The fight over the customer
Historically there was a battle between Sales and Product Management. Sales, having more contact with customers, felt they had a better understanding of customer needs than product managers (and sometimes they were right). But I think today the bigger fight is between User Experience (UX) practitioners and product managers.
Product Managers and User Experience professionals are increasingly working together to deliver products. In some cases this relationship is highly productive, leading to outstanding products, but in others, it can be a bit dysfunctional.
Are you a slave to your email?
We all use email every day but it often fails us. Sometimes it can feel as if our inbox drives what we do.
Here are a few thoughts to get you thinking about email best practice and how you can use it more effectively – and a really fun video!
Why you should never ask your mother if your idea is any good
Talking to customers and getting accurate information is hard….. not because they lie but because they often tell you what they think you want to hear. This is never truer than with your own mother. The Mom Test helps ensure you improve your customer conversations.
In defence of the HiPPO
We talk about dealing with Hi.P.P.O.s (Highest Paid Person’s Opinion) on our training course but this blog introduces a new animal to be feared – the Z.E.B.R.A.
Here are 3 reasons why we might want to listen to the Hi.P.P.O.
7 things you need to know about UX if you’re a Product Manager
7 things you need to know about UX if you’re a Product Manager
The worlds of product management and User eXperience (UX) are closer than they’ve ever been. If you want to deliver a product that your customers will love then you need to know about UX. But do you, as a Product Manager, really know about UX?
Product Manager Personas – to help understand your role
You may already use personas when developing propositions or working on requirements, but have you ever thought about using product manager personas?
They’re useful because they help you think about the skills and behaviour you need to be successful in your job.
The product manager role and why you need to lead
Is your direction set by whatever crisis you face? Are you busy reacting to the requests of others? Does your email drive you?
Don’t swim with the shoal – why product managers need to lead.
Are you an internal product manager stuck in a box?
Internal product managers come up against unique obstacles and dilemmas. The challenge is serving internal customers rather than selling to external customers.
If you’re stuck in your role as an internal product manager we’ve outlined 6 ways to break free.
Where should product managers spend their time?
Avoid product managers acting as an expert helpdesk.
Focus on the fuzzy front-end.
Putting product management in the driving seat
Over the past 10 years we’ve worked with thousands of product managers. We see unique problems but surprisingly lots of very similar ones.
Watch this cartoon video to discover what they are and how to put product management in the driving seat.
