Each week I scour articles, wading through the dogs, and bringing you the best insights to help product managers and innovators be heroes.

 

How to do problem interviews – example from Playing Lean. A good interview script has five steps: (1) Tell me a story about…. (2) What was the hardest? (3) Why was that hard? (4) How do you solve it now? (5) Why is that not awesome? See the example at https://www.playinglean.com/blogs/playing-lean-blog/how-to-do-problem-interviews

A detailed problem interview script. In addition to the above article for conducting an interview script, create questions that explore (1) the problem, (2) existing alternatives, and (3) customer segments in 7 steps. Read the details of 7 components at http://startitup.co/guides/285/problem-interview-script

Hey product managers – write shorter more effective emails. Product managers must communicate effectively and efficiently by email. Use these 3 tips to make it happen: (1) Lead with the ask, (2) Establish your credibility, (3) Make the way forward clear. Read about each at https://www.fastcompany.com/3064429/work-smart/three-ways-to-write-shorter-more-effective-emails

Martin Eriksson (mind the Product) explains why product management is more important than ever. In the opening to the 2016 Mind the Product conference, Eriksson addresses challenges facing product management at the intersection of business, technology, and design. Watch the short video at http://www.mindtheproduct.com/2016/10/product-management-important-ever/

Inspiration for product teams – a better Amazon Echo in 3 months working part-time and distributed. A recent one-day seminar for the Audio Engineering Society showcased the work of a small distributed team who volunteered their free time over a 3-month period to prototype a bigger better Amazon Echo called Speak2Me. It’s an inspiring example of what a few talented people can do when properly organized. Read about it at http://embedded-computing.com/30288-creating-a-killer-audio-product-in-a-day/

Centralized decision making is more decisive at killing poor products. Results from a 5-year study that shows centralized decision making is better for portfolio management, including killing products. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is used as an example. Read more at https://hbr.org/2016/10/centralized-decision-making-helps-kill-bad-products

Employees innovate when they have the right challenge – 3 tips. (1) Find the challenge sweet spot, (2) Remember that challenge trumps capacity, (3) Aim for 70%. Read about each at https://hbr.org/2016/10/help-employees-innovate-by-giving-them-the-right-challenge

Companies choose the worst time to innovate. Firms are often motivated to pursue innovation programs when they are falling behind in the market or losing to competitors. A study that considered an 18 year period of innovation indicated by patent filings shows the best time for innovation programs is when the company is doing well – operating from a position of strength. Pursuing innovation “when it is needed” creates pressure that unravels creativity and insights. Read a summary of the study at https://hbr.org/2016/10/when-big-firms-are-most-likely-to-innovate