Hi Product people,

This week on Product Thinking, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ben Hafele, CEO of the Lean Startup Company. We explored how large organizations can effectively integrate lean startup methodologies without losing sight of their strategic goals. Ben shared an insightful perspective:

"Innovation is solving a problem in the best way possible. It’s not about technology for technology’s sake, but about finding the best solution to meet customer needs."

This philosophy highlights the importance of aligning innovation efforts with business strategies, ensuring that every experiment is purposeful and strategically aligned.

We also discussed the significance of establishing a strong "connective tissue" between build-measure-learn cycles and the broader enterprise. By doing so, companies can ensure that every experiment conducted is aligned with their strategic objectives.

Have you encountered challenges while integrating innovation into your business strategy? I'd love to hear your experiences and thoughts!

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: Apple | Spotify

Looking forward to hearing from you!

See you soon,

Melissa Perri

Founder Product Institute, Board Member, and Teacher

Key Moments on the Podcast to Check Out:

10:45 - Establishing Connective Tissue for Innovation

Ben introduces the concept of creating a "connective tissue" that links build-measure-learn cycles with overall business strategy. He explains how fostering this connection ensures that every experiment conducted is aligned with the company's broader objectives.

22:17 - Balancing Experimentation with Strategic Goals

The discussion delves into the challenge of balancing experimentation with strategic goals. Ben shares approaches for ensuring that innovation initiatives do not deviate from the company's strategic priorities, maintaining relevance and purpose.

45:30 - Overcoming Complexity in Corporate Innovation

Ben and Melissa discuss ways to overcome the inherent complexity in corporate innovation. They highlight practical strategies for simplifying processes and ensuring that innovation efforts remain effective and focused on delivering value.

Episode Resources:

This episode was brought to you by Liveblocks

Sign up for a free Liveblocks account

Other Resources:

LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST

THE PRODUCT THINKING PODCAST IS SPONSORED BY

Product Management training at scale for teams and individuals, created by Melissa Perri.

LEARN MORE

Do you have a product dilemma you just can’t solve? Are you in need of some pointed career guidance? We’ve got a direct line to Melissa, so now’s your chance to ask her anything you’d like. You can record a voice message here, or you can submit a question via form below. Melissa just might answer it in a future Dear Melissa segment of the podcast.

ASK MELISSA

The CPO Accelerator is a members-only live virtual course for product leaders taught by Melissa Perri. The move from product leader to VP or CPO can be challenging. It takes a whole new set of skills to succeed at the next level, and you may be the first person at your company to hold this seat at the executive table.

Learn more