If you could see product management through a CEO’s eyes, would it change the way you lead? In this episode of the Product Porch, Todd Blaquiere and Joe Ghali sit down with Ben Clarke, former CEO of BetterRX, to explore what executive leaders look for in top-tier product managers.

Ben shares his journey from KPMG to Amazon to leading BetterRX through a product-led transformation. He opens up about why product management is the beating heart of an organization, how product managers can build trust and alignment with executives, and what it means to truly put the product team in a position to drive growth.

Whether you’re looking to build credibility at the leadership table or just trying to speak the CEO’s language, this conversation is packed with insight you can use right away.

Listen now to understand how executives think, and how to make your work matter to them. So pull up a chair, we can’t wait to see on the porch!

Time Stamped Notes:

Introduction and Opening Remarks
[00:00] Episode intro – Joe and Todd introduce the discussion on seeing product management through a CEO’s eyes while welcoming guest, Ben Clarke, former CEO of BetterRX.
[00:25] CEO mindset – Ben explains that a CEO’s main job is growth and why PMs need to understand that.

Evolution of Product Management at BetterRx
[01:31] Early challenges – Ben shares how BetterRx operated without formal product management in its early days.
[02:38] Building a function – Ben describes the shift toward a data-driven, product-led organization.
[04:37] Failing fast – Ben talks about learning to iterate quickly and embed experimentation into culture.

Becoming a Product-Led Company
[05:42] Cultural shift – Ben reflects on the company value “there’s always a better way” and how it encouraged innovation.
[08:06] Product first – Ben outlines how product decisions guided marketing, sales, and customer experience.
[10:01] Reinforcing mindset – Todd recalls how daily routines and metrics kept the product-led culture strong.

Hiring and Leadership Lessons
[10:56] Finding leaders – Ben explains what he looked for when hiring the first VP of Product.
[12:52] Performance and values – Ben highlights why consistent results and cultural fit mattered most.
[15:11] Product drives growth – Ben positions product as central to strategy and revenue creation.

Building Executive Trust
[16:41] Expert alignment – Ben shares why CEOs rely on leaders who are experts in their domains.
[19:10] Healthy pushback – Ben encourages PMs to challenge decisions respectfully to find better answers.
[22:20] Trust through transparency – Ben advises staying open, sharing progress, and communicating results.
[23:34] Stay ahead – Ben urges PMs to anticipate needs and bring ideas before they’re asked.

Emotional Jobs to Be Done
[28:00] Understanding the CEO – Ben explains that CEOs want partners who help them grow the business.
[28:45] Speaking the language – Todd connects this to communicating strategy and aligning priorities effectively.

Key Takeaways and Closing Reflections
[30:30] Acting like a leader – Joe reminds PMs to propose solutions and lead with confidence.
[32:10] Building trust – Ben emphasizes that mutual respect and open dialogue make work faster and more rewarding.
[33:27] Final thoughts – Todd and Joe close by encouraging PMs to view their work through the CEO’s perspective.

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A CEO’s Take: Seeing Product Management from the Top

The Product Porch