INSIDE PRODUCT MINDS 💡

Unpacking How Product Minds Think.

Innovation doesn’t just happen. Behind every successful feature, every well-timed pivot, and every high-growth product lies the strategic mindset and bold decisions of product leaders.

From Product Managers and CEOs to AI product leaders they are the minds behind the scenes, blending user empathy, business vision, and technology to create relevant and lasting impact.

Through the Inside Product Minds campaign, we invite you to explore the stories of 100 product leaders across industries in Indonesia. Discover how they shape strategies, navigate change, learn from failure, and build the future through products.

Irhash Putra

Product Lead at MyEduSolve

When Irhash Putra joined MyEduSolve, his role was simple on paper but his vision was far from ordinary. As a Product Lead, he didn’t just manage features; he redefined how product teams could think, move, and collaborate. From turning data into direction to transforming failure into clarity, Irhash’s journey is a masterclass in thoughtful product leadership. In this edition of Inside Product Minds, step into Irhash’s perspective on building strategy, championing empathy, and making real impact with every decision.

What is the most innovative product/initiative/strategy you’ve ever created? What were the key outcomes or indicators of its success?

I think of the biggest innovation/strategy that I managed to implement and successfully pulled off was back when I joined my current company (MyEduSolve). Back then, the company was just starting to be data-driven, yet still far away from being data-informed. I initially joined “only” as a product manager, handling only the tech (engineering) and the UI/UX. 

But I see potential in “recruiting” the Business Intelligence Specialist, the Digital Marketing team, and the SEO Specialist under one banner of the product team. In short, the final results show that we are successfully increasing B2C yearly revenue by more than 20%.

Have you ever experienced a major failure as a Product Manager? Tell us about that moment and how you recovered — what lessons do you still carry from it today?

Yes. Early on, I once pushed a feature that I thought was brilliant—without aligning enough with users or other teams. It shipped, and… almost no one used it. That taught me a key lesson: just because you can build something, doesn’t mean you should.

Since then, I always start with two things: (1) What behavior are we trying to change? and (2) How will we measure if it worked? That shift has saved me (and my teams) a lot of wasted effort.

In a world increasingly filled with AI and automation, what is the most 'human' quality a Product Manager must preserve?

Empathy. You can automate analysis, generate ideas, or even write specs—but understanding people deeply, especially your users and your team, is still very human work.

Being a good PM means listening. Not just to what users say, but what they don’t say. And not just running retros, but noticing when your team is tired, lost, or just needs clarity. AI can give insights, but empathy gives direction.

If you could give only one piece of advice to the next generation of PMs, what would it be?

My actionables are always this: “When you propose a feature, ask yourself: what user behavior do I expect to change—and how will I know it’s working? Then work backward.” Always back your intuition with data, and always give your data a story. Why this matters:

Junior PMs often either rely too much on gut feeling or swing to the other extreme and hide behind dashboards. But real product leadership is in the balance using data to validate, not dictate, and crafting narratives from metrics to drive clarity and alignment.

There’s a lot of talk about Product-Led Growth, Data-Driven Decision Making, AI Product Integration, Customer Experience, and more. Which of these trends do you think is the most impactful right now — and why?

Right now? Customer Experience (CX)—especially when paired with the right data. In a noisy market, people don’t just buy features—they remember how your product made them feel.

At MyEduSolve, improving CX across key user journeys (with help from BI and Marketing) directly lifted conversion and retention. You don’t always need a big new feature—sometimes, polishing the rough edges is what moves the needle.

How do you think AI will shape the future of product development? What concrete steps have you and your team taken to start integrating it into your development process?

AI helps us move faster—especially in research and decision-making. In my team, we’ve started using it to group user feedback, generate early insights, and support internal tools. It’s not about replacing PM work, but freeing us up to focus on strategy and creative thinking.

If you were asked to teach a class on product strategy, what three core lessons would you definitely include?

Three things:

First, you can’t build everything. A good strategy means choosing what not to build. Focus on what’s most valuable for users—and do fewer things better.

Second, every feature should change behavior. Ask: What do I want users to do differently after this? If you can’t answer that, it’s probably not a priority.

Third, be data-informed, not just data-driven. Don’t just follow the numbers blindly. Use data to support your thinking, not replace it. Combine numbers with context and storytelling.

What tool, framework, or technology has recently become a game-changer in your product development strategy?

Honestly, Google Looker Studio + GA4 have been super helpful. We use them to track user behavior, check funnel drop-offs, and make sense of what's working (and what’s not). It's not fancy, but it gives us the clarity we need without overcomplicating things.

I also sometimes use Meta Ads Dashboard to look at how marketing performance ties into product performance—it helps connect the dots between acquisition and activation. Simple tools, when used effectively, can have a significant impact.

This is just one of 100 sharp perspectives shaping the future of products in Indonesia.

Discover more stories on Instagram & LinkedIn and meet the leaders in person at:

Indonesia Product Conference 2025

📅 September 25th, 2025

🕘 09.00 AM – 06.00 PM

📍 JW Marriott Jakarta

🔗 s.id/IPC-25