Head of Product @ Backpocket and a Product Coach. I write about product management and random topics that are on my mind. You can find me on Twitter, Substack, LinkedIn or Goodreads

Jul 3, 2023

A Start-Up Morning Routine

Working from home has become increasingly common, especially in the era of small, remote-first start-ups. But remote work can be hard! Particularly when it comes to fostering team cohesion and maintaining a sense of connection. Here at Backpocket, we have 3 team members who work remotely on a full-time basis and our morning routine helps us build...

Apr 24, 2023

Ambiguity & Decision Making

Navigating ambiguity can be one of the toughest parts of making product decisions. The sense of ambiguity is often more intense in startups, where there is a new problem space or niche to explore, no users or customers, no strategy in place, and fewer people on the team to speak with. If you are a product person in a startup, you are probably on ...

Apr 16, 2023

Agile vs Strategy

The word "agile" is now everywhere in the business world these days. It's been overused. It's almost lost its meaning. It might even trigger you. Somehow, the idea of being "agile" has become synonymous with constantly changing one's mind. While agile practices focus on flexibility, having a clear strategy provides direction and clarity, which ...

Apr 15, 2023

The Purpose of a Strategy

I had to read a 30-page strategy document when I just started working as a software engineer. I couldn't understand it. I was lost. Only later in my PM career did I realise that it wasn't my fault. The document itself was the problem. It lacked a clear vision, a logical structure, and a summary. A strategy isn't supposed to be a complex, convol...

Apr 15, 2023

No-Reply Emails

Have you ever received an email from a service or business that you wanted to reply to because you had a burning question? But then discovered it came from a "no-reply" address? Did a mixture of "Argh!" and "F*ck!" escape your lips? And the idea of going to their website, finding the "Contact Us" section, and filling out a form felt like yet anot...

Mar 9, 2023

SCQA Framework: Examples and How to Use It

The SCQA (Situation, Complication, Question, and Answer) framework, palso known as the Minto Pyramid Principle, is a communication and problem-solving tool that breaks down complex ideas into simpler, more manageable parts. SCQA is often used in a business context where time is limited and decision-makers have to quickly grasp important informati...

Mar 7, 2023

Product Strategy Canvas Notion Template

Are you having trouble defining and communicating your product strategy? The Product Strategy Canvas Notion Template is just what you need to get started. Inspired by Melissa Perri's article "What is Good Product Strategy?", the Product Strategy Canvas Notion Template is designed to help you plan and visualise your product strategy in a way that'...

Feb 5, 2023

What Makes a Good Product Manager?

Product management is a challenging position that calls for a broad skill set and familiarity with several aspects of business. Being a good product manager requires more than just having a specific set of technical skills. You also need to have some personality traits and soft skills that can make a huge difference in a product's success. Learn t...

Nov 20, 2022

The 3 Leadership Books Every Product Manager Should Read

Being a product manager presents a difficult task since you don't have any subordinates. Achieving success means finding methods to persuade and guide individuals without the power of the organisation backing you up. To steer both the product and the team, you'll need to express the vision, strategy, and product roadmap. Listening to others, culti...

Sep 12, 2022

Product Management Coach

Hey there! đź‘‹ I'm Max, a product leader with over a decade of product management experience. Whether you're new to the game, a seasoned PM, or somewhere in between, are you aiming for the top as Head of Product? Let's work together to unpack product management, improve your skills, and move up in your career. Whether you're starting fresh or aimin...