Join us for an insightful episode where we explore the digital transformation journey at Vanguard with Marco De Freitas, Chief Product Officer for Vanguard's Personal Investor Business, and Amber Brestowski, Chief Product Officer for the Retirement Business.

Discover how Vanguard is modernizing client journeys, enhancing products, and building platforms that promise superior investment experiences. Marco and Amber share their strategies for leveraging AI and behavioral science to redefine client interactions, all while maintaining a strong focus on customer outcomes and innovation.

Whether you're interested in digital transformation, product management, or financial services innovation, this episode is packed with practical insights that you won't want to miss. Want to learn how Vanguard is leading the charge in transforming financial services? Tune in for the full episode.

You'll hear us talk about:

• 10:32 - Aligning Strategy with Product Execution

Amber discusses the importance of aligning product strategy with business goals at Vanguard. She emphasizes setting the right incentives and problems for product teams to solve, ensuring they focus on creating superior client experiences that drive competitive advantage.

• 22:56 - Experimentation in Client Modernization

Amber shares how Vanguard uses a North Star approach with key OKRs to drive outcomes. She outlines strategies for engaging clients and improving retirement readiness through behavioral finance and agile experimentation.

• 35:05 - Balancing Innovation and Optimization

Marco talks about Vanguard's approach to innovation, stressing the importance of client-centricity and empowering teams to innovate. He explains how a portfolio approach allows for both incremental improvements and moonshot projects, fostering a culture of continuous development.

Episode Resources:

• Amber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-brestowski-019b56ab/
• Marco on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-de-freitas-80416714/
• Vanguard website: https://investor.vanguard.com/

Timestamps:

00:00 Coming Up

01:05 Intro

09:10 Amber's Career Journey

12:11 Marco’s career journey

18:06 Modernizing Client Experience

22:56 Experimentation in Client Modernization

31:04 Aligning Business Strategy with Product Execution

37:43 Behavioral Science in Digital Experiences

46:50 Tackling Digital-First Transformation Challenges

49:58 Closing reflections

In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri is joined by Ben Hafele, CEO of Lean Startup Company, to explore the complexities of corporate innovation. Ben shares insights on how large companies can effectively integrate lean startup methodologies into their existing frameworks.

They discuss the importance of aligning innovation efforts with business strategies and how to avoid falling into the trap of unnecessary complexity. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in fostering meaningful innovation within large organizations while maintaining strategic alignment.

Are you looking to navigate the challenges of corporate innovation and strategic alignment? Tune in to this episode for valuable insights from Ben Hafele's experience with lean startup methodologies.

You'll hear us talk about:

• 10:45 - Establishing Connective Tissue for Innovation:

Ben introduces the concept of creating a "connective tissue" that links build-measure-learn cycles with overall business strategy. He explains how fostering this connection ensures that every experiment conducted is aligned with the company's broader objectives.

• 22:17 - Balancing Experimentation with Strategic Goals:

The discussion delves into the challenge of balancing experimentation with strategic goals. Ben shares approaches for ensuring that innovation initiatives do not deviate from the company's strategic priorities, maintaining relevance and purpose.

• 45:30 - Overcoming Complexity in Corporate Innovation:

Ben and Melissa discuss ways to overcome the inherent complexity in corporate innovation. They highlight practical strategies for simplifying processes and ensuring that innovation efforts remain effective and focused on delivering value.

Episode Resources:

• Ben Hafele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hafele/
• Lean Startup Co: https://leanstartup.co/
• Sign up for a free Liveblocks account: ⁠https://liveblocks.io/⁠

Timestamps:

00:00 Coming Up

00:47 Dear Melissa

11:25 What Defines a Startup?

19:08 The Importance of Strategic Filters

24:38 The Innovation vs. Legacy Divide

31:35 B2B vs. B2C Experimentation Challenges

39:50 The Right Way to Build Capability in Organizations

46:42 Evolving Corporate Innovation

In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, I am thrilled to welcome Matthew Skelton, co-author of "Team Topologies: Organizing Business and Technology Teams for Fast Flow." We delve into the intricate intersections between team topology principles and product management, exploring how these frameworks can transform the way product teams work together to enhance collaboration and reduce cognitive load.

