Product Team Success

By Ross Webb
Product Team Success

Welcome to "Product Team Success: Real-World Career Advice for Product". I'm your host, Ross Webb, and I'm here to supercharge your journey, whether you're climbing the ladder to the C-suite or already leading from the top. Our content is your secret weapon - offering insights into business metrics, data-driven strategies, and stakeholder navigation, all tailored to propel you forward and keep you excelling in your role. We believe in 'productizing' yourself and your team, leading the charge towards product success with a no-nonsense, no-fluff approach. We're paving the path in an innovative realm we call 'Data-Driven Empathy'. We'll tackle an array of topics, from securing investment for data analytics, to acing product interviews, to presenting product direction with authority. So, subscribe now to "Product Team Success", join our community of pioneers, and let's together redefine the landscape of product leadership! Get ready to be invigorated, inspired, and informed, as we revolutionize product leadership, one episode at a time!

  1. FEB 18

    Mastering Voice of Customer: Your Secret Ingredient for Product Career Success

    Upcoming Webinar: Don't miss our live webinar "From Feedback to Features: Building Customer-Centric Product Teams at Scale" on February 25th, 2025. Learn actionable strategies for scaling customer-centric practices across your product organization. Time: 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM CST Register here: https://bit.ly/42SPHon In this episode of Product Team Success, Ross Webb explores how mastering Voice of Customer can transform your product career. Drawing from his experience as a Principal Product Manager at Amazon and Just Eat, Ross brings together five product leaders who share their proven approaches to turning customer understanding into career advancement. Key Highlights: Converting Customer Insights into Executive Influence Phil Hornby reveals how to manage the complexity of customer dataStrategies for combining data, anecdotes, and intuitionUsing Customer Advisory Boards effectivelyLeveraging AI tools to process customer feedback at scale Building Team-Wide Customer Understanding Philipp Katzenstein demonstrates engaging product owners and developersMaking customer interviews a natural team routineCreating shared customer personas across teams Data-Driven Stakeholder Management Justine Salter shares approaches to overcoming opinion-based decisionsUsing customer data to influence challenging stakeholdersBuilding credibility through customer insights Structured VoC Programmes Anna Peterson breaks down comprehensive feedback systemsBuilding customer panels and ride-along programmesCreating sustainable feedback loops Balancing Customer Types Giancarlo Herrera on managing internal and external customer needsBuilding integrated feedback systemsCreating collective understanding across stakeholder groups Key Takeaways: Customer understanding must be systematic and scalableTeam engagement in VoC creates better outcomesData-driven customer insights are crucial for influenceBalanced feedback systems drive career success Connect with our guests on LinkedIn to continue the conversation about turning customer understanding into product career success and sign up for the webinar above with Product Board, it's going to be great.

    17 min
  2. FEB 5

    Accelerating Product Leadership Through Effective Coaching

    In this episode, Ross Webb, former product leader at Amazon and Just Eat, explores how mentorship and coaching can dramatically accelerate product management careers. Four seasoned product leaders share their strategies for both giving and receiving impactful mentorship. Key Topics Discussed: The limitations of certifications and frameworks compared to mentorshipHow to balance pushing for results while maintaining team motivationCreating and leveraging a personal board of directorsIdentifying promising talent for mentorshipTransforming one-to-one meetings into powerful coaching conversations Featured Guests: Arttu Huhtiniemi shares insights on finding the perfect balance between being too harsh and too soft in coaching growth company teamsBart-Jan Pers introduces his concept of building a personal board of directors for career guidancePrachi Garg discusses how to identify potential in mentees through their curiosity and engagementChris Watson reveals strategies for making one-to-ones more effective through structured yet natural conversations Key Insights: The importance of regular, consistent coaching conversationsHow to adapt mentorship approaches for different personality typesBuilding trust through open, honest communicationThe value of celebrating successes alongside addressing challenges Actionable Takeaways: Create a structured approach to regular one-to-onesBuild a diverse network of 3-10 mentors with complementary strengthsFocus on high-importance but not urgent matters for career growthDevelop a standing agenda for coaching conversations while maintaining flexibility Connect with our guests on LinkedIn to learn more about their approaches to mentorship and coaching in product management. Join the Top Prods Community: Take your product leadership journey to the next level by joining our community at  https://www.top-prods.com. Connect with mentors, access structured guidance, and accelerate your career growth alongside fellow product leaders.

