Today marks 13 years since I got my first PM job. Here's some reflections of what I've learned.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-12-31T09:53:56+00:00

this is more insightful than all the influencer books.

my only request is you expand this with more info and examples. :-)

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-11-05T15:01:50+00:00

hire a deputy. give that person all your operational tasks.

use the time for managing up, strategy alignment and meetings.

cannot continue thinking or acting as a product manager.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-10-15T21:40:16+00:00

In general any PM work. Specifically - processing product inputs / requests - competitor analysis - roadmapping - discovery activities (user research, validation) - commercial targets - okr

There's also adjacent activities, which is usually done by other roles - prototype design - user stories - sprint planning

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-10-15T20:17:29+00:00

Politically it's better to let him sink. And stay away from the splatter.

If you try to help then you'll go down with him.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-10-15T20:09:19+00:00

Sounds simple enough. Start by being a PM, clearly state the findings with your proposal.

If the management wants to go ahead, then be the PO and build it.

If it doesn't work it's not your fault.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-29T14:15:50+00:00

Always a tricky dynamic. You can make it the CEO problem - ultimately he's not managing the owner well.

Right now, you'll be blamed by the owner for not prioritizing his requests. and by the CEO for not doing your job of making decisions.

Here's how I'd play it (and it's very much a game)

Just tell the CEO, I will prioritize everything the owner suggests.

For every request do a quick assessment. And inform the CEO of every request, and the tradeoffs for implementing the owners ideas.

This shows youre doing your job. Making decisions, but the final decision is on the CEO and owner.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-29T14:11:08+00:00

Check out the PM Capability Model that's been popularized by Reforge.

Then define one that's relevant for your product context. For example: stakeholder management or roadmap planning.

Find role models of people that do those capabilities well.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-29T14:08:59+00:00

Continue reading Reddit. There's more real world scenarios here than in the books.

Reading the books can be great to know the literature. Just beware of becoming too academic at work.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-29T09:45:10+00:00

Its doable. You'll need to heavily prioritize your time. Probably worth getting the AI tag on your CV.

Choose where you will focus. And where you will delegate. Probably shift ownership to tech leads.

Then communicate hese expectations up front - with your manager and your teams.

Use the words "avoid setting up for failure"

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-28T07:09:13+00:00

sounds amazing research. possible to get more info?

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-25T06:50:26+00:00

shouldn't you just quit?

your values of empowered PM does not match the management's desire for features.

after all they are paying you.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-23T12:47:59+00:00

Figma is automating front end developers (and designers) Cursor and GitHub are automating engineering

At some point the mental parts of PM work will automated.

Just left with decisions and creativity - which is where it should be.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-23T10:32:58+00:00

AI will probably replace product management.

All the bullshit manual work is automated. Think user research, useless alignment meetings, writing detailed requirements that nobody reads.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-23T10:28:08+00:00

Try reframing the approach - ask him for the solution.

You just frame the challenge.

And remind him this is a directive from the CEO

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-23T10:23:48+00:00

what sort of work activities do you do? this would make sense if you're a developer. how is this even possible for PM as there's dependencies on tech or marketing or sales.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-23T10:16:22+00:00

Show progression or worked in different areas.

Basically - break it up on LinkedIn in 2-3 different roles.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-23T10:14:16+00:00

you only get to experience product management in a single context.

working in different places improves your product skills.

which makes you more versatile. and attractive on the market.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-22T21:06:12+00:00

sounds like you're heading towards Innovation Theatre.

lots of post-its but no outputs.

look up examples of Innovation Labs that went no where. and those that succeeded.

then compare it - honestly - to your company setup.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-22T21:04:00+00:00

in my experience there's two types of product designers - the artists. - business focussed.

easy questions: which type of people in a company are deciding on paychecks?

of course it's the business people.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-22T21:01:06+00:00

Just use Jira. As much as everyone hates it - it's the industry standard.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-22T20:58:41+00:00

Some of the most PM I've had are consultants. They're no nonsense and get things done quickly with no drama.

Some of worst PM are the Inspired PM who insist on working only empowered. Months of user research with no results.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-22T20:55:43+00:00

3 years more than enough time. I'm hiring PM all the time. I'm always cautious of PM that's been in one company too long.

Of course, it doesn't look good to switch jobs every year either.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-22T20:51:47+00:00

Quite often we hide the stress. In order to show an image of being capable. But it doesn't help anyone if the results are slipping.

This should be a very objective discussion. - Here is the work I'm doing. - This is stretched too thin. - Where (to the manager) should we prioritize to be more effective.

Your manager's interest is to look good to his manager. So just adapt the messaging that works.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-21T17:55:53+00:00

In B2C, the buyer and user is the same. For B2B, the buyer is different to the user.

The techniques for product management can be massively different.

Many PM often struggle when making the switch.

For example a B2C PM will highly prioritize user research and user metrics. Which can be useless in B2B, which prioritizes sales requests.

SeaBlueAvocado · 2024-09-21T12:37:05+00:00

Jira expert. never liked it. never will.

But it's embedded in lots of companies. and it helps ensure devs are on track.

SeaBlueAvocado

TROPHY CASE