Product Unfiltered

Rahul Goyal & Utkarsh Khandelwal

Welcome to Product Unfiltered, a podcast brought to you by two Masters in Software Management students (Rahul Goyal & Utkarsh Khandelwal) from Carnegie Mellon University, Silicon Valley navigating the exciting world of product management. Join us as we invite some amazing product leaders to discuss the latest trends in the industry, share their experiences of product management, and provide insight and advice for those interested in a career in product management. From ideation to launch, we'll cover it all. Tune in for interviews with industry experts and product managers. read less
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How to Crack Product Management Interviews? | Bijan, Founder of PMExercises & Product Monkey AI
18-10-2023
How to Crack Product Management Interviews? | Bijan, Founder of PMExercises & Product Monkey AI
In this episode of Product Unfiltered, we had the privilege of hosting Bijan, the founder of PM Exercises and the mind behind Product Monkey. With over a decade of experience in product management, Bijan shared invaluable insights on "How to Crack PM Interviews." Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your journey in product management, these tips are invaluable for your career growth. Key Takeaways: The Evolution of PM Exercises and Product Monkey: Bijan's journey from a personal project to platforms helping product managers practice and gain clarity in project scopes. Standing Out in the Pre-Interview Phase: Tips on showcasing your skills, aligning with company goals, and emphasizing domain expertise. The Role of Practice in Interview Preparation: The importance of practice, balancing "Siloed" preparation with mock interviews, and adapting frameworks to specific questions. Navigating the Interview Process: Strategies for virtual and in-person interviews, understanding startup vs. large company interviews, and preparing for cross-functional evaluations. The Interview Process in Detail: A breakdown of typical interview stages and how companies like Google assess candidates. Post-Interview Considerations: Asking insightful questions, sending thank-you notes, and tips on salary negotiations. Salary Negotiations and Handling Differences: Approaches to collaborative salary discussions and handling differences professionally. A Final Piece of Advice: Engaging with products to gain experience and determine your fit in the product management field. Bijan's expertise offers a comprehensive roadmap for success in product management interviews. Don't miss this episode and stay tuned for more captivating discussions on Product Unfiltered. Subscribe, like, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with the latest insights and interviews in the world of product management.
From APM to Senior Director at Google | Product Management Career insights from Jennifer Liu
15-09-2023
From APM to Senior Director at Google | Product Management Career insights from Jennifer Liu
Join us for an inspiring episode of Product Unfiltered as we delve into the remarkable career journey of Jennifer Liu, a seasoned product executive with over two decades of experience. From her early days as an Associate Product Manager (APM) to reaching the pinnacle as a Senior Director at Google, Jennifer's story is one of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering determination. 🚀 In this episode, Jennifer shares invaluable insights and hard-earned wisdom, touching upon her experiences in product management, navigating the tech industry, and the critical lessons she's learned along the way. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Discover Jennifer's perspective on the interview process, where she draws intriguing parallels to dating, and learn how to spot those crucial red and yellow flags. Gain insights into the significance of flexibility and adaptability in one's career, especially during the early stages. Understand the pivotal role of considering both technology and people when developing a product, and how this awareness can lead to successful outcomes. Explore the challenges faced by today's product managers and why it's essential not to blindly follow tools and frameworks. Dive into Jennifer's experiences in both large tech companies like Google and startups, and the decision-making process that led her to these diverse environments. Learn about the importance of trust within a team and how resilience plays a crucial role in overcoming career obstacles. Explore the concepts of mentorship and coaching, and how they can shape your career growth and personal development. Gain valuable insights into maintaining a balanced perspective, staying grounded during challenging times, and the importance of having a strong support system. Jennifer Liu's journey from APM to Senior Director at Google is a testament to the power of determination and the pursuit of continuous learning. Her story serves as a beacon of inspiration for anyone embarking on or advancing in their product management career. Tune in now and embark on a transformative journey with Jennifer Liu, only on Product Unfiltered! 🔗 For more episodes and exclusive content, visit: www.pmunfiltered.com. 🔔 Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share to stay updated with our latest episodes!
