Hosted by Product School Founder & CEO Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia, The Product Podcast features candid conversations with product management executives fr...
HubSpot SVP of Product on AI Agents to Augment Go-To-Market Teams and Automate Workflows | Karen Ng | E258
In this episode, Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia interviews Karen Ng, Senior Vice President of Product and Partnerships at HubSpot.HubSpot is a leading software platform empowering over 184,000 businesses across 120 countries to manage their sales, marketing, and customer support teams. In 2024, HubSpot generated over $2.5 billion in revenue, driven by significant investments in Artificial Intelligence.Karen oversees critical products like Smart CRM, Operations Hub, and Ecosystem, while driving strategic partnerships and business development. Her technical expertise is notable, with three patents. She has also published research in stress detection, interactive health assessments, and robotic expressivity when she worked as a Machine Learning Researcher at MIT.In this episode, we'll explore Karen's approach to deploying AI Agents across HubSpot's product portfolio, her decision-making process for when to Build, Buy, or Partner, and her innovative approach to product org design. We'll discuss how product teams can leverage AI Agents to augment their impact and automate workflows, and how product leaders can elevate their roles as key drivers of revenue.What you'll learn:Karen's journey to becoming SVP of Product and Partnerships at HubSpot and her insights on the company's AI transformation.The challenges and strategies involved in creating a global, multi-product platform for businesses.How to prioritize features and innovations in a fast-paced, customer-centric environment.The future of business technology, including AI-powered tools and self-service products.Key Takeaways👇:AI-Driven Product Development: Karen emphasizes the importance of integrating AI across HubSpot's product suite to enhance customer value and streamline operations.Innovative Organizational Structure: HubSpot is pushing boundaries with a hybrid approach to product teams, combining functional structures and pod-based teams for agility and ownership.Data-Driven Decision Making: Karen highlights the use of OGPs (Objectives, Goals, and Plays) and customer feedback to guide product decisions and improvements.Social Links:- Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here- Follow Product School on LinkedIn here- Join Product School's free events here - Find out more about Product School hereCredits:Host: Carlos Gonzalez de VillaumbrosiaGuest: Karen Ng
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49:25
Duolingo VP of Product on Hypergrowth through Freemium, Experimentation & Gamification | Cem Kansu | E257
In this episode, we host Cem Kansu, Vice President of Product at Duolingo, the world’s leading language-learning platform.Duolingo has experienced tremendous growth, transforming from a free translation app in 2011 to a public company valued at over $15 billion, with annual revenues exceeding $700 million. The platform now offers courses in 43 languages, boasts over 113 million monthly active users, and has expanded into math and music education.Cem has been instrumental to Duolingo's success over the past nine years, leading all core product, growth, and monetization efforts.In this episode, we'll explore Duolingo’s product and market expansion strategy, how the company introduces gamification to drive engagement, and the key leading indicators used to increase monetization while staying true to its mission of free education. We'll also delve into how Duolingo runs concurrent experiments at scale and the role of voice AI in personalizing the learning experience, including innovative features like the "Video Call with Lily."What you'll learn:- Cem's journey in leading product at Duolingo and his insights on balancing growth with educational accessibility.- Strategies for building a successful freemium model in the education technology space.- How Duolingo leverages A/B testing and data-driven decision-making.- The role of AI and gamification in creating engaging learning experiences.Key Takeaways 👇:- Freemium Monetization: Duolingo has found a successful balance between offering free education and generating revenue through premium features.- Data-Driven Innovation: The company's commitment to A/B testing and analytics informs its product roadmap and ensures continuous improvement.- Engaging User Experience: Duolingo leverages gamification and AI to make learning fun and effective, competing for user attention in a crowded digital landscape.Social Links:- Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here- Follow Product School on LinkedIn here- Join Product School's free events here - Find out more about Product School hereCredits:Host: Carlos Gonzalez de VillaumbrosiaGuest: Cem Kansu
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48:45
Checkr CPO on Building Scalable Products for Large Enterprises | Ilan Frank | E256
In this episode, Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia interviews Ilan Frank, Chief Product Officer at Checkr, the leading background check company serving over 100,000 customers.Checkr has revolutionized the background check industry, processing 85% of checks in 15 minutes or less, compared to the industry standard of 1 to 3 days. This remarkable efficiency is achieved through the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning.With $679 million in funding and a $5 billion valuation, Checkr serves major companies like Uber, Warby Parker, and Instacart. Ilan is spearheading the core business while driving product expansion into larger enterprises and new markets.In this episode, we'll explore Ilan's extensive experience in building SaaS products for large enterprises, including his work at successful companies like Slack, Airtable, and Grammarly. We'll discuss the challenges and strategies involved in transitioning from SMB to enterprise success.What you'll learn:- Ilan's journey to becoming CPO at Checkr and his insights on the background check industry's digital transformation.- The challenges and strategies involved in creating enterprise-ready products and organizations.- How to balance user delight with complex enterprise client needs.