Advertise on podcast: How To Succeed In Product Management | Jeffrey Shulman, Red Russak & Soumeya Benghanem

If you are looking to transition from product manager to Group Product Manager, you can get advice from Executives in Residence in the Elevate Program. Learn more and apply at https://elevate.info.foster.uw.edu/   In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman welcomes Nkem Nwankwo (Greenhouse Software) to talk about transitioning from PM to group PM. Moving from a PM to a Group PM role involves mastering trust-building, scalability, and aligning team goals. It's a big step that demands leadership growth and effective team management, leading to success in the world of product management. In this episode, you can learn the crucial steps in managing teams and aligning visions for success in a leadership capacity.   Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 03:04 What is a group PM? 04:29 Can group PMs be IC PMs and vice versa? 05:40 Challenges of transitioning to group PM 09:46 What can help or slow you down when you want to become a group PM 15:55 Declining meetings 18:06 Where to learn about group PMs 20:03 Becoming a serial entrepreneur 21:06 What PMs are missing out on? 22:42 Transitioning from PM to Group PM

Learn from two Executives in Residence in The Product Management Center’s Elevate program (https://elevate.info.foster.uw.edu/) as they share stories and lessons from managing multiple product teams.   In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman and The Product Management Center advisory board member Red Russak welcome John Yurcisin (Change.org) and Leslie Grandy to talk about managing multiple product teams.Managing multiple product teams requires skillful coordination and guidance, aligning efforts toward shared goals. It involves constant communication, task management, and ensuring each team aligns with the broader objectives. It's akin to conducting an orchestra, harmonizing diverse efforts toward a unified outcome. Mastering this skill empowers PMs to navigate complexities and maintain a cohesive vision across projects, ensuring success in product development and delivery.   Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 04:01 Managing Multiple Teams 06:25 Unifying Teams through Shared Strategy 08:33 What is Unique About Managing and Leading Product Teams? 09:45 Challenges in Managing Multiple Teams 14:29 Stakeholder Management 21:58 What Is It Like To Manage Multiple Product Teams Daily 25:40 Elevate: Workshop for Product Managers 28:52 How Product Managers Stay Informed and Relevant 36:33 Strategies for Organizational Structures 39:51 Managing External Product Teams 44:06 Overcoming Daily Challenges in Managing Multiple Product Teams 49:05 Final Thoughts

Are you looking to elevate your product management career and your peers? Apply to join Elevate, an exclusive program for high-performing product managers to learn from Executives in Residence and each other.   Learn more at: https://elevate.info.foster.uw.edu/   In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman welcomes Charles Stewart, Chris Kuang, and Jamie Lambert, CSPO, LSSGB to talk about PM roles and opportunities in the U.S. Digital Corps. The U.S. Digital Corps serves as an impactful avenue for individuals interested in public service and various tech-related fields, including product management. This program is designed to offer a meaningful platform for talented professionals to contribute their skills and expertise to government initiatives. Whether you're passionate about digital transformation, user-centered design, or product management, the U.S. Digital Corps provides a unique opportunity to make a difference in the public sector while helping to shape the future of government technology.   Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 09:25 U.S. Digital Corps PM Opportunities 13:38 PM Roles and Responsibilities in the U.S. Digital Corps 15:55 Tech and Design in Public Service 18:01 Aligning Stakeholders and Overcoming Challenges 22:36 The Power of Curiosity in PM 24:04 Serving The Government 27:02 Introducing PM Practices in the Public Sector 32:44 Opportunities for Both Early Career and Seasoned Professionals 37:41 Finding Your Niche in Public Service 41:05 Job in The Public Service as a TV Show 42:28 Eligibility Criteria for Public Service Fellowships 45:30 Mastering the U.S. Digital Corps Assessment 47:01 Final Thoughts

Are you looking to elevate your product management career and your peers? Apply to join Elevate, an exclusive program for high-performing product managers to learn from Executives in Residence and each other.   Learn more at: https://elevate.info.foster.uw.edu/   In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman and The Product Management Center advisory board member Soumeya Benghanem welcome Hemanth Babu Shekar (Rivian) and Gabe Antypas to talk about product management in an engineering-focused organization. PMs play a crucial role in engineering-focused organizations because they help in coordinating complex projects, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and within budget, and facilitating effective communication among team members. PMs also help manage risks, set priorities, and align projects with the organization's strategic goals. While some smaller engineering teams may not require dedicated PMs, in larger organizations and for complex projects, having PMs can significantly improve efficiency and project outcomes.   Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 07:00 How to spot an engineering-focused organization 12:30 Joys of being in an engineering-focused organization 16:46 Engineering-focused vs. Engineering-led organization 20:44 The challenges of being a PM in an engineering-focused organization 24:42 How can PMs and aspiring PMs transition to working in an engineering-focused organization 31:16 PMs and taking risks 37:01 When PMs have an engineering background 41:54 Are PMs necessary in engineering-focused organizations? 47:23 Final Thoughts

