I'm Marcin, a Berlin based, Tech Professional with over 10 years of experience. I'm happy to be part of the Mentoring Club community to both learn from others but also dedicate my time to support the upcoming and experienced Product Managers wherever I can. I'm currently working as a Product Manager at HERE Technologies, where I'm developing SaaS like car navigation, which is being rolled out to hundreds of thousands of drivers across the world. Before becoming a Product Manager, I've taken multiple roles on the verge of Business and Tech in companies like Zalando, HERE Technologies or Kreditech. I would like to believe that my broad experience across Tech companies from both B2C and B2B, but also different development stages - from startups to global players - gave me an interesting experience, I would love to share with other The Mentoring Club members.
My Mentoring Topics
- Transition to the Product Management Roles
- Career development
- Product Vision
- Product Strategy
- Product Go-To-Market
- International expansion
- Cross-functional team management
- Stakeholder management
- Business Planning & Finance
S.
9.June 2022I am completely new product management role, this session was really helpful to me. Thanks Marcin for giving me lot of useful inputs.
The Pyramid Principle - Logic in Writing and Thinking
Barbara Minto
Key Facts and Insights from "The Pyramid Principle" Structure of Argument: The book emphasizes the importance of structuring an argument in a top-down manner, starting with the answer or conclusion and then providing supporting ideas. MECE Principle: Minto introduces the MECE principle (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive), a concept that ensures ideas are organized in a manner that avoids overlaps and covers all relevant points. Storytelling: The power of storytelling in communication is underscored, with suggestions on how to create a compelling narrative. Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning: The book delves into the differences between inductive and deductive reasoning, and their applications in structuring arguments. SCQA Framework: The Situation, Complication, Question, Answer (SCQA) framework is introduced as a method for structuring thoughts and ideas. Vertical and Horizontal Logic: Minto distinguishes between these two types of logic, with vertical logic being the logical progression of thought and horizontal logic being the grouping of similar ideas together. Clarity and Brevity: The book underlines the importance of clear and concise communication, emphasizing that brevity can lead to better understanding. Question-Answer Approach: It proposes a question-answer approach in structuring communication, where every argument is structured as an answer to a question. Summary Pyramid: The book introduces the concept of a summary pyramid, a visual way of structuring an argument or presentation. Balance of Information: The book encourages maintaining a balance between new information and already known information to ensure clear communication. Practical Examples: Minto uses numerous practical examples to illustrate the principles, making the concepts easier to understand and apply. An In-Depth Analysis of "The Pyramid Principle" "The Pyramid Principle" by Barbara Minto is a comprehensive guide to clear, concise, and structured communication, a skill that is vital in every professional and personal interaction. Minto, a former McKinsey consultant, distills her years of experience into a coherent and practical approach to presenting ideas and arguments effectively. The book’s title derives from the pyramid structure that Minto advocates for organizing complex thoughts and arguments. The pyramid's top represents the main point or conclusion, while the sections below represent supporting arguments or ideas. This top-down approach is a departure from the traditional approach of building up to a conclusion, and it serves to engage the audience from the onset. An essential concept introduced in the book is the MECE principle. This principle ensures that the supporting ideas are Mutually Exclusive (they do not overlap) and Collectively Exhaustive (they cover all relevant points). This technique ensures a comprehensive and non-redundant representation of ideas. The book also emphasizes the importance of storytelling in communication. The narrative structure engages the audience and makes the presentation of complex ideas more digestible. Minto suggests using the SCQA framework (Situation, Complication, Question, Answer) for this purpose, which further aids in structuring thoughts and ideas logically and coherently. Furthermore, Minto distinguishes between two types of logic: vertical and horizontal. Vertical logic reflects the linear progression of thought from the main point to the supporting ideas, while horizontal logic groups similar ideas together. Understanding these two types of logic is key to applying the pyramid principle effectively. The book underscores the importance of clear and concise communication, suggesting that brevity can lead to better understanding. Minto emphasizes this by introducing a question-answer approach in structuring communication, where every argument is structured as an answer to a question. This approach ensures that the communication addresses the audience's potential queries and interests, leading to more engaging and effective communication. Minto introduces the concept of a summary pyramid, a visual way of structuring an argument or presentation. This concept helps visualize the hierarchical relationship between ideas and ensures a logical flow of thought. Finally, "The Pyramid Principle" encourages maintaining a balance between new information and already known information. This balance ensures that the communication is clear, as the audience can connect the new information with what they already know. Minto’s work is filled with practical examples that demonstrate these principles in action, making the concepts easier to understand and apply. "The Pyramid Principle" is, therefore, an essential read for anyone looking to improve their communication skills, from students to professionals in all fields.
