So You’re A “Senior Product Manager”...Now What?
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Transcript of So You’re A “Senior Product Manager”...Now What?
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So You’re A “Senior Product Manager”...Now What?
(The Answer May Surprise You)
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About Me
Engineering
Product
Engineering Mgmt
Corp Dev
About me...
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About Me (cont.)
(+4 more startups so dead Google can’t find their logos!)
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OMG, you had me at WTF. What does it all mean?Product roles, and the people in them, tend to have a hard time growing within organizations. Why?
● Few direct reports, but lots of indirect power/influence, even at entry level● Unclear career path● Every reporting structure is different, and product usually doesn’t get much
respect at the C-level● Always easy to make lateral moves● Many tempting options outside product; easy to “change lanes”...
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OK, that makes sense,
D
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Option 1: Join a tiny startup as “the product guy”● Pros
○ Senior Product Manager == VP Product == CPO! Victory!○ Wear as many hats as you want...
○ If startup does well (or even if not), you may have the credibility to parachute into a larger company at a senior level
● Cons○ Startups are not for the faint of heart○ They have all the same problems big companies have, and more
○ You probably won’t learn how to manage people or truly complex groups of stakeholders, which makes you unqualified to parachute into that sweet big company role…
● Verdict○ Maybe, but it’s not for everybody...
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Option 2: Find a company that values product mgmt● How to spot one:
○ Exec level product leadership (Chief Product Officer, EVP/SVP Product)
○ Product-minded founder/CEO○ Usually paired with a strong tech culture○ Everybody talks about customers...
● Why does this matter?○ Product management is hard enough without having to
justify your own existence○ By definition, there is a career path
○ Product and customer-centric cultures also tend to value research, discovery, iteration, etc.
● Verdict○ Yes please!
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Option 3: Shelter in place
You don’t want to do a startup, and your unicorn hunt came up empty. How can you make the most of your current job, or find a new one with potential?
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Step 1: Define the roleKnow what your current or future company means when they say “product management”. The role may be much bigger or smaller than you think.
Here are a few questions to ask:
● Media companies -- who holds the power? Editorial or business?● Tech companies -- do you work for the engineers, or they for you?● Startups -- who are the founders, and what do they value?
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Step 2: Consider your optionsSo many potential areas for product managers to excel: discovery/research, build/execution, BI/analytics, strategy, stakeholder management, etc. Do any of these areas excite you beyond all others?
Are you a strategy guy? Have a look at corp dev or biz dev.
Are you an analytics guy? Maybe research or data science is for you.
Stakeholder management? Maybe you’d rather be a PMO type...
Bottom line: Is product the right role for you, in general or at this company? Are you going to be able to grow? Is the company going to help?
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Step 3: Know yourselfIt may sound fun to try a new role, but despite its many frustrations, is product the only role that will scratch your itch?
Ask yourself:
● Would you be happy with a more limited, more focused role? Do you think that would be good for your advancement at this company?
● What is the best use of your unique, personal skillset? ● Do you love your company and coworkers enough that you can accept a
longer and less certain career path? Does career path really matter to you?
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Step 4: Find ways to growThe best way to be a successful Sr. Product Manager is to keep learning new skills. We all tend to be really good at that. But will new skills help you cross the chasm?
Try prioritizing:
● People management● Understanding your whole business and market, not just your product● Networking outside your company
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Step 5: Know when to jumpYou have an opportunity in hand and you need to decide whether to take it, or not. How will you decide whether a new role is really right for you?
Ask yourself:
● Have you asked for what you really need or want?● Have you given your current company/boss an opportunity to give it to you?● Is this new role enough of a step up to be worth leaving your current job?
Above all, don’t burn bridges. And don’t be afraid to stay if it feels right!
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Step 6: Remember the way home!There is no shame in realizing that the grass is not always greener, either at a new company or in a new type of role. You wouldn’t have known unless you tried!
Fortunately, product is a role you can come back to -- and every experience (especially the more diverse ones) makes you stronger.
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Bonus: Would an MBA help?You probably don’t need one. Product jobs are an amazing business education.
● But if you don’t get one, you may always wonder...● If you do it, it should be because you can’t logically see a way to grow
organically -- which is part of the problem we product people have!● But don’t expect your current company to appreciate that you now have an
MBA and give you a huge promotion
Bottom line: If somebody’s paying for it, and you have free time, and you are willing to change jobs when you’re done, it might make sense, but there is an opportunity cost!
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Final thoughtsA good boss goes a long way.
A good culture goes even further.
Always Be Learning
(Coffee is for Learners)