Entrepreneurship, Cloud Revolution, and Effective Communication | Sudha Iyer, Product at Commvault
30-08-2023
Entrepreneurship, Cloud Revolution, and Effective Communication | Sudha Iyer, Product at Commvault
Welcome to another insightful episode of Product Unfiltered! In this captivating session, we have the privilege of hosting Sudha Iyer, a distinguished Principal Product Manager at Commvault. With over 15 years of experience, Sudha's journey from entrepreneurship to cloud computing to product management is an incredible tale of innovation and adaptation. Join us as Sudha shares her remarkable insights on a range of topics, including transitioning from running her own chai business to becoming a powerhouse in product management. Discover the transformative shift to cloud computing, where Sudha unravels the challenges, benefits, and future of this technology. Delve into the world of market research, product-market fit, and the delicate art of effective communication in product management. Learn about Sudha's perspective on risk-taking, decision-making, and building a thick skin to thrive in the dynamic field of tech. Sudha's experiences as an entrepreneur and a product leader at Commvault offer a unique blend of wisdom and inspiration for both aspiring and seasoned product managers. As she emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, diverse experiences, and collaboration, get ready to absorb valuable lessons that can drive your success in the ever-evolving landscape of product management. Tune in to gain invaluable insights and broaden your horizons with Sudha Iyer's expertise, only on Product Unfiltered!"
Driving Innovation in Visual Collaboration | Ruturaj Eksambekar, Senior PM at Lucid Software
16-07-2023
Driving Innovation in Visual Collaboration | Ruturaj Eksambekar, Senior PM at Lucid Software
In this exciting episode of Product Unfiltered, we had the pleasure of hosting Ruturaj, a Senior Product Manager at Lucid Software. Join us as we delve into the world of visual collaboration and discover Lucid Software's vision for revolutionizing the way knowledge workers collaborate. Here's a summary of the insightful discussion: Ruturaj takes us on a journey through Lucid Software's mission and the industry they operate in. Lucid Software, known for its flagship product Lucidchart, aims to bring visual reasoning and collaboration to the forefront of software building. With a suite of products including Lucidspark and Lucidscale, they empower teams to collaborate seamlessly and effectively. Our conversation with Ruturaj uncovers key takeaways: Embracing Visual Collaboration: Discover the importance of visual collaboration in a changing work environment and how it enables teams to align goals and progress efficiently, without the need for endless meetings. Lucid Software's Competitive Edge: Explore how Lucid Software differentiates itself in the visual collaboration tools market and their suite of specialized products catering to diverse collaboration scenarios. Universal Canvas Concept: Understand the value of a universal canvas, seamlessly integrating Lucid Software's suite of products, and enhancing users' workflow through intuitive and integrated solutions. Ruturaj's Journey and Insights: Gain valuable insights from Ruturaj's transition from a full-stack developer to a product manager, emphasizing the importance of foundational skills in design thinking, data literacy, and business acumen. Balancing User Needs and Business Requirements: Learn about the significance of deeply understanding user requirements, applying design thinking, involving customers throughout the product development lifecycle, and achieving successful outcomes. Join us for this engaging episode as we explore Lucid Software's vision and Ruturaj's expertise in driving innovation in the visual collaboration space. Don't miss out on the opportunity to gain insights from a seasoned product management professional. Watch now and stay tuned for more exciting episodes of Product Unfiltered, where we bring you inspiring conversations with top product management leaders.
