Join Melissa Perri as she sits down with Jameson Troutman, Head of Product for Small Business at JP Morgan Chase, to explore the dynamic world of product management. In this episode, Jameson shares his insights on balancing the art and science of product management, emphasizing the need for product managers to trust their judgment alongside leveraging data and research.

Jameson delves into the importance of maintaining a customer-centric approach, ensuring that every product decision aligns with customer feedback and business goals. He also touches on the integration of AI in product management, which automates routine tasks, allowing product managers more time for strategic thinking.

If you're interested in how to harness the power of curiosity within your product team, align strategies in large organizations, and utilize data insights to enhance customer experience, this episode is a must-listen.

Want to gain a deeper understanding of successful product management strategies? Tune in to hear Jameson's expert advice on how to navigate the challenges of product management in a corporate setting.

You’ll hear us talk about:

• 15:40 - Empowering Product Managers with AI

Jameson discusses how AI can be used to automate mundane tasks in product management, freeing up time for more strategic activities. He highlights the importance of leveraging AI tools to improve efficiency and decision-making processes within product teams.

• 28:15 - The Role of Curiosity in Product Teams

In this section, Jameson emphasizes the need for product managers to cultivate curiosity within their teams. He explains how asking the right questions and understanding the "why" behind products can lead to more impactful solutions and innovations.

• 42:05 - Strategic Alignment and Flexibility in Large Organizations

Jameson addresses the challenges of aligning product strategy with budget constraints in large companies. He highlights the importance of maintaining flexibility and open communication to successfully navigate these challenges and achieve organizational goals.

Episode Resources:

Jameson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameson-troutman/

Chase for Business: https://www.chase.com/business

Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overview

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:44 Dear Melissa

07:05 Evolving into product leadership

12:27 Building judgment in product teams

15:50 Discovering customer insights and adapting strategy

21:32 Building with data and platform readiness

28:18 Aligning strategy and budget

35:13 Collaborative prioritization and ownership

38:26 AI’s real value in product management

43:07 Future trends and advice for PMs

In this episode, Melissa Perri is joined by Julia Austin, Author, Lecturer at Harvard Business School, and Founder of Good For Her, to discuss the essentials of building a strong startup foundation. They delve into the importance of understanding your customer and the problem you’re solving, the dynamics of co-founder relationships, and transitioning to outcome-based roadmaps. Julia shares insights on how AI can play a role in product development and gives advice for first-time product managers in startups.

Julia emphasizes the need for founders to focus on financial and legal aspects, often overlooked in the excitement of building a product. The conversation offers valuable advice for product managers and founders aiming to build sustainable and successful startups.

Want to gain insights into building a strong foundation for your startup and the role of product managers? Listen to the full episode for practical tips and strategies from Julia's extensive experience.

You’ll hear us talk about:

• 05:20 - Understanding Foundational Work in Startups

Julia Austin discusses why startups should spend 80% of their time on foundational work and discovery, emphasizing the importance of understanding the problem and target audience before developing solutions.

• 12:45 - Transitioning to Outcome-Based Roadmaps

Melissa Perri explains how product managers can shift from feature-based roadmaps to outcome-based ones, focusing on connecting outputs to outcomes and effectively communicating with stakeholders.

• 24:10 - Advice for First Product Managers in Startups

Julia provides tips for new product managers on building trust with founders by understanding the company's history and aligning with the founders’ vision to help structure the startup's roadmap and priorities.

Episode resources:

Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaaustin/

After the Idea book: https://www.aftertheideabook.com/

Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overview

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

03:08 Dear Melissa

08:34 Understanding Founder Relationships

15:53 Operational Foundations for Startups

26:20 Applying AI Thoughtfully

35:26 Role of PMs in Startups

43:48 Closing Remarks

Join us this week on the Product Thinking Podcast as we explore the intersection of digital innovation and product management with Jose Quesada, VP of Product Management for Mobile and Web at American Express. With over 15 years of experience, Jose provides valuable insights into transforming digital experiences within the financial industry and the pivotal role of experimentation in fostering innovation.

Jose shares his approach to creating a culture of safe experimentation, the seamless integration of digital and physical financial products, and the importance of developing soft skills in product management. He offers a compelling perspective on how digital transformation is reshaping customer interactions and product strategies at American Express.

You'll hear us talk about:

- 11:25 - Embracing Experimentation

Jose discusses the importance of using experimentation as a tool to reduce uncertainty, encouraging his team to innovate and learn from mistakes without fear.

- 25:31 - Data-Driven Product Strategy

Jose emphasizes the significance of a dual-track approach in product development, balancing immediate business outcomes with future-focused discovery.

- 33:24 - Building Psychological Safety for Innovation

Jose shares strategies for fostering a team environment where making mistakes is part of the learning process, thereby driving innovation and growth.

Episode resources:

Jose on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josequesadamedina/

Careers at AMEX: https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/careers/

Check our new course: https://productinstitute.com/p/mastering-product-strategy-overview

Timestamps:

00:00 Coming Up

01:23 Intro

03:00 Dear Melissa

08:38 Entering product

14:53 Outcome-Driven Teams

25:41 Making Data Work

34:28 Embracing Change

41:44 Future Of Digital Products