I decided to write a PM manifesto to hang over my desk so that I remind myself as to what is important to me in my role as product manager but also generally as a human interacting with my colleagues. Here it goes: 1. Practice equanimity2. ‘Yes’ is a commitment, use it wisely3. Read twice … Continue reading My PM Manifesto
A product-perspective on Customer Experience
I want to share a framework that I created to review the customer experience of my product, as I started in a new role. I hope that it offers you an opportunity to review the customer experience for your product, whether you’re starting out or if you’ve been on a product for a while. I … Continue reading A product-perspective on Customer Experience
On speed, trust and expectations
In user experience, how long is a button press is the new ‘how long is a piece of string’. You need to know what you need the string (button) for before determining how long it needs to be. The time I am particularly interested in looking at is: the time between the user clicking/ tapping … Continue reading On speed, trust and expectations
How can we be better at data for development?
Last week I attended a data for development event with the ICT4D community here in London. It was a very thought-provoking evening with some great examples of how data is collected and used in a development or humanitarian context. Data - one of development's toughest challenges When I hear about data for development, my first thought … Continue reading How can we be better at data for development?
Getting into Product Management
Here's some of the questions I get asked by people interested in product management. What is a Product Manager? In a nutshell, a Product Manager oversees a team of engineers, designers and testers to develop a product, bring it to market and grow it. A Product Manager sits at the interface between design, engineering and … Continue reading Getting into Product Management
My Whatsapp advent calendar
After my relatively negative experience with a mobile mental health service I had an idea of my own. Especially after a friend recently opened up about his challenges with mental health. Since it was December 1st I decided to create my own Whatsapp advent calendar*. Using Whatsapp's 'broadcast list' feature, I sent 16 friends of … Continue reading My Whatsapp advent calendar
Send ‘HAPPY’ to 12345
Last weekend I saw an ad on the train about getting free mental health advice via SMS. All I needed to do was to send 'TIPS' to a shortcode. I decided to sign up for two reasons: 1 I am quite a typical A-type neurotic millennial living in the big city. Stressed out is my default. … Continue reading Send ‘HAPPY’ to 12345
On the female PM debate
I read Marty Cagan’s article on why women make the best Product Managers with utmost interest. I agree that to some extent the qualities society rewards in women are beneficial to the role of Product Manager — such as emotional intelligence and humility. On the other hand, qualities associated with masculinity may be not be as beneficial. … Continue reading On the female PM debate
What I meant to do differently after MTPcon
The day after MTPcon I wrote down a list of things I want to do or do differently after hearing all these inspirational presentations. However, it’s been three weeks and I have done exactly none of them. Here is my list: 1 Regroup with the members of my team individually to understand whether the way we … Continue reading What I meant to do differently after MTPcon
How to pretend to be a great Product Manager
Step 1: Show that you understand and know everything tech-related Repeat the techie words your developers use with an air of superiority to show that you know what they mean, especially if you have no clue. Maybe start a conversation about the advantages and drawbacks of different programming languages. Explain how you’re currently dabbling in … Continue reading How to pretend to be a great Product Manager
