Non-PM Advice Every Product Leader Needs: A Product-Market Fit Conversation with Rob Snyder

Everyone’s talking about GenAI. But adding it to your product isn’t just about chasing what’s new, it’s about making sure it actually makes sense for your users and your long-term strategy.In this episode, Carmen Palmer, CEO of Women In Product talks with Suba Vasudevan, COO, Mozilla.org and SVP, Mozilla Corp take a look at integrating GenAI into your product roadmap without letting hype override clarity or purpose. Whether you're facing internal pressure to “do something AI,” or you’re genuinely excited by its potential, this conversation will help you avoid common traps like over-scoping, misaligned use cases, or “GenAI theater”, and instead chart a path that’s grounded, scalable, and aligned with your mission.Suba will be a main stage speaker at the 2025 Women In Product Conference.00:00 Introduction to Suba Vasudevan02:08 Early Career Journey and Unique Path04:07 Pivotal Career Moments and Personal Life07:45 Dual Role at Mozilla and Strategic Vision10:49 Incorporating Gen AI into Strategy and Operations19:15 Thought Leadership and Organizational Transformation21:44 Practical Advice for Product Leaders26:44 Challenges and Pitfalls in AI Adoption35:14 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights40:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts🌟 Where to find Suba:On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/subavasudevan/💫 Where to find Carmen:On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmengpalmer/🙋🏻‍♀️Where to find Women in Product:On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-product/posts/ Website https://womenpm.org/Join the Community https://womenpm.org/wip-community/

In this episode, well-known product growth advisor and strategist Leah Tharin talks with host Shannon Peavey about the importance of trust in growth team relationships. Leah defines product led growth, discusses metrics for measuring success, and shares her view on the impact of artificial intelligence on roles and career development.Chapters:1:08: Leah defines “growth product” and “product-led growth”5:22  Where growth teams generally fit into an organization11:18 What is “product-led sales?”16:42 The right metrics20:28 Differences between growth approaches in B2B versus B2C companies24:16 Growth loops for the win28:31 Leah’s path into product growth33:33 What everybody needs to know35:39 Leah’s “controversial” view on AI42:00 Where to learn more 44:00 Personal reflectionsWhere to find Leah Tharin:Leah Tharin’s Substack https://www.leahtharin.com/Podcast: ProducTea with LeahSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/383QGHr8zIk3K04l3ijk9q?si=de5b7a8f8c474c6b&nd=1&dlsi=4c4a8f84cad7478dApple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/productea-with-leah-growth-senior-leadership/id1679153573Maven Course: https://maven.com/leah-tharin/productledgrowthLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahtharin/?originalSubdomain=chResources:Elena Verna’s Substack: https://www.elenaverna.com/Ben Williams’ PLGeek website:https://www.plgeek.com/Leah’s favorite conditioner:https://functionofbeauty.com/SmallPDF https://smallpdf.com/Jua Jua.aiNotion Capital https://www.notion.vc/

Get ready for a hot new series on growth product management. Elizabeth and series host Shannon Peavey chat about the genesis of our latest set of conversations on a somewhat mysterious product niche. Guests from Pendo, Adobe, Tinder, Lovable as well as consultants, advisors and yes, an AI agent, let us in on what growth product entails. Get the goods on the challenges and opportunities that come alongside growth product efforts and hear why unconventional thinking is part of the job. Tune in weekly to hear about the principles behind this discipline as well as tactics, strategies and mindset crucial to explosive success. Whether you’re an individual contributor, leader, founder, or advisor, get the truth about growth product and how it fits into an organization, affects team dynamics and can accelerate the pace at which a company moves toward scale.#ProductGrowth #WomenInProduct00:00 Introduction by Elizabeth Ames01:07 Genesis of the series03:02 Why growth product is misunderstood04:32 The time for growth product is right now05:49 Our unconventional guest roster07:06 Zigzags: never a straight line07:45 Team tension? Probably9:00 What to expect from guest #1: Leah Tharin09:56 WIP’s fall podcast (and conference!) schedule10:36 Where to get your conference tickets
🌟 Where to find Elizabeth:- On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethames/  
💫 Where to find Shannon
 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/spmad/

Resources:
ThoughtSpot
https://www.thoughtspot.com/
Walt Disney Co.https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/

