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

Engaging responses to common interview questions for product managers. These questions are not specific to product management, but many would be part of a product management interview, such as the customary, “Tell me about yourself.” If you are interviewing, take time to read this http://detboat.com/how-to-answer-common-interview-questions-in-an-uncommon-way/

3 product manager actions based on first principles. This article makes an interesting connection between the concept of first principles and what I would consider some of the foundational perspectives product managers should have. These are (1) Understand the current state and the desired state, (2) Peeling back the onion or 5 x Why, and (3) The scientific method. Read about each at https://medium.com/science-not-ego/product-management-from-first-principles-486a33645e9a

Pitfalls of lean UX and how to fix them. (1) Neglecting users’ lives away from their devices, (2) Asking the wrong users for input, (3) Grouping users artificially, and (4) Disregarding user research findings in design. Read more at https://tpgblog.com/2017/08/10/5-user-pitfalls-to-avoid/

Why Design should be on product teams from the beginning. This short article persuasively argues for including Design early on projects along with product management and product development… http://seanvantyne.com/2017/08/06/product-management-design-working-together/

5 effective brand management principles for product managers. (1) Leverage your unique selling proposition, (2) develop your brand with target groups in mind, (3) make sure marcom pushes brand awareness, (4) let influencers evangelize your brand, and (5) maintain brand consistency. Details at https://www.canto.com/en/blog/brand-management/brand-management/

Innovation is at its best when aligned with organization strategy. Research tells us that most money spent by most organizations on innovation is a loss – it doesn’t result in top or bottom line improvements. However, there are exceptions – some organizations reliably deliver on innovation, adding value to their business. Getting innovation strategy right is an important start… https://www.strategy-business.com/blog/How-to-Make-Innovation-Strategy-Work

4 factors to create more innovation. (1) Get everyone to focus on innovation, (2) identify innovation goals, (3) give employees a voice, and (4) understand your metrics. Details at https://www.forbes.com/sites/larrymyler/2017/08/04/innovation-produces-more-revenue-and-these-4-factors-create-more-innovation/