The Product Artisan Podcast

In this episode, our host Rajesh Chandran unpacks the science of building & the art of teaching GenAI with ex-Googler, founder & top Maven AI instructor Hamza Farooq.

In this episode, Dinker Charak recounts his journey from founding a startup to becoming a consulting product manager at ThoughtWorks. He discusses the challenges of developing a children's app, dealing with the complexities of diverse user and customer needs, and shares his insights on product management in startups, scale-ups, and enterprises. Dinkar also elaborates on his decision to write 'Product Management Untangled' to fill existing knowledge gaps. He emphasizes the importance of empathy for stakeholders and adapting to different management roles across various business environments. 00:00 Introduction to Early Startup Challenges 23:17 Navigating Parent-Child Dynamics in App Usage 25:03 Choosing the Right Product Focus 27:10 Transition to ThoughtWorks and Consulting 27:41 Challenges of Consulting Product Management 30:03 Understanding Different Stakeholders 34:42 Writing a Book on Product Management 37:58 Key Responsibilities of Product Managers 43:37 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Product Artisan podcast, host Rajesh welcomes Karthi Subbaraman, a seasoned design leader with a wealth of experience at companies including HP, Microsoft, and Salesforce, and a founder of her own design agency. Karthi shares insights on the unique challenges of design hiring, discussing the importance of empathy and understanding in the hiring process, and the differences between hiring for design roles versus other positions. She explains her approach to evaluating candidates through a mix of take-home assignments and whiteboarding sessions, tailored to the specific needs of the role. Karthi also delves into her background in human-computer interaction and cognitive science, emphasising the importance of understanding human behaviours and needs in designing intuitive and proactive user experiences. She highlights significant projects in her career that have reshaped industries, exemplifying the impact of thoughtful design on user experiences. The conversation covers evolving practices in design and hiring, and the essential role of human understanding in advancing technology and design strategy. 00:00 Welcome to the Product Artisan Podcast 00:09 Introducing Karthi: A Design Leader's Journey 01:01 The LinkedIn Storm: A Deep Dive into Design Hiring 03:17 Specialized Design Roles: Beyond the Basics 05:59 Evolving Hiring Practices: Whiteboarding vs. Take-Home Assignments 13:55 Designing for Humans: The Core of Innovation 23:29 Future-Proofing Design Careers in the AI Era 27:11 Seminal Moments in Design: Changing Ecosystems 34:14 Connecting with Karthi: Insights and Outreach

In this episode of the Product Artisan podcast, host Rajesh interviews Dr. Balaji Viswanathan, an accomplished startup CEO, founder, inventor, and AI enthusiast with a notable journey from a software developer at Microsoft to pioneering robotics initiatives in India. Dr. Balaji shares his experiences spanning AI and neural networks, starting with an inspiring encounter with Dr. Kalam, leading to multiple startups, including an AI-driven financial analysis tool and a challenge-filled venture into robotics with Mitra Robot, emphasising the market's readiness and the reality of technological adoption. The conversation dives deep into the complexities of building robotics startups, hardware challenges, customer expectations, and the potential impact of generative AI on the future of robotics and product development. 00:00 Welcome to the Product Artisan Podcast 00:32 The Multifaceted Journey of Dr. Balaji Viswanathan 00:59 From AI Experiments to Microsoft: A Tech Odyssey 05:08 The Birth of Zynfin: Navigating Early Market Challenges 12:23 Blackduck: Revolutionising Code Compliance 18:47 The Robotics Venture: Mitra Robot's Early Days 21:33 The Robotics Bubble and the Shift in Hardware Interest 22:30 Challenges and Innovations in Building a Humanoid Robot 22:52 The Maker Space: A Foundation for Robotics Innovation 24:15 Rapid Prototyping: From 3D Models to a Functional Robot 27:05 Building in India: A Mission for Manufacturing and Employment 27:47 Empowering Through Robotics: Stories of Transformation 34:08 The High Expectations and Scope Creep in Robotics 41:30 Generative AI: A Catalyst for Robotics?

