All Things Product Management

Service center business

srinivasanbs — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:30:05 +0000

As a product manger I had always believed in building products. Many times wonder why do people get into services at all (business,jobs..), especially when scalability and margins are known issues.

But today, when I visited a computer hardware service center, I realized that it an integral part of our life and there is a symbiotic relationship between the two

“Daddy…what do you do at office?”

srinivasanbs — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:17:54 +0000

This is the question that my 4 year old asks me often. Many time i used to dodge these questions by saying generic answers like 'I work', 'I work using a laptop', 'I write' etc., I know that he never understood the actual meaning of work and he pretends as if he understood what i said.

Every time i get to answer such questions, i feel compelled to come out with a better answer next time. Even if i have to answer a grown-up, it is not about 'We prepare road maps, prioritize features, write requirements, product launch activities. These are just the means to achieve a 'purpose' and off late have been thinking about what is the purpose, why am i prioritizing features or writing requirements.

Recently, it just flashed across my mind that the right answer could be that "We as product manager solve Problems". Is that all? Is it that simple? Looks like it is that simple.

Let try the above with him the next time and see his reaction

Test Post from Windows Live Writer

srinivasanbs — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:50:23 +0000

Test post to posterous from Windows Live Writer

via Writerous

Test Post from Windows Live Writer

srinivasanbs — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:49:50 +0000

Test post to posterous from Windows Live Writer

via Writerous

Prezi.com : Can this Product kill the PowerPoint ?

srinivasanbs — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:59:21 +0000

via prezi.com

Just watched the tutorial about prezi.com. Amazing product. The best thing about this product is that it is completely non-linear, as opposed to creating slides in a sequential manner and then define the way in which you want the details to be shown.

Thumbs up!!!

Book Suggestion – Unfolding the Napkin : The Hands-On Method For Solving Complex Problems With Simple Pictures

srinivasanbs — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:52:58 +0000

Unfolding the Napkin is definitely a good book and highly recommended for Product Managers. More importantly this book contains precise examples on how to go about the process of visually representing problems and potential solutions and is definitely worth having it

There is a follow-on book to the popular book - The Back Of The Napkin: Solving Problems And Selling Ideas With Pictures. But the Unfolding the Napkin seems to be a lot better on account of less theory and more practice.

Given the fact that PMs are expected to ‘Sell Ideas’, do give it a try when you find some time

Book Suggestion – Unfolding the Napkin : The Hands-On Method For Solving Complex Problems With Simple Pictures

srinivasanbs — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:52:12 +0000

Given the fact that PMs are expected to ‘Sell Ideas’, do give it a try when you find some time

“We are not Horses…Stop showing the carrots”

srinivasanbs — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 05:05:34 +0000

via shanky.org

Brilliant video that illustrates what motivates people…

Nice HBR Article on building ‘Personal Brand’

srinivasanbs — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:57:37 +0000

In the same line, i would also recommend the book ‘The First 90 Days’ which again talks about how one goes about creating his personal brand during the first 90 days of a new job or new position.

The first 90 days of assuming a new position / job are very crucial in terms building the ‘personal brand’ and this book gives a some what step by step guide.

http://www.amazon.com/First-90-Days-Critical-Strategies/dp/1591391105/ref=sr_…

Posted via web from All Things Product Management

Google Wave Versus the Rest, Feature by Feature

srinivasanbs — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:31:41 +0000

via smarterware.org

Very comprehensive comparison of various modes of communications. It looks like Google Wave scores on almost all aspects. But still i hasn’t picked up as expected.
If this is the case, then can we at least conclude that Wave has come ahead of its time and it is just people are not used to this new concept. Let us wait and watch how Google will take Wave to the next step.

Posted via web from All Things Product Management