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