Episode 147: Empowering Workforce Development with Raluca Apostol, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Nestor

In this episode, Melissa Perri discusses the common dilemma faced by product managers: whether to prioritize large, high-risk features or focus on delivering smaller, incremental updates. She delves into the considerations that should guide this decision, including the value to users, stakeholder goals, and the need for experimentation and risk management. Melissa shares insights on how to approach these decisions strategically to ensure both customer satisfaction and business success.Are you grappling with how to balance big projects against smaller, faster releases in your product strategy? Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights from Melissa on making the right choices for your product and organization.You’ll hear us talk about:02:29 - The Value of Incremental ReleasesMelissa discusses the benefits of releasing smaller features incrementally, highlighting how they can provide immediate user value and inform future development decisions through feedback.04:13 - Managing Risk in Long-Term ProjectsHere, Melissa emphasizes the importance of de-risking multi-month projects with phased releases and feature flags, ensuring that stakeholders and users are aligned and informed throughout the process.05:01 - Balancing Stakeholder and User NeedsMelissa explores the tension between meeting stakeholder goals and delivering user value, offering strategies for product managers to align these often competing priorities effectively.Episode resources:Check the localization report: https://lokalise.com/library/data-reports/localization-revenue-report-2025/Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/

Join us in this episode as Melissa Perri sits down with Vanessa Lee, VP of Product at Shopify, to explore the groundbreaking work being done in AI integration and agentic commerce. Vanessa sheds light on Shopify's AI assistant, Sidekick, which aims to revolutionize how merchants manage and grow their businesses.Discover how Shopify is pushing the boundaries of e-commerce with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to empowering entrepreneurs.Through engaging anecdotes and insights, Vanessa shares how Sidekick is not just a tool but a strategic partner for merchants, helping them navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. We delve into the collaboration with OpenAI and how Shopify is leveraging AI to create seamless, innovative shopping experiences.Want to understand how AI can transform product management and e-commerce? Tune in to this episode for an enlightening conversation that explores the future of commerce and the evolving role of product managers.You’ll hear us talk about:05:19 - Shopify's Agentic AI AssistantVanessa explains how Sidekick, Shopify's AI assistant, was designed to be a co-pilot for merchants, proactively assisting with tasks like product creation and payment setup to help entrepreneurs succeed in their journey.36:38 - Partnership with OpenAIDiscover how Shopify partnered with OpenAI to integrate commerce functionalities into ChatGPT, making merchants' products discoverable and enabling direct checkouts within the AI platform.22:34 - Practical Advice for PMs Working with AIVanessa offers valuable advice for product managers looking to enhance their skills in generative AI and LLMs, emphasizing the importance of creativity and experimentation in developing innovative AI applications.Episode resources:Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vlaurenlee/Check the localization report: https://lokalise.com/library/data-reports/localization-revenue-report-2025/Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/

Join Melissa Perri in this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast as she tackles the complex issue of managing an overwhelming workload as a product manager. A senior product manager shares their struggle of handling five engineering teams, a task typically assigned to multiple product managers. Melissa offers practical advice on how to communicate with leadership, prioritize effectively, and implement systems to manage scope.If you've ever faced the challenge of balancing broad strategic oversight with detailed management, this episode is a must-listen. Melissa's insights will help you understand how to align your team's work with company goals while maintaining quality and focus.You’ll hear us talk about:03:36 - The Classic Project Management Trade-OffMelissa discusses the well-known project management saying about scope, quality, and speed, explaining how product managers must often choose between these competing priorities.04:44 - Proposing Solutions to Manage WorkloadMelissa provides a framework for presenting options to leadership, including hiring additional product managers and weighing the opportunity costs of current workloads.07:40 - Building Internal Systems for Workload ManagementMelissa advises on creating internal systems to distribute work, allowing development leads to step into prioritization roles, thus enabling a more balanced workload distribution.Tune in to gain actionable strategies and ensure your product management approach aligns with your organization's strategic goals.Episode resources:Check the localization report: https://lokalise.com/library/data-reports/localization-revenue-report-2025/Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/

