in to this episode for actionable insights and strategies to help you grow and succeed. You’ll hear us talk about: 07:45 - Embracing Learning on the JobKristin Dorsett talks about not sweating the small stuff and embracing learning on the job, emphasizing that nobody has it all figured out and the value of continuous growth in product management. 15:22 - Leveraging AI for ProductivityLucie Buisson explains how using AI can enhance productivity, allowing product managers to focus on strategic thinking and customer engagement by freeing up valuable time. 23:10 - Starting Small to Prove ConceptsBen Hafele introduces the "Convinced Do Loop," highlighting the importance of starting small to prove concepts instead of trying to convince everyone at once, thereby enabling more effective product management strategies. Episode resources: Monica Lewis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamlewis/Kristin Dorsett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristindorsett/Dheerja Kaur: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dheerja/Lucie Buisson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-buisson/David Myszewski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmyszewski/Amber Brestowski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-brestowski-019b56ab/Marco De Freitas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-de-freitas-80416714/Oliver Seil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-seil/Eilon Reshef: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eilonreshef/Ben Hafele: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hafele/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overview Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:03 Monica Lewis: Grow where you are 04:28 Kristin Dorsett: Don’t sweat the small stuff 07:36 Lucie Buisson: Use AI to reclaim time for strategy 11:12 David Myszewski: Lean into what’s working 13:30 Amber & Marco: Obsess over problems, be ruthless with priorities 18:50 Oliver Seil: Learn with intention 21:20 Ben Hafele: Start small and let doing drive buy-in

    24 min

  8. 6 AUG

    Episode 235: Inside Product Ops: How Teams Scale Strategy

    In this episode, Quincy Hunte, Mark Rosenberg, Vivian Finney, Jessica Soroky and Hugo Froes join Melissa Perri to delve into the evolving world of Product Operations (ProdOps) and its impact on scaling product management within organizations. They explore how structuring product operations can enhance efficiency, align business and technology goals, and transform how product teams function. The conversation also touches on the integration of AI in prod ops, aiming to elevate strategic involvement while minimizing administrative tasks. Join us to discover how these leaders are pioneering scalable planning, OKR systems, and treating internal teams as customers to improve decision-making and reduce friction. Want to learn how to optimize product operations for better strategic insights and decision-making? Tune in to this episode to gain practical insights and strategies for enhancing your product management functions. You’ll hear us talk about: 08:45 - Structuring Product Operations for EfficiencyQuincy Hunt discusses the significance of structuring product operations to boost efficiency and align technology with business goals. He emphasizes the need for agile teams and clear decision-making roles, which are crucial for product managers to understand. 18:20 - AI's Role in Shifting from Admin to StrategyThe conversation shifts to how AI can transform product operations by reducing the focus on administrative tasks, allowing product managers to engage more in strategic roles and decision-making processes. 31:50 - Treating Internal Teams as CustomersMark Rosenberg and Vivian Finney share insights on how treating internal product teams as customers can streamline processes, reduce friction, and improve overall decision-making, which is essential for product managers looking to enhance team dynamics and outcomes. Episode resources: Quincy Hunte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quincyhunte/ Mark Rosenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rosenberg-724653/ Vivian Phinney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivian-phinney/ Jessica Soroky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicasoroky/ Hugo Froes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugofroes/ Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overview Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:42 Prod Ops fundamentals 07:45 Bridging tech and business through prod ops 09:42 Driving visibility and standardization at scale 16:11 Balancing autonomy and structure 17:39 Integrating AI and evolving product ops tools 21:35 Creating scalable planning and OKR systems 24:39 Enabling faster decisions through insight curation

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa Perri
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    242
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 252726
  • Show Website
    Product Thinking

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