    14 min
  3. JAN 21

    Building Championship-Level Product Teams: Strategies for Success

    In this episode, Ross Webb, former product leader at Amazon and Just Eat, reveals how successful product organizations mirror championship sports teams through intentional collaboration, defined roles, and productive tension. Five experienced product leaders share their strategies for building and leading high-performing teams. Key Topics Discussed: Creating natural cross-team collaborationBuilding genuine engineering partnershipsManaging productive tension between teamsRemote team relationship buildingDesigning complementary team structures Featured Guests: Phil Hornby introduces his innovative "3 hats" approach to breaking down silos and encouraging natural collaborationBecca Cooke shares insights on creating true engineering partnerships beyond simple delegationBrian Flanagan explains how to balance product and engineering relationships through healthy tensionKatherine Cunliffe reveals strategies for building strong relationships in remote teamsMel McVie demonstrates how to build diverse teams that complement each other's strengths Key Insights: The importance of dedicated collaboration time through "office hours"How to empower engineers through problem-solving vs prescriptionThe distinction between product owning "what" and engineering owning "how"Building personal connections in remote environmentsThe value of hiring for complementary strengths Actionable Takeaways: Implement the 3 hats approach to create natural collaborationCreate dedicated office hours for cross-team supportFocus on problems rather than prescriptive solutions with engineeringPrioritize informal connections in remote settingsHire for your blind spots to create stronger collective teams Join the Top Prods Community: Take your product leadership journey to the next level by joining our community at https://www.top-prods.com. Connect with mentors, access structured guidance, and accelerate your career growth alongside fellow product leaders. Resources Mentioned: Top Prods Community4 Pillars of Product Success Guide Connect with our guests on LinkedIn to learn more about their approaches to building high-performing product teams.

    21 min
  4. 11/11/2024

    Why Smart Product Leaders Train Like Athletes - With Adrian Postelnicu, Arttu Huhtiniemi, Bradley King & Ayla Erima

    Episode Summary: Just like elite athletes never stop practicing their fundamentals, successful product leaders continuously develop core competencies that drive performance. In this power-packed episode, four exceptional product leaders share their strategies for mastering the four essential skills that separate good product managers from great ones. Key Highlights: [00:00:00] - Introduction: The Athletic Approach to Product Leadership [00:01:37] - Meet Our All-Star Product Leaders Data Analytics & Culture with Adrian Postelnicu (CPO, Metro) [00:02:54] Why real culture change comes from behaviors, not perks The three pillars of effective product culture: ownership, empowerment, and results How to demonstrate ownership through actions rather than words Creating safe spaces for teams to experiment and fail The importance of letting go of non-performing initiatives Strategic Prioritization with Arttu Huhtiniemi (CPO, Miradore) [00:09:04] Using the right framework for external factor analysis Aligning stakeholder visions across the organization The importance of market analysis in prioritization Creating implementation plans that stick Balancing short-term delivery with long-term vision Engineering Partnerships with Bradley King [00:11:08] Creating "healthy tension" between product and engineering Why the best teams thrive on productive challenge Setting joint goals for shared success The importance of clear roles while maintaining overlap How to encourage constructive disagreement Customer Value Creation with Ayla Erimer (Senior Director, Mews) [00:13:25] Moving beyond the feature factory mindset Building layers of value rather than isolated solutions How to connect solutions to unlock new opportunities The importance of trust in product teams Structuring organizations for innovation Key Takeaways: Product leadership requires continuous practice and development of core competencies Data-driven culture comes from behaviors and actions, not perks Effective prioritization requires alignment across stakeholder groups Strong product-engineering partnerships thrive on productive challenge Success comes from layering value, not just shipping features Resources Mentioned: PESTL Framework for external analysis Top Prods Community: www.top-prods.com Featured Guests: Adrian Postelnicu - CPO at Metro Arttu Huhtiniemi - CTO at Miradore Bradley King - Product Leader Ayla Erimer - Senior Director of Product at Mews Get More Value: Join the Top Prods community for structured accountability, peer support, and proven frameworks to help you level up your product leadership capabilities. Visit www.top-prods.com to learn more.

