What Does a Product Operating Model Look Like with Alex Adamopoulos

What happens when you stop organizing work around timelines and tasks—and start designing it around value, outcomes, and real capability?
In this episode of The Future of Less Work, host Nirit Cohen sits down with Alex Adamopoulos, CEO of Emergn, to explore how organizations can move from project-based to product-based models, and why that shift changes everything—from how teams are structured to how people learn.

Together, they unpack why stable, cross-functional teams matter more than org charts, how to turn learning into part of the work (not a pause from it), and why training for today’s tools isn’t enough—we need to build the mindsets for whatever comes next. Alex shares how Praxis, Emergn’s learning platform, helps companies build real capability inside the flow of work, and why the most important question leaders should ask is: “If you had a great idea today, how long would it take to get it into the hands of a customer?”

If you’re rethinking how your teams are structured, how you deliver value, or how to equip people for faster, more continuous transformation—this episode is a must-listen.

https://youtu.be/3v0y1YUBS3g

Guest Information:

Alex Adamopoulos, a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience, is a proven leader in driving organizational transformation through innovative business practices and technology adoption. Under Alex's leadership as CEO, Emergn has established itself as a trusted partner, empowering organizations to accelerate change, enhance their capabilities, and achieve sustainable business outcomes. He is a sought-after speaker, author, and mentor, inspiring and guiding the next generation of business leaders.

Chapters:

00:00 – What Are Work Charts and Why Do They Matter?
02:10 – What's the Difference Between Project and Product based work?
04:30 – How Do Fusion Teams Accelerate Product Delivery?
06:50 – What’s the Shift from Tasks to Outcomes in Product Teams?
10:40 – How Early Marketing Input Prevents Product Waste
14:15 – Why Capability Building Matters More Than Process?
16:30 – How To Enable Work-Based Learning?
18:00 – What Makes Product Management a Future-Proof Skill?
19:50 – How Leaders Should Rethink Digital and Learning Budgets
22:30 – What Causes Transformation Fatigue and How to Fix It
24:30 – How to Redesign Teams Around Value Streams
26:00 – How AI Can Accelerate Learning and Execution in Product Work