My first TED video of the year, David Logan on tribal leadership. Very interesting. Trying to apply it, and torn whether it was a lesson in studying customers, being a product management leader or product management in general. Maybe all three. Regardless, some interesting views and I especially like the networking twist of introducing two people versus extending your own network.

What should I watch next?

UPDATE: I meant to link to this… For a view into Jim’s head on the product management tribe visit Where The Product Management Tribe Gathers

Almost. Couple more days. This past year, without too much detail, we (being my team at ACL) kicked a$$ at product management. We innovated. We priced based on value. We roadmapped. We spent A LOT of time with customers and studying our metrics. But that was last year, what are we doing this year. That update  comes later.

Since this is my blog, what am I doing this year?

I have a self-challenge… Two actually and here they are.

1. Watch at least three TED videos a week. They have an iPhone app that lets me stream videos. Simple. Easy. Educational. Inspirational.

2. Meet with at least one co-worker a week that is outside my traditional circle of stakeholders. This one is courtesy of Trevor Rotzien who facilitated “Building credibility as a new product manager (or an old product manager in a new job)” at ProductCamp Seattle in 2011 (link).

I’ll use the blog to update you and share my learning.

Sorry Kristin, I stole your quote… but full attribution to it now.

I just finished reading an article by Kristin Zhivago – An Epic Sales Call Fail. Through most of the article, I thought what an interesting story. Applicable to product management. Yes. Applicable to sales. Most definitely. Then the last paragraph…

Curiosity leads to revenue. The more you know about your customer—what they’re trying to accomplish, what they’ve tried so far, what they wish someone would offer—the more you can understand how you might be able to help them. That is the true essence of sales success.

… Curiosity leads to revenue …

Let that sit for a minute. Makes you want to call a customer and learn more, doesn’t it?

FYI – If you are not reading (or have not not read) Roadmap to Revenue by Kristin Zhivago then stop what you are reading and pick it up.

I tend to not talk too much about requirements, but this was one simple activity that helped us articulate and justify some of our non-functional requirements. Last month I asked our web admin to dump the Google Analytics results for the past six months – specifically with the context of browsers, operating systems, screen colours, screen resolutions, flash and java trends. You can drill into the high-level results and find specifics as well.

We are a smaller company, and it was easier to acquire this information. And of course, for us it is easy to sell the idea that our users are the same people visiting our web site. You may have other means, but this sure can help defeat the motion to support Safari or a crazy screen resolution.

As product managers, telling your story in a way that resonates and is compelling is a constant challenge. Simon Sinek gives a great presentation “How great leaders inspire action” that you should watch.

Here is the link: http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html

Please pass this along and consider attending. I am registered and quite excited about my eighth ProductCamp.

http://productcampseattle.org/about/

“ProductCamp” is an unconference that relies on the spirited participation of all attendees and results in an invigorating day of dialogue and debate. You’ll share real world experiences of designing, marketing and launching products and learn from each other about the latest trends, tools, and techniques in bringing innovative products to market.

The Toronto Product Management Association (TPMA) and RedCanary.ca have joined forces to run their 2nd annual salary survey for the local Product Management community. Our objective is to provide you with information about compensation, as well as the most common responsibilities for product managers and other marketing professionals in the Southern Ontario area.

http://www.redcanary.ca/?p=13674

I did a reference call last week for a former colleague who is changing jobs. One of the questions asked of me was: “What motivates him?”. I had no idea. I know what motivates me. Money! All kidding aside, as cross-functional collaborators and influential leaders, what motivates your colleagues? And how can you use that in your day-to-day dealings? Or can you?

I would be remiss if I didn’t state, if you cannot answer this question for yourself, you are probably owed a little self-reflection time.