I recently spent some time with PJ Linarducci, the Chief Product Officer at Thumbtack. We spoke on a recent episode of the ProductPJ's impressive career, covering various roles in product management, including significant time at Meta, where he developed a keen understanding of what it takes to drive impactful product strategies. His insights are particularly relevant for those looking to innovate within established industries.
During our conversation, PJ shared his unconventional journey into product management, highlighting his initial reluctance and how he eventually embraced the role as a powerful avenue for influence and change. He discussed the unique challenges he faced transitioning from a large organization to leading product at Thumbtack, where he could leverage his experience to reshape the company's approach to home services—a sector he describes as being stuck in the 1990s.
PJ elaborated on the shift in Thumbtack’s value proposition, moving from merely connecting consumers with service professionals to empowering homeowners with the knowledge and tools to manage their home projects effectively. This ambitious strategy required not just innovative product development, but also a cultural shift within the organization, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and user-centric thinking.
Whether you’re a product leader, aspiring manager, or simply interested in how technology can transform traditional industries, you won't want to miss this enlightening conversation!
In this episode of the Product Thinking podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with BJ Boyle, the Chief Product Officer at PointClickCare. BJ brings over two decades of experience in health tech, having honed his expertise at leading companies like Cerner and now PointClickCare. His deep understanding of the healthcare landscape and commitment to user-centric product management make his insights invaluable for anyone in the industry.
During our conversation, BJ shared his journey into product management, emphasizing the importance of truly understanding the needs of end users—whether that’s nurses, doctors, or administrators. He highlighted the unique challenges of product management in the healthcare sector, where regulatory requirements and user experience must be balanced with innovation and growth. BJ's approach focuses on fostering strong relationships within the executive team to ensure that product strategies align with organizational goals and market needs.
If you’re intrigued by the intersections of healthcare, product management, and technology, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Read on as we explore BJ’s hard-won expertise on transforming health tech products, the significance of cross-functional collaboration, and how to leverage customer feedback to drive innovation.
Whether you’re a product leader or simply interested in the future of health tech, you won’t want to miss this conversation!
In this episode of the Product Thinking podcast, I had the opportunity to sit down with Vishal Kapoor, the Senior Vice President of Product Management at Affirm. Vishal has a wealth of experience in leading fintech product strategies and scaling high-growth teams, having previously held leadership roles at innovative companies like Dropbox and Microsoft. His insights into navigating the complex intersection of technology, finance, and compliance are invaluable for anyone looking to succeed in the fintech world.
During our conversation, Vishal shared his perspective on the unique challenges of product management in fintech, where balancing customer-centric innovation with regulatory requirements is key. He emphasized the importance of building products that are not only scalable but also designed to meet the evolving demands of consumers while maintaining the highest compliance standards. For Vishal, successful product leadership comes from creating a collaborative environment that fosters both creativity and accountability, allowing teams to push boundaries while staying grounded in the realities of the financial industry.
If you're passionate about the intersection of fintech and product management, or if you're curious about how to balance innovation with compliance, this episode is packed with actionable advice. Join us as Vishal Kapoor takes us behind the scenes of product leadership at Affirm and shares his vision for driving fintech forward.
In this episode of the Product Thinking podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Robin Daniels, the Chief Business and Product Officer at Zensai. Robin has an impressive career, having held leadership positions at some of the most notable tech companies, including Salesforce, LinkedIn, and Box. His journey into product management and marketing is both inspiring and insightful, showcasing how a deep-rooted passion for technology can lead to impactful leadership in the industry.
Robin shared his thoughts on the increasingly interconnected nature of product, sales, and marketing in today's organizations. He highlighted the critical importance of having leaders who can bridge these domains to create a cohesive go-to-market strategy. His belief is that understanding technology and its implications is essential for product leaders, especially in an era where customer expectations are rapidly evolving.
