This week, Product College hosted Lee Howard, Former Product Chief at Google, for a particular #AskMeAnything session. Lee spoke about touchdown interviews at Google, getting buy-in as a brand new PM, and among the expertise wanted within the position.
Meet Lee
Lee Howard is a Product Chief who has launched a variety of high-impact digital merchandise. In her final position at Google, she labored on the Superior Know-how and Tasks workforce working throughout platform and product to maintain their app Jacquard modern and user-friendly. Earlier than that, she hung out as a Product Enterprise Lead at Shell engaged on their car well being service VehicleIQ. The product was aimed toward empowering drivers to make smarter selections by providing predictive insights about their autos.
How do you cope with peer rivals/opponents within the office?
This subject may take up many hours of debate. All joking apart, it is a very attention-grabbing query. There’ll by no means be 100% concord at work. I’ve discovered that Amy Gallo’s recommendation is useful. Right here is one in all her movies. There will likely be instances when no quantity of relationship constructing, communication, stakeholder administration, workforce constructing, and many others. will enhance relationships, however in my expertise, it’s value working onerous on these expertise.
What books would you advocate studying with a view to increase PM expertise?
There are numerous good books on the market. I might counsel one thing a bit unconventional and never immediately associated to PM, however to relationship constructing – a ebook known as, “By no means Eat Alone”.
Take a look at: The 20 Most-Learn Books by Prime Product Managers
What is the finest approach for PMs exterior google to land an interview with Google Product groups?
A referral from a good friend or colleague can work. Google recruiters are continually looking out for candidates. Exterior companies are additionally looking out for contract staff. You need to by no means hesitate to use immediately too.
How do you cope with expertise vs development trade-off?
I might think twice in regards to the manufactured development triggers I’m proposing to design with a view to develop the highest of the funnel and ensure they’re additionally respecting a very good consumer expertise. You will want to experiment with the expertise you’re constructing. You need to put money into retention, which can drive extra referrals and development on the prime of the funnel. It’s essential experiment with educated approaches.
What recommendation would you give to somebody who’s beginning their profession in Product Administration or transitioning from Engineering?
If you’re transitioning from Engineering to Product Administration, you need to take into consideration the opposite points of the PM job. Normally, it’s a mix of engineering, design, and enterprise, so now it’s time so that you can construct up extra data in design and enterprise. My recommendation is to learn rather a lot in regards to the position, of the tech enterprise, and I might advise you to seek out your supporters and sponsors at work and see in the event you can volunteer your time with them performing some PM duties. One other thought is so that you can develop a aspect mission or construct a aspect enterprise. You may as well think about getting formal coaching. It’s not simple!
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How would you get buy-in as a brand new Product Supervisor in your concepts each product and workflow?
You can not pull a heavy cart over a weak bridge, so the vital factor is to construct some robust bridges earlier than you make massive or heavy proposals of your individual. Within the first 30-60 days, you need to depart the impression that you’re a good listener, that you just care very a lot about studying how issues had been determined and constructed prior to now, and displaying understanding and empathy, and respect for the previous. Then when you will have a powerful standpoint of your individual, you may put together your proposal. This video from Harvard Enterprise Overview might be useful – it’s helpful not only for disagreeing, however for making a brand new proposal.
How vital is it to have expertise to use for Product Administration Roles? What are some expertise that may assist if one doesn’t have sufficient expertise?
It is very important have some coaching or expertise to use for PM roles, identical to it is vital for another job on this planet. Some expertise that may assist are associated to engineering, enterprise, and product design as a result of that is the mix of expertise which are most frequently utilized by PMs!
One other nice learn: Product Managers and Technical Abilities…What’s The Deal?
What’s one of the best ways to steer the workforce away from low-priority subjects throughout the grooming periods with out seeming dismissive?
I might warning that too many visible defects or bugs will contribute to a poor consumer expertise. It may change into loss of life by a thousand paper cuts! Nevertheless, it’s completely the PM and Engineering Lead’s jobs to maintain the workforce targeted on high-impact priorities. For those who wrestle to steer your workforce, proceed to work in your communication expertise. One very simple trick that I take advantage of is to make use of the phrase “as a result of” so as to add element to and justification to what I’m emphasizing. It has been proven that utilizing the phrase “as a result of” encourages compliance in individuals.
Do you will have any remaining recommendation for aspiring Product Managers?
My remaining recommendation for aspiring Product Managers is to offer this profession 100% of your effort if you wish to succeed.
