In this episode of the Product Thinking podcast, I had an illuminating conversation with Inessa Lurye about building healthcare products that truly make a difference. Inessa brings a unique perspective from her journey starting in public service to leading product innovation at Hinge Health, where she spearheaded the development of their groundbreaking women's pelvic health program.

Our discussion delved into the careful balance required when innovating in healthcare - maintaining clinical excellence while moving quickly enough to meet market needs. Inessa shared invaluable insights about building business cases, running experiments responsibly, and leveraging organizational strengths to scale healthcare innovations.

If you're interested in healthcare innovation, product development in regulated industries, or scaling products within large organizations, this episode offers practical wisdom from someone who's successfully navigated these challenges while making a meaningful impact in women's health.

As we wrap up 2024, I wanted to bring together some of the most impactful conversations from the Product Thinking podcast this year. From Steve Portigal's insights on modern user research, to Quincy Hunte's practical approach to decision-making at AWS, each guest brought unique perspectives that resonated deeply with our audience.

This special episode features highlights from conversations with product leaders who have shaped our understanding of effective product management. Jeff Gothelf and Josh Seiden's discussion on OKRs, Kate Leto's wisdom on leadership coaching, and Leah Tharin's approach to product-led growth – each conversation offers valuable lessons for product professionals at all levels.

Join me for this year-end reflection on the insights that have helped shape product thinking in 2024, and get inspired for the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025.

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!

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!