ViewThe Lean Startup - How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses
Eric Ries
Key Facts and Insights Emphasis on Experimentation over Elaborate Planning: The Lean Startup methodology promotes experimentation over detailed planning, which allows businesses to adapt and innovate continuously. Customer Feedback over Intuition: Ries emphasizes the importance of customer feedback in shaping products and services rather than relying solely on intuition. Iterative Design: The methodology encourages iterative design, which involves making small changes in products based on customer feedback and observing the results. Minimum Viable Product (MVP): This concept is central to the Lean Startup approach, focusing on creating a basic version of a product to test market hypotheses. Validated Learning: Ries introduces the concept of validated learning, where startups learn from each iteration through rigorous testing and adjustment. Innovation Accounting: This is a method to measure progress, set up milestones, and prioritize work in a startup environment. Build-Measure-Learn Feedback Loop: This is the core component of the Lean Startup methodology, which emphasizes the iterative process of building, measuring, and learning. Pivot or Persevere: Ries introduces a decision-making process in which a startup decides whether to pivot (make a fundamental change to the product) or persevere (keep improving the current product). Continuous Deployment: The Lean Startup methodology encourages continuous deployment of updates to the product, based on the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop. Lean Management: The Lean Startup approach also extends to management, with streamlined processes and decision-making strategies. In-depth Analysis of "The Lean Startup" "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries is a game-changing book that has reshaped the way businesses think about innovation and growth. Drawing upon his own experiences, Ries presents a new approach for startups to achieve their goals by focusing on continuous innovation and customer feedback. One of the key points in the book is the emphasis on experimentation over elaborate planning. Traditionally, businesses have relied on detailed and lengthy business plans. However, Ries argues that in the rapidly changing business landscape, these plans can quickly become obsolete. Instead, he advocates for a culture of experimentation, where ideas are tested, and changes are made based on the outcomes. This approach allows businesses to adapt to changes and seize new opportunities more effectively. A second key insight from the book is the importance of customer feedback. Ries suggests that businesses should not merely rely on intuition or assumptions about what customers want. Instead, they should engage with customers, seek their feedback, and use this information to shape their products and services. This is an integral part of the iterative design process advocated by Ries. The concept of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is central to the Lean Startup methodology. Rather than spending extensive resources developing a perfect product right from the start, Ries suggests starting with a basic version of the product, testing it in the market, learning from customer feedback, and making modifications accordingly. The MVP helps businesses to test their market hypotheses with minimal resources. Ries introduces the concept of validated learning, which is a process of learning from each iteration of the product. Through rigorous testing and adjustment based on customer feedback, startups can learn valuable insights about their product and the market. A significant concept in the book is innovation accounting, a method to measure progress, set up milestones, and prioritize work in a startup environment. This accounting system is designed to provide startups with a clear measure of their progress and inform decision-making processes. The Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop is another core concept in the Lean Startup methodology. Startups are encouraged to build a product, measure how it performs in the market, learn from the outcomes, and then build again. This iterative process fosters continuous improvement and innovation. Ries also introduces a decision-making process in which a startup decides whether to pivot or persevere. If a product is not meeting its objectives or gaining traction in the market, the startup may decide to pivot, i.e., make a fundamental change to the product. If the product is showing promise, the startup may decide to persevere and keep improving the product. Continuous deployment of updates to the product is another strategy advocated by Ries. Based on the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop, updates are made to the product and deployed continuously. This approach ensures that the product is always improving and adapting to customer needs and market changes. Finally, the Lean Startup approach extends to lean management, with streamlined processes and decision-making strategies. The goal is to create an organization that is adaptable, efficient, and focused on continuous innovation. In conclusion, "The Lean Startup" presents a new approach to business, emphasizing agility, customer feedback, and continuous innovation. It provides a roadmap for startups looking to achieve success in a rapidly changing business landscape.