Robin is a really supportive leader and has a lot of thoughts about building a community atmosphere in the workplace with regular check-ins across the team. He also discussed the outdated nature of annual performance reviews and how the modern workforce desires more frequent feedback and support. Robin advocates for a shift toward a more continuous performance management model, where managers provide regular insights and guidance to help employees navigate their growth trajectories. This approach not only enhances accountability but also creates a culture of learning and development.
If you're interested in how to build a culture that prioritizes connection and personal growth in a remote environment or want to learn about innovative practices that can bring joy to your team, this episode is a treasure trove of actionable insights. Join us as we dive into the future of work with Robin Daniels, and discover how to empower your team to thrive.
What makes a good leader in these times we live in? And what does the pathway from product leader to CEO look like? I recently had the chance to speak again with Mercedes Chatfield Taylor on the Product Thinking podcast to rack her brains about these very subjects. Mercedes, who leads Artico Search, has a wealth of experience in placing high-level executives within tech companies, making her an invaluable resource for understanding the nuances of product leadership.
Over the course of our chat, we delved into the evolving landscape of CEO roles, particularly for those coming from product backgrounds. Mercedes highlighted the significant shifts in what makes a great CEO today—especially in a climate that demands efficiency and collaboration across teams. She also shared her perspective on the qualities that set successful CEOs apart, emphasizing the importance of understanding the customer and fostering teamwork within the executive ranks.
If you’re eager to learn about the strategies for transitioning from product leadership to the CEO position, or if you want to grasp how to cultivate a collaborative culture within your organization, this episode is packed with wisdom and well worth a listen.
I recently had a fantastic conversation with Sean Kim, an inspiring product leader with experience at Amazon and TikTok. We dove into the exciting world of building user-centric products in today’s fast-paced tech landscape, and I came away with so many valuable insights for my own work.
Sean shared his journey and how he leverages user insights to drive innovation, reminding us all that understanding our users is at the heart of great product development. We chatted about the challenges of designing features that truly resonate with a diverse audience and how a data-driven mindset can make all the difference. Plus, Sean offered some eye-opening lessons from his time at TikTok, especially around fostering a culture of experimentation and continuous learning within product teams.
If you're curious about how to navigate the complexities of product management and create experiences that genuinely delight users, you won’t want to miss this episode. Sean’s passion and expertise shine through, and I believe you’ll find plenty of inspiration to elevate your own approach to building impactful products. Join us and let’s explore the world of product thinking together!
I had an enlightening conversation with Brian Fugere, a seasoned product and engineering leader, about the intricacies of integrating acquisitions and standardizing product operations in a growing organization. Brian, with his extensive experience in managing marketing, engineering, and product teams, offered a wealth of insights on the Product Thinking podcast.
During our discussion, Brian shared his approach to merging diverse teams and cultures, emphasizing the importance of creating a cohesive and agile environment. We explored the challenges of aligning different product management practices across acquisitions and how establishing a unified framework can drive efficiency and innovation. Brian also provided a fascinating look into the technology evaluation process during acquisitions, including the challenges of migrating legacy systems and the strategic considerations for creating value that drives customer adoption.
Dive into our conversation to understand Brian’s strategies for managing growth, integrating teams, and leveraging technology effectively. Discover how his experiences and insights can help you navigate similar challenges and enhance your own product management practices.
I had a fantastic time chatting with Blake Morgan, a renowned customer experience expert and author, about the future of customer-centric strategies and the role of technology in shaping them. Blake brought her wealth of knowledge to our discussion on the Product Thinking podcast, offering an in-depth look at how companies can truly revolutionize their customer experiences.
In our engaging conversation, Blake delved into the success story of T-Mobile’s 'Un-Carrier' strategy and how a commitment to exceptional customer and employee treatment can lead to remarkable business outcomes. She also shared invaluable insights on the transformative impact of AI on customer service, the potential pitfalls of poorly implemented chatbots, and the delicate balance between leveraging technology and maintaining a human touch.
Read on to explore Blake’s vision for a more customer-focused world and discover how you can apply her insights to drive meaningful improvements in your own product strategies.