Exploring the Future of Product Management in the AR/VR Space | Patrice Hall, Director of PM, Dopple
01-07-2023
Exploring the Future of Product Management in the AR/VR Space | Patrice Hall, Director of PM, Dopple
Welcome to Product Unfiltered! In this episode, we dive into the captivating world of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) product management with our special guest, Patrice Hall, Director of Product at Dopple. Join us as Patrice shares her insights on navigating a career in product management, specifically in the emerging AR/VR space. Discover how VR and 3D technology are revolutionizing the e-commerce industry, providing customers with more engaging and personalized experiences. Patrice discusses the importance of primary research, gathering user feedback, and overcoming the unique challenges of developing products in the 3D and AR domains. Learn how to educate customers on the potential of AR/VR, drive success, and measure impact in this rapidly evolving field. Gain valuable advice on transitioning into the AR/VR space, recommended resources for staying updated on product management trends, and the essential skills needed to excel as an AR/VR product manager. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring product manager, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of product management in AR/VR. Join us on this exciting journey as we explore the limitless possibilities of AR/VR product management. Don't miss out—subscribe now and stay tuned for more thought-provoking episodes on Product Unfiltered! Full Episode: https://www.pmunfiltered.com/post/future-of-product-management-ar-vr-patrice-hall-director-dopple#ProductManagement #ARVR #VirtualReality #AugmentedReality #TechIndustry #Ecommerce #ProductUnfiltered
Building Resilient Products in Cybersecurity | Shraddha Patil, Director of PM, Palo Alto Networks
18-06-2023
Building Resilient Products in Cybersecurity | Shraddha Patil, Director of PM, Palo Alto Networks
In this episode of Product Unfiltered, we had the privilege of hosting Shraddha Patil, Director of Product Management at Palo Alto Networks, a renowned cybersecurity company. Shraddha shared her journey into product management and cybersecurity, offering valuable insights into the ever-evolving field. Shraddha emphasized the importance of staying up to date with the latest security challenges and trends while building resilient products. She discussed the challenges of understanding customer problems and the use of frameworks in product management. Furthermore, she highlighted the critical need for cybersecurity talent and the importance of educating children and minorities about the field. During the episode, Shraddha also provided practical advice and shared her experiences in the cybersecurity industry. She stressed the significance of reading security blogs, listening to podcasts, and learning from industry experts to stay aware of emerging threats. Shraddha encouraged aspiring professionals to specialize in a specific domain and continuously build knowledge before exploring other areas. Additionally, Shraddha shared her journey of building the first product—a governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) tool for Salesforce. She emphasized the importance of understanding customer pain points, solving one problem at a time, and involving customers in the development journey to receive early feedback. The conversation delved into the use of frameworks in product management, the challenges of understanding customer problems, and the excitement and fulfillment of working in the cybersecurity industry. Shraddha also discussed the role of certifications in the field and provided insights into the scarcity of cybersecurity talent and the need for educational programs to address this gap. Overall, this episode provided a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for those interested in product management and cybersecurity. Shraddha's expertise and unique perspective shed light on the intricacies of the field and offered valuable guidance for building resilient products in the cybersecurity domain. https://www.pmunfiltered.com/post/cybersecurity-podcast-shraddha-patil-director-palo-alto-networks
Driving Success through Value-Centric Product Marketing | Key Takeaways from Martina Lauchengco
10-06-2023
Driving Success through Value-Centric Product Marketing | Key Takeaways from Martina Lauchengco
In this exciting episode of Product Unfiltered, we are joined by Martina, a Partner at Silicon Valley Product Group, as she shares her invaluable insights on product management and marketing. Martina's extensive experience and expertise have contributed to the success of renowned products like Microsoft Office, making her a sought-after authority in the industry. During the episode, Martina delves into the importance of focusing on value rather than just features when creating and marketing products. She recounts her experience with Microsoft Office and how shifting the messaging to highlight the value it brings to users played a crucial role in its immense success. Martina also discusses the challenges faced in product marketing and provides practical strategies to overcome them, emphasizing the significance of collaboration, communication, and execution. Moreover, Martina explores the evolving landscape of product management, touching on topics such as the role of generative AI, the impact of diversity in technical teams, and the value of failure as a learning opportunity. Her thought-provoking insights and practical advice make this episode a must-watch for aspiring and seasoned product managers alike. Tune in to this episode of Product Unfiltered to gain valuable knowledge from Martina's extensive experience and gain insights that will enhance your product management skills. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of the industry's leading experts. https://www.pmunfiltered.com/post/driving-success-through-value-centric-product-marketing-martina-lauchengco
Building Strong Product Cultures | Christian Idiodi, Partner at Silicon Valley Product Group
30-05-2023
