Successful product management isn’t just about training the product managers who work side by side with developers everyday to build better products. It’s about...
Episode 214: From Apple to FinTech: Balancing Automation & Customer Trust with David Myszewski
In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri sits down with David Myszewski, VP of Product at Wealthfront. David shares his transition from working on the groundbreaking iPhone at Apple to leading product innovation in the fintech space. He dives into how Wealthfront's approach to fintech has been shaped by lessons learned at Apple, particularly the power of small, talented teams and high standards.David discusses Wealthfront’s strategy of integrating consumer research and customer support into product development, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs through both qualitative and quantitative data. He also highlights the significance of building a technology infrastructure that supports innovative financial products and services tailored to evolving market needs.Tune in to explore how Wealthfront is redefining fintech with a focus on reducing client costs, enhancing tax efficiency, and fostering better financial behaviors through technology-driven solutions. Want to learn how to leverage tech for financial innovation? Listen to the full conversation with David Myszewski.You'll hear us talk about:10:33 - The Role of Consumer Technology Experience in FintechDavid explains why consumer technology skills are more valuable than financial knowledge in fintech. He shares how Wealthfront prioritizes creating excellent user experiences over specific domain expertise.19:28 - Introducing New Financial ProductsDavid outlines Wealthfront’s strategy for evolving and introducing new products over time, focusing on reducing costs, saving taxes, and fostering behavioral change. He discusses the automation of processes to enhance client outcomes.29:06 - Prioritizing Innovation and Roadmap PlanningMelissa and David discuss the balance between strategic top-down priorities and bottom-up decision-making in setting the product roadmap. David describes how they align business and client needs to drive product innovation.Episode Resources:David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmyszewski/David on X: https://x.com/davewikipediaWealthfront: https://www.wealthfront.com/Timestamps:00:00 Coming Up00:56 Introduction02:48 Dear Melissa05:28 Career Journey from Apple to Wealthfront14:09 The Evolution of Wealthfront’s Mission19:28 Introducing New Financial Products29:06 Prioritizing Innovation and Roadmap Planning35:54 Finding Product-Market Fit at Wealthfront43:08 FinTech’s Future & Advice for Product Leaders
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Episode 213: How Vanguard is Modernizing Finance Through Digital Innovation with Marco and Amber
Join us for an insightful episode where we explore the digital transformation journey at Vanguard with Marco De Freitas, Chief Product Officer for Vanguard's Personal Investor Business, and Amber Brestowski, Chief Product Officer for the Retirement Business.Discover how Vanguard is modernizing client journeys, enhancing products, and building platforms that promise superior investment experiences. Marco and Amber share their strategies for leveraging AI and behavioral science to redefine client interactions, all while maintaining a strong focus on customer outcomes and innovation.Whether you're interested in digital transformation, product management, or financial services innovation, this episode is packed with practical insights that you won't want to miss. Want to learn how Vanguard is leading the charge in transforming financial services? Tune in for the full episode.You'll hear us talk about:10:32 - Aligning Strategy with Product ExecutionAmber discusses the importance of aligning product strategy with business goals at Vanguard. She emphasizes setting the right incentives and problems for product teams to solve, ensuring they focus on creating superior client experiences that drive competitive advantage.22:56 - Experimentation in Client ModernizationAmber shares how Vanguard uses a North Star approach with key OKRs to drive outcomes. She outlines strategies for engaging clients and improving retirement readiness through behavioral finance and agile experimentation.35:05 - Balancing Innovation and OptimizationMarco talks about Vanguard's approach to innovation, stressing the importance of client-centricity and empowering teams to innovate. He explains how a portfolio approach allows for both incremental improvements and moonshot projects, fostering a culture of continuous development.Episode Resources:Amber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-brestowski-019b56ab/Marco on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-de-freitas-80416714/Vanguard website: https://investor.vanguard.com/Timestamps:00:00 Coming Up01:05 Intro09:10 Amber's Career Journey12:11 Marco’s career journey18:06 Modernizing Client Experience22:56 Experimentation in Client Modernization31:04 Aligning Business Strategy with Product Execution37:43 Behavioral Science in Digital Experiences46:50 Tackling Digital-First Transformation Challenges49:58 Closing reflections
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Episode 212: Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Corporate Innovation with Ben Hafele
In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri is joined by Ben Hafele, CEO of Lean Startup Company, to explore the complexities of corporate innovation. Ben shares insights on how large companies can effectively integrate lean startup methodologies into their existing frameworks. They discuss the importance of aligning innovation efforts with business strategies and how to avoid falling into the trap of unnecessary complexity. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in fostering meaningful innovation within large organizations while maintaining strategic alignment.Are you looking to navigate the challenges of corporate innovation and strategic alignment? Tune in to this episode for valuable insights from Ben Hafele's experience with lean startup methodologies.You'll hear us talk about: 10:45 - Establishing Connective Tissue for Innovation:Ben introduces the concept of creating a "connective tissue" that links build-measure-learn cycles with overall business strategy. He explains how fostering this connection ensures that every experiment conducted is aligned with the company's broader objectives. 22:17 - Balancing Experimentation with Strategic Goals:The discussion delves into the challenge of balancing experimentation with strategic goals. Ben shares approaches for ensuring that innovation initiatives do not deviate from the company's strategic priorities, maintaining relevance and purpose. 45:30 - Overcoming Complexity in Corporate Innovation:Ben and Melissa discuss ways to overcome the inherent complexity in corporate innovation. They highlight practical strategies for simplifying processes and ensuring that innovation efforts remain effective and focused on delivering value.Episode Resources: Ben Hafele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hafele/ Lean Startup Co: https://leanstartup.co/ Sign up for a free Liveblocks account: https://liveblocks.io/Timestamps:00:00 Coming Up00:47 Dear Melissa11:25 What Defines a Startup?19:08 The Importance of Strategic Filters24:38 The Innovation vs. Legacy Divide31:35 B2B vs. B2C Experimentation Challenges39:50 The Right Way to Build Capability in Organizations46:42 Evolving Corporate Innovation