I enjoyed sitting down with Shruti Patel, Executive Vice President and CPO of Business Banking at U.S. Bank, to explore the evolving landscape of product management in the financial sector.
Shruti, with her extensive experience in transforming product experiences at large financial institutions, shared her profound insights on staying focused amidst the complexities of product development and countering disruptive technologies. In our thought-provoking conversation on the Product Thinking podcast, Shruti discussed the importance of balancing investments in existing products with the need for innovation, as well as the practical application of the Horizon 1-2-3 model for strategic planning.
Her perspective on modernizing infrastructure, aligning engineering with product goals, and leveraging agility to enhance customer experiences offered a fresh take on navigating the challenges of product management in a rapidly changing environment.
Join me as I dive into Shruti's strategic approaches and gain actionable advice on optimizing product development and driving impactful customer solutions.
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Vijay Pitchumani, Director of Product at Okta, for an engaging discussion on the Product Thinking podcast. Vijay, with his extensive expertise in product strategy, shared invaluable insights into the world of platform product management and the unique challenges faced by platform teams.
In our conversation, Vijay and I delved into the essential role of product managers in platform environments, exploring how they can define success metrics, experiment with API-first approaches, and balance short-term experiments with long-term strategic goals. Vijay's perspective on the importance of innovation within platform teams, and his strategies for managing PM rotations to foster diverse experiences, provided a comprehensive look at navigating the complexities of scaling and evolving platform products.
We also touched on how product managers can effectively secure buy-in for experiments and new ideas, making a strong case for experimentation within platform teams. Vijay’s insights were not only enlightening, but also highly relevant for anyone involved in managing and scaling platform products in today’s technology-driven landscape.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Tamar Yehoshua, President of Product and Technology at Glean, about the dynamic intersection of AI, product management, and enterprise technology. Tamar, with her deep experience leading product teams at Google and Slack, provided a fascinating look into the rapidly evolving world of AI and its impact on how we work.
In our conversation on the Product Thinking podcast, Tamar delved into the intricate process of developing AI-driven products, the unique challenges of managing product teams in a startup environment, and the strategic considerations of scaling in the ever-changing tech landscape. We explored the critical role of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) technology, the importance of maintaining a strong engineering focus, and the future of productivity in the workplace. Tamar's insights were not only insightful but also incredibly relevant for anyone navigating the complexities of product management in today's fast-paced, AI-powered world.
I recently had the privilege of chatting with Vrushali Paunikar, Chief Product Officer at Carta, about the exciting and evolving world of product management. Vrushali, with her extensive experience in scaling product lines and driving innovation, brought an inspiring perspective to our conversation on the Product Thinking podcast.
During our discussion, Vrushali shared her approach to leveraging curiosity and domain expertise to identify transformative opportunities within product development. We explored how to navigate the complexities of scaling product suites, managing digital transformation, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Her insights into the strategic alignment of product teams and the practicalities of managing diverse product portfolios were both enlightening and actionable.
Join me as I delve into Vrushali's expert strategies for harnessing innovation, scaling effectively, and leading product teams with vision and agility. Whether you're looking to refine your product approach or seeking inspiration for navigating complex product landscapes, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Christopher Li, SVP of Product at Xactly to explore the evolving landscape of product management. Christopher, with his wealth of experience in product ownership and strategy, offered a fascinating perspective on the multifaceted role of a product manager and the dynamic nature of product development.
In our conversation on the Product Thinking podcast, Christopher shared his unique approach to balancing strategic vision with practical execution. We delved into the art of aligning product teams, navigating career flexibility within product management, and leveraging innovative strategies to drive successful product launches. His insights into the integration of various roles and the importance of cross-functional collaboration provided a refreshing take on managing complex product ecosystems.
Join me as I dive into Christopher's expert advice and uncover practical tips for enhancing your product management practices, embracing career versatility, and fostering a more cohesive product development process.