    18 min
  5. 11/06/2024

    Embracing Authenticity and Driving Digital Transformation with Katya Denike, Chief Product Officer at Holland and Barrett

    In this episode of Product Team Success, we're joined by Katya Denike, Chief Product Officer at Holland and Barrett, to explore the power of authenticity in the workplace and the keys to successful digital transformation. Key Insights: Bringing Your Full Self to Work Katya advocates for authenticity and informality in professional settingsBreaking the mold of overcomplicated strategies and formal behaviorShort-term challenges can lead to long-term career benefits Authenticity and Workplace Dynamics The importance of connecting personal experiences with workEncouraging product teams to work in stores for customer insightsBalancing company needs with individual fulfillment Personal Fulfillment and Workplace Culture Creating environments that allow for authenticity and humanityThe positive impact of being true to oneself on personal happiness and work environmentEncouraging vulnerability and challenging existing patterns Lessons from Digital Transformations Three key elements of product transformation: a) Moving to a product operating model b) Implementing proper product discovery c) Aligning product capability with business goalsThe importance of execution skills in addition to strategic knowledgeBalancing empathy with the need for change and progress Communication in Transformation The challenge of constant communication without being preachySelecting pioneers to showcase success and inspire othersFinding the right balance in expressing excitement about achievements Actionable Takeaways for Product Leaders: Encourage authenticity within your team by leading by exampleConnect product development with real customer experiences through store visits or customer service interactionsFoster an environment where team members feel comfortable bringing their full selves to workIn digital transformations, focus on both strategic knowledge and execution skillsDevelop empathy and communication skills to align diverse perspectives during transformationRegularly remind team members of new processes without becoming overbearingBalance your enthusiasm when communicating successes to ensure your message resonates with all stakeholders By embracing authenticity and applying these insights, product leaders can create more fulfilling work environments and drive successful digital transformations.

    21 min
  6. 09/17/2024

    Mastering Product Ops: Expert Strategies to Supercharge Your Product Teams

    In this packed episode of Product Ops Success, host Ross Webb brings together four seasoned Product Operations experts to share their invaluable insights on scaling product teams and driving business growth. Whether you're a product leader looking to optimize your team's performance or a product manager aiming to advance your career, this episode offers actionable strategies you can implement immediately. Key topics covered: 1. Creating Repeatable Systems for High-Impact Product Work Antonia Landi demystifies product ops and reveals how to:   • Develop frameworks that streamline your product development process   • Implement tools that boost your team's efficiency   • Use data effectively to drive better decision-making 2. Improving Time to Market and Decision-Making Processes Emma Orsi shares strategies to:   • Reduce your product development cycle time   • Enhance your decision-making process with data-driven insights   • Navigate challenges in scaling and mergers 3. Balancing Data-Driven Decisions with Intuition Holly Holbrook explores:   • How to leverage data without losing the human touch in product management   • Techniques for integrating customer feedback into your product strategy   • Ways to foster stronger collaboration between product and engineering teams 4. Navigating Complexities and Unknowns in Product Ops Jerry Limber discusses:   • How to thrive in ambiguous situations as a product ops professional   • Strategies for balancing standardization and innovation in your processes   • Tactics for overcoming common pitfalls in product operations Actionable takeaways: 1. Learn how to create a Product Development Life Cycle (PDLC) that works for your organization 2. Discover key metrics to measure and improve your product ops performance 3. Gain insights on how to build trust and alignment across different teams 4. Understand how to adapt your product ops strategies as your company grows or undergoes mergers Whether you're just starting in product ops or looking to take your skills to the next level, this episode provides a wealth of knowledge from experts who have navigated the challenges you're facing. By implementing these strategies, you'll be better equipped to drive efficiency, foster innovation, and ultimately deliver more value to your customers and organization. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your approach to product operations. Tune in now and start optimizing your product team's performance today! Remember to follow our guests on LinkedIn for more insights: • Antonia Landi • Emma Orsi • Holly Holbrook • Jerry Limber And check out our sponsor, Air Focus, for flexible product management tools that can help streamline your product ops processes.

