Product Makers, a podcast by Productboard

Productboard

"Product Makers" is an engaging podcast that dives into the world of product development and innovation. Interviewing industry experts and successful product leaders and makers, each episode explores the strategies, challenges, and insights behind the creation of popular products and services. Whether you're an aspiring product manager, a curious listener seeking inspiration, or simply interested in the behind-the-scenes of the product development process, "Product Makers" offers invaluable knowledge and captivating stories from the forefront of innovation.

Episodes

  1. Luke Ryan

    11/21/2024

    Luke Ryan

    In this episode we'll sit down with Luke Ryan, Product Manager at Fathom, to discuss how to stand out in the increasingly competitive market of financial reporting and analysis. Luke is a Product Maker who helps empower accountants and advisors to better understand and manage their clients’ financial health.

    30 min
  2. Courtney Arnott

    10/11/2024

    Courtney Arnott

    In this episode, we’ll dive into Courtney’s decade of experience in product management and how she’s leading the charge at 120Water to ensure healthier drinking water across the nation. With her unique expertise in transforming services into scalable product solutions, Courtney shares valuable insights into the challenges of bringing tech to a non-tech industry and managing a team that's creating impactful solutions.

    51 min
  3. Annett Eckert

    01/08/2024

    Annett Eckert

    In this episode, we delve into the dynamics of leadership in steering organizational change, particularly in transitioning towards a product operating model. Annett and I explore crucial signals that leaders should be attuned to, indicating the best moment to initiate a change process. We dissect the essential steps that leaders and organizations must take to facilitate impactful change and foster innovation within their companies. Our objective is clear: empower leaders and individuals grappling with the challenges of sluggish change. Whether you're seeking insights on kickstarting transformative processes or ways to instigate innovation, this episode provides actionable advice to kick off your journey. Key Topics covered in this episode: Leading product teams through transformative change Identifying key triggers to expedite organizational change and transition to the product operating model Unraveling the pivotal role of Product Leadership in driving organizational transformation Understanding common barriers hindering innovation within companies Emphasizing the significance of a change vision and strategies to build momentum Effectively measuring the success of your transformation journey

    30 min
  4. John Carter

    12/11/2023

    John Carter

    In this episode, we dive into the evolving world of product management and innovation with John Carter. Exploring key shifts, from redefining the product manager's role to fostering team innovation in 2024 and uncovering why experienced managers are in the spotlight and how organizations should adapt. We'll also touch on the importance of external collaboration, the undervalued skill of listening, and share predictions for 2024, including AR/VR discovery. Key topics covered in this episode: Industry Trends, Motivations and Evolution: Exploring the industry trend of focussing on experienced product managers and removing a layer of management. As well as discussing the motivations behind these trends and how companies should be thinking about it and the role of product managers as it evolves Fostering Innovation: Diving into why not all great ideas are internal and the importance of thinking outside of the core product  Importance of Listening: Why listening is an undeveloped skill for product managers Future Predictions: Trends and predictions for the future with a focus on discovery and the emergence of AR/VR discovery

    37 min
  5. Balaji Ananthanpillai

    11/27/2023

    Balaji Ananthanpillai

    Join us in this episode with Balaji Ananthanpillai, seasoned product expert with a rich background in shaping products at tech giants like Amazon, Adobe, and Paylocity. As we navigate Q4, we unpack the key differences between roadmaps and strategy. Explore B2B vs. B2C roadmap nuances, discover tactics for effective prioritization, and learn why diving deep into your backlog is crucial for validation. Whether you're a product leader or manager, Balaji shares essential questions to ensure a robust strategy and roadmap. Elevate your Q4 planning with actionable insights!

    32 min
  6. Janina Franzkowiak

    11/13/2023

    Janina Franzkowiak

    In this episode, we hear from Janina Frazkowiak, an accomplished Product Manager with a decade of experience across various industries. We discuss the intriguing world of independent product management, exploring what it entails and how to break into this unique role. Janina shares valuable insights on the rewards and challenges of spearheading 0-1 products and offers tips on effectively collaborating with founders. Join us as we discuss the art of gaining user insights, when have you done enough discovery, ramping up in a new product role, and mastering the art of asking the right questions to build trust and meaningful relationships.

    36 min
  7. Parveen Downer

    10/30/2023

    Parveen Downer

    In this episode, we sit down with Parveen Downer, a seasoned senior product manager at Semble. Parveen shares her valuable insights on the skills and mindset needed to thrive in the world of product management, from core people skills essential for success to the development of a product and growth mindset. We also dive into the significance of being a sharp communicator in a dynamic field like product management and the art of creating space for personal growth.

    33 min
  8. John Zilch

    10/16/2023

    John Zilch

    Today, our guest is John Zilch, who is Senior Director of Product at SugarCRM. Today in this episode we discuss product quality - not in the sense of software testing but how you can ship quality products to customers within B2B companies, and the challenges product teams face doing it. We discuss the importance of business and product strategy, why product discovery is a bit over-hyped and we use the Titanic as an analogy on what can go wrong if you aren’t balancing the different levers to ship quality products for your customers.

    41 min
  9. Dan Olsen

    09/28/2023

    Dan Olsen

    Dive into the product realm with Dan Olsen, acclaimed author of "The Lean Product Playbook." Unpacking his experiences with tech behemoths like Google and Facebook, Olsen provides a deep dive into B2B product challenges, roadmap crafting, and the quest for authentic customer feedback. A must-listen for every product enthusiast.

    41 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

"Product Makers" is an engaging podcast that dives into the world of product development and innovation. Interviewing industry experts and successful product leaders and makers, each episode explores the strategies, challenges, and insights behind the creation of popular products and services. Whether you're an aspiring product manager, a curious listener seeking inspiration, or simply interested in the behind-the-scenes of the product development process, "Product Makers" offers invaluable knowledge and captivating stories from the forefront of innovation.

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