Episode 231: Laying the Groundwork for Startup Success with Julia Austin

In this episode, Melissa Perri is joined by Julia Austin, Author, Lecturer at Harvard Business School, and Founder of Good For Her, to discuss the essentials of building a strong startup foundation. They delve into the importance of understanding your customer and the problem you’re solving, the dynamics of co-founder relationships, and transitioning to outcome-based roadmaps. Julia shares insights on how AI can play a role in product development and gives advice for first-time product managers in startups.Julia emphasizes the need for founders to focus on financial and legal aspects, often overlooked in the excitement of building a product. The conversation offers valuable advice for product managers and founders aiming to build sustainable and successful startups.Want to gain insights into building a strong foundation for your startup and the role of product managers? Listen to the full episode for practical tips and strategies from Julia's extensive experience.You’ll hear us talk about:05:20 - Understanding Foundational Work in StartupsJulia Austin discusses why startups should spend 80% of their time on foundational work and discovery, emphasizing the importance of understanding the problem and target audience before developing solutions.12:45 - Transitioning to Outcome-Based RoadmapsMelissa Perri explains how product managers can shift from feature-based roadmaps to outcome-based ones, focusing on connecting outputs to outcomes and effectively communicating with stakeholders.24:10 - Advice for First Product Managers in StartupsJulia provides tips for new product managers on building trust with founders by understanding the company's history and aligning with the founders’ vision to help structure the startup's roadmap and priorities.Episode resources:Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaaustin/After the Idea book: https://www.aftertheideabook.com/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Introduction03:08 Dear Melissa08:34 Understanding Founder Relationships15:53 Operational Foundations for Startups26:20 Applying AI Thoughtfully35:26 Role of PMs in Startups43:48 Closing Remarks

Join us this week on the Product Thinking Podcast as we explore the intersection of digital innovation and product management with Jose Quesada, VP of Product Management for Mobile and Web at American Express. With over 15 years of experience, Jose provides valuable insights into transforming digital experiences within the financial industry and the pivotal role of experimentation in fostering innovation.Jose shares his approach to creating a culture of safe experimentation, the seamless integration of digital and physical financial products, and the importance of developing soft skills in product management. He offers a compelling perspective on how digital transformation is reshaping customer interactions and product strategies at American Express.You'll hear us talk about:- 11:25 - Embracing ExperimentationJose discusses the importance of using experimentation as a tool to reduce uncertainty, encouraging his team to innovate and learn from mistakes without fear.- 25:31 - Data-Driven Product StrategyJose emphasizes the significance of a dual-track approach in product development, balancing immediate business outcomes with future-focused discovery.- 33:24 - Building Psychological Safety for InnovationJose shares strategies for fostering a team environment where making mistakes is part of the learning process, thereby driving innovation and growth.Episode resources:Jose on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josequesadamedina/Careers at AMEX: https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/careers/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Coming Up01:23 Intro03:00 Dear Melissa08:38 Entering product14:53 Outcome-Driven Teams25:41 Making Data Work34:28 Embracing Change41:44 Future Of Digital Products

Join us on this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast as Oji and Ezinne, co-authors of "Building Rocketships: Product Management for High-Growth Companies”, discuss the pivotal role of Product Managers in the AI era. As they share insights from their experiences with innovation and product development, Oji and Ezinne explore how PMs must adapt to the rapidly evolving technological landscape to remain relevant.In this episode, they delve into the balance between customer focus and business needs, highlighting the significance of people, execution, leadership, and communication. Oji and Ezinne emphasize the need for PMs to lead conversations, advocate for solutions that address customer issues, and stay attuned to industry shifts.If you're eager to understand how to navigate the challenges and opportunities that AI presents to Product Management, don't miss out on these valuable insights!You'll hear us talk about:28:55 - Balancing Board Pressure and Long-Term VisionOji shares advice on managing the pressure from board members while maintaining the focus on long-term strategy and vision, a perennial challenge for product managers.40:12 - AI at the Core vs. the EdgeEzinne discusses the difference between companies that integrate AI at their core versus those that only sprinkle AI on top. Learn what it means to truly embed AI in your company's workflow and how to approach it strategically.49:38 - The Evolving Role of Product ManagersEzinne covers how the role of PMs is changing with AI's capabilities in areas like PRDs and data diagnostics, questioning whether AI will replace product managers or simply change the way they work.Episode resources:Oji on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ojiudezue/Ezinne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezinne/Building Rocketships: https://shop.damngravity.com/products/building-rocketships-udezue?variant=43588962779312Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overview