    36 min
  7. 09/13/2024

    Chess Moves for Product Leadership: Expert Strategies to Accelerate Your Career

    In this power-packed episode of Product Team Success, host Ross Webb brings together four seasoned product leaders to share their game-changing career strategies. Whether you're an aspiring product manager or a seasoned pro eyeing that next big promotion, this episode offers actionable insights to help you outmaneuver challenges and seize opportunities in your product management career. Key topics covered: 1. From Product Tester to Strategic Leader Tarun Dhawan, Director of Product Management at SIXT SE, reveals:   • How to identify and solve overlooked problems in your organization   • Strategies for moving from execution to strategic decision-making   • The importance of understanding your company's global picture 2. Mastering Testing Strategies as a Unique Value Proposition Chadi Azar, Senior Product Manager at Reverso, shares:   • Innovative approaches to testing complex, integrated products   • How to leverage your entire company for real-life testing   • Techniques for gathering meaningful feedback from busy colleagues 3. Leveraging Financial Acumen in Product Management Joseph Malach, Director of Product Management at LSEG, discusses:   • Why understanding finance is crucial for product managers   • How to use financial insights to gain stakeholder buy-in   • Strategies for framing your product in terms of business impact 4. Digital Transformation and Product Operating Models Mihai Zaharia Radulescu, Director of Product and Platform Management at Estée Lauder Companies, explores:   • Keys to successful digital transformation initiatives   • How to implement a product operating model in a project-focused organization   • Strategies for data-driven decision making and stakeholder management 5. Effective Stakeholder Management and Team Leadership Tarun Dhawan returns to share:   • The "lion mindset" for confident stakeholder management   • Techniques for managing relationships in large organizations   • How to stay connected with diverse stakeholders through informal meetings Actionable takeaways: 1. Learn how to identify and solve "leaky bucket" problems to demonstrate value 2. Discover techniques for gathering comprehensive product feedback efficiently 3. Understand how to frame product decisions in financial terms for greater impact 4. Master the art of introducing product-centric thinking in traditional organizations 5. Develop strategies for maintaining strong stakeholder relationships as you advance Whether you're looking to make your next career move or aiming for the C-suite, this episode provides a wealth of knowledge from experts who have successfully navigated the product management landscape. By implementing these strategies, you'll be better equipped to advance your career, lead with confidence, and drive meaningful impact in your organization. Don't miss out on this opportunity to level up your product management career. Tune in now and start making your strategic career moves today! Remember to connect with our guests on LinkedIn for more insights: • Tarun Dhawan • Chadi Azar • Joseph Malach • Mihai Zaharia Radulescu And check out the Top Prods membership community for exclusive access to product leadership insights and networking opportunities.

    32 min
  8. 08/20/2024

    Assembling Your Product Management Career Puzzle: Insights from Industry Leaders

    In this illuminating episode of Product Team Success, host Ross Webb brings together four accomplished product management experts to share career-defining insights and strategies. Our guests offer valuable pieces to help you complete your product management career puzzle: Mihai: Building a Well-Rounded Product Experience The importance of consumer product experience Navigating B2B product challenges Mastering white-labeling and multi-tenant services Expanding beyond engineering into marketing and public speaking Ayla Erimer: Leveraging Diverse Experiences The value of working across different industries and product types Adapting your product management toolkit to different contexts Balancing flexibility with core principles Chadi Azar: The Art of Benchmarking Looking beyond direct competitors for inspiration Overcoming the "not invented here" bias Using benchmarking to accelerate product development Justine Salter: Mastering Stakeholder Management Tailoring communication to different stakeholder types Preparing thoroughly for stakeholder interactions Navigating language differences between departments Key Takeaways: Diversify your product management experience across consumer and B2B products Don't pigeonhole yourself into a specific product type or industry Use smart benchmarking to accelerate your product development Tailor your communication style to different stakeholders Be aware of language differences between departments to avoid misunderstandings The episode emphasizes that success in product management is an ongoing journey of expanding your toolkit and perspective. By applying these insights, listeners can enhance their careers and become more effective product leaders.

    30 min

About

Welcome to "Product Team Success: Real-World Career Advice for Product". I'm your host, Ross Webb, and I'm here to supercharge your journey, whether you're climbing the ladder to the C-suite or already leading from the top. Our content is your secret weapon - offering insights into business metrics, data-driven strategies, and stakeholder navigation, all tailored to propel you forward and keep you excelling in your role. We believe in 'productizing' yourself and your team, leading the charge towards product success with a no-nonsense, no-fluff approach. We're paving the path in an innovative realm we call 'Data-Driven Empathy'. We'll tackle an array of topics, from securing investment for data analytics, to acing product interviews, to presenting product direction with authority. So, subscribe now to "Product Team Success", join our community of pioneers, and let's together redefine the landscape of product leadership! Get ready to be invigorated, inspired, and informed, as we revolutionize product leadership, one episode at a time!

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