- The future of background check technology, including AI-powered innovations and international expansion.Key Takeaways:- Enterprise Readiness: Ilan emphasizes the importance of both product and organizational readiness when transitioning to serve enterprise clients.- Product Management Approach: Ilan shares his "Three Buckets" strategy for prioritizing features: metrics movers, customer asks, and delighters.- Data-Driven Innovation: Ilan highlights the use of AI and machine learning to process vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, revolutionizing the background check industry.- Enterprise Product Development: Ilan discusses the importance of understanding both the "chooser" and the "user" in enterprise software, and how to create value for both.Social Links:- Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here- Follow Product School on LinkedIn here- Join Product School's free events here - Find out more about Product School hereCredits:Host: Carlos Gonzalez de VillaumbrosiaGuest: Ilan Frank
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51:02
Upwork GM & VP of Product on The Future of Work with AI Agents and Freelancers | Dave Bottoms | E255
In this episode, Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia interviews Dave Bottoms, General Manager and Vice President of Product at Upwork.Upwork is the world's largest global talent marketplace, connecting millions of businesses with independent professionals and agencies worldwide. With freelancers from all over the world, over 800,000 active clients, Upwork has become a cornerstone of the gig economy, valued at over $2 billion.Dave leads product strategy and development for Upwork's marketplace, overseeing the implementation of AI technologies and balancing core business growth with emerging initiatives. His diverse background includes roles at tech giants like Meta, Dropbox, and Yahoo, where he led the homepage redesign project under Marissa Mayer's tenure.In this episode, we'll explore Upwork's journey through the remote work revolution, the integration of AI in freelance marketplaces, and the future of work. We'll discuss how Upwork is leveraging technology to enhance both client and freelancer experiences, including the implementation of their AI agent "Uma" and innovative monetization strategies.What you'll learn:- Dave's transition from journalism to product leadership and his insights on Upwork's growth in the evolving landscape of remote work.- The challenges and strategies involved in managing a two-sided marketplace at scale.- How Upwork is using AI to improve matchmaking and productivity for both clients and freelancers.- The potential future of work, including the rise of AI-assisted solopreneurs.Key Takeaways👇:- Marketplace Dynamics: Dave emphasizes the importance of creating value for both freelancers and clients to maintain a healthy ecosystem.- AI Integration: Upwork is leveraging AI to enhance user experiences, from improved matchmaking to productivity tools for freelancers.- Innovation in Work Models: Dave shares his vision of a future where AI and freelance talent enable individuals to build significant businesses without traditional employment structures.Social Links:- Follow our Podcast on Tik Tok here- Follow Product School on LinkedIn here- Join Product School's free events here - Find out more about Product School hereCredits:Host: Carlos Gonzalez de VillaumbrosiaGuest: Dave Bottoms
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49:03
Warner Music VP of Product Design on Design thinking and mystical practices for business breakthroughs | Christina Goldschmidt | E254
In this episode, Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia interviews Christina Goldschmidt, VP of Product Design at Warner Music.Warner Music is one of the world's leading music companies, serving artists and songwriters across various labels and publishing divisions. With a rich history in the music industry, Warner Music has evolved to embrace digital transformation, offering innovative ways for fans to engage with artists and music.Christina leads the entire UX team at Warner Music, overseeing product designers, design systems specialists, visual designers, content designers, researchers, and design operations. Her team designs experiences connecting fans to artists, provides services to artists and songwriters, and creates internal tools that power various aspects of the music business, from distribution to sync licensing and royalties reporting.In this episode, we'll explore Christina's unique approach to product design, how she and her team are leveraging unconventional practices to drive innovation, and the future of music technology. We'll discuss strategies for aligning design with business goals, structuring design teams for interconnected ecosystems, and balancing zero-to-one initiatives with product improvements.What you'll learn:- Christina's journey from front-end developer to VP of Product Design at Warner Music and her insights on the company's digital transformation.- The challenges and strategies involved in creating user experiences for a global music company.- How to prioritize design initiatives and innovations in a fast-paced, artist-centric environment.- The future of music technology, including AI-powered tools and immersive fan experiences.Key Takeaways👇:- Design as a Revenue Driver: Christina emphasizes the importance of positioning design as a strategic asset that contributes to business growth.- Unconventional Problem-Solving: Warner Music is pushing boundaries by incorporating mystical practices like tarot readings and shamanic journeying into their design thinking process.- Data-Driven Design: Christina highlights the use of product discovery, UX research, and business metrics to guide design decisions and improvements
Hosted by Product School Founder & CEO Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia, The Product Podcast features candid conversations with product management executives from the world's best tech companies like Google, Meta, Netflix, Airbnb, and Amazon.New episodes release weekly, unveiling actionable frameworks, unconventional best practices, and real-world examples you can implement immediately.Perfect for senior product managers, directors, and VPs hungry to build better products, stronger teams, and drive innovation at scale.
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