How product managers can find a new angle on problems and be better problem solvers One of the most powerful tools available to product managers and innovators is, wait for it… reframing! We use it in two primary ways. First, to help us solve the right problem. Second, to take an existing innovation and apply it …
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TEI 274: The mindset product managers need to breakthrough barriers – with Dana Wilde
Train your brain for success in product management What is holding you back from greater success, from achieving what you want, from getting what you deserve? Now, this is not an infomercial for some new self-help fad. Instead, it is a grounded discussion about how you are holding yourself back and how to change that …
TEI 273: How to find product opportunities, trends, and mega trends – with Jeremy Gutsche
A framework for product managers to create the future There are different types of product managers. Not all product managers think they are building the future, but if they don't do it, who will? I think product managers are the best equipped for building the future, but that can sound like a daunting …
TEI 272: How to create fearless innovation in your organization – with Alex Goryachev
Four case studies in innovation for product managers I enjoy learning about innovation and product management from companies that have been successful with it. I have investigated some success case studies in the past about LEGO, Wikipedia, IKEA, TripAdvisor, and Dyson. These and others are also used by our guest to …
TEI 271 Flashback: How product managers look & sound like leaders – with Tom Henschel
I'm sharing the most-listened-to episode since starting this podcast. It's one you don't want to miss and if you've heard it before, it is great to hear again. It was originally episode 137. ----------------------------- Learn the look and sound of leadership, using a simple 4-part system for Sorting and Labeling …
TEI 269: Do this to not let your design sprints slump – with Douglas Ferguson
How product managers can generate ideas fast using a Design Sprint and then what to do Have you been part of a Design Thinking or Design Sprint activity? I've used both approaches to explore customer problems, consider solutions, and create early prototypes of solutions. They're great activities. But what happens …
[Read more...] about TEI 269: Do this to not let your design sprints slump – with Douglas Ferguson
TEI 268: Why and how product managers can benefit from product communities – with Olga Andrienko
Communicating with customers through online communities and conferences to help product managers succeed. You need to be using customer communities in your product management work. I was told that SEMRush, makers of a digital marketing platform, had created one of the most effective international communities -- …
TEI 267: How companies make product decisions and what they need from product innovators – with Stephen Key
Getting product managers inside the mind of a professional inventor Do you have a good idea for a product? As an Everyday Innovator, I'd say the chances are pretty good. Do you try to develop it yourself? What about joining forces with the company you work for? Or, a third, and very profitable option, is to license …
TEI 266: The many ways professional organizations help product managers – with Mark Adkins
The benefits of joining the PDMA community of product managers Like many product managers, my path to product management was rather accidental. After leading software product teams for 10 years, I discovered the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA). This is the oldest professional association for …
TEI 265: A 6-part framework to make sense of your product projects – with Steve Johnson
How product managers can use the Planning Canvas to go from an idea to making money A CEO I worked for used the strategy to "create a plan for the plan." When it appeared we were getting stuck trying to create a plan for the next big thing, he would tell me to schedule a meeting to make a plan for the plan -- a …
The primary responsibilities for an organization are product management and innovation. They deliver value to customers. They're also exciting responsibilities for those properly equipped. That is my job - equipping product managers and innovators. 