WIP 2025 Conference Websitehttps://womenpm.org/conference/🙋🏻‍♀️Where to find Women in Product:On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-product/posts/ Website https://womenpm.org/Join the Community https://womenpm.org/wip-community/

Join Carmen Palmer, CEO of Women in Product, as she chats with Cassie Campbell, a fractional CPO coach and founder, about the insights from their powerful podcast series focused on product leadership coaching. This episode delves into the importance of coaching, distinguishing it from training, and its value for product leaders. They discuss key themes from the series, personal experiences, challenges, and the role of community, especially for Women in Product. Cassie also shares her journey and how coaching can uncover blind spots, foster growth, and enhance leadership quality. Whether you're a seasoned product leader or just starting, this episode offers valuable takeaways to navigate your career journey.00:00 Introduction and Host Transition00:36 Unpacking the Podcast's Focus on Leadership Coaching02:09 Themes from Top Coaches02:34 Customer Discovery and Outcome-Oriented Product Management04:19 The Importance of Context in Coaching10:53 Personal Takeaways and Blind Spots17:58 The Value of Executive Coaching25:23 Treating Learning and Development as a Product32:20 Navigating Financial Conversations in Product Leadership34:14 Behind the Scenes: Building the Podcast Series35:45 The Importance of Coaching in Product Leadership36:58 Key Takeaways from Podcast Production40:00 Addressing Team Challenges and Conflict47:55 The Role of AI in Product Management50:58 A Day in the Life of a Fractional CPO and Coach58:52 The Power of Community and Women in Product📚Resources:Book: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter - We used the saying “what got you here won’t get you there” in this episode and I thought it important to share that was not to refer to this book. However, I’ve started reading the book and can highly recommend to anyone curious about coaching.Book: Transformed - Moving to the Product Operating Model by Marty Cagan Book: Trillion Dollar Coach by Eric Schmidt Book: Reboot - Leadership and the Art of Growing Up by Jerry Colonna✨Where to find Carmen:On LinkedIn💫 Where to find Cassie:Substack: Athena & JazzOn LinkedIn At Cassie Camp - Learn more about product leadership coaching and fractional product leadership🙋🏻‍♀️Where to find Women in Product:On LinkedIn Website https://womenpm.org/Join the Community https://womenpm.org/wip-community/

This is a must-listen episode for any founders, especially those using “AI Agentic Coding” or “Vibe Coding” to quickly build concepts and now need to think about finding product-market fit. Even if you’re an experienced PM, you’re bound to expand your aperture and understanding of the “path to PMF” with this episode.In this episode, we sit down with Rob Snyder, a two-time founder and current fellow at Harvard Innovation Lab, to discuss his unique approach to finding product-market fit. Rob shares his journey from McKinsey and Harvard Business School to the realities of startup life, emphasizing the challenges and lessons learned in the 'pain cave.' We delve into the importance of understanding true customer demand, avoiding common discovery pitfalls, and the real meaning of pivoting. Rob also offers insights into his bootcamp and one-on-one coaching for early-stage founders, illustrating how to extract actionable insights from sales calls and get on the same side of the table with potential customers. This conversation is a must-watch for product managers and founders navigating the complexities of the zero-to-one phase of product development. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome02:39 Rob Snyder's Background and Journey04:54 The Importance of Product Market Fit08:42 Understanding Customer Demand14:55 Discovery and Validation in Startups19:48 Navigating Pivots and Iterations23:32 Introduction to Founder Sales25:02 Challenges Founders Face with Sales26:45 Effective Sales Strategies28:31 Bootcamp for Founders31:38 Coaching and Real-World Examples35:48 The Role of AI in Sales Discovery38:00 Finding Product-Market Fit44:27 Working with Rob and Final Thoughts📚Resources:The Path to Product Market Fit Slide DeckThe Path to Product Market Fit Video Workshop✨Where to find Rob:On LinkedInWebsite: Finding PullSubstack: How To Grow💫 Where to find Cassie:On LinkedIn At Cassie Camp - Learn more about product leadership coaching and fractional product leadershipSubstack: Athena & Jazz🙋🏻‍♀️Where to find Women in Product:On LinkedIn Website https://womenpm.org/Join the Community https://womenpm.org/wip-community/