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Value Proposition Design
A. Osterwalder Yves Pigneur
Key Facts and Insights from "Value Proposition Design" Value Proposition Design is centered on the concept of value creation for customers, and how businesses can strategically design and deliver this value. The book presents a structured framework, known as the Value Proposition Canvas, which helps in aligning a product or service with the customer's needs and wants. The Value Proposition Canvas consists of two parts: the Customer Profile and the Value Map, illustrating the fit between what the customer wants and what the business offers. Understanding the customer's jobs, pains, and gains is essential in designing the Value Proposition. Creating a fit between the Value Map and the Customer Profile is the key to successful Value Proposition Design. Prototyping and testing are emphasized as critical steps in the design process. These steps ensure that the value proposition is not only theoretically sound but also practically viable. The book stresses the importance of continuously iterating and improving the Value Proposition based on feedback and changing market conditions. The authors advocate for a collaborative approach to Value Proposition Design, involving various stakeholders from within and outside the organization. The book integrates well with the Business Model Canvas, another strategic management tool by the same authors, creating a comprehensive toolkit for business and product development. The book provides numerous practical examples and case studies, making the concepts easy to understand and apply in real-world situations. The visually appealing and engaging layout of the book makes it an easy and enjoyable read. Analysis of Concepts and Ideas "Value Proposition Design" by A. Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur is an invaluable resource for any business professional or entrepreneur seeking to create compelling value propositions that resonate with customers. The fundamental premise of the book is that businesses succeed by creating and delivering value that fits the customers' needs. This idea is not new, but what sets this book apart is the structured framework it provides to achieve this fit. The Value Proposition Canvas is a practical tool that allows businesses to systematically understand their customers and design their products or services accordingly. The Customer Profile is about deeply understanding the customer. It prompts businesses to think about the customer's jobs (what they are trying to get done in their work and life), pains (the obstacles and challenges they face in their jobs), and gains (the outcomes and benefits they wish to achieve). This comprehensive understanding of the customer is the foundation upon which the value proposition is built. The Value Map, on the other hand, is about articulating how the business's products or services create value. It involves identifying the products and services that can help customers perform their jobs, relieve their pains, and create their desired gains. The ultimate goal is to create a fit between the Customer Profile and the Value Map, which is the essence of a successful value proposition. The book emphasizes that the Value Proposition Design is not a one-time activity. It involves constant prototyping, testing, iterating, and improving. This aligns with the principles of the Lean Startup methodology and Agile development, which are widely recognized best practices in the business world. Furthermore, the book encourages a collaborative approach to Value Proposition Design. It recognizes that value creation is not solely the responsibility of a particular department or individual but involves various stakeholders. This collaborative approach is consistent with the modern business trend towards cross-functional teams and co-creation with customers. Finally, the integration of the Value Proposition Canvas with the Business Model Canvas provides a comprehensive toolkit for business and product development. While the Value Proposition Canvas focuses on the fit between the product and the customer, the Business Model Canvas zooms out to consider the broader business model, including key partners, resources, channels, and revenue streams. In conclusion, "Value Proposition Design" provides a practical and systematic approach to creating value for customers. With its structured framework, clear examples, and engaging layout, it equips readers with the knowledge and tools to design compelling value propositions that resonate with customers.
ViewINSPIRED - How to Create Tech Products Customers Love
Marty Cagan
Key Insights from "INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love" Emphasizes that product management is a team sport, advocating for a cross-functional team approach. Illuminates the importance of discovering the right product to build before diving into the development. Reveals the role of product managers as the discoverers of the product, not simply project managers. Encourages adopting an outcome-based rather than output-based approach to product development. Highly recommends the application of prototyping and testing techniques to validate ideas before committing to full development. Asserts the necessity of continuous product discovery for sustainable success. Advises on how to establish a customer-centric culture in a tech organization. Reinforces the value of learning from product failures, not just successes. Insists on the importance of strong leadership in product management. Underlines the need for strategic alignment between the product team and the larger organization. Stresses on the significance of a shared product vision within the team. Deeper Analysis of the Book "INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love" by Marty Cagan, a Silicon Valley product management veteran, is a veritable guide for tech entrepreneurs, product managers, and those aspiring to create successful tech products. Starting with the assertion that product management is a team sport, Cagan underscores the necessity of collaboration among cross-functional teams. This aligns with the concept of Collective Ownership in Agile methodologies, where everyone in the team is responsible for the quality and success of the product. The book extensively discusses the role of product managers, distinguishing them from project managers. Cagan positions product managers as the discoverers of the product. This involves understanding customer needs, exploring market opportunities, and working closely with the product team to create a product that aligns with the business objectives and customer expectations. One of the notable principles that Cagan advocates for is an outcome-based approach over an output-based one. This shift in focus from simply delivering features to achieving desired outcomes is a core tenet of modern product management, emphasizing on value creation rather than just activity. In "INSPIRED", Cagan