If you're looking to refine your team's approach to delivering outstanding customer outcomes, this episode is a must-listen. Matthew Skelton joins me to discuss the revolutionary concepts within "Team Topologies," highlighting their impact on modern product management and operations. We uncover how organizing teams around flow and customer value can drastically improve product outcomes. Matthew shares practical examples of how these concepts are applied in various industries, providing invaluable insights for anyone involved in managing or organizing product teams.

Curious about how team topologies can optimize your product processes? Tune in to hear Matthew Skelton's expert insights and discover practical strategies to enhance your team's workflow. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a leading voice in the field of organizational design for software delivery.

You'll hear us talk about:

• Product Managers in Regulated Spaces (28:30)We discuss the debate over whether product managers should be domain experts versus having deep product knowledge. Matthew provides insights into how teams can effectively leverage subject-matter experts without them managing the entire product line.
• Breaking Silos in Teams (14:21)Matthew and I explore how organizations can overcome internal silos, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across product management, development, marketing, and sales for cohesive product delivery.
• AI and Team Enablement (51:54)We dive into how AI is transforming team topologies and enabling teams, discussing the shift in AI enablement platforms and their potential in redefining team roles and productivity.

Episode Resources:

• Matthew Skelton's Website: https://matthewskelton.com
• Conflux Website: https://confluxhq.com
• Team Topologies Information: https://teamtopologies.com
• Sign up for a free Liveblocks account: ⁠https://liveblocks.io/⁠

Timestamps:

00:00 Episode Preview

00:56 Intro

03:00 Dear Melissa

08:35 Moving from Projects to Product

14:45 Breaking Silos in Teams

18:27 Mistakes in Product Models

28:14 Product Managers in Regulated Spaces

35:51 Product Ops at Scale

42:17 SAFE and Big Batch Planning

51:37 AI and Team Enablement

In this episode, I welcome Fabio Brocca, Chief Product Officer at Xeneta, to discuss how product managers can effectively balance the urgency of product development with the need for strategic perfection.

Drawing from his extensive experience at Amazon and MSC, Fabio provides a unique take on the importance of swift iteration and execution in the fast-paced world of product management. We explore how real-time feedback can drive innovation and refine strategies without waiting for the elusive perfect plan.

Eager to understand how you can apply these insights to enhance your product processes? Join us for a deep dive into Fabio’s strategies and experiences in transforming the freight industry with agility and precision.

You’ll hear us talk about:

• 12:45 - Adapting Strategies Through Feedback Loops

Fabio discusses the significance of using real-time feedback to adapt and refine product strategies. He elaborates on the agility required to iterate based on customer interactions and feedback, which is crucial for any product manager aiming to remain relevant in dynamic markets.

• 23:05 - The Balance of Speed and Quality in Product Launches

We dive into the challenge of maintaining quality while prioritizing speed in product launches. Fabio shares his approach to managing expectations and aligning team efforts towards effective execution without sacrificing the end-user experience.

• 36:18 - Leadership in Fast-paced Product Environments

Fabio offers insights into leading product teams in high-pressure environments. He emphasizes the role of leadership in fostering a culture that embraces change and supports rapid iteration, ensuring teams are equipped to handle the demands of fast-paced product management.

Episode Resources:

• Fabio on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabiobrocca/
• Michele on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelesancricca/
• Paul on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkinglux/
• Reel Saber:www.reelsaber.com
• Sign up for a free Liveblocks account: ⁠https://liveblocks.io/⁠

Tune in and gain practical strategies to enhance your product management techniques from one of the leading voices in the industry.

