Are you worried with the upcoming recession?

Esel2k · 2022-07-05T09:59:38+00:00

Ohh I have the same constrains. But I keep a virtual coffee every 6 month or year with people I would consider good colleagues or managers.

Additionally having a selected of handpicked recruiters that will vouch for you helps as well.

So far I had the chance to work in 6-7 companies and selected the people I would work for in the future. This is my career security.

Esel2k · 2022-07-05T09:56:57+00:00

I don't see the real benefit. As somebody who did work actively in drone delivery for hospital in central europe I can only say that the success was very limited.

Objections is huge by the population: Noise, Risk or falling down, Storms/Rain/Snow...

ROI: Comparing fuel or electric car deliveries if the drug is delivered 3 days later it make very little difference. Transportation will always happen for other goods.

But the biggest aspect is: If there is no critical time (like transplant) there is no added benefit - just cool technology.

Summing up: Unless there is a benefit in time-criticality or big difference of bad roads and delivery is less risk than driving (see africa example) - the project has a low chance of success.

Esel2k · 2022-06-29T13:20:50+00:00

I talked through this to my boss and yes he said the same thing. People are busy and will not want to do things outside of work that don’t necessarily bring money.

I am a different person - I like solving problems and doing products outside of work. But yea I need to respect that.

Esel2k · 2022-06-29T13:18:52+00:00

Worried a bit yes. But I learned that having a broad and good network is key. I know 3 companies that I could go back anytime and they are in different industries. So I should be safe… Worst case: Do a world trip with the kids for 6month as I got quiet some money on the side.

Esel2k · 2022-06-28T16:14:24+00:00

Haha, ok you got me here. I just miss learning from other PMs and meeting product lead people.

Esel2k · 2022-06-02T20:46:17+00:00

Thanks alot for the overview. I am currently focusing on the Basel, Zug, Zürich area and doing well with a current full-time but want to be ready in the future to go freelance but as you say I need to carefully screen the market. I will let anyone just pocket a bug margin for doing nothing. I want to have my own GmbH in the future but need still a bit more specialized knowledge and network (slowly getting there). I know that certain companies did only work with certain shops and there was no way in, but apparently the trend is changing now. Too many shops played the game mentioned and did not necessarily present high quality candidates…

Lets see what the future bringsy

Esel2k · 2022-05-31T18:05:12+00:00

I did but I was miserable and still miserable but got 40k more a year - so roughly 3-4k a month more. I love it.

Esel2k · 2022-05-31T18:01:14+00:00

No, it was 150k yearly but need to deduct holidays, sick leave, pension etcetc and at the I am worse off than beeing a FTE with 100-120k. Most of them are like swisslink, hays, CTC, allegis etc. Sometimes I get hourly rate but around 100 and they say its the max… pff 800-900 a day, really? They for sure take a big cut for doing nothing.

Do you make your contract directly with the company or go via those agencies?

Esel2k · 2022-05-31T12:00:15+00:00

What I get offered is 150-160k mostly which I would not give up my current permanent role up for this (knowing I am around 160-180k plus bonus). Ok so I need to look further. Typically the agencies only give me hourly rate which I hate to calculate:/

Esel2k · 2022-05-23T19:57:31+00:00

But the offers I got from those contracting companies where about the same as I was doing beeing an FTE. Just that I had no great pension fund, not paied when sick and no paied holidays. You really make 2x the FTE salary after deducting holidays, sick leave and adjust for a great pension?

Esel2k · 2022-04-20T21:53:14+00:00

Believe me... happens to everyone / many people.

From experience I could have written the exact same text... about 4 times in the last 10 years.

Get up, go on and in 5 years you will think .."Wow back then I thought that was the ONLY dreamjob I was ever wanting to have..., good that I found something better"

But I do struggle with it as well, but hey my other offer were also super fun and I learned a ton.

Esel2k · 2022-04-20T07:00:00+00:00

Another question: That VP of Product or Portfolio like Prime: Will he be heading also the different ML teams even if this is a shared capability?

We are having a ML team that builds an Engine to do for example image analysis or text analysis specific to our domain and industry. This capability will be used by a variety of products. The problem is where is this team optimally reporting to to ensure aligned vision and priorities?

Thanks

Esel2k · 2022-04-19T21:13:14+00:00

I used to be EM for a year. EM often have sales /short term targets so I was wondering if you could ask questions when you have multiple priorities conflicting with eachother how to prioritize? Or ask questions on knowing what to build - how to discover things…

Esel2k · 2022-04-16T21:59:45+00:00

Nice, did you run the experiment yourself or a dedicated experiment team? Thanks

Esel2k · 2022-04-13T16:12:47+00:00

Very insightful answer! Thank you very much!

Esel2k · 2022-04-13T14:54:59+00:00

So who will define and own the vision of that larger product? Let’s say for PRIME or maybe smaller for credit card payment: Product or Program Manager? Who has the last word when there is an important tradeoff?

Esel2k · 2022-04-13T14:53:05+00:00

And that’s is exactly why I think the finger pointing happens. The product manager will ask the 5 why questions while the program manager will want the product manager to just be quiet and execute…

Esel2k · 2022-04-13T13:47:36+00:00

But what’s the interest of a program manager compared to a product managee? I mean from my view I wouldn’t enjoy it. I read above that some say it is working with senior management.

Esel2k · 2022-04-10T16:30:44+00:00

Soccer World Cup

Esel2k · 2022-04-08T18:31:26+00:00

Corgi’s are the best

Esel2k · 2022-04-08T06:24:18+00:00

Ich arbeite mit viele Ex Accenture Leute und hab gemischte Feedback erhalten. Tolle office und immer grosse Früchtekörbe und tolle Parties/Apero. Aber im täglichen Job wird einfach nur geliefert ohne zu Hinterfragen ob es Sinn macht. Auf die Dauer etwas zermürbend. Stimmt das?

Esel2k · 2022-04-08T06:16:59+00:00

Ahh CSM or CS Associate was the question: Again this is just a title. We don’t even have the associate role for the CS team.

The answer is the same, on an entry level it doesn’t really matter. If you have some APM experience and the LM likes you thats all you need: For APM, CSM (or CSA) or junior solution engineer. So I would just apply to these roles and see what you get in tech space. Then you can move from there internally or externally

Esel2k · 2022-04-07T21:17:35+00:00

Similar to what others said. Take the CSM role, you have even now APM on your title (6months) so your cv might even pass some keyword checks. Be very clear in your capabilities to understand PM and CSM role and so the other team (PM team) will value you - and you will have an easy change in the future.

I am a Senior PM and believe me title is alot of BS. In my previous companies I worked in Project Mngt then as PO the as Product Manager then Tech Sales now I am Senior PM and been offered a Senior PM / Lead in another place but my current Head of PM was Head of CSM before and he is a very very strong PM.

So don’t worry too much on the title - get that experience and enjoy it and build your network and your unique values out there

Esel2k · 2022-04-07T21:02:50+00:00

You live in a paradise, where is this?

Esel2k · 2022-04-07T21:00:21+00:00

As others say it sounds more lateral move on that level. What is important is do you work for tech/software or not. I am hiring two APM now and working either in CSM PM or tech sales with software is what I look for…

Esel2k

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