The PM Gold Rush
Remember when "Product Manager" wasn't plastered all over every job board? Those were the days, right? Fast forward to post-COVID, and BAM! Everyone and their grandma is looking for a PM.
But here's the kicker - half the time, they don't even know what they're asking for!
Picture this: You're in an interview, and the poor soul across the table is fumbling through buzzwords like they're playing corporate bingo. "We need a Product Manager... or was it Program Manager? Maybe Project Manager? Ah, whatever, same thing, right?" (Spoiler alert: It's not!)
Why the PM Fever?
So, what's behind this PM obsession? Two words: Startup Boom.
After COVID hit, seems like everyone decided to channel their sourdough-baking energy into starting a business. We're talking a mind-blowing 5.4 million new businesses in 2023 alone!
Fun fact: according to this article, there was a significant surge in new businesses starting up after the pandemic. With all these fresh-faced companies popping up like daisies, they need someone to steer the product ship. Enter the Product Manager - the Swiss Army knife of the startup world.
Data from the US Census Bureau shows a record-breaking 5,481,437 new businesses were started in 2023. The onset of the pandemic in 2020 has driven a surge in new business creation, so the number of new businesses is trending up.
The PM Identity Crisis
Now, here's where it gets fun. After bouncing around more job titles than a circus juggler, I've learned that
Being a PM is like being a chameleon. One day you're a visionary, the next you're putting out fires with a teacup.
But here's what I've figured out:
Questioning Quota: There Isn't One!
Don't be shy about asking questions that might seem obvious or silly. Seriously, there's no such thing as a dumb question in this game.
It's like being a detective, but instead of a magnifying glass, you're armed with an endless supply of 'whys'.
So go ahead, channel your inner three-year-old. Keep hammering away with those 'whys' until you crack open the problem and find the juicy center. You might feel like a broken record, but trust me, it's worth it when you finally hit that 'aha!' moment.
Nobody Really Knows What They Want from a PM:
It's like ordering at a restaurant where the menu is written in cryptic code. Everyone's just pointing and hoping for the best.
I swear, if there's anything remotely product-related, they'll toss it their way and say 'Hey PM, handle this!'
It's nuts, but kinda funny too.
It makes me wonder if they think PMs have a secret lab where we clone them to complete it!”
Framework Frenzy:
Always Rem, whether you’re building software or managing projects, what you deliver is more crucial than following a specific method.
Staying on track with what’s important can be a real challenge, especially when there are so many distractions on social media with “ 10 Must do's for Product Manager" kind of articles.
It's not about having the fanciest process - it's about getting stuff done.
Look, when it comes to creating real value, sometimes you gotta trust your gut and go with what you know. Sure, everyone's shouting about the latest 'miracle method', but don't get sucked into that hype tornado.
Just do what clicks for you and your crew. If it works, it works - end of story.
Tool Overload:
Product management isn’t just about the tools you use—it’s about diving deep to tackle the right challenges, understanding your "whys," and embracing a mindset that drives innovation.
You don't need 50 different apps to be a good PM.
Sometimes, a pen and a napkin are all you need for that million-dollar idea.
Feature Fatigue:
Just because you can add a disco ball to your app doesn't mean you should. Sometimes, the best feature is the one you don't build.
Stick to simplicity.
Focus on the features that truly matter to customers, and ditch the rest. It's about delivering what adds value and letting go of the excess.
“YES” is your best friend
Alright, let's talk about the 'yes' trap. You know the drill - every Tom, Dick, and Harry in the company suddenly becomes an idea factory, and guess who's expected to turn all those 'genius' notions into reality? Yep, you and your product team.
It's like being at an all-you-can-eat buffet where everyone else is piling food on your plate. Sure, it all looks tasty, but you're gonna explode if you try to eat it all!
Here's the deal: just because an idea comes gift-wrapped from the C-suite doesn't mean it's your product's soulmate.
Stakeholder Shuffle:
Okay, real talk: your product is like your customers' spokesperson. Sure, you've gotta keep those stakeholders in the loop, but let's be real - what they want and what your actual users need? Often totally different ballgames.
Dont forget you are the voice of your customers.
Sometimes fixing those user headaches doesn't instantly make the cash register go 'cha-ching'. It's frustrating, but that's just how it rolls sometimes. Gotta play the long game, you know?"
The PM Survival Guide
Alright, future product superstar, listen up! There's no magic formula for being a kickass PM, so quit stressing and trust your instincts.
You've got this! We all are learning and we are together in this journey.
Here's your not-so-secret recipe for PM success:
- Focus like a laser beam
- Channel your inner Professor X - read those user minds! (Boss mind-reading is a whole other can of worms.)
- Trust that gut feeling.
- Be all ears, but follow your team's North Star. You're the user's BFF, after all.
- Master the art of 'nope' like a pro. Think toddler at bedtime, but with better reasoning.
- Don't just bark orders - paint the big picture.
- When change comes knocking, greet it like that weird classmate you're oddly excited to see at the reunion.
- Embrace the 'oops' moments. Learn, dust off, and charge ahead.
- Keep users in mind, even when they're being as demanding as a hangry cat.
- Stay curious, my friend. Keep your finger on the pulse of what's hot and happening.
The Million-Dollar Question
Here's something to chew on: In this chaos of defining what a PM should be, are we missing the point?
Maybe the beauty of product management is its flexibility. Perhaps the real skill isn't fitting into a predefined box, but creating your own shape that fits your product, your team, and your customers.
So, fellow PMs, product enthusiasts, and accidental product managers, I throw this challenge to you:
How are you redefining the role? What wild, wacky, or wonderful approaches have you discovered in your PM journey?
Drop your stories, your successes, your epic fails in the comments. Let's turn this product management gig into the most exciting adventure in the business world. Who knows? Your crazy idea might just be the next big thing in PM evolution!
Remember, in the land of product management, the ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE.
So buckle up, embrace the chaos, and let's ride this rollercoaster together!