Products That Count Podcast

This is the fifth episode in our series presenting the Awards Advisory Board (AAB) for the 2023 Product Awards. In this episode, seasoned product leader Neha Shah speaks with two product leaders. First up is Pulse PEMF Director of Product Ryan House. And second is TimelyMD Head of Product Zac Fleming. The subject of the conversation is Life Sciences.

This is the fourth episode in our series presenting the Awards Advisory Board (AAB) for the 2023 Product Awards. In this episode, seasoned product leader Neha Shah speaks with three product leaders. First, is Xander CEO Alex Westner. Second is A10 Networks VP of Product Line Management Ganesh Rajan. And third is Vertafore VP of Product Development Nand Shivkumar. The subject of the conversation is B2B Tech.

This is episode three in our series presenting the Awards Advisory Board (AAB) for the 2023 Product Awards. In this episode, seasoned product leader Neha Shah speaks with two product leaders. First, Fmr Groupon Head of Product Kris Drey talks about the PropTech industry. Next, TrueML VP of Product Michael Krafft leads us on a deep dive into FinTech. So sit back and listen to these “product leaders to watch” as they explain two key product industries.

Does your team have its eye on the prize? Or is it constantly chasing the shiny new object? Here, Symantec Product Lead Michael Dubinsky explains why it is important not to do that. As he tells PayPal Product Lead Dimitry Shvartsman, it is vital that teams are not chasing the shiny new object. Rather, you should know your agenda, and what you are focusing on. Stick to that, and watch the new business roll in.

This is the 20th episode in the CPO Rising Series, featuring Teladoc CPO Donna Boyer. Donna speaks with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi on leading change in telehealth. A key theme is looking forward to the next horizon, rather than wallowing in what has come before.

This is the second episode in our series presenting the Awards Advisory Board (AAB) for the 2023 Product Awards. Here, seasoned product leader Neha Shah speaks with three product leaders. First, Macy’s Product Lead Alisher Rakhimov discusses trends in telecom. Next, ZEFR Product Lead Bharat Manglani shares insights on the AdTech industry. And finally, Universal Electronics Product Lead Nikki Ahmadi talks about the Internet of Things (IoT). Altogether it is a good introduction to telecom, AdTech, and IoT.

Here is episode 19 of the CPO Rising Series, featuring Ford CPO Hau Thai-Tang. Hau speaks with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi on the big transitions at Ford. A key theme is how Ford decided to stop hedging their bets and go all in on electric vehicles, or EVs.

This is the first episode in our series presenting the Awards Advisory Board (AAB) for the 2023 Product Awards. Here, Fmr ALTR Product Lead Neha Shah speaks with two of the AAB members about the B2B tech product vertical. First up is Oscar Health Product Lead Aditya Subramaniam. And second is Intuit/Quickbooks Product Lead Rosa Gonzalez Welton.

This is the final episode in the 2022 Product Awards series. Here, Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade speaks with Kura Technologies Founding CEO Kelly Peng. They quickly got into the topic of digital transformation. This has resulted in a hugely diverse VR market, with clients in automotive, medical, and smart homes. They also discussed why Kelly believes the enterprise companies are the early adopters who will pave the way for consumers. And of course, Kelly shares what she believes makes a great product manager.

Data analysis is one of the most important aspects of product management. It is how we get to know our customers and our product. In order to be successful product leaders, we need to dive deep into data and turn it into actionable insights. So, how can data analysis help propel your product forward? This week, Product Talk host and Product Leader, Neha Shah, interviews MongoDB Product Lead Rachelle Palmer who shares insights on a data-driven approach to product management.

What is the hardest part of being a product leader? Here is episode 18 of the CPO Rising Series, featuring ChargePoint CPO Bill Loewenthal. Bill sits down with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi to talk about the hardest part of being a product leader. A main thread in the conversation is that building great products includes building the systems around the product. All of that needs to work. In order to architect those systems, a product leader needs good prioritization systems in place. And that is a great clue to answer the question at the top of this blog.