In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri is joined by Lucie Buisson, Chief Product Officer at Contentsquare.Lucie discusses how AI is transforming digital experiences by combining quantitative and qualitative data to improve customer interactions. She highlights the role of AI in boosting productivity, allowing product managers to focus more on strategic initiatives, and fostering deeper customer connections.Lucie shares insights into the future of intent-driven and conversational interfaces, stating that understanding customer intent is crucial for creating personalized experiences. She advocates for product managers to view AI as a strategic asset that not only improves efficiency but also provides valuable customer insights.Listen to the full episode to explore how AI and data integration can revolutionize your product management strategy, making it more adaptive and customer-focused.You’ll hear us talk about:- 17:37 - The Importance of Data CollaborationLucie explains how marketing, product, design, and engineering should collaborate using shared data to optimize the entire customer journey. She emphasizes the importance of a unified understanding of customer needs to avoid a fragmented experience.- 28:24 - Future of Conversational ExperiencesLucie highlights the emergence of AI agents in creating hybrid digital experiences. She predicts that future interactions will largely be conversation-driven. This will allow for more personalized customer experiences based on real-time needs.- 35:49 - Adapting to AI-driven Customer InteractionsLucie advises brands to begin integrating AI into their customer interaction strategies to avoid becoming obsolete. She warns that failing to do so risks losing emotional connections with customers, as third-party AI agents become more prevalent.Episode resources:- Lucie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-buisson/- AI Agents article: https://contentsquare.com/blog/contentsquare-announces-sense-ai-agent/- Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Introduction02:39 Dear Melissa06:49 From startup chaos to global scale15:28 Defining digital experience analytics20:52 Unlocking accessibility with AI28:24 The future is conversational and intent-driven35:49 Advice for PMs in an AI-driven world

In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri sits down with Monica Lewis, VP of Product at LinkedIn, to explore how AI is transforming sales solutions.Monica shares her journey from engineering to leading LinkedIn's billion-dollar Sales Solutions team, focusing on creating powerful AI-driven tools that increase the effectiveness of the sales team.Monica discusses the integration of AI in sales processes and highlights the importance of understanding customer needs to create solutions that address real-world challenges. She emphasizes the role of AI in streamlining tasks, thereby enabling sales professionals to focus on strategic activities that create value for buyers and sellers.If you want to learn how AI can reshape your approach to product management and sales strategy, tune in and gain valuable insights from Monica's experience at LinkedIn.You’ll hear us talk about:00:02:54 - Grounding AI in Customer NeedsMonica explains how LinkedIn ensures their AI solutions are centered around customer problems, emphasizing the need for understanding audience and customer requirements first when developing AI-driven products.00:10:27 - Leveraging AI to Improve Sales EffectivenessMonica shares how AI is helping salespeople become more efficient by automating non-customer-facing tasks and providing valuable insights for better decision-making.00:30:01 - Embracing Failure and Rapid TestingMonica shares a pivotal moment at LinkedIn where rapid experimentation and smart risk-taking led to an increase in customer acquisition, highlighting the importance of quick testing, learning, and iteration.Episode resources:- Monica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamlewis/- Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Introduction03:04 Dear Melissa07:49 Building Sales Solutions at LinkedIn13:01 Creating a culture of experimentation16:12 Trends in AI and the evolving role of salespeople21:17 Balancing metrics, data, and user value25:13 Designing user experiences with smart cues30:59 Monica's career pivotal moments and product strategy insights36:59 Managing innovation, bets, and experimentation40:46 The future of sales and advice to younger self