Tony Brancato, Chief Product Officer at Charlie Financial, joins Melissa Perri on the Product Thinking Podcast to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in developing financial products for older Americans. With a focus on security and user-friendliness, Tony shares how Charlie Financial is reimagining banking for the senior demographic, often overlooked by tech innovations.The conversation reveals insights into building trust with users, the role of intelligent friction in product design, and the importance of understanding user needs in product development.Want to know how to create impactful financial products that cater to the senior market? Listen to the full episode with Tony Brancato to discover how empathy, security, and strategic product decisions are shaping the future of digital banking for older adults.You’ll hear us talk about:07:15 - Understanding Different User Needs Across AgesTony explains the distinct differences between 62-year-olds and 75-year-olds when it comes to digital banking needs and preferences, highlighting how product features must be tailored accordingly to meet diverse expectations.12:59 - Designing Intelligent Friction to Prevent FraudDiscover how Charlie Financial's Fraud Shield introduces strategic friction to secure transactions and empower users to prevent fraud, offering peace of mind and control over their financial activities.23:12 - Measuring Success Beyond App UsageTony discusses how Charlie Financial measures success not just by app engagement, but by the financial health and security of its customers, emphasizing the educational aspect of their services to help users recognize and prevent scams.Episode resources:Charlie Financial: https://www.charlie.com/Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonybrancato/Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/Check the localization report: https://lokalise.com/library/data-reports/localization-revenue-report-2025/Timestamps:00:00 Tony’s Journey to Charlie Financial07:06 Feature Design and User Research for Seniors12:57 Tackling Fraud With Empathy and Innovation20:50 Accessibility and Simplification Strategies30:18 Surprises, Trust, and Social Media Vulnerabilities34:15 Fraud Trends, AI, and Closing Thoughts

In this episode, Melissa Perri dives into the often-confused realms of product management and project management. Many people conflate these roles, but they serve distinct purposes and bring different values to an organization. Melissa unpacks the unique responsibilities and skills required for each role and discusses how they can effectively complement each other to drive product success.Whether you're a seasoned product leader or new to the field, this conversation will provide clarity and actionable insights on how to align these functions within your teams.If you're eager to distinguish between product and project management, and to learn how these roles can work in harmony to propel your product initiatives forward, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to hear Melissa's expert advice and start applying these insights to your own product strategies today.You’ll hear us talk about:01:19 - Differentiating Product and Project ManagementMelissa clarifies the core differences between product and project management, emphasizing the importance of focusing on value creation and timelines.02:43 - The Role of Agile in Product DevelopmentA discussion on how Agile practices have transformed traditional project management roles and why product managers often take on project tasks in smaller teams.04:04 - Leveraging Roles for Product SuccessInsights into how larger organizations can benefit from dedicated project managers and the value they add in coordinating across multiple products and teams.Episode resources:Check out Angel Squad: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissaCheck our courses: https://productinstitute.com/

Dr. Magda Armbruster, Head of Product at Natural Cycles, joins Melissa Perri to discuss her unique journey from physics to product management, and how she leverages her scientific background to innovate in women's health technology. As the first FDA-cleared birth control app, Natural Cycles offers a non-hormonal alternative for women and is expanding into new areas such as perimenopause. Dr. Armbruster delves into the challenges and opportunities of integrating user feedback, scientific data, and regulatory compliance in product development. Explore how Natural Cycles maintains user trust through data privacy, and discover the role of AI and wearables in personalizing health experiences. Dr. Armbruster shares her insights on fostering collaboration between product and regulatory teams, balancing innovation with compliance, and the importance of transparency and communication in product management.Want to understand how to successfully develop compliant, user-centered health tech products? Tune in to gain insights from Dr. Armbruster's experience in transforming women's health through product innovation.You’ll hear us talk about:10:45 - Integrating Scientific Rigor in Product DevelopmentDr. Armbruster explains how her background in physics informs her approach to product management at Natural Cycles. She discusses the importance of applying scientific methods to product development, ensuring that products are both innovative and evidence-based.22:15 - Ensuring Data Privacy and User ControlThe conversation turns to data privacy, where Dr. Armbruster highlights how Natural Cycles prioritizes user control over their data. She details the features that allow users to manage their data, reflecting the company's commitment to trust and security.35:00 - Balancing Innovation with Regulatory ComplianceDr. Armbruster shares strategies for maintaining a balance between innovation and compliance. She emphasizes the importance of early collaboration with regulatory teams to ensure that new products meet compliance requirements without stifling creativity and user-centric design.Episode resources:Natural Cycles: https://www.naturalcycles.com/Magda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magda-armbruster-326692a/Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/Timestamps:00:00 From CERN to FemTech06:18 Scientific Thinking in Product Leadership14:03 Education and transparency20:52 Science-Backed Collaboration Across Teams26:54 Regulation as a Framework for Innovation31:46 Future of FemTech and Advice for Product Leaders