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Episode 211: The Power of Team Topologies with Matthew Skelton
In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, I am thrilled to welcome Matthew Skelton, co-author of "Team Topologies: Organizing Business and Technology Teams for Fast Flow." We delve into the intricate intersections between team topology principles and product management, exploring how these frameworks can transform the way product teams work together to enhance collaboration and reduce cognitive load.If you're looking to refine your team's approach to delivering outstanding customer outcomes, this episode is a must-listen. Matthew Skelton joins me to discuss the revolutionary concepts within "Team Topologies," highlighting their impact on modern product management and operations. We uncover how organizing teams around flow and customer value can drastically improve product outcomes. Matthew shares practical examples of how these concepts are applied in various industries, providing invaluable insights for anyone involved in managing or organizing product teams.Curious about how team topologies can optimize your product processes? Tune in to hear Matthew Skelton's expert insights and discover practical strategies to enhance your team's workflow. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a leading voice in the field of organizational design for software delivery.You'll hear us talk about: Product Managers in Regulated Spaces (28:30)We discuss the debate over whether product managers should be domain experts versus having deep product knowledge. Matthew provides insights into how teams can effectively leverage subject-matter experts without them managing the entire product line. Breaking Silos in Teams (14:21)Matthew and I explore how organizations can overcome internal silos, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across product management, development, marketing, and sales for cohesive product delivery. AI and Team Enablement (51:54)We dive into how AI is transforming team topologies and enabling teams, discussing the shift in AI enablement platforms and their potential in redefining team roles and productivity.Episode Resources: Matthew Skelton's Website: https://matthewskelton.com Conflux Website: https://confluxhq.com Team Topologies Information: https://teamtopologies.com Sign up for a free Liveblocks account: https://liveblocks.io/Timestamps:00:00 Episode Preview00:56 Intro03:00 Dear Melissa08:35 Moving from Projects to Product14:45 Breaking Silos in Teams18:27 Mistakes in Product Models28:14 Product Managers in Regulated Spaces35:51 Product Ops at Scale42:17 SAFE and Big Batch Planning51:37 AI and Team Enablement
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Episode 210: Navigating Product Leadership in Complex Industries with Fabio Brocca
In this episode, I welcome Fabio Brocca, Chief Product Officer at Xeneta, to discuss how product managers can effectively balance the urgency of product development with the need for strategic perfection.Drawing from his extensive experience at Amazon and MSC, Fabio provides a unique take on the importance of swift iteration and execution in the fast-paced world of product management. We explore how real-time feedback can drive innovation and refine strategies without waiting for the elusive perfect plan.Eager to understand how you can apply these insights to enhance your product processes? Join us for a deep dive into Fabio’s strategies and experiences in transforming the freight industry with agility and precision.You’ll hear us talk about:12:45 - Adapting Strategies Through Feedback LoopsFabio discusses the significance of using real-time feedback to adapt and refine product strategies. He elaborates on the agility required to iterate based on customer interactions and feedback, which is crucial for any product manager aiming to remain relevant in dynamic markets.23:05 - The Balance of Speed and Quality in Product LaunchesWe dive into the challenge of maintaining quality while prioritizing speed in product launches. Fabio shares his approach to managing expectations and aligning team efforts towards effective execution without sacrificing the end-user experience.36:18 - Leadership in Fast-paced Product EnvironmentsFabio offers insights into leading product teams in high-pressure environments. He emphasizes the role of leadership in fostering a culture that embraces change and supports rapid iteration, ensuring teams are equipped to handle the demands of fast-paced product management.Episode Resources:Fabio on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabiobrocca/Michele on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelesancricca/Paul on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pkinglux/Reel Saber:www.reelsaber.comSign up for a free Liveblocks account: https://liveblocks.io/Tune in and gain practical strategies to enhance your product management techniques from one of the leading voices in the industry.Timestamps:00:00 Episode Preview00:59 Intro03:19 Dear Melissa09:22 Fabio’s Path to Product Management14:32 Early Challenges as a First-Time CPO24:47 Scaling from Amazon to a Growth-Stage Company30:38 Big Tech vs. Scale-Up38:28 Tackling Freight Industry Challenges42:48 Thriving in Less Glamorous Fields46:26 Fabio’s Leadership Philosophy
Successful product management isn’t just about training the product managers who work side by side with developers everyday to build better products. It’s about taking a step back, approaching the systems within organizations as a whole, and leveling up product leadership to improve these systems. This is the Product Thinking Podcast, where Melissa Perri will connect with industry leading experts in the product management space, AND answer your most pressing questions about everything product. Join us each week to level up your skillset and invest in yourself as a product leader.
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