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Jan 10, 2024
Commitment is a function of two things: clarity and buy-in
"Commitment is a function of two things: clarity and buy-in" -- Patrick Lencioni, The five dysfunctions of a team
Clarity in either a project or an organisation ensures that the involved parties understand the goals, expectations, and roles given to them. All of these translate into apparent communication, well-defined objectives, and a shared vision where no vagueness is allowed. It is easier for people to fully commit when they know what is ex... read more -
Jan 8, 2024
Forces That Block Change
We will always be more comfortable with what already exists, even if it's 💩.
Typically, we are not actively looking for better ways to solve problems we face. And this could be due to a number of reasons.
Sometimes, we don’t even realise how bad or time-consuming the experience is because we are so used to it. It’s just the way it is, and we become blind to it. Do you consider brushing your teeth to be a problem? Probably not now; it’s a ritual, ... read more -
Jan 6, 2024
Go Bold
If you're putting a lot of effort into creating a new product or feature to solve a customer problem, ensure you have the bold solution under your sleeve too. Even on paper (or in Figma), bold ideas push boundaries and inspire creative thinking in your team.
We sometimes find ourselves dropping to the status quo. We forget to challenge ourselves and explore truly 'out there' solutions. That’s normal; as part of human nature, we get used to the no... read more -
Jan 4, 2024
Stop sharing solutions with your team
One of the many mistakes I made when I started my product management career was thinking that if I shared a customer problem with the team, I must also present a ready-made solution.
This notion stems from managing up. You don’t go to the leadership team with a problem without providing options to solve it and a recommendation. However, this doesn’t hold true for your product team.
Of course, it’s fine to have ideas on how to solve a customer pro... read more -
Nov 4, 2023
Podcast Highlights and Insights
Good Strategy, Bad Strategy | Richard RumeltJust evil enough: Subversive marketing strategies for startups | Alistair Croll4 questions Shreyas Doshi wishes he’d asked himself sooner | Former PM leader at Stripe, Twitter, Google
Buckets of TimePrinciples of CommunicationInspiration is Perishable
Maranda Dziekonski - When selling never ends - CS in 2024 and beyondJohn Cutler - How to structure a product organization... read more -
Oct 11, 2023
Strategic Balance and Flow
Prioritising product features sometimes means generating buzz rather than following traditional frameworks.
Sometimes, being first to market or achieving a quick revenue boost can override the standard roadmap or strategy.
And sometimes, you want to boost team motivation and focus on exciting features, especially after a long stretch of mundane bug fixes. There's no framework for that but for anything else the choice is often between frameworks ... read more -
Sep 15, 2023
The Power of "Stupid" Ideas
Have you ever found yourself hesitating to share an idea, one so weird or seemingly absurd that you questioned its merit?
I've made a conscious decision to share even my wildest and seemingly "stupid" ideas with my team. Because hidden beneath these unusual thoughts, there's a chance for something really amazing.
During brainstorming, we are often our harshest critics. The fear of judgement and the concern that our ideas may be deemed impractica... read more -
Aug 13, 2023
Company Values
It’s been 18 months since we set our values, and they are still relevant and capture our team culture really well. It’s a good sign. Here are our four values: ADAPTABILITY, TRANSPERANCY, OWNERSHIP, and EMPATHY. We still use the language in our day-to-day conversations, and it helps us gain focus and direction in moments of ambiguity.
Adaptibility: We are about adjusting based on the situation and learnings; being ok with change and having flexib... read more -
Jul 17, 2023
"How We Roll" Team Activity
Looking for a team-building activity that's both enjoyable and beneficial for fostering better connections and understanding among your team? Well, let me share with you an activity called "How We Roll" that originally came from the book "Team Up" by Keegan Luiters. Then I made a couple of tweaks to the template and the activity to make it even more engaging.
This team activity not only brings joy and laughter but also helps team members discover... read more -
Jul 9, 2023
The Future of Product Managers
The news of product managers being removed from teams at companies like Dovetail and Airbnb has generated intrigue and speculation about the future of this role. Some argue that successful products can be developed without product managers. However, whether to include or exclude product managers depends on various factors, including company culture, talent, organisational structure, and product size.
As the industry continues to evolve, it will ... read more -
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 stronger relationships (and keeps us sane)!
In many companies, morning stand-ups are an opportunity ... read more -
Jun 28, 2023
Building a Two-Sided Marketplace
Two-sided marketplaces demand precision and strategy. Balancing buyers and sellers is the core challenge.
The "Seed and Scale" approach solves the "chicken-and-egg" problem. Start with high-quality sellers—your pioneers. Support them to attract initial buyers. Then, use targeted campaigns to draw buyers with compelling value. As buyers grow, sellers follow, drawn by opportunity.
Create a virtuous cycle where buyers and sellers thrive together. Fe... read more -
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 your own, and you might feel a bit anxious when facing ambiguity.
It's okay to feel anxious. Everyone... read more -
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 is vital for making informed decisions and guiding the team effectively.
The issue is that the concept ... read more -
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, convoluted mess that only the chosen few can understand.
👉 The purpose of a strategy is to provide clarity a... read more -
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 another task you don't need in your life.
I can't help but wonder why businesses still opt for these impe... read more -
Mar 9, 2023
SCQA Framework: Examples and How to Use It
The SCQA (Situation, Complication, Question, and Answer) framework, also 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 information.
The SCQA format has four components:
Here are some of the benefits that you can enjoy by using th... read more -
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's easy to understand and implement. It's like a roadmap for your product, but with more colours and f... read more -
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 the top 7 qualities of a successful product manager.
Customer-centricity: Being customer-centric is c... read more -
Nov 19, 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, cultivating valuable connections, and creating an environment that motivates your team to perform at their... read more