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Melissa Douros, Chief Product Officer at Green Dot, who is redefining how we approach product management in today’s dynamic market. Melissa, with her deep expertise in creating cohesive customer experiences and integrating strategic design practices, shared her invaluable insights on building robust product strategies and fostering innovation.
In our engaging conversation on the Product Thinking podcast, Melissa delved into the significance of understanding the customer journey as a continuous, non-linear experience and the impact of having a unified design system. Her approach to aligning product management with strategic design and her perspective on the role of a well-structured product council provided a fresh outlook on effective product development.
Join me as I explore Melissa's strategic wisdom and discover actionable advice on enhancing your product management practices while driving meaningful customer engagement.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Trisha Price, Chief Product Officer at Pendo, a trailblazer in harnessing customer-centric innovation and integrating cutting-edge technologies into product development. Trisha, with her extensive experience in leading product teams and championing AI-driven solutions, shared her unique perspective on balancing immediate customer needs with long-term strategic goals.
In our compelling conversation on the Product Thinking podcast, Trisha explored how Pendo utilizes AI and LLMs to address real customer pain points while fostering a culture of experimentation and creativity. Her insights into creating a dynamic and innovative product environment, as well as her approach to implementing effective processes, offered a fresh perspective on modern product management.
Dive in as I unpack more of Trisha's strategic wisdom and actionable advice for navigating the exciting intersection of technology, customer experience, and product innovation.
I recently had the privilege of chatting with Todd Wilkens, Chief Product Officer at Qualio and a seasoned expert in product development and scaling teams for success. Todd brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at IBM, where he spearheaded transformative projects that reshaped how teams collaborate and innovate in the digital age.
Throughout our engaging discussion on the Product Thinking podcast, Todd delved into the intricacies of building customer-centric solutions and breaking down organizational silos. His insights into the role of agility and strategic alignment in driving continuous innovation were particularly enlightening.
Read on as I share more of Todd's invaluable advice and strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of product development and innovation.
I recently spoke with Amir Kabbara, a product leader with experience at Microsoft, Amazon and Shopify, who currently serves as Advisor to the CEO at Paper. Amir is an expert in product management and he and I discussed at length the ethical concerns surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the education sector, among other topics.
We also discussed the critical role of data-driven decision-making at Microsoft, the significance of customer conversations at Amazon, and the application of Shopify's frameworks in shaping product strategies
Read on to discover more of what we chatted about in the recent episode of the Product Thinking podcast.
I recently sat down with Atif Rafiq, best-selling author of ‘Decision Sprint’, founder and CEO of Ritual, but crucially also someone with a bonafide background in problem-solving and creating systems for innovation. Atif's career began in internet companies in the early days, working for AOL during its heyday.
He had loads to say on the Product Thinking podcast about how to create a culture of sustainable innovation and why it’s the CEO's responsibility to add clarity to the problem-solving frontier of every business.
Running explorations was another topic he hit upon in our conversations and how getting buy-in for that exploration is key to balancing long-term missions and short-term objectives.
Sean O’Neill is currently the Chief Product & Technology Officer at Syncron but he has held senior product roles at a number of big organizations spanning Europe and the USA, including Amazon and Tesco.
He understands the importance of adaptability for a product manager, but he also has a lot of strong principles surrounding product management that he rarely veers from. These include the value-creation moments and financial literacy. I spoke to him recently on the newest episode of the Product Thinking podcast about the difference between product development in the US compared to Europe and he explained the subtleties in how he measures success, looking predominantly at renewals more than initial user sign-ups.
Sara Rossio is the Chief Product Officer at G2 and a hugely effective leader. Sara can leverage teams to develop and execute the sort of short and long-term strategic product plans that drive profitability up up and up. The way she talks about the dedication she has to bringing people along with her and helping to develop people on a personal level is utterly inspiring.
It was a real pleasure then, to sit down with Sara as I have recently. We shared ideas around AI, personalization, team motivation, user trust and many other topics.
