Barron.the product management trap for p camp-mn 2

The  Product  Management  Trap

By  Chris  Barron  –  Huruda  LLC  

What  Is  The  Trap?

• Problem:  Always  too  much  to  do  •  Solu<on  1:  100%  wrong  →  500%  wrong  •  Solu<on  2:  Consistently  do  it  right  

Seven  (Bad)  Signs

#1.    Not  Involved  In  “The  Business”

•  I  don’t  get  to  see  any  revenue  numbers  •  I  have  no  idea  if  other  departments  are  doing  well  

#2.    Not  Involved  In  Strategic  Stuff

•  I’m  not  invited  to  key  mee<ngs  •  Execs  don’t  value  my  product  vision  

#3.    Spend  All  My  Time  With  R&D

•  I  never  get  to  visit  customers  •  I  hardly  work  with  marke<ng  or  sales  

#4.    Don’t  Get  Along  With  R&D

• R&D  thinks  they’re  steering  the  ship  • R&D  ignores  my  requirements  and  decisions  

#5.    Nobody  Reads  My  Documents

•  I’m  required  to  write  detailed  documents  • People  nit-­‐pick  my  documents  and  dismiss  them  

#6.    Management  Overrides  Me

•  Execs  passively  contradict  my  decisions  •  I  hear  about  changes  aOer-­‐the-­‐fact  

#7.    GeQng  Burned  Out

•  It’s  not  worth  it  to  argue  with  people  •  I  work  harder  but  get  less  done  

How  To  Do  It  Right

(And  avoid  problems  in  the  first  place!)  

Understand  Business  OperaUons

Bridge  Gaps

Learn  How  To  Talk  $$$

Learn  To  Talk  Business  Strategy

Get  Out  Of  The  Office

MeeUng  Living  Breathing  Users

Help  Your  Sales  Team  Close  Deals

Communicate  Then  Facilitate

Regularly  Meet  With  Key  People

Earn  Your  Spot  At  The  Table

(Also)  Be  A  Product  Expert

Ask  Why  You’re  There

Take  Care  Of  Yourself

Summary

•  Look  for  signs  that  you  need  to  change  • Make  yourself  valuable  across  groups  • Communicate  and  forge  rela<onships  •  Spend  less  <me  with  R&D  •  Spend  more  <me  with  everyone  else  •  Take  <me  to  prevent  burn-­‐out  

Thank  You!