In this episode of the Product Artisan podcast, host Rajesh engages in a conversational deep dive with seasoned product leader Prasanna Veeraswamy. With extensive experience building B2B and B2C product portfolios, Prasanna has led cross-functional product teams globally and has been featured on CNN Traveler. The discussion spans Prasanna's early engineering career at Microsoft, transition to product leadership in the travel domain with roles at Hotel Quickly, Cleartrip, KK day, GoPro, and JoinMyTrip, and current advisory roles in product strategy. Topics covered include the influence of travel on product management, the evolution of travel products in response to customer needs and market shifts, leveraging general AI for innovation, managing cross-functional teams, and the unique challenges and opportunities in the travel industry amidst global events like COVID-19 and the rise of AI-powered platforms. Prasanna also shares insights on building effective product teams, embracing generative AI as a productivity tool, and the future of travel products. Follow Prasanna here- https://www.linkedin.com/in/prasanna-veeraswamy-82671a3/ Follow Rajesh here- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rchandran/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 00:58 Career Journey and Transition into Product Management 03:12 Building Products in the Travel Industry 03:38 The Impact of International Experience on Product Management 09:43 The Role of Data in Product Development 13:01 The Influence of Airbnb and COVID-19 on the Travel Industry 16:33 The Future of Travel Products and Industry Trends 19:39 The Saturated Market of Flights and Hotels 19:54 The Dream of Travel and Customer Journey 20:30 The Role of Technology in Enhancing Travel Experience 20:51 The Impact of Conversational AI in Travel Planning 21:32 The Influence of Gen AI in Reshaping Travel Landscape 21:52 The Role of Chatbots in Travel Platforms 22:47 The Threat of Gen AI to Travel Companies 26:47 The Role of Product Teams in Utilizing Gen AI 29:03 The Importance of Cross-Functional Teams in Product Success 33:25 The Debate on T-Shape vs V-Shape Skills 35:58 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

In this episode, Ravi shares insights from his dynamic career spanning startups, non-profits, and major tech companies. From co-founding Enlite Networks to leadership roles at LibForAll Foundation, Lucidworks, and ServiceNow, Ravi discusses lessons learned in product building, emphasizing purpose-driven decision-making and execution rigor. He explores the impact of Generative AI on product management, outlines the components of product strategy, and introduces the new Jobs to be Done in the era of AI. This podcast provides a concise yet comprehensive dive into Ravi's rich experiences, offering valuable insights for product professionals navigating diverse tech landscapes. Follow Ravi here Follow Rajesh here

In this episode, Andrea, a seasoned professional in product marketing, shares insights from her multifaceted career journey as a product marketer, advisor, blogger, and author of the book "The Product Momentum Gap." She walks us through her impactful roles at Amilia Technologies, Brandwatch, Zendesk, and ProdPad, delving into her experiences in product marketing for companies like Trint, Mindstone, Airfocus, and Unmind. The conversation explores the essence of product marketing, its relevance to product managers, and the characteristics that define a great product marketer. Andrea reflects on her early career in support, customer success, and product growth, revealing how these roles shaped her perspectives on product marketing. Andrea also explores the impact of Generative AI on product marketing, providing a forward-looking perspective on the intersection of technology and marketing strategies. Follow Andrea here Follow Rajesh here

In this episode, Sindhu Kandipati takes us on a journey through her remarkable career trajectory, from her early roles at Microsoft to her impactful contributions at CERN, Eli Lilly, and the Wadhwani Foundation. She delves into her diverse experiences in program management, and brand management, ultimately explaining the pivotal shift that led her to embrace the world of product management. She shares valuable lessons learned during her time at CERN, providing a glimpse into the unique challenges and experiences of working at such a renowned institution. She also explores the framework for product management in the non-profit sector, highlighting key differences from for-profit organizations. The conversation covers essential aspects such as goal setting, product building, and the lifecycle of a product, providing listeners with valuable insights. Drawing from her experiences, Kandipati discusses her book "Leap of Faith," offering perspectives on non-linear career paths and unconventional growth trajectories. This serves as a compelling exploration of a professional journey marked by resilience, adaptability, and a passion for making a meaningful impact. Follow Sindhu here Follow Rajesh here

In this episode, Amit Goel, an industry expert in advertising technology, delves into the dynamic landscape of ad tech, privacy laws, and the transformative role of AI. Key insights include navigating privacy laws' evolution, building globally compliant products, and the success formula behind Amagi's rise. Amit also sheds light on the scaling challenges faced and the transition to TradeDesk, emphasizing the role of AI, including generative AI, in shaping the future of ad tech. Tune in to explore the intricate interplay between privacy, analytics, and AI in the ad tech industry! Amit's LinkedIn- Click here Rajesh's LinkedIn- Click here

