Product leadership in the age of AI with Claire Vo, CPO of LaunchDarkly

Podcast
·
11/21/2024

In this episode, Claire Vo shares her journey through the tech industry, from founding her own company to leading product at LaunchDarkly. She offers practical insights into product management, highlighting the importance of self-learning, experimentation in B2B SaaS, and engaging directly with customers to shape better products. Claire explains why building strong teams with raw talent and focusing on enterprise value are critical for success.A key focus of the discussion is pricing and packaging in B2B SaaS. Claire shares strategies for aligning product and pricing roadmaps, managing the complexities of these decisions, and how pricing can become a critical lever for growth. She also reflects on the evolving role of product leaders in the face of rapid technological change and provides actionable advice for those looking to grow in their careers. If you’re interested in product management, pricing strategy, or leadership, this episode is packed with insights.

Takeaways

  • Experimentation is crucial but often difficult in B2B contexts.

  • Raw talent in product teams significantly impacts success.

  • CPO roles require a focus on enterprise value, not just product.

  • Customer engagement is essential for effective product management.

  • Self-taught skills can be as valuable as formal education.

  • The importance of understanding customer needs cannot be overstated.

  • You vote with where you spend your time.

  • Running towards problems is essential for growth.

  • How you'll package your offering is one of the hardest parts of product management.

  • You cannot separate product and engineering effectively.

  • Increasingly, an individual can move faster than a small team.

  • No one's going to give you anything you don't ask for. Be fearless in learning and participate broadly.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Claire Vo's Journey

04:47 The Evolution of a Tech Career

10:04 Founding Experiment Engine and Key Learnings

14:58 The Role of Experimentation in B2B SaaS

19:57 Insights from Being a Chief Product Officer

24:57 LaunchDarkly: The Future of Feature Management

30:03 Customer Engagement and Learning

37:22 Aligning Product and Pricing Roadmaps

44:59 The Changing Role of Product Managers

51:11 Formative Moments in Career Growth