Join us in this episode with Jessica Nelson Kohel, founder and CEO of PMX Group, a niche product consultancy. Jessica discusses the intersections of product coaching, training, and consulting, and provides insights into the benefits of bringing outside perspectives into product teams. From supporting founder-led companies in scaling their product orgs to aiding new VPs of Product, Jessica shares engaging stories and valuable lessons on effective team dynamics, leadership, and immersive discovery processes. Learn about the importance of trust, the nuances of CEO-product leader relationships, and the power of collaborative coaching for product excellence.00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:27 Jessica's Background and PMX Group00:56 Transitioning to Consulting02:01 The Value of an Outside Perspective04:18 Challenges of Being an FTE05:54 The Rise of Super ICs09:08 Coaching and Upskilling Product Teams11:33 Immersive Discovery Approach17:31 Building Trust and Accurate Diagnosis20:23 Engaging with Stakeholders23:31 Supporting New Product Leaders42:49 Peer Coaching and Team Support📚Resources:Peer Coaching & Community Resources MentionedWomen in ProductLenny’s NewsletterContinuous Discovery HabitsCollaborative GainProduct Leader Summit ✨Where to find Jessica:On LinkedInThe PMX Group💫 Where to find Cassie:On LinkedIn At Cassie Camp - Learn more about product leadership coaching and fractional product leadership🙋🏻‍♀️Where to find Women in Product:On LinkedIn Website https://womenpm.org/Join the Community https://womenpm.org/wip-community/

In this episode of the Women in Product podcast, Meghna Shah of PWC joins Cassie Campbell to discuss the intersection of consulting and coaching in product management. Shah explains the importance of teaching clients how to build product management disciplines, using the analogy of teaching them to fish rather than just delivering the fish. They explore the mindset shifts required to succeed with agile and product management approaches, emphasizing the importance of coaching in making these shifts. Shah shares insights on the 'two in a box' model, where a coach and a product manager work together to ensure skill transfer. The discussion also includes strategies for influencing cross-functional teams, storytelling in product management, and the importance of continuous learning and adapting to technology changes.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:37 Meghna Shah's Background and Role at PWC01:23 The Importance of Coaching in Consulting02:09 Mindset Shifts and Agile Practices03:37 Influence and Stakeholder Engagement04:09 Technology's Evolving Role in Business05:24 Coaching for Continuous Improvement13:42 Success Story: Financial Services Organization17:45 Roles in Agile and Product Management21:54 Understanding the Value Chain26:33 Characteristics of Effective Product Teams30:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts✨Where to find Meghna:On LinkedIn💫 Where to find Cassie:On LinkedIn At Cassie Camp - Learn more about product leadership coaching and fractional product leadership🙋🏻‍♀️Where to find Women in Product:On LinkedIn Website https://womenpm.org/Join the Community https://womenpm.org/wip-community/

In this insightful episode of the Product Rising Podcast, host Cassie welcomes Andrew Skotzko – a product leadership coach and strategic advisor. Andrew shares his unconventional journey into product management, starting from growth hacking and transitioning into engineering, before finally becoming a product leadership coach. He emphasizes the critical difference between strategy and planning, introducing the concept of a strategy as a series of bets rather than a rigid plan. Andrew discusses the importance of ongoing strategy development and the avoidance of the 'strategy cave' mentality, preparing listeners for the challenges of strategic planning and product leadership. Throughout the episode, Andrew provides practical advice for product leaders on when and how to hire a coach, the creative and iterative nature of strategy, and how to effectively align product strategy with business goals. His comprehensive approach offers valuable insights for product leaders aiming to elevate their strategic game and navigate the complexities of product development.00:00 Welcome to the Product Rising Podcast00:48 Meet Andrew Skotzko: From Growth Hacking to Product Leadership03:14 The Journey to Becoming a Product Leadership Coach04:41 The Value of Customized Coaching06:43 A Success Story: Coaching a CPO in the Energy Sector10:22 The Challenges and Rewards of Strategy Development17:15 When to Hire a Product Leadership Coach23:10 Funding and Frameworks for Coaching26:09 Writing a Book on Product Strategy28:50 The Illusion of Control in Business Strategy31:15 The Concept of Bets in Strategy32:23 Differentiating Product and Business Strategy36:30 The Importance of Continuous Strategy Development38:32 Navigating Strategic Planning and Execution41:59 Collaborative Strategy Formation48:06 Avoiding the Strategy Cave Trap52:35 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice📚Resources:Andrew’s Strategy Self Diagnostic ToolAndrew’s Product Strategy Book Interest FormInspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love (Silicon Valley Product Group) by Marty CaganGood Strategy Bad Strategy by Michard RumeltUnderstanding Michael Porter: The Essential Guide to Competition and Strategy by Joan MagrettaPlaying to Win by Roger Martin✨Where to find Andrew:On LinkedInAndrew’s Leadership Nudges SubstackAndrew’s Make Things that Matter Podcast💫 Where to find Cassie:On LinkedIn At Cassie Camp - Learn more about product leadership coaching and fractional product leadership🙋🏻‍♀️Where to find Women in Product:On LinkedIn Website https://womenpm.org/Join the Community https://womenpm.org/wip-community/

