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

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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.

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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.

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