Last month’s “Input” survey asked what product-related investments Product Managers will propose this year.  The good news:  Even in this erratic economy, the majority of Product Managers are proposing investments in existing or new products.  When asked what type of product-related investments they would analyze or propose to their executive teams this year, 77% of respondents said ...

Measuring product success throughout the product life cycle is a fundamental skill for product managers in any size or type of organization.  But many struggle with identifying the “right set” – does it include only product-specific reporting, or should broader company goals be included?  Here’s our advice from a recent coaching session on the best ...

I recently had the honor of participating on a panel for Woods Creek Consulting’s Sales Executive Peer Group.  The topic of discussion:  Building a Lengendary Relationship with Product Management.  There were several good points brought up in the conversation (more in future posts), but here’s a key point that Sales needs from us:   prioritization!    Anyone out there ...

Feel like you’re ready to tear your hair out?  Take a 30-second break and get a little product management zen on our Haiku page.   Then boil your situation down to 17 syllables and share them!

This year’s Product Management Education Conference was the best, ever!  Great speakers, and always great to meet more product managers from around the world.  Here’s our Business Case Secrets presentation for those who missed the conference.  Check out the Resources on slide 23 for a free template, and join us for the full story in our next ...

A regularly scheduled product retrospective is an important part of the product manager’s job. As we close out the calendar year, it’s a good time to complete this work. What’s the best way to to it?  Some take a “rear-view-only” pragmatic approach: report on release delivery, revenue and units sold. Here are our best tips for a more ...

The November Pivot Point Newsletter survey asked you how you get focused on the product strategy and the overall company strategy. Most of the Product Managers who responded to the survey say they start by looking at information from the market. This approach was chosen by 71% of respondents. Says one PM: “One of my favorite ways ...

In the U.S. it’s the week when we amateur chefs roll up our collective sleeves and apply our best project-, product-, and program management skills toward orchestrating the ultimate Thanksgiving feast!  And if you ever wished for a master planning spreadsheet to help with the preparation, your wish is about to come true! With Pivotal PM’s ...

In case you haven’t figured it out, I read Fortune magazine regularly. This issue includes the “Best Advice I Ever Got” feature, with an interview of Wilbur Ross (of International Steel fame). He quotes a mentor as saying “You’re better off backing a mediocre idea that’s brilliantly implemented than a brilliant idea that’s ...

A guest post by Don Vendetti  I admit it.  I’m an online shopaholic.  My addiction started over a decade ago when Amazon delivered my first book right to my doorstep, painlessly and effortlessly.   From there I progressed to flowers, gift baskets, electronics, shoes, travel and practically everything else.   The major reason I got hooked was due ...