The Difference Between Product Managers and Product Leaders
In most employment situations, there is a general hierarchy that, from the bottom up, looks like this: employee, supervisor, manager, leader, executive. In product, the titles LOOK similar, but those kinds of hierarchies are actually anathema to a successful product team.
The Long and Winding Road: Careers in Product
Last week I had the absolute pleasure and honor of hosting a panel discussion with some of the top leaders in product. These are people in leadership product roles at companies like Mayo Clinic, WW (formerly Weight Watchers), and Facebook, talking about Product as a Profession.
A Few of My Favorite Product Things
I have been asked more than twice in the last week for my go-to resources for all things Product. Here’s a rundown of all my favorite links, books, blogs and whatnot. What are your favorites? Head to my LinkedIn post to comment so I can add them to my list!
Mentoring as a Cornerstone of Professional Development
It's a big month for me. I'm honored to be counted in some truly amazing company, as one of the 2021 Minneapolis/St Paul Business Journal Top Women in Business, and as a nominee for the TeamWomen Wavemaker Award for Outstanding Mentor.
The REAL Holy Grail of Product Management
As digital transformations take root at companies of every size, stripe and measure, I’m seeing a disturbing trend that gets me really riled up. So prepare yourselves, but I feel a rant coming on.
5 Stakeholder Management Tips for Product Pros
Stakeholder management is a huge part of the product manager’s job. However, it’s also the most mysterious, fraught, imposter-syndrome-inducing part of the work. I’ve seen otherwise competent and confident product people reduced to tears and nervous twitches at the mere thought of a stakeholder meeting. This is only compounded when those stakeholders have fancy titles and reserved parking spots.
Product and Engineer Collaboration Is the Key to Big Wins
Product and engineering teams go together like peanut butter and chocolate. Peas and carrots. Chips and guacamole. On their own, they’re fine. Together? POW. That’s the magic.
Aligning the Linear Annual Funding Cycle with the Iterative Product Cycle
Even at this stage of the game, I’m willing to bet that your finance team works on an annual funding cycle. And, for those of you working on a calendar fiscal year, it’s already time for the finance
Stereophonic Product Management
You want to know what the REAL work of product management is? The day in, day out negotiation, communication, and alignment with your colleagues around the company isn’t sexy. Every day, product leaders are managing details that go both deep and wide, all while running the gauntlet of corporate governance and capital review meetings. It's not for the weak of heart, to be sure.
Client Case Study
Our client, TCF Bank, was undergoing significant digital transformation efforts to drive growth, improve operating efficiencies and develop consumer-facing capabilities that would help the bank remain competitive in the market.
What is Product’s Role in Equity and Inclusion?
There was a ruckus at Basecamp a few weeks ago, and I can’t stop thinking about it. Perhaps you are also following along. The moment that made the news was a blog post published by CEO Jason Fried that prohibits "societal and political discussion" on internal company forums.
PRODUCT MANAGER TOOL: Product Value Canvas for Large Organizations
The other day, I got pulled into an email thread in the middle of a conversation two colleagues were having about an issue with a product release plan, and it was very disorienting. They started talking about the problem as though I was as familiar as they were with all the little stuff that had led to a big problem.
Fighting Against the Gravity of Norms
Sociologists tell us that one of the universal behaviors of humans is the following of norms. Norms are the generally accepted practices of any group of people.
Projects End, Products Endure —
"Project to Product" is the latest hot phrase to come out of the digital transformation space, used in legacy industries and companies to describe the stickiest parts of the transformation.
In a sea of consultants...why me?
Let's be honest: I would absolutely love it if every pitch I made was met with a resounding, "Sign me up!" Or if I had a waiting list months deep just to get a few hours of my time.
Talking Product 'In The Key of D'
In the Key of Digital podcast from Creatis, talking about digital transformation, product and agile.
Hiring a VP of Product? How to Plan Smart & Hire Right
You probably shouldn't hire anyone until you've sat down to examine what kind of product leader you're looking for.
Remote Team Meetings: A Primer
On the brink of the pandemic shutdown, tips and tricks for improving remote work and collaboration.
Barre Moves
I work with teams at every stage of the agile product transformation curve, and it's messy, uncomfortable, and hard work for everyone involved. Sort of like learning to do Barre.
Chasing the Cycle
In a perfect world, our backlogs are refined 2–3 quarters in advance, maybe more, with a modicum of confidence. But the further out you go, the more fuzzy and directional the roadmap becomes. Anything more than that is pure fantasy masquerading as a plan.