Thanks to Products That Count’s growing network of over 300,000 managers and leaders, we have been fortunate enough to speak with some of the top product people in the world. One of my favorite things this has led to is our podcast, Product Talk, which has been a Webby Awards honoree, was named by Forbes as a top podcast and has won other awards. Now, 250 episodes later, I have been delighted to see we’ve shared product strategies with people across the globe. Product execs from Netflix, Google, Wayfair, Instagram, and many more have helped to understand exactly what it takes to build great products. So, what are some of the best lessons learned since the founding of Products That Count? This week on Product Talk, I am honored and excited to share this special episode as we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite conversations and the best product practices we have learned. 

This is the episode 13 in the 2022 Product Awards series. In this talk, Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade speaks with MURAL VP of Product Rosalyn Lemieux. They discuss the ways that MURAL is helping solve the problem of disconnected hybrid teams. And also why Rosalyn dislikes the miscommunication that can happen between product and engineering teams. Additionally, Rosalyn gives insight into how MURAL tries to be a fun company to work with – and for. She says this is enshrined in a company value called “playing to wow.”

Artificial intelligence has grown into one of the most formidable product tools on the planet. The Age of Product is being driven by automation and connectivity. and it is crucial that product managers understand what AI is and what it is not. So, how do product managers know whether or not AI should be a part of their product strategy? This week, Product Talk host, Neha Shah, interviews Tata Consultancy Services VP of Sustainability and Emerging Tech & Co-Founder of STRIDES.ai Malur Narayan on how artificial intelligence can impact your product and company.

Do you find comfort in constant chaos? If not, it might be time to shake things up. This is episode 17 of the CPO Rising Series, featuring Optimizely CPO Justin Anovick. Justin sits down with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi to talk about the value of constant chaos. It isn’t that Justin loves chaos, but he does think it reminds the team not to get too settled. He always wants to keep improving. Beyond that, Justin and Renée also talk about structuring the organization, and what makes a great Chief Product Officer. 

This is the 12th episode of the 2022 Product Awards series. Here, Ubiety Technologies CPO Nacho Andrade sits down with TripleBlind CRO Jay Smilyk. Jay points out that product people need to listen to customers, but likewise, customers need to listen as well. Next, he discusses the idea that data is the new gold. Data creates business opportunities as well as opportunities to increase the greater good. He also explains what makes product managers unique, as well as successful.

More and more, companies are jumping on board the train to new and innovative developments. New technologies like artificial intelligence have improved customer service and optimized routine processes and tasks. So, how can artificial intelligence benefit your company? This week, Product Talk host and Universal Electronics Sr. Director of Product, Nikki Ahmadi, interviews YegaTech CEO Mehdi Nourbakhsh on real use cases of artificial intelligence and how it can help product development.

Is it a problem when your whole team agrees? According to UiPath CPO Param Kahlon, the answer is yes. In episode 16 of the CPO Rising Series, Param sits down with Products That Count CPO Renée Niemi. They discuss what Param values in product leaders. Param also argues that if you’ve hired good people, you need to give them autonomy. And Param urges product teams to seek out diverse perspectives and dissenting views. That is the only way to challenge the status quo and grow the business.

In this age of technological advancement, the most successful companies are centered around products. Product management, as a function, means different things in different organizations because every company is in a different phase of the product lifecycle. So, how has product management evolved in fintech? This week, ProductTalk host, Neha Shah, interviews Marqeta VP of Product Management Archana Prasad on how fintech and product management interplay.

The 11th episode of the 2022 Product Awards series features the CEO and co-founder of an innovative mental health app. Bloom CEO Leon Mueller spoke with Wayfair Product Leader Nacho Andrade about the founding and development of the app. Leon's insights include the impetus behind the app and how women users made a difference. He also shares what makes a good product manager. Just like Bloom, it requires a laser focus on the consumer.