Are you looking to elevate your product management career and your peers? Apply to join Elevate, an exclusive program for high-performing product managers to learn from Executives in Residence and each other.   Learn more at: https://elevate.info.foster.uw.edu/   In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman and The Product Management Center advisory board member Red Russak welcome Tommy Brown (Google) and Jenai Akina (Amazon) to talk about the highs and lows of being a product manager. On the positive side, it's fulfilling to plan a product's future, solve tough problems, and provide valuable solutions to users. Working with various teams and influencing a product's success is also gratifying. However, there are challenges too, such as dealing with too many processes, lots of meetings, and feeling like you might not be good enough at times. Despite these challenges, the job offers a mix of rewarding achievements and expected setbacks.   Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 06:06 What boosts and drains your energy as a PM 10:06 Can negative feedback be energizing? 12:48 Other aspects of PM that can sap your energy and how to overcome it 18:22 Optimizing document workflows 21:43 Unexpected challenges of PM 23:45 Learn to celebrate your wins 27:37 How AI can help in a PMs job 30:36 Competing with the past and ignoring the noise 35:26 Highs and lows in AI PM 40:16 Accessibility in PM 42:34 Necessity of processes and ways to handle queries efficiently 44:56 Final thoughts

In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman and The Product Management Center advisory board members Red Russak and  Soumeya Benghanem welcome Adam Grupp (Woodhaven Advisors), Greg Young (Collectors Universe), Sumathi Kadambi (Zillow), Marily Nika (Meta), and Sumantro Das (Mattress Firm) as they discuss the importance of decision making in the success of any project. The panel of experts, known and respected in their respective expertise, share valuable tips and insights on what it takes to come up with the right decision.   Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 01:03 The different styles of decision-making 03:44 “Understand the right process and structure to use to frame up decisions.”  05:37 “The expensive and scary are the ones where it's a long-term commitment you can’t change so easily.”  08:05 The cost of failing to make a decision and the fear of decision-making. 12:17 “Create your own metrics for your own product.”  14:57 What’s your bold thought on decision-making?  16:37 Is data just confirming what you already know or do you have some wild changes based off of it? 20:02 Half of PM decisions are decisions they’re not even conscious of 21:26 Build an ecosystem of experts within the company to help make decisions 24:24 Favorite decision-making matrix regularly used 27:01 Go-to method for sourcing new ideas or iterating mature and new products 34:23 Oftentimes, the best ideas come from unexpected places 37:15 Take what makes you successful but apply it in new places that can help make big changes 39:05 Be very clear on how everyone makes decisions 43:09 Decision-making takes time to build confidence on and to build the tool set 44:27 Some things are hard to let go but maybe they're not where our future is 46:24 Build a learning organization by understanding how decisions are made and documenting them

In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman and The Product Management Center advisory board members Red Russak  and Soumeya Benghanem welcome Felix Watson Jr. (Google), Diego Granados (Paypal), Shyvee Shi (LinkedIn), and Andrew Nguyen to talk about advancing in a PM career. Advancing in a PM career is a mix of mastering your product, building strong relationships, and being a proactive problem solver. Seek guidance from experienced mentors and focus on honing your communication and leadership skills. It's about understanding your market, customers, and taking the initiative to grab opportunities when they come your way.   Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 05:41 What does it actually mean to advance your PM career? 08:11 Communicate your ambitions 10:26 Mentorship and solving the right problems 12:45 Navigating growth and titles 16:01 Treat everybody like your customer 19:59 What to learn early in your career 28:47 Early career mistakes 37:23 How to start working on strategy 42:43 Do you need an MBA to advance your PM career? 49:40 Finding mentors 53:42 Final thoughts

In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman and The Product Management Center advisory board members Red Russak and Soumeya Benghanem welcome Jeremiah Nelson (Motorola Solutions) to talk about becoming a good PM in a difficult environment. Product management is a job that requires teamwork, team effort, and collaborative planning to successfully launch and eventually sell a product. It can become a difficult task and extremely challenging but with the people in the team, nothing is impossible.    Support for How to Succeed in Product Management is brought to you by Apptentive, which enables product managers to measure shifts in customer emotion and gather actionable feedback across the mobile customer journey. To learn more, go to Apptentive.com/UW.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 07:46 When does product management become difficult? 10:46 What is the rubric that customers give you? 11:37 Indicators to help understand the customer’s rubric 15:19 Who should not be a PM? 20:12 Every PM owns the decision regardless of how it's made 27:09 You are not your product 29:49 What makes a better PM for API and technical products? 36:07 Get a detailed understanding of how things function 42:02 Goal-setting methods for a new project 46:24 Take care of yourself first 48:54 Being a PM is about the team you create