Building Strong Product Cultures | Christian Idiodi, Partner at Silicon Valley Product Group
In this episode, Christian shares his insights on product management, innovation, and building a strong product culture. Here's a summary of the key points discussed: 1️⃣ Product Management as Problem Solving: Christian compares product managers to doctors, highlighting their role as problem solvers. He emphasizes the importance of a customer-centric product operating model and the need to avoid assumptions while conducting risk analysis. 2️⃣ Building a Strong Product Culture: The conversation dives into the characteristics of a strong product culture, including a focus on learning, experimentation, and collaboration. Christian explains how leadership plays a crucial role in fostering a healthy product culture and empowering teams to drive innovation. 3️⃣ Leveraging Expertise and Problem-Solving: Christian stresses the significance of recognizing expertise within teams and giving them the autonomy to solve problems. Providing context and measurable goals helps align efforts and drive product success. 4️⃣ The Future of AI and Product Management: The episode explores the impact of AI on different industries and its role in product management. Christian shares his insights on how AI can enhance problem-solving and efficiency but emphasizes that it won't replace human jobs entirely. If you're interested in product management, innovation, and building a strong product culture, this episode is a must-watch! Gain valuable insights from Christian's extensive experience and expertise. https://www.pmunfiltered.com/post/building-strong-product-cultures-christian-idiodi
Building Multi-Dimensional Careers in Tech | Vidya Srinivasan, Principal Product Manager at Meta
06-05-2023
Building Multi-Dimensional Careers in Tech | Vidya Srinivasan, Principal Product Manager at Meta
In this episode of Product Unfiltered, we had the pleasure of hosting Vidya Srinivasan, a Principal Product Manager Lead at Meta. With over 10 years of experience in product, technical and leadership roles across consumer, small business, and enterprise segments, Vidya has led successful product initiatives at Microsoft and Facebook. Vidya shared her insights with Product Unfiltered on the importance of clarity in product management, understanding different product roles, and prioritizing user mental health and well-being over engagement and revenue. In this video, we summarize the key takeaways from Vidya's session. One of the critical takeaways is the importance of creating clarity in product management. This helps the team understand the problem, the trade-offs in making decisions, and why the team is the right one to solve it. Having a technical background is also essential to be a great PM, as it helps in understanding how to build amazing products. Vidya emphasizes the importance of prioritizing user mental health and well-being over engagement and revenue. Safety and well-being are critical components of a user's experience, and it's crucial to consider them when building products. Furthermore, setting short-term and long-term goals, prioritizing and stack ranking, and effective communication are critical in product management. It's also important to do postmortems and retrospectives after major product launches to understand what worked well and what needs improvement. Vidya also shares some valuable resources she follows to stay updated in the product management space, such as newsletters and podcasts. Lastly, she shares the qualities that early-stage product managers should possess, such as being inquisitive and taking the initiative. Vidya's insights provide valuable guidance for anyone interested in pursuing a career in product management. Product managers need to prioritize clarity, understand different product roles, prioritize user well-being, and communicate effectively to succeed. Effective mentorship and keeping up to date with the latest trends and best practices are also critical to success in this field. Don't miss out on this insightful session! Podcast Link: https://www.pmunfiltered.com/post/building-multi-dimensional-careers-vidya-srinivasan-meta
Key Principles for Mastering Product Management | Chris Jones, Partner- Silicon Valley Product Group
20-04-2023
Key Principles for Mastering Product Management | Chris Jones, Partner- Silicon Valley Product Group
In this episode of Product Unfiltered, we have Chris Jones, a seasoned product management expert, who shares his insights and experiences in building product teams in Silicon Valley. Chris delves into the evolution of product management since the early 90s and the key differences between then and now. He highlights the importance of data and user experience and empowering teams to solve problems rather than just giving them things to build. Chris also discusses the limitations of individual product managers in companies with old operating models and how to determine the success of a product. Furthermore, Chris provides a detailed analysis of Adobe and their ability to transform and lead their market for decades. He discusses Adobe's success as a tool for creative professionals and the company's recent attempt to enter the podcast industry with a new product that is user-friendly and requires no training. The discussion then moves on to the iPhone, its impact on the industry, and the rise of touch screen technology. Chris also reflects on Yahoo's early internet domination and their inability to adapt to the explosive growth of the internet and its curated model's limitations. Lastly, Chris shares his thoughts on the impact of generative AI on society and the transformation it can bring to various industries. He compares the impact of AI on society to the introduction of calculators in the past, freeing us from certain problems and forcing us to learn new skills. Join us for an engaging and insightful conversation with Chris Jones on Product Unfiltered. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest episodes. https://www.pmunfiltered.com/post/mastering-product-management-chris-jones-partner-svpg
The Ultimate Guide to Technical Product Management: Tips for Success by Taruna Vardha, TPM at Trepp.
