I had an enlightening conversation with Fabrice des Mazery, Chief Product Officer at productROI. We delved into how product managers can shift their mindset from being builders to becoming strategic investors in their product decisions. Fabrice's extensive experience, from founding companies to leading product at major organizations like TripAdvisor's TheFork, brings a unique perspective on balancing business acumen with product development.

What I found particularly fascinating was Fabrice's practical approach to stakeholder management and his framework for building a balanced product portfolio. He shared valuable insights on how to speak the language of business rather than getting caught up in product management jargon, and how to create investment forums that transform stakeholders into co-investors in product decisions.

If you're looking to elevate your product management approach from focusing on processes to driving business outcomes, this episode offers concrete strategies and actionable insights you won't want to miss.

I recently enjoyed a conversation with Mark Rosenberg and Vivian Phinney, two leading figures at Workday who are driving transformative product operations.

We covered the crucial role of standardized, data-driven processes that empower teams to make dynamic, cross-functional decisions in real time. Mark shared with me how lightweight standardization enables faster, high-quality product delivery by aligning divisional objectives, while maintaining essential flexibility. Vivian then expanded on her mission to reduce the cognitive load on product teams through selective standardization and streamlined data solutions—ensuring PMs can prioritize effectively and communicate clearly with leadership.

The two of them also discuss the unique challenges and benefits of hybrid product operations, where a central PMO provides universal tools and governance while allowing divisions to adapt processes suited to their unique maturity levels.

Read on to explore some of the best bits from my conversation with the dynamic pair!

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Tomer London, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Gusto, on the latest episode of the Product Thinking podcast. Tomer has an inspiring journey, having led Gusto from its inception as a payroll provider to a comprehensive platform that supports small businesses with benefits, HR, and more.

During our conversation, Tomer shared his insights on how Gusto maintains its core mission of creating lovable products, even as they expand their offerings across diverse markets. I was particularly struck by his emphasis on user experience as the foundation of their success. He explained how their team ensures that every product decision aligns with this goal, fostering a culture that prioritizes intuitive design and emotional connections with users.

We delved into the frameworks Gusto employs to enhance user experiences, focusing on the three essential pillars of functionality, intuitiveness, and delight. Tomer also shared a delightful anecdote about how they celebrate payday with their users, transforming a routine moment into an engaging experience.

Read on to discover how we unpacked the strategies behind Gusto’s impressive growth and learn valuable lessons on maintaining user-centricity while navigating the complexities of product expansion!

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jessica Hall, the Chief Product Officer at Just Eat Takeaway, on a recent episode of the Product Thinking podcast. Jessica has an impressive background, having navigated her company through the complexities of mergers and acquisitions, which have brought both challenges and opportunities for innovation in product management.

During our conversation, Jessica shared insights into how her team is working to create a unified platform across multiple markets. This journey has involved consolidating various customer-facing applications to deliver a consistent experience worldwide. I found it fascinating to hear about the meticulous research and collaboration involved in understanding the unique needs of different regions, all while ensuring that product development remains efficient and responsive to customer demands.

We explored a range of topics, including the importance of building a capable, diverse team to address the challenges AI presents, such as data governance and bias. Jessica shared her practical experiences, highlighting how she has implemented robust frameworks to ensure transparency and ethical use of AI, while also fostering a culture of continuous learning and curiosity within her teams.

Read on, to learn how we unpacked the reality of AI in product development and discover how to harness its potential effectively!