In this podcast episode, Saeed Khan, a seasoned product leader based out of Toronto, shares his insights on the evolution of product management. Saeed discusses his experiences and learnings from his journey in the industry, delving into the importance of problem-solving, innovation, and understanding market needs. He also discusses the impact of Agile on product management, the rise of specialized roles, and the necessity of holistic thinking for successful products. The conversation concludes with expected trends in the industry and the focus on product experience in future advancements. Follow Saeed here Follow us here 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background  01:41 Understanding the Role of a Product Manager  03:41 The Importance of Education in Product Management  06:26 The Evolution of Product Management  07:40 The Role of Innovation in Product Management  14:15 The Importance of Customer Research and Insights  18:07 The Impact of Technology on Product Management  23:53 Understanding the Agile Manifesto  24:49 Misconceptions about Agile and its Impact on Product Management  27:34 The Shift to Agile and its Consequences  28:18 The Role of Product Management in Business Transformation  30:38 The Evolution of Product Management Roles  36:01 The Future of Product Management  40:19 The Importance of Product Experience  42:46 Connecting with Saeed and His Future Projects

In this insightful podcast, Shayak Sen, a seasoned product designer, discusses the secrets of product design. He emphasises the importance of exceptional user experiences, the impact of design patterns, and the evolving role of generative AI. Shayak also delves into the relationship between product managers and designers, stressing the need for collaboration and expanding one's skill set to encompass UX copywriting and marketing. Overall, the podcast highlights the ever-evolving landscape of product design and how designers can add value by understanding user behaviour and adapting to new technologies. Follow Shayak Sen here Follow us here

In this episode of The Product Artisan Podcast, we had Paddy Raghavan. Paddy's journey begins with the creation of 8K Miles, a groundbreaking concept in 2007, enabling remote work and cloud computing. We then talk about Cmpute.io that enables businesses to save up to 80% on AWS costs through efficient compute capacity management, it was later acquired by Cisco. We also talk about his latest venture Multipl that has developed the world's first "Save Now, Buy Later" app. The app allows users to invest money for upcoming purchases across various categories. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode to gain insights from Paddy's journey about B2B and B2C product focused startups, Generative AI, Success measuring matrix and a lot more! Follow for more valuable discussions and stay informed about the evolving financial landscape. Thank you for joining us on this enlightening podcast journey! Follow Paddy Raghavan- here Follow us- here

In this episode of The Product Artisan Podcast, we had Pundi Sriram who founded STEP (an English training startup) and scaled it to 2M users and 250K paid subscribers. Practice Leader at Deloitte Consulting for 8yrs on Energy, Process Manufacturing & Supply Chain and now is the Chief Product Officer at The Hindu. We dove deep into the journey of STEP right from problem recognition to product development and the process of it to creating an USP. The conversation takes a closer look at the product transition of The Hindu, the transition from physical to digital product, dealing with competitors, the mindset required to deal with competitors, the product strategy and the product team at The Hindu. Tune in to this enlightening episode as we uncover the product journey of STEP and The Hindu along with diving deep into Product Strategies and Product Mindset. Link to Sam’s Socials- LinkedIn Follow us here-  LinkedIn- Rajesh Chandran | LinkedIn

In this episode of the Product Artisan Podcast, we had Sam who is a Silicon Valley veteran of 20 years, Founder of Startup Patterns which helps technology organizations, from startups to enterprise, develop better technology leader and have worked with companies like Adobe, Unilever, Proctor and Gamble, etc. We dove deep into the tectonic shifts happening in the tech landscape including the advent of Generative AI, massive tech layoffs, SVB collapse as well as critically examining the role of tech leadership including product leadership lately. The conversation takes a closer look at the contrasting leadership styles in the tech industry, the rise of cooperatives as alternative organisational structures, fostering accountability while promoting organisational autonomy. Holding senior leaders accountable is a critical aspect of creating positive change with a powerful emphasis on the role of purpose, values, and principles in guiding them.  Tune in to this enlightening episode as we uncover the need for purpose-driven leadership in tech, explore the potential of alternative organizational structures, and unlock the transformative power of aligning actions with values and principles.  We'll be releasing an episode on the last Friday on every month, see you on the next one! Link to Sam’s Socials- Sam McAfee - Founder & Managing Director - Startup Patterns | LinkedIn  Follow us here-  LinkedIn- Rajesh Chandran | LinkedIn