Comments on: Product Manager Wanted: HR’s Mission Impossible? http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/2009/12/product-manager-wanted-hr%e2%80%99s-mission-impossible/ Turning Ideas into Products Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:45:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Paul Weismantel http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/2009/12/product-manager-wanted-hr%e2%80%99s-mission-impossible/comment-page-1/#comment-206 Paul Weismantel Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:21:50 +0000 http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/?p=500#comment-206 Personally I don’t mind heavy weight given to experience, given my own 30 plus years. But I do meet an awful lot of people carrying 15 year that really amount to 1 year experience repeated 15 times. Unfortunately, the difference only shows itself when something goes wrong. Personally I don’t mind heavy weight given to experience, given my own 30 plus years. But I do meet an awful lot of people carrying 15 year that really amount to 1 year experience repeated 15 times. Unfortunately, the difference only shows itself when something goes wrong.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Joshua Steffan http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/2009/12/product-manager-wanted-hr%e2%80%99s-mission-impossible/comment-page-1/#comment-205 Joshua Steffan Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:20:56 +0000 http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/?p=500#comment-205 These are great observations Paul. In regard to your first comment, I’m constantly surprised at how much weight is placed on industry experience. I’m in full agreement that a skilled product manager without much market knowledge can be productive when teamed up with an SME. These are great observations Paul.

In regard to your first comment, I’m constantly surprised at how much weight is placed on industry experience. I’m in full agreement that a skilled product manager without much market knowledge can be productive when teamed up with an SME.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Paul Weismantel http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/2009/12/product-manager-wanted-hr%e2%80%99s-mission-impossible/comment-page-1/#comment-204 Paul Weismantel Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:11:21 +0000 http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/?p=500#comment-204 I just got to read your article in Pragmatic Marketing. Good points on a topic that is a challenge in building a team at any firm. Over the years I have found that focusing on two attributes can get you quickly to a short list and avoid screening out what may otherwise be gems by applying too specific requirements. First is to seek out examples of how the person has been able to leverage SMEs as trusted advisors. This teaming orientation is key to success in a position that requires both depth and breath of subject matter beyond most people’s experience. The second is an unceasing curiosity into how things work and why things happen. In the best cases this trait applies in every aspect of life. These folks can’t help themselves but to probe anything that catches their eye until they gain a clear insight into what is going on. Comments welcome. I just got to read your article in Pragmatic Marketing. Good points on a topic that is a challenge in building a team at any firm.

Over the years I have found that focusing on two attributes can get you quickly to a short list and avoid screening out what may otherwise be gems by applying too specific requirements.

First is to seek out examples of how the person has been able to leverage SMEs as trusted advisors. This teaming orientation is key to success in a position that requires both depth and breath of subject matter beyond most people’s experience.

The second is an unceasing curiosity into how things work and why things happen. In the best cases this trait applies in every aspect of life. These folks can’t help themselves but to probe anything that catches their eye until they gain a clear insight into what is going on.

Comments welcome.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Thierry Roullier http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/2009/12/product-manager-wanted-hr%e2%80%99s-mission-impossible/comment-page-1/#comment-166 Thierry Roullier Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:01:09 +0000 http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/?p=500#comment-166 Thank you Coley. I will look at IDEO. Thank you Coley. I will look at IDEO.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Coley Perry http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/2009/12/product-manager-wanted-hr%e2%80%99s-mission-impossible/comment-page-1/#comment-163 Coley Perry Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:22:36 +0000 http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/?p=500#comment-163 Great post. I had a recent post on my site about "Design Thinking" instead of traditional selling. I think it applies to this concept. A product manager may be a dated term. Why have that boundry? It is all about selling MORE stuff right? If that is the case I believe the role of "Product Manager" is to facilitate the design, pilot, adjustment, re-design, launch, sales and management of a product within some kind of portfolio. The limiting factor of "industry experience" can be eliminated. Look at IDEO. How do the assemble teams? Not based on industry experience. To excel in this role I tend to agree with the triad approach with the caveat of I don't think you need to hire 3 people. Just look for a strategy, marketing/sales and change leader. You may find them in not so obvious places. Forget the job descriptions, past experience and title and start looking for these competencies. Great post guys... Keep up the good work! Great post. I had a recent post on my site about “Design Thinking” instead of traditional selling. I think it applies to this concept. A product manager may be a dated term. Why have that boundry? It is all about selling MORE stuff right? If that is the case I believe the role of “Product Manager” is to facilitate the design, pilot, adjustment, re-design, launch, sales and management of a product within some kind of portfolio. The limiting factor of “industry experience” can be eliminated. Look at IDEO. How do the assemble teams? Not based on industry experience. To excel in this role I tend to agree with the triad approach with the caveat of I don’t think you need to hire 3 people. Just look for a strategy, marketing/sales and change leader. You may find them in not so obvious places. Forget the job descriptions, past experience and title and start looking for these competencies.

Great post guys… Keep up the good work!

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Joshua Steffan http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/2009/12/product-manager-wanted-hr%e2%80%99s-mission-impossible/comment-page-1/#comment-144 Joshua Steffan Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:37:08 +0000 http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/?p=500#comment-144 Thanks Mike, it's good to hear from you! Any interest in contributing a guest post? Thanks Mike, it’s good to hear from you! Any interest in contributing a guest post?

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Mike Zamis http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/2009/12/product-manager-wanted-hr%e2%80%99s-mission-impossible/comment-page-1/#comment-143 Mike Zamis Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:00:57 +0000 http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/?p=500#comment-143 Nice post guys. Hope all is going well & I look forward to your future posts. Nice post guys. Hope all is going well & I look forward to your future posts.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Thierry Roullier http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/2009/12/product-manager-wanted-hr%e2%80%99s-mission-impossible/comment-page-1/#comment-142 Thierry Roullier Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:36:00 +0000 http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/?p=500#comment-142 This triad has been implemented at many companies with great success. This triad has been implemented at many companies with great success.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Thierry Roullier http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/2009/12/product-manager-wanted-hr%e2%80%99s-mission-impossible/comment-page-1/#comment-141 Thierry Roullier Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:34:50 +0000 http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/?p=500#comment-141 Thank you Meena. As you state, past behavior is a good indicator of future outcomes, but it should not be the only indicator. Thank you Meena. As you state, past behavior is a good indicator of future outcomes, but it should not be the only indicator.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Thierry Roullier http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/2009/12/product-manager-wanted-hr%e2%80%99s-mission-impossible/comment-page-1/#comment-140 Thierry Roullier Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:29:58 +0000 http://www.b2bproductmakers.com/?p=500#comment-140 Thank you for providing a topic for a future post! I agree that what you describe is real. First Sales want unique solutions because each customer is unique, but as you know any company would exhaust its resources if product managers could not fine the common grounds in each uniqueness. Second any product manager who is not in touch with their customer should start worrying about keeping their job. Thank you for providing a topic for a future post! I agree that what you describe is real. First Sales want unique solutions because each customer is unique, but as you know any company would exhaust its resources if product managers could not fine the common grounds in each uniqueness. Second any product manager who is not in touch with their customer should start worrying about keeping their job.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]>