also emphasizes the importance of continuous product discovery. This is about constantly seeking to understand customers, experimenting with solutions, and validating ideas before committing to full-scale development. The principle resonates with the Lean Startup methodology, particularly the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop. Prototyping and testing are other key aspects that Cagan discusses. He advises product teams to validate their ideas with low-fidelity prototypes, conduct usability tests, and gather feedback to refine the product. This aligns with the principle of Fail Fast, Fail Often in Agile, which encourages learning through quick experiments and iterations. An essential part of creating tech products that customers love, according to Cagan, is establishing a customer-centric culture. This involves prioritizing customer needs and feedback in the product development process, which is a fundamental principle of Human-Centered Design. Cagan also acknowledges that not all product initiatives will succeed. He encourages teams to learn from product failures and to leverage these learnings to improve future products. This resonates with the concept of a Learning Organization, where failure is seen as an opportunity for learning and growth. Underpinning all these principles, Cagan stresses the importance of strong leadership in product management. He insists that leaders should inspire, guide, and empower their teams to do their best work, which aligns with the concept of Servant Leadership in Agile. Lastly, Cagan highlights the need for strategic alignment and a shared product vision. This implies that all efforts of the product team should be directed towards achieving the strategic goals of the organization, and everyone on the team should understand and be committed to the product vision. In conclusion, "INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love" is a comprehensive guide that offers invaluable insights and practical advice on how to create successful tech products. It should be a must-read for anyone involved in product management, as it encapsulates the collective wisdom of one of the most experienced product managers in the tech industry.
ViewProduct Leadership - How Top Product Managers Launch Awesome Products and Build Successful Teams
Richard Banfield, Martin Eriksson, Nate Walkingshaw
Key Insights from "Product Leadership" The three main types of product leaders: The makers, the problem solvers, and the technologists. Leadership is not about control: Successful product leaders empower their teams and create an environment for innovation. The importance of communication: Effective and regular communication is crucial for successful product leadership. Building a product-focused culture: Cultivating a culture that values quality products is a key factor for success. Understanding the customer: Deep understanding of the customer is fundamental to product development. Agile and Lean methodologies: These are essential tools for the modern product manager. Decision-making based on data: Data-driven decision-making is crucial in product leadership. Effective team structure: The best teams are cross-functional and empowered to make decisions. The role of failure: Embracing failure as a learning opportunity is a hallmark of successful product teams. Continuous learning and development: Ongoing education and development are critical for maintaining competitive edge. Managing conflict: Product leaders need to be capable of managing conflict and navigating complex team dynamics. In-Depth Analysis and Summary "Product Leadership" by Richard Banfield, Martin Eriksson, and Nate Walkingshaw is a comprehensive guideline for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of product management and leadership. Drawing on their extensive experience in the field, the authors have distilled key insights and best practices into a highly readable and practical book. The authors identify three main types of product leaders: the makers, the problem solvers, and the technologists. Each of these types brings different skills and perspectives to product management, and understanding these differences can help teams maximize their strengths. For example, the makers are typically hands-on, detail-oriented individuals who excel at building products. The problem solvers, on the other hand, are strategic thinkers who thrive on tackling complex challenges. Technologists, meanwhile, bring a deep understanding of technology and its potential to drive product innovation. A central theme in the book is the idea that product leadership is not about control, but about empowering teams to be innovative and productive. This involves creating an environment where communication is open and regular, and where failure is seen as an opportunity to learn rather than a disaster to be avoided. This perspective aligns with the principles of Transformational Leadership Theory, which emphasizes the role of leaders in inspiring and motivating their teams. The authors also stress the importance of building a product-focused culture. This involves prioritizing quality and customer satisfaction, and fostering a mindset of continuous improvement. This aligns with the concept of Kaizen, a Japanese business philosophy that emphasizes continuous improvement in all aspects of an organization. Understanding the customer is another key insight. The authors argue that deep customer understanding is fundamental to developing products that meet market needs. This insight is consistent with the principles of Design Thinking, which emphasizes empathy with the user as a starting point for product development. The book also highlights the role of Agile and Lean methodologies in modern product management. These methodologies emphasize iterative development, customer feedback, and cross-functional teamwork, and have been widely adopted in the tech industry. Data-driven decision making is another crucial aspect of product leadership. The authors argue that product leaders need to be comfortable with data and analytics, and should use these tools to inform their decision-making processes. This aligns with the principles of Evidence-Based Management, which emphasizes the use of data and empirical evidence in decision making. The authors also discuss the importance of effective team structure. They argue that the best teams are cross-functional and empowered to make decisions. This perspective is consistent with the principles of Team Resource Management, which emphasizes the importance of teamwork and shared decision making in achieving organizational goals. In conclusion, "Product Leadership" offers a wealth of insights and practical advice for anyone interested in product management and leadership. The authors' emphasis on empowerment, communication, customer understanding, and continuous improvement offers a refreshing and modern take on leadership that is highly relevant in today's fast-paced and competitive business environment.