In this insightful episode, we welcome Coco Brown, a multi-time entrepreneur and CEO of Athena Alliance. Coco shares her journey in Silicon Valley, her experience in HR and IT, and her mission to support women in leadership roles. She discusses the importance of career care, the power of coaching, and offers valuable advice for leaders navigating challenging times. With a focus on women in product roles, Coco emphasizes the opportunities for growth and diversification in their careers. She also shares her views on improving executive team dynamics and leveraging coaching for personal and professional development.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:01 Cocoa Brown's Career Journey05:50 The Power of Coaching06:20 Leadership Traits in Challenging Times09:49 The Role of Coaching in Leadership18:18 Women Investing in Career Care23:11 Paths for Product Leaders30:45 Executive Team Development36:30 Conclusion and Farewell📚Resources:Radical Candor by Kim Scott✨Where to find Coco Brown:On LinkedInExecutive Edge - Women in Product & Athena AllianceAthena Alliance💫 Where to find Cassie:On LinkedIn At Cassie Camp - Learn more about product leadership coaching and fractional product leadership🙋🏻‍♀️Where to find Women in Product:On LinkedIn Website https://womenpm.org/Join the Community https://womenpm.org/wip-community/

In this episode, Cassie welcomes Bosky Mukherjee, the prolific founder of PM Dojo and SheTrailblazes, and a veteran product advisor, leadership coach, and trainer. Bosky discusses her journey into product leadership, the formation of PM Dojo, and her mission to support women in product management. The conversation delves into the nuances of product management training versus coaching, the impact of AI on the industry, and strategies for driving cultural shifts within organizations. Bosky also shares insights on balancing humility with confidence and offers practical advice on leveraging coaching to unlock business potential and personal growth.More about Bosky:Bosky Mukherjee, an executive tech leader with over 22 years of global experience—spanning early-stage startups to high-growth companies like Atlassian.She’s the founder of SheTrailblazes and a powerful force for change in how women succeed, thrive, and rise to the top. Through her flagship program, Leadership Edge, Bosky equips women to lead with strategic visibility and executive communication—fast-tracking their path to promotion, all the way to the C-suite, and when the time is right, into entrepreneurship.Her work isn’t just about career growth. It’s about power, parity, and making sure women aren’t just at the table—but driving the agenda.Bosky is also the founder of PMDojo, where she helps companies build stronger, more strategic innovation teams—equipping product and technology talent to drive bigger business impact and communicate with executive fluency.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:49 Bosky's Journey into Product Leadership01:36 Challenges and Realizations in the Executive Room03:05 Founding PM Dojo and Its Mission04:50 AI in Product Management09:41 Training vs. Product Leadership Coaching11:05 Coaching Styles and Skills Development15:03 Working with Companies and Teams18:56 Driving Cultural Shifts in Organizations23:19 Assigning Dollar Value to Business Transformation23:33 Navigating Product Leadership Challenges24:38 Implementing Small Shifts for Big Changes25:25 Facilitating Business Conversations26:47 Success Stories and Skill Development28:39 Working It Out: Lessons from School30:26 Confidence, Humility, and Curiosity31:55 Hiring a Coach: When and Why34:53 Building Community and Networking38:18 Creative Budget Solutions for Product Teams44:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts📚Resources:✨Where to find Bosky Mukherjee:On LinkedInSheTrailblazesPMDojo💫 Where to find Cassie:On LinkedIn At Cassie Camp - Learn more about product leadership coaching and fractional product leadership🙋🏻‍♀️Where to find Women in Product:On LinkedIn Website https://womenpm.org/Join the Community https://womenpm.org/wip-community/