168. Innovation, AI, and the Future of Product Management with Mike Todasco

In this episode, host Pedro Ganço sits down with Mike Todasco, a seasoned innovator and AI advisor, about fostering innovation in the fast-paced world of product management. From his journey in finance to becoming an entrepreneurial leader, Mike shares valuable insights into the importance of curiosity, creative thinking, and overcoming limiting beliefs to drive innovative outcomes within teams. Mike highlights the powerful role that AI tools are playing in modern product management and explores how they can enhance collaboration, brainstorming, and decision-making. He also emphasizes the need to create a safe space for idea generation, where team members feel empowered to share bold and creative ideas without judgment. As product managers navigate an increasingly AI-driven landscape, Mike offers strategies to foster a culture of open-mindedness and continuous learning—crucial for driving creativity and innovation. If you're looking to unlock your team's potential, embrace the latest tech innovations, and learn how to lead with an entrepreneurial mindset, this episode is a must-listen! Key Takeaways: ➡️ Curiosity is key to unlocking innovation and driving creative solutions. ➡️ AI tools are transforming the way product managers collaborate and brainstorm ideas. ➡️ Encourage team members to share bold ideas by creating a safe, non-judgmental space. ➡️ Innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s a mindset and can be applied in all areas of life. ➡️ Remove limiting beliefs to unlock creativity and expand what’s possible in product development. ➡️ Every product manager can foster an entrepreneurial spirit within their team to encourage creativity and growth. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Product Innovation and AI 04:16 Mike's Journey from Finance to Product Management 08:32 The Importance of Curiosity in Innovation 13:53 Starting Sketch Maven: Lessons from Entrepreneurship 18:26 Fostering Innovation in Teams 23:08 Common Mistakes in Innovation and How to Avoid Them 24:27 The Power of Open-Minded Innovation 26:50 Learning from Failure in Innovation 33:38 AI: The Future of Innovation 42:38 AI's Impact on Product Management 48:04 Embracing AI in Entrepreneurship Where to Find Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todasco/ Medium: https://medium.com/@todasco SDSU: https://business.sdsu.edu/centers-institutes/ai Where to find Pedro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedroganco/ 🎉 Mark your calendars for Productized Conference 2025! Join us for the 10th edition of this premier event, where product management leaders from around the world gather for insightful talks, networking, and celebration. Tickets are already available—don’t miss out! Get your tickets now: https://www.productized.co Where to find us: JOIN THE COMMUNITY 👉 http://bit.ly/3aMvWn2 Website: https://productized.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/productized Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/productized.co/ Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/pt-BR/Productized/