Domain Experience: A Must-Have for Product Managers?
Where is domain experience important and how does one gain the knowledge As a product manager, one of the most frequently asked questions I get from aspiring PMs in my coaching sessions is, “Do I need domain experience to be successful?” The answer, like many things in product management, is nuanced. While domain expertise can certainly be advantageous, it’s not always […]
15 learnings from 15 years of product management
15 years ago my life changed. I joined a startup as Employee #2 in August 2009. Fresh off an MBA and a course from the great Steve Blank, I was super eager to try my hand at a startup. I signed up for 3 months and ended up staying for 6 years. This startup experience […]
Beyond the PM job description
Things PMs do that never will be in a job description, and yet we must do them Hey PMs and aspiring PMs, A product manager’s job description has a number of bullet points, but there are many more things they do on a daily basis that are unwritten. Here are some things that I have […]
Product managers should follow 5 company metrics
As a product manager, do you follow the company’s financial metrics? Especially if you are a young company. Following the key metrics of your company helps you orient your product strategy. Based on how today’s numbers are moving (or not), you can influence downstream numbers, say 6 months and beyond, by implementing the appropriate product […]
Key Metrics to follow for B2B PMs
How to orient yourself to become a revenue centric PM As a product manager, do you follow the company’s financial metrics? In both my previous jobs, I used to diligently follow the company numbers. Each quarter, our CEO or CFO would present the performance and health of the company. I used to note down these […]
Understanding Different Types of Product Managers
A Guide to Hiring the Right Fit and Finding the Right Fit Role Hey PMs Last week, I had the fortune of giving a talk on competitive analysis at Berkeley Skydeck. The audience was roughly 30 startups who are part of the current cohort. I covered the reasons for doing competitive analysis, what it is, […]
Do you struggle with internal persuasion?
How to work on your internal selling and persuasion skills Hi PMs You have read quite a bit about the importance of stakeholder management. In order to get your product to market, you have to work with your internal stakeholders – sales, marketing, finance, partners, executive, legal etc. But what does it really mean to […]
How did management consulting help me as a B2B PM
Consider early career in management consulting. Hi PMs, Hope my US friends had a good long Labor day weekend. As I mentioned in my previous newsletter, I am on vacation with family in Europe. As you are reading this, we are in Florence. Staying at a villa in Tuscany. Prior to being a product manager […]
Product Manager’s Guide to Commanding Presentations
The importance of crafting and delivering impactful presentations Mastering the art of presentation is a valuable skill that can elevate your communication prowess and captivate any audience. In this guide, discover essential tips to enhance your presentation skills and leave a lasting impact. The Slide That Killed Seven People We often hear about death […]
How technical should a B2B Product Manager be?
Levels of technical proficiency for a B2B product manager Frequently, product managers wonder how technical they should be in order to be effective. There is no right answer. It depends. (As my MBA professor said, if you say “it depends”….you must clarify. Here goes. ) Product managers do a number of things in order to […]
