Successful products don’t happen in a vacuum. Hosted by Hannah Clark, Editor of The Product Manager, this show takes a 360º view of product through the perspectives of those in the inner circle, outer perimeter, and fringes of the product management process. If you manage, design, develop, or market products, expect candid and actionable insights that can guide you through every stage of the product life cycle.
A seedling and a tree may share the same DNA, but their roles in the ecosystem are vastly different—just like junior and executive product leaders. As leaders climb the ranks, their focus shifts from producing features to providing structure and support that allow teams to thrive. Debbie McMahon, Chief Product Officer at the Financial Times, reflects on this evolution and how her approach to leadership has matured over time. From managing complex internal and external relationships to knowing wh...
Zoom’s journey from a popular video conferencing tool to a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by a wave of competition. But rather than being overwhelmed, Zoom has embraced new opportunities for innovation, especially with the rise of AI. Smita Hashim, Zoom's Chief Product Officer, shares insights into the company's response to the challenges of the pandemic and the rapid shifts in the tech landscape. Smita discusses her experience leading Zoom through this transf...
In this episode, we dive into the phenomenon of the "feature factory," where companies focus more on releasing products and features rapidly rather than prioritizing quality or user needs. John Cutler coined the term, and it perfectly captures the feeling many teams face: launching features without a clear understanding of who they’re for or how they impact the business. If this resonates with you, keep listening as we explore how to break free from this cycle. In our panel discussion,...
Hannah Clark reconnects with Mariana Antaya to discuss the evolving role of AI in product management. They explore how AI has reshaped product culture, the skills aspiring PMs need, and practical ways to use AI in daily workflows, including prompt engineering and building AI products. The episode offers insights for navigating the tech landscape and leveraging AI for product success.
In this episode, Randhir Vieira, CPO at Omada Health, discusses strategies for established companies to integrate AI into their products and culture. He contrasts incremental improvements (Horizon 1) with transformative applications (Horizon 2), highlighting the challenges and advantages enterprises face compared to AI-native startups. Randhir emphasizes change management, risk mitigation, and the importance of ethical considerations, especially in healthcare, to successfully navigate AI disruption.
Hannah Clark and Moshe Mikanovsky discuss a framework for selecting the right tools for product teams to boost adoption, productivity, and cost efficiency. They cover common mistakes in tool selection, the importance of aligning tools with company culture and engineering resources, and strategies for successful adoption across an organization. Moshe shares his product selection framework, emphasizing problem identification, prioritization, and understanding the product's philosophy.
Benjamin Berry, CPO of EvolutionIQ, discusses the leadership strategies he used to scale the company to a $730 million valuation, achieving 350% growth in two years. He shares his approach to establishing a product vision, ensuring product-market fit, and building a scalable culture. Berry also highlights the unique challenges of scaling an AI business in the insurance market and the importance of adapting leadership to the context of the business.
The product industry is constantly evolving, and navigating silos—both across departments and between leadership levels—can make career growth feel like a challenge. Without alignment, collaboration suffers, progress stalls, and figuring out how to advance becomes even harder. In this special panel episode, host Hannah Clark is joined by Melika Hope (Director of Product Management at Spotify) and Ken Romano (VP of Product at Stacker) to discuss what product leaders truly value in 2025. They dive...
Yue Zhao discusses transitioning into an executive role, focusing on the mindset shift from team-first to company-first thinking and building relationships with peers across different functions. She also debunks common myths about executive life, emphasizes the importance of feedback and communication, and provides strategies for new executives to onboard efficiently and manage relationships with the board. The conversation offers practical advice for maintaining work-life boundaries and adapting to the unique challenges of executive leadership.
Hannah Clark and Greg Petroff discuss how AI is reshaping product management and leadership, drawing parallels to the dot-com era. They explore the importance of curiosity, adapting roles, and using AI tools effectively in product development and research. The conversation also covers evolving leadership styles and the need for clarity and psychological safety within teams to foster innovation and maintain high standards.
Not to get all "check your privileges" on you, but if your organization has an in-house research team, or works with a research firm, or even has just one UXR on staff, you gotta count yourself lucky. According to the 2024 State of Research Report by User Interviews, for every one dedicated researcher, there are five PWDRs—that stands for 'people who do research'. So by my math, that means that there's a 1 in 6 chance that one of those PWDRs is you. So if you do identify...
Whether you prefer the term data-driven, or data-informed, or data-dazzled, it doesn't matter—today's tech cannot survive without high quality data sets AND the tools to use them effectively. But we also can't afford to think about data as the responsibility of just one or two departments in the organization—instead, we need to be going into 2025 with a mindset of data democratization. In other words, our business is our customers, so what our customers are saying should be everyo...
In the age of remote work, product teams can take a lot of forms, and are no longer limited to the talent pool of a specific geographic area. That means many of us are working closely every day with colleagues in completely different time zones, while also building products for customers around the world. And while the ability to connect, collaborate, and sell internationally offers a wealth of opportunities, it also comes with a whole world of intricacies and challenges. My guest today is Craig...
Accessibility often sits uncomfortably on the fringes of roadmap discussions. Many organizations prioritize features with the biggest impact, sidelining those that benefit a smaller percentage of users. Yet, the dialogue on accessibility is not just about inclusion but also intersects with business ethics and market expansion. In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Prerna Ramachandra—Principal Product Manager at Yahoo—to delve into the business case for accessibility and effective strategies...
Burning out isn't a matter of 'if' as much as a matter of 'when'. According to Mind the Product, over 80 percent of product managers report experiencing burnout during their careers — and I reckon that number is pretty conservative. As high achievers, we're prone to pushing our limits beyond the breaking point when it comes to our careers. But even though just about everyone goes through it, burnout can still feel horribly isolating. It can trick us into thinking we...