In this episode, I sit down with Christina Wodtke, a professor at Stanford University, for the second time on the show, to explore the intersection of game design and product management. Christina shares her insights on how principles from game design can transform product development processes, making them more engaging and effective. We also dive into the role of AI in shaping the future of product management education and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents.Christina discusses her approach to integrating AI into her curriculum and how it's helping future product leaders understand the real-world implications of evolving technologies. Together, we uncover the importance of balancing user experience with business objectives and how the two can coexist to create products that are not only functional but also meaningful.Don't miss this insightful conversation that bridges the gap between creativity and strategy in product management!You’ll hear us talk about:05:33 - The Power of Engagement in Game DesignChristina explains how game design principles such as engagement and emotional experience can be applied to product design to fulfill user needs and expectations.12:25 - Continuous Feedback IntegrationThe importance of regular and early user feedback in the design process and how it prevents teams from becoming too attached to their initial ideas.41:08 - The Reality of AI in Product ManagementDiscussing the gap between AI's potential and its current capabilities, and how product managers can effectively leverage AI while focusing on core product values.Episode resources:Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinawodtke/Christina’s blog: https://eleganthack.com/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Introduction03:16 Dear Melissa06:35 Game design and emotional engagement13:36 Balancing goals and ethics in product design18:14 Building habits of testing and scaffolding feedback22:30 How AI is changing prototyping and team dynamics28:53 The role of expertise in an AI-powered world40:15 Getting into product management in the age of AI

Join me in the latest episode of the Product Thinking Podcast as I welcome Dan Balcauski, founder of Product Tranquility.Dan is an expert in optimizing pricing and packaging for B2B SaaS companies. In our conversation, we discussed strategic nuances of pricing models, the importance of understanding customer value, and the common pitfalls organizations face in their pricing strategies.In this episode, Dan addresses the intricacies of pricing beyond numbers, emphasizing the need for a strategic approach that aligns with both market demands and customer needs. He shares insights on how effective pricing can transform from a liability into a formidable competitive advantage, thanks to segmentation, value-based pricing, and strategic decision-making.If you’re looking to refine your pricing strategy and leverage it as a competitive edge, tune in for actionable insights and expert advice.You’ll hear us talk about:06:38 - The Journey to Pricing ExpertiseDan shares his transition from software engineering into the pricing world. He highlights that companies often neglect how they capture value, resulting in rushed pricing decisions despite the significant impact pricing can have on a company’s success.15:03 - The Mechanics of Pricing and PackagingExplore the four elements critical to pricing in B2B SaaS: price metric, price model, offer configurations, and price fences. Dan uses the McDonald's menu as a relatable example to illustrate how these elements play out in the real world.39:18 - Lessons for Long-Term Pricing SuccessDan advises treating pricing as a process that evolves with market changes, noting the importance of governance, continuous improvement, and alignment with customer value and business strategy.Episode resources:Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/balcauski/Product Tranquility: https://www.producttranquility.com/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Coming Up07:47 Pricing Misconceptions and Segmentation15:03 Pricing Mechanics and Internal Ownership23:50 Scaling Pricing Metrics and AI-Related Challenges34:45 Avoiding Bad Pricing Metrics39:18 Advice for Long-Term Pricing Success