14-04-2023
The Ultimate Guide to Technical Product Management: Tips for Success by Taruna Vardha, TPM at Trepp.
In this podcast, Taruna Vardha, a technical product manager at Trepp, shares her journey from automation engineer and QA engineer to technical product manager. She emphasizes the importance of being ready to question and say "I don't know, teach me" to be a successful product manager. Taruna also discuss the importance of highlighting one's ability to create an impact in the space when applying for a job. Taruna discusses the skills required for a product management role, including the ability to communicate with business, exposure to design and technology, and curiosity and coachability. The conversation also touches on the balance that technical product managers need to strike between scalability and user functionality, whether they should be held responsible for product failures, and whether they should be involved in hiring and firing decisions of the engineering team. Overall, the podcast provides valuable insights into the world of technical product management and the skills needed to succeed in this field. #ProductManagement #TechnicalProductManagement #ProductManager #ProductDevelopment #TechIndustry #ProductDesign #AgileDevelopment #ProductSuccess #CareerDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment #TechSkills #TechBackground #Innovation #Teamwork #ProductFailure #LearningExperience #HiringProcess #FiringProcess #EngineeringTeam #CrossFunctionalTeams #ProductImpact #ProblemSolving #CommunicationSkills
Building Vision Driven Products | Radhika Dutt, Author of Radical Product Thinking
05-04-2023
Building Vision Driven Products | Radhika Dutt, Author of Radical Product Thinking
In this podcast, author and entrepreneur Radhika Dutt shares her insights on radical product thinking - a framework for building successful and sustainable products. Radhika discusses the limitations of the current iteration-led approach to product development, and highlights the importance of having a clear vision and strategy for building truly personalized products. She outlines the key elements of launching a successful product, including identifying real pain points and prioritizing decisions based on a vision-driven approach. Radhika also discusses the importance of pivoting in product development, and shares examples of how companies can adapt their strategies based on user research and testing. She emphasizes the need for clear communication and transparency when making changes to a product's vision or strategy. Additionally, Radhika highlights the importance of prioritizing long-term goals and investing in sustainable and ethical products. She stresses the need for product managers to think carefully about the impact of their products on society, and to create a culture of innovation through psychological safety. The podcast provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs and product managers looking to build successful and sustainable products in today's fast-paced business environment. More on the podcast: https://www.pmunfiltered.com/post/radhika-dutt-radical-product-thinking-podcast#productdevelopment #entrepreneurship #productmanagement #innovation #strategy #sustainability #radicalproductthinking #pivoting #visiondriven #psychologicalsafety #digitalpollution #ethics #userresearch #testing #problemstatement #solutionstatement #realpainpoints #logistics #capabilities #design #prioritization #longtermgoals #shorttermgoals #communication #transparency #teamwork #collaboration