In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman and The Product Management Center advisory board member Soumeya Benghanem welcome Charles Stewart (Autodesk) and Keshav Vasudevan (Prepared) to talk about GovTech Product Management. GovTech Product Management represents an exciting frontier of innovation. While progress may seem slower due to regulations and bureaucracy, aspiring PMs have a unique chance to pioneer groundbreaking solutions and improve public services. Success in this field requires patience, a deep understanding of government motivations, and a passion for solving complex problems aligned with public service missions. With the right mindset and commitment, aspiring PMs can thrive, driving innovation and positive change in the public sector.   Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 01:12 Why is GovTech important? 07:45 Challenges in GovTech 11:34 Future of GovTech 13:43 Government as a customer vs. Working within the government 21:23 GovTech Insights for Aspiring PMs 26:16 When should a PM start working for the government: Earlier or later? 31:17 Best Practices for government procurement and innovative tech 38:55 The power of mindset in government 42:25 How to stay up to date on things relating to GovTech 46:49 Difference between consulting vs. product companies 49:41 Final thoughts

In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman and The Product Management Center advisory board member Soumeya Benghanem welcome Vipin K. Singh (FEVO), Parul Shorey (SeatGeek), Geetika Kapoor (Chewy), and Vikas Khandelwal (Qualtrics) to talk about how to land a PM role in the current economy. For those who are interested in changing to a PM role, these great panelists will share their personal experiences and advice on how to become a PM.   Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.   Support for How to Succeed in Product Management is brought to you by Apptentive, which enables product managers to measure shifts in customer emotion and gather actionable feedback across the mobile customer journey. To learn more, go to Apptentive.com/UW.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 08:23 Landing a product manager role in the current economy 11:37 There are still PM jobs out there 14:14 Network your way to opportunities 17:55 Highlight your skills & build relationships 20:57 Prepare a lot, be concise in communication, & know your value proposition 23:01 Value proposition 25:20 Have a personal mission 26:24 How to become a better communicator 28:00 Book or practice material recommendations 31:53 How to evaluate job opportunities 38:28 Should you go wide or go narrow? 44:15 Final thoughts

In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman and The Product Management Center advisory board members Red Russak welcome Priyank Shah (Black Knight) and Marily Nika, Ph.D (Meta) to talk about AI product strategy. AI product strategy is crucial for PMs because it enables them to leverage artificial intelligence effectively to meet user needs and business objectives. By defining a clear AI product strategy, PMs can identify opportunities for AI integration, prioritize AI features, and allocate resources wisely. This strategy also helps in staying competitive, as AI can enhance product capabilities and user experiences, making it essential for PMs to align AI initiatives with their overall product roadmap. Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 07:10 What is product strategy? 08:50 What is AI? 11:43 Other AI products 13:47 Why should everyone have an AI product strategy 17:32 AI product strategy vs. every other product strategy 21:24 Success metrics for AI product strategy 27:04 Launching a bad AI product 31:33 Changes in the legal environment 36:49 How to increase experience to be an AI product manager 42:58 Recommended groups for aspiring PMs 44:52 Ethical issues in AI 47:20 Finding companies that are actively using AI 50:53 Differences between the software development life cycle and AI development life cycle 52:47 Final thoughts

In this episode of the How to Succeed in Product Management Podcast, marketing professor Jeff Shulman and The Product Management Center advisory board members Red Russak welcome Jorie Kirschbaum Hynes (T-Mobile), Austin Morton (MN8 Energy), and Emily Claire Palmer (Wrapbook) to talk about transitioning to PM when you come from a non-traditional background. Transitioning to PM from a non-traditional background can be challenging but rewarding. While many PMs come from technical or business backgrounds, individuals with diverse experiences, such as design, marketing, or even unrelated fields like teaching or healthcare, can bring unique perspectives and skills to the role. To make this transition successfully, it's essential to acquire relevant knowledge through courses or self-study, network with professionals in the field, and highlight transferable skills like problem-solving, communication, and empathy during the job application process. Embracing your non-traditional background can set you apart and contribute to innovative product development.   Disclaimer: All opinions of the speakers are their own.   What to Listen For: 00:00 Intro 06:41 Number one mistake of people transitioning to PM from a non-traditional background 09:48 What do you wish you knew when you were starting out in PM? 13:35 Frustrating process of transitioning to PM 16:24 Domain knowledge 19:23 Overcoming the biggest challenge coming from a non-traditional background 25:07 The most valuable skill from your background that’s valuable now as a PM 28:33 How to find PM jobs?  33:58 Optimizing your resume when transitioning to PM 39:32 The different corporate cultures and their impacts on a PM's responsibilities and work style 44:37 Do you need to a second MBA to get into PM? 49:25 Final thoughts