Timestamps:

00:00 Episode Preview00:59 Intro03:19 Dear Melissa09:22 Fabio’s Path to Product Management14:32 Early Challenges as a First-Time CPO24:47 Scaling from Amazon to a Growth-Stage Company30:38 Big Tech vs. Scale-Up38:28 Tackling Freight Industry Challenges42:48 Thriving in Less Glamorous Fields46:26 Fabio’s Leadership Philosophy

In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri talks with Andrew Davidson, Senior Vice President of Products at MongoDB. Andrew has been instrumental in transforming MongoDB from a traditional database company into a comprehensive developer data platform.

As MongoDB evolves, Andrew shares insights into managing technical products and enhancing user experiences, crucial areas for product managers working with complex platforms. Join us as we explore the nuances of product management in the world of databases and developer tools.

Andrew sheds light on maintaining a balance between technical excellence and strategic management, offering valuable lessons for product managers. Tune in to gain actionable insights on how to approach product management for highly technical products like databases and learn how this can impact broader business outcomes.

You'll hear us talk about:

Andrew explains the motivation for creating MongoDB and how it challenged traditional relational databases, emphasizing the need for a system that aligns better with modern computing demands.

We delve into the importance of user experience within technical products, highlighting the layers of user and developer experiences that product managers must consider.

Andrew discusses the importance of balancing internal innovation with customer feedback, stressing the necessity for product managers to engage directly with users to refine the product.

Episode Resources:

Andrew Davidson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewad/

Learn more about MongoDB: https://www.mongodb.com/

Sign up for a free Liveblocks account: https://liveblocks.io/

Timestamps:

00:00 Episode Preview

01:25 Introduction

02:57 Liveblocks

03:40 Dear Melissa

07:56 Early Days in Databases

15:39 MongoDB’s Longevity

21:13 From Database to Developer Data Platform

32:21 Ensuring Product Strategy in Technical Tools

39:51 The Rise of MongoDB Atlas

45:04 Navigating Market Perception and Growth

52:16 Balancing Speed and Stability in Tech

In this episode, Melissa Perri sits down with Kate Towsey, an authority on research operations and author of "Research That Scales." They dive into the significance of research ops in aligning product strategy and operations within a company, emphasizing how research can provide strategic insights essential for product development and organizational growth.

Kate discusses the evolution and necessity of research ops, sharing her journey from content strategy to pioneering the field. She highlights how effective research ops facilitate knowledge management, ensuring that valuable insights are not just gathered but are used to inform business decisions across an organization.

Tune in to discover how Kate's insights can transform your approach to integrating research into product strategy and the benefits of a well-structured research ops framework.

You’ll hear us talk about:

- 08:20 - Solving Recruitment Pain Points

Kate elaborates on the common starting point in research ops: participant recruitment. She discusses how managing this aspect effectively can impact product managers, researchers, and designers by enabling more seamless customer interactions.

- 28:52 - Democratizing Research through Collaboration

Melissa and Kate explore the importance of collaboration between product managers, UX designers, and researchers. They argue that while each role has its specialties, working together can democratize research and lead to better product decisions.

- 42:40 - Breaking Down Silos Between Teams

The discussion turns to the silos that exist within organizations, especially between product marketing and product management. Kate and Melissa share strategies for overcoming these divides to improve customer insights and product outcomes.

Episode Resources:

- Find Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katetowsey/

- Purchase Kate's book, "Research That Scales," on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Research-That-Scales-Operations-Handbook/dp/1959029223/

- Subscribe to the Product Thinking Podcast newsletter for more insights here: https://productinstitute.kit.com/2c8b2a0136

Listen to the full episode to learn more about incorporating research ops into your strategy.

Timestamps:

00:00 Highlights

00:56 Intro

02:20 Dear Melissa

06:57 Kate Towsey's Journey into Research Ops

10:46 Understanding Research Operations

16:14 Challenges in Conducting Customer Research

23:38 The Shift of Research Ops to a Strategic Role

32:06 Collaboration in User Research

35:49 Right Tools to Scale Research

42:40 Research Ops and Product Ops Synergy

In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri welcomes Tony Ulwick, the founder and CEO of Strategyn, and the pioneer behind the jobs-to-be-done theory and Outcome-Driven Innovation (ODI).

