Entries Tagged 'Leadership' ↓

What is needed to make your products successful? That is one of the topics covered in the high-spirited discussion with The Cranky Product Manager (a.k.a. CPM). In this interview Michael talks with the CPM about several interesting topics. Although the CPM writes and talks in third person, she has a wealth of knowledge about product management and marketing.

Michael and the CPM discuss four key areas of product management:

• PMs are “the product entrepreneurs” within the company
• It doesn’t matter where PMs report in their organization
• The “sales droids” are important to your organization; CPM said: “I love sales”
• Product management is a leadership role in your organization.

The Cranky PM knows how to make PM fun and will keep you engaged (even if the voice you hear is not quite here own). Take a listen and let us know what you think.

 

 The Cranky Product Manager [31:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Creating sound and profitable product strategy is a key responsibility of product management. Because they deal with inputs and information from so many sources, product managers must proactively seek out and refine information that will lead them to create products their markets want to buy. In this episode of the Product Management Pulse, Michael and Ivan Chalif — the “Productologist” — discuss three keys to successful product strategy:

• Listen to your market
• Proactively plan for product success
• Create a vision

Ivan also discusses the importance of usability design, especially for product managers who work with B2B software. He also gives a fresh perspective on what executives can do to improve product management in their organizations.

You can follow Ivan on Twitter and read more on his blog The Productologist.

 

 Standard Podcast [31:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Delivering products to market in a way that delights customers is an important role of product marketing managers. In this episode Michael talks with Dave Daniels about the key role of product marketing manager. Dave discusses the roles of product manager and product marketing manager and how they can work together effectively to help their products succeed.

Dave and Michael discuss the following important trends for product marketing managers:

• They need to figure out how to sell what they already have
• They demonstrate how their product(s) will help sales people meet their quota
• They refresh/reposition products when necessary.

Dave also gives you what he considers the most important tool for product marketing managers.

You can follow Dave on Twitter and read more about product marketing and product launches on his blog Launch Clinic.

 

 20090423-davedaniels [31:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The ability to make your point, and make it powerfully and effectively is key to being a successful product manager. In this episode Michael talks with Dave Gunby about the importance of solid presentation and communication skills. Dave tells how the first time he gave a public presentation he “failed miserably.” He rebounded from that experience to become a thought leader in business communication.

To improve your ability to present effectively, practice the following:

• Always have speaker notes to which you can refer
• Finish your thought, then repeat it for emphasis
• Move with a purpose; work on a specific and purposeful stance
• Paint the picture with your hands
• Practice, practice, practice.

Dave and Michael also discuss idea mapping, a method of capturing thoughts and ideas in a way that more closely reflects the way our brains remember things. The technique is useful in preparing successful presentations.

To learn more about successful presentation skills check out MINDimensions.com where you will find Dave’s contact information, and where you can sign up for his monthly newsletters.

 

 20090403-davegunby [30:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Understanding your market(s) is one of the most important jobs of a product manager. In this episode of the Product Management Pulse Michael talks with Jim Holland, the man bringing sense to Market Sensing. Jim discusses the importance of understanding your markets to do better validation and make better decisions. Both internal and external communication is key for product managers to to succeed.

Jim and Michael discuss the social aspects of product management. New technologies such as Twitter and Facebook give product managers a new reach to customers; it also gives customers and prospects an inbound route to communicate directly with product managers.

Finally, Jim tells a great story about “the name on the building.” Every product manager needs to hear this story.

You can connect with Jim on Twitter to keep up with all the latest in market sensing and product management.

 

 Standard Podcast [30:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Leadership is a critical element to successful product management. In this episode, Michael talks with Steve Farber about the importance of creating a culture of leadership. They discuss Extreme Leadership (”otherwise known as ‘real’ leadership”) and its odd mixture of fear and exhilaration. If the only reason you can think of to not do something is because it’s scary, that’s an indication that you should do it.

Michael and Steve also discuss Greater Than Yourself, Steve’s new leadership book. As leaders it’s your job to not just be helpful but to lift others above yourself. They discuss the three tenets of Greater Than Yourself:

• Expand yourself
• Give yourself
• Replicate yourself

Steve gives excellent advice on becoming a great leader.

You can read more about leadership on Steve’s blog and at GreaterThanYourself.com

 

 Standard Podcast [30:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Successful product managers understand the need to work effectively with the people in other parts of the organization. In this episode of the Product Management Pulse Michael talks with Saeed Khan about the six characteristics of great product managers:

• Don’t just sound smart; act smart and be smart
• Be technical without becoming a technologist
• “Spidey-sense” instincts are good; hard data is way better
• The 4 Cs of Leadership: credibility, commitment, communication and courage
• Be an integrator, translator and communicator; don’t be a terminator
• Own the product from conception to completion and beyond

Saeed and Michael also discuss the need for product managers to have a business mindset.

Saeed writes with two friends at the popular blog On Product Management.

 

 Six Characteristics of Product Managers [30:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The process of becoming a successful product manager shares many elements of learning a craft. In this episode, Michael talks with Bob Corrigan about topics somewhat off the traditional “beaten path” to product management. Bob shares how he came to product management through the sales/SE ranks, and how product managers can work better with sales. They discuss the ‘craft’ aspect of product management. Until recently no universities had programs focused on product management. As a result, most PMs are there because they learned the skills from a mentor or someone else who helped them learn the craft. Perceptive product managers look for opportunities to train and develop newcomers in the trade.

Bob and Michael discuss how three jewels of Taoism apply to product management:

• Compassion
• Moderation
• Humility

They also discuss how product managers can and should lead their companies to success.

You can read Bob’s musings on his excellent blog ack/nak.
Also check out Bob’s new podcast, The Bob Swami Show (guaranteed to make you laugh).

 

 Standard Podcast [31:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The role of product management is central to value creation. In this episode of the Product Management Pulse podcast Michael talks with Art Petty about his experience as a product manager. Art discusses his experience of more than two decades and “a million mistakes” in product management and leadership. This experience has helped Art develop people from individual contributors to strategic contributors to executives.

Michael and Art discuss four key areas to help product managers realize their potential:

• Strategic thinking skills
• Core leadership skills
• Development of executive presence
• Process optimization across the organization.

They also discuss what Art looks for when hiring product managers, books that product managers should be reading and the importance of building leadership credibility.

To learn more about Art and his programs visit his Management Excellence blog at artpetty.com.

 

 Standard Podcast [30:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Product managers work closely with people in many different groups. The exposure to diverse functions within a company draws individuals in to product management. According to Greg Strouse, product managers make the best C-level executives because of the wide-ranging experience to which they are exposed.

In this episode of the Product Management Pulse podcast Michael talks with Greg Strouse, the XOD (’Executive on Demand’) about his experience working in product management and how it helped him to become the XOD. Greg has done some great things in his career and gives sage advice to aspiring product managers. He and Michael discuss important topics including education, the importance of conversation and the relevance of product management. He also answers the question: “If you could go back and change anything in your career, what would it be?” You will love his answer.

You can read Greg’s musings on his excellent blog Tales from an XOD.

 

 Standard Podcast [30:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download