ViewThe Product Book
Josh Anon, Carlos González de Villaumbrosia, Product School
Key Facts and Insights The importance of understanding the customer's needs: One of the key points in the book is that a product manager should always start by identifying and understanding the customer's needs. It's the foundation upon which successful products are built. The role of the product manager: The book elaborates on the various roles and responsibilities of a product manager, highlighting that it's not just about managing the product but also managing the team and ensuring alignment with the company's goals. The product lifecycle: The book provides an in-depth look into the product lifecycle, from ideation to launch and beyond. This includes the importance of prototyping, testing, and iterating. Data-driven decisions: The authors emphasize the importance of making data-driven decisions in product management. They discuss various tools and techniques for data analysis and how they can be used to inform product decisions. Building a product roadmap: The book provides a detailed guide on how to build a product roadmap, including setting priorities, defining milestones, and communicating the roadmap to stakeholders. Collaboration and communication: The authors stress the importance of effective collaboration and communication in product management, including working with cross-functional teams and managing stakeholder expectations. The role of technology: The book discusses the growing role of technology in product management, including the use of AI and machine learning, and how it's changing the product management landscape. Product strategy: The authors delve into the importance of having a clear and compelling product strategy, and how it aligns with the overall business strategy. Product-market fit: The book explains the concept of product-market fit and why it's critical for a product's success. It also provides guidance on how to achieve product-market fit. Product metrics: The book discusses the importance of tracking the right product metrics and how they provide insights into the product's performance. Continuous learning and improvement: The authors promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement in product management, emphasizing the importance of staying current with industry trends and constantly seeking feedback to improve the product. In-depth Summary and Analysis "The Product Book" by Josh Anon, Carlos González de Villaumbrosia, and Product School provides an extensive guide to the world of product management. The first key insight they provide is the importance of understanding the customer's needs. The authors argue that the most successful products are those that solve real problems for customers. This aligns with the concept of "customer-centric design" that has been popularized in recent years. The authors then delve into the role of the product manager, which they argue is not just about managing the product, but also managing the team and ensuring alignment with the company's goals. This aligns with the concept of "product leadership" that emphasizes the importance of vision and strategy in product management. One of the most insightful parts of the book is the detailed overview of the product lifecycle. The authors provide practical guidance on every stage of the lifecycle, from ideation to launch and beyond. They emphasize the importance of prototyping, testing, and iterating, which are key principles of the "lean startup" methodology. The authors also emphasize the importance of data-driven decisions in product management. They provide a comprehensive overview of various tools and techniques for data analysis and how they can be used to inform product decisions. This aligns with the growing trend of "data-driven product management" that leverages data to make informed decisions about product development. Another key insight from the book is the importance of building a product roadmap. The authors provide a step-by-step guide on how to build a product roadmap, including setting priorities, defining milestones, and communicating the roadmap to stakeholders. The authors also stress the importance of collaboration and communication in product management. They provide practical advice on how to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage stakeholder expectations. This aligns with the concept of "agile product management" that emphasizes collaboration and communication. The book also discusses the growing role of technology in product management, including the use of AI and machine learning. The authors argue that these technologies are changing the product management landscape by providing new ways to understand customer needs and make data-driven decisions. Finally, the authors promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement in product management. They emphasize the importance of staying current with industry trends and constantly seeking feedback to improve the product. This aligns with the concept of "continuous improvement" that is a key principle of lean manufacturing and has been adopted by many successful tech companies. Conclusion "The Product Book" provides a comprehensive guide to the world of product management. The authors combine practical advice with theoretical concepts to provide a deep understanding of the role of a product manager. The key insights from the book align with many of the current trends in product management, including customer-centric design, product leadership, lean startup methodology, data-driven product management, agile product management, and continuous improvement. As such, the book provides a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand or improve their skills in product management.
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20.October 2022Yes, was very good at explaining the skills that make a successful product manager