As we wrap up an extraordinary year, join us in reflecting on the highlights of The Product Manager Podcast in 2024. This milestone year included engaging conversations, insightful guests, and a growing audience that recently hit 100,000 downloads. In this special year-end edition, host Hannah Clark and producer Becca Banyard share behind-the-scenes stories of the podcast's success. With gratitude, they revisit episodes that shaped the show's journey and impacted its listeners. Resourc...
If we were to rank the top paradigm shifts in product in the last 10 years, I'd reckon AI and product-led growth would sit at the top of that list. Both concepts really come down to amplifying efficiency, doing more with less. But the real cheat code is bringing them together and using the time saving power of LLMs to enhance your PLG strategy. In a recent panel event, How to Use AI to Supercharge Product-Led Growth, we brought together three awesome PLG experts — Ramli John, the founder of...
My guest today is Tal Raviv, the genius behind the popular course entitled "Build Your Personal PM Productivity System & AI Copilot", which is a pretty fancy name. And it's also a pretty big deal for someone who previously described himself as an AI skeptic. But for Tal, the game changer was figuring out why so many PMs struggle to extract the full value out of their LLM tools and uncovering the tactics that actually have the power to transform your productivity. And yes, we w...
As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. I think that old chestnut really sums up the product onboarding to adoption pipeline; just because a user has found your product doesn't mean they'll end up paying for it. I get it; it's frustrating when new users seem to arrive at your product, take a sniff, and gallop off into the sunset. But we're not here to commiserate about runaway users, we're here to zoom out on this kooky little...
Pricing is a perennial hot topic. How much value should you provide for free, and at what point should users need to convert into paying customers? How much should you charge, and how often? In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Cem Kansu—Head of Product at Duolingo—to explore how Duolingo has navigated challenges in monetization, expansion into new markets, and the integration of cutting-edge technology. Resources from this episode: Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletter Check out thi...
Product management is a field that often emphasizes the importance of frameworks. These tools provide a structured approach to the many tasks PMs face daily. However, reliance on frameworks can sometimes inadvertently stifle innovation and critical thinking. In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Avrum Laurie—CPO at Felix Health—to explore the double-edged nature of frameworks in product management. Resources from this episode: Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletter Check out this episo...
In an era marked by rapid technological change and economic uncertainty, the tech industry once seen as a paragon of stability is now grappling with significant upheaval. In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Victoria Ku—ex-Airbnb and former Head of Product & Design at Highnote—to explore the shifting paradigms in the tech industry post-pandemic, the prevailing economic difficulties, and the widespread influence of AI on our professional landscape. Resources from this episode: Subscribe...
In an era where AI is transforming industries at a rapid pace, product roles infused with AI capabilities are among the most sought-after in tech. If you're looking to break into this sphere or enhance your existing skills, understanding the journey and strategies of those leading the charge can be incredibly beneficial. In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Lorilyn McCue—AI Product Manager at Superhuman—to share her insights on navigating the evolving landscape of AI product managemen...
In the ever-evolving world of technology and product management, leaders are continually seeking the tools and skillsets that will set them apart. One of the most underrated yet essential competencies is emotional intelligence (EI), a trait that can significantly influence team dynamics, decision-making, and leadership effectiveness. In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Robert Ta—Chief Product Architect for Dayforce—to delve into the power of emotional intelligence in leadership and its pr...
In the fast-paced world of product design, balancing technological advancements with empathy is more critical than ever. In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Koji Pereira—VP of Design & Research at Sigma Computing—to offer a unique perspective on this delicate balance. Drawing from his rich career at tech giants like Google, Lyft, and Twitter, Koji underscores the transformative power of empathy in product design and leadership. Resources from this episode: Subscribe to The Product Man...
Many professionals in the tech industry begin their journey in the dynamic world of startups, learning to thrive in fast-paced environments and wearing many hats. However, as career paths evolve, some find themselves curious about the opportunities and unique culture of larger tech companies. In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Melika Hope—Director of Product Management at Spotify—to explore the intricacies of transitioning from startups to Big Tech. Resources from this episode: Subscribe...
In the world of product management, the popular adage "People don't leave bad jobs, they leave bad managers" resonates all too well. As leaders, it’s crucial to prioritize the human connection and support that teams need to foster a thriving work environment. In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Nancy Chu—PM Coach—to discuss how compassion plays a vital role in effective leadership and team dynamics, particularly in the tech industry. Resources from this episode: Check out t...
Product adoption can sometimes feel as elusive as catching lightning in a bottle. There are myriad reasons why users might resist adopting new products, from the fear of change to the comfort of established routines. In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by George Brooks—Founder and CEO of Crema—to explore these challenges and draw out actionable insights for product leaders. Resources from this episode: Check out this episode's sponsor Sprig Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletter Co...
In an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming various industries, developing expertise in AI product management is becoming indispensable for today's software product managers. In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Praveen Gujar—Director of Product at LinkedIn—to share his valuable perspectives on the critical skills needed for AI PMs, the growing demand for AI expertise, and the pivotal role of data hygiene and ethics in AI development. Resources from this episode: C...
In the ever-evolving landscape of product management, growth hacking has become a pivotal challenge for organizations aiming to scale their products effectively. In this episode, Hannah Clark is joined by Samantha Hepler—Principal Product Manager at Procore Technologies—to delve into the intricacies of sustainable growth strategies. Resources from this episode: Check out this episode's sponsor Sprig Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletter Connect with Samantha on LinkedIn Check out Proc...
