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Product Thinking Newsletter by Melissa Perri

How to Navigate the Future of Product Organizations

Published 22 days ago • 2 min read

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Hi Product people,

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Ever wondered how to strike the right balance between having great people and the processes that support them?

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This week on Product Thinking, I had a fascinating conversation with John Cutler, Head of Product Management at Dotwork. We delved into the intricate dynamics of product operations and the crucial role they play in enabling teams to thrive in complex environments.

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"If you aren't spending 60 to 80% of your effort or thought process on removing friction, you're not going to get to that 20% or 30% of up-leveling or changing the organization."

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John shared his insights on how false dichotomies often plague product management, where the debate between people and processes can distract from the real goal: enabling thoughtful decision-making amidst uncertainty.

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We explored the potential of AI tools in product operations, emphasizing the importance of simplifying processes without sacrificing the complexity and nuance essential to effective product management.

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Have you faced similar challenges in your organization? I'd love to hear how you're navigating this balance. Join the conversation on LinkedIn or reply to this email!

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🎧 Listen to the full episode here: Apple | Spotify​

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Looking forward to hearing from you!

See you soon,

Melissa Perri

Founder Product Institute, Board Member, and Teacher
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You’ll hear us talk about:

  • 14:10 - The Balance Between People and Processes

John Cutler explains the false dichotomy between having great people and needing processes in product management. He emphasizes the importance of both elements to effectively navigate uncertainty and complexity in product development.

  • 28:05 - Simplification vs. Nuance in Product Operations

The discussion revolves around how to balance simplifying models for broader understanding while retaining the necessary nuance to capture the complexity of operations. John Cutler shares his perspective on maintaining this delicate balance.

  • 35:20 - Leveraging AI in Product Operations

Melissa Perri and John Cutler discuss the potential for AI tools to streamline processes in product operations, reducing the need for large teams and enhancing productivity. They also address some of the skepticism around the necessity of these roles.

Episode resources:

John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpcutler/​

TBM Newsletter: https://cutlefish.substack.com/​

Other Resources:

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THE PRODUCT THINKING PODCAST IS SPONSORED BY

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

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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.

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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.

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Product Thinking is the newsletter of Product Institute, Inc. and Melissa Perri.

Product Thinking Newsletter by Melissa Perri

All things Product Management

Subscribe to this newsletter if you are a product manager or product leader interested in leveling up your strategy, process, and insights into technology. I send out emails once a week on Wednesdays.

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