209.9K
Downloads
131
Episodes
Learn from some of the best product managers in the world through conversations hosted by The Product Management Center at the University of Washington. In each episode, Jeff Shulman, Red Russak, and Soumeya Benghanem dive into the tools, frameworks, and thought processes that will help drive success in product management.
Episodes
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
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
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
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
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
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
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
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
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
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
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
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
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
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
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
Wednesday Oct 04, 2023
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
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
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
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
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