In this episode, Somer Simpson, VP of Product at Customer.io, joins us to discuss the role of empathy in product management. With a wealth of experience in online media and startups, Somer shares how product managers can drive innovation by cultivating empathy for customers and themselves.She explores how you can have a human-centered approach when crafting products and how self-reflection grows empathy for customers. Somer also highlights the balance between using AI to close knowledge gaps and maintaining a human touch to truly understand user needs.Are you ready to discover how empathy can improve your product strategy and execution? Don't miss this conversation that offers wisdom for product managers at every career stage.You’ll hear us talk about:13:00 - Embracing Chaos in Product ManagementSomer discusses the need to be comfortable with chaos as a product manager. Like whitewater rafting, being a PM is about leaning into chaos rather than resisting it. This helps managers better discern patterns and innovate effectively.16:30 - Developing True EmpathySomer explains that empathy goes beyond the simple observation or acknowledgment of customer pain. It involves accepting others' perspectives as valid. She relates this concept to personal growth, suggesting that self-acceptance is crucial for developing authentic empathy37:49 - Human Touch in InnovationSomer believes that humans play an irreplaceable role in innovation, despite advancements in AI. While AI can increase efficiency, it's the human understanding and care for customer problems that truly drive product success.Episode resources:Somer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/somersimpson/Customer.io website: https://customer.io/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Introduction02:50 Dear Melissa16:30 Empathy starts with yourself22:29 Curiosity, failure, and building customer love28:47 Meaningful discovery and avoiding chaos33:28 AI can't replace empathy

Join us for an engaging episode of the Product Thinking Podcast as I speak with Mario Rodriguez, Chief Product Officer at GitHub, about the transformative role of AI in product management and development.In this episode, Mario discusses the integration of AI into GitHub's strategy, particularly through GitHub Copilot, and how it leverages AI to improve creativity in software development.Mario provides a deep dive into how GitHub Copilot is changing the developer's landscape by freeing them from mundane tasks and allowing them to focus more on creative problem-solving. He also shares his vision for the future of software development and the role AI will play in it.Listen in to learn how AI can be a powerful tool to amplify productivity and creativity in your product management strategy.You'll hear us talk about:08:22 - Reimagining Developer ToolsMario talks about how GitHub Copilot started as an AI-native product, focusing on augmenting human creativity rather than replacing it, and how it strategically integrates with existing developer workflows.24:12 - Surprises in Copilot AdoptionDiscover the unexpected ways developers used GitHub Copilot and how it challenged initial assumptions about product acceptance and success in the market.32:27 - The Future of Product Management with AIExplore how AI is shaping the product management field and what it means for the role of product managers in this fast-evolving industry.Episode resources:Mario on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariorodriguez3/Github Copilot: https://github.com/features/copilotCheck our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Introduction02:45 Dear Melissa04:52 From Microsoft to GitHub CPO13:13 Failing toward the right UX for Copilot16:23 Using evals and metrics to refine AI models24:03 Seeing Copilot in the wild: surprises and adoption29:16 AI’s role in augmenting vs. replacing developers36:26 Embedding AI into product strategy and practice

Dheerja Kaur, Vice President of Product Management at Robinhood, joins Melissa Perri on the Product Thinking Podcast to discuss her journey from engineering to product leadership. Her experience integrating design and user experience into product development at Robinhood has fostered a culture of ambitious thinking and learning by doing.Dheerja shares insights into balancing experimentation with strategic objectives and emphasizes the importance of empowering product teams to think big while aligning with organizational vision. Would you like to empower your product teams to think ambitiously while staying aligned with business goals? Don't miss out on Dheerja's insights.You’ll hear us talk about:07:34 - Defining the Product Manager RoleDheerja reflects on her transition from software engineering to product management at ESPN and how she navigated the shift from a technical role to a strategic one.13:01 - Coaching without MicromanagingDheerja shares strategies on finding the balance between providing guidance to new PMs and allowing them the autonomy to grow, fostering a supportive learning environment.28:09 - Balancing Experimentation with Ambitious GoalsDheerja discusses how to encourage teams to think big and have a portfolio of bets to achieve ambitious objectives while maintaining a culture of learning and experimentation.Episode resources:Dheerja on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dheerja/Robinhood website: https://robinhood.com/Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overviewTimestamps:00:00 Coming Up00:56 Intro06:29 Dheerja’s journey into product13:01 Coaching PMs without micromanaging17:53 Learning Design22:16 UX In Finance28:09 Balancing experimentation with ambitious goals33:32 Proving the business value of great design38:43 Embracing risk