Tony shares insights from his groundbreaking work in redefining product development and innovation. He discusses the importance of separating innovation from development processes and why focusing on customer outcomes rather than features leads to more successful products.

Whether you’re a product manager looking to refine your approach or a leader aiming to align teams around customer needs, this episode is a treasure trove of practical guidance and deep insights into mastering the art of innovation.

Tune in to discover how you can leverage ODI to drive your product strategy towards success.

You’ll hear us talk about:

Tony explains the importance of distinguishing between the innovation process—where the product concept is formed—and the development process, where Agile methods come into play. This separation ensures that only market-winning concepts proceed to development.

Tony outlines the steps in Outcome-Driven Innovation, focusing on identifying and addressing customer needs to enhance product success. He emphasizes defining markets and needs before devising solutions.

Tony shares strategies to encourage organizational alignment on the definition and prioritization of customer needs, ensuring all teams work towards a common goal.

Episode Resources:

Tony Ulwick on LinkedIn

Strategyn

In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, I am joined by Uday Marepalli, Director of Product Management at Upwork, who brings his expertise from leading AI-driven initiatives to our conversation. Uday shares his insights on building zero to one products within large organizations, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs and leveraging AI in product development.

This episode dives into the challenges and strategies for innovating in a way that aligns with both customer expectations and technological capabilities. Want to learn how to effectively launch and scale products in complex environments? Tune in to gain practical insights from Uday's extensive experience in product management.

You'll hear us talk about:

Uday delves into the unique excitement and difficulty of creating something from nothing, stressing the importance of balancing speed with thoughtful validation of hypotheses

Uday discusses how to manage new, sometimes contradictory, information by aligning it with the overarching vision and deciding whether to iterate or pivot.

Uday explores the peculiar challenges of AI products, including data collection and ensuring trust and explainability in AI-driven decisions.

Episode Resources:

Uday Marepalli on LinkedIn

💡 If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe to the Product Thinking Podcast to catch all the new episodes.

Join Melissa Perri in this insightful episode of the Product Thinking Podcast as she chats with Karthik Suri, Chief Product Officer at Cornerstone OnDemand. Recognized for his expertise in leveraging AI for workforce development, Karthik shares innovative strategies on bridging skill gaps and creating personalized career pathways through generative AI and data intelligence. They explore the transformative potential of AI in talent development, emphasizing the need for a blend of technical and human-centric skills to thrive in today’s dynamic work environment.

Discover how AI is reshaping talent management and why human skills are increasingly in demand, surpassing digital skills threefold. Karthik highlights the significance of adaptable enterprise software that aligns with the evolving needs of workforces.

Curious about how to prepare your organization for the future with AI-driven insights? Tune in to explore the intersection of AI, skills development, and workforce readiness.

You’ll hear us talk about:

Karthik explains how generative AI can assess skills through various data sources, creating holistic profiles for employees. This approach helps organizations identify and develop the necessary skills for career progression.

Karthik shares insights on the importance of a unified user experience and a platform mindset for product strategy. He discusses how integrating design systems and data structures across products enhances customer outcomes.

The conversation delves into the ethical considerations of using AI for performance reviews, highlighting the importance of accountability, explainability, and bias mitigation.

Episode Resources:

Karthik Suri on LinkedIn

Cornerston OnDemand

• 23:52 - Harnessing AI for Skill Detection and Career Growth

• 29:09 - Building a Unified Product Strategy

• 42:57 - Ethical AI in Performance and Skills Evaluation

• Angel Squad
• Productinstitute.com

• Episode 177: The Evolution of User Research: A Conversation with Steve Portigal, Author of Interviewing Users
• Tackling Product Research with C. Todd Lombardo
• Episode 128: Scaling Product Operations with Blake Samic, Former Global Head of Product Operations at Stripe and Uber