What framework or experience do product managers rely on to determine when a feature is ready for delivery?Product managers should balance clarity and collaboration with developers when determining if a feature is ready for delivery. Key considerations include validating the feature's worth, assessing risk levels, and ensuring specifications provide enough context for developers to start coding without needing every detail defined. Iteration and communication are essential for successful product development, allowing teams to adapt and refine features as they progress.Episode resources:Get a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissaCheck all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking

In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri welcomes Nesrine Changuel, a seasoned product coach, trainer, and author, known for her work at Google, Spotify, and Microsoft. Nesrine shares her journey and insights into creating products that users truly love by focusing on emotional connections and the concept of "Product Delight” - the name of her recently launched book.She discusses how understanding both functional and emotional user motivators is crucial in designing tech products that stand out and are memorable. Throughout the conversation, Nesrine explores the challenges and strategies for implementing emotional elements into product design, emphasizing the importance of balancing functional needs with the emotional experiences of users. She shares examples of how tech giants approach product delight and the significance of inclusivity in product design.Want to learn how to create tech products that are not just functional but also delight users on an emotional level? Tune in to this enlightening conversation with Nesrine Changuel.You’ll hear us talk about:06:39 - The Pillars of Product DelightNesrine explains the three pillars of product delight: removing friction, anticipating needs, and exceeding expectations. She shares how they apply to products like the Revolut app, which continuously surprises users with new, useful features.13:40 - Tackling Zoom FatigueNesrine discusses how Google Meet tackled user boredom and low interaction during COVID-19 by introducing features like background blur and emoji reactions to enhance privacy and engagement, helping alleviate "Zoom fatigue."36:46 - AI and Emotional ConnectionsNesrine expresses her concerns about AI's current inability to address emotional needs in products, emphasizing the importance of maintaining emotional connections in the increasingly functional world driven by AI advancements.Episode resources:Product Delight on Amazon: https://a.co/d/9sLws71Book landing page: www.productdelightbook.comDelight Tips (Substack): https://nesrinechanguel.substack.com/My website: www.nesrine-changuel.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nesrinechanguel/Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/devCheck our courses: https://productinstitute.com/Timestamps:00:00 Nesrine Career Journey11:16 Emotional Motivators17:22 Measuring Delight: Happiness and Impact22:17 Deep vs. Surface Delight28:19 Inclusivity, Missteps, and the Excellence Checklist36:23 AI, Emotion, and the Risk of Sameness40:47 Advice and Final Thoughts

How can a product manager handle a backlog of unanswered customer support tickets and enhancement requests while transitioning to a more strategic approach?Addressing a backlog of customer requests requires strategic thinking rather than reactive responses. To manage this, categorize requests into buckets, establish communication rhythms for backlog reviews, and reset stakeholder expectations. Focus on quick wins to build credibility, engage with stakeholders collaboratively, and protect time for strategic discovery. Ultimately, create a framework for product strategy to prioritize feature enhancements effectively while involving customer support in the triaging process.Episode resources:Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/devGet a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissaCheck all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking

In this episode, Melissa Perri is joined by John Cutler to explore the often overlooked yet crucial role of product operations in driving organizational success. They dive into the balancing act between having the right people and the right processes, emphasizing how both are essential in managing complexity and fostering innovation.The conversation takes a deep dive into strategic planning, discussing flexible frameworks and the balance between simplification and nuance. They also touch upon the potential impact of AI in product operations, addressing the opportunities and challenges it presents for product managers.Curious about how to enhance your product management approach through strategic product operations? Listen to the full episode!You’ll hear us talk about:14:10 - The Balance Between People and ProcessesJohn Cutler explains the false dichotomy between having great people and needing processes in product management. He emphasizes the importance of both elements to effectively navigate uncertainty and complexity in product development.28:05 - Simplification vs. Nuance in Product OperationsThe discussion revolves around how to balance simplifying models for broader understanding while retaining the necessary nuance to capture the complexity of operations. John Cutler shares his perspective on maintaining this delicate balance.35:20 - Leveraging AI in Product OperationsMelissa Perri and John Cutler discuss the potential for AI tools to streamline processes in product operations, reducing the need for large teams and enhancing productivity. They also address some of the skepticism around the necessity of these roles.Episode resources:John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpcutler/TBM Newsletter: https://cutlefish.substack.com/Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/devCheck our courses: https://productinstitute.com/