Each week I scour articles, wading through the dogs, and bringing you the best insights to help product managers and innovators be heroes.
How product management made QuickBooks a success at twice the price of competitors’ products. This article uses QuickBooks as an example, but it is really about incorporating product management into your organization. Advice is given in three areas: (1) flexing the product management muscle, (2) being technical, and (3) leading with energy and positivity. Details are at http://www.informationweek.com/product-management-should-be-at-the-core-of-every-company/a/d-id/1328234
The difference between and Apple and a Google product manager. You would expect some differences between the role of a product manager at, say Home Depot, versus Uber, but there would also be many similarities. What about two tech giants – Apple and Google? Find out at https://medium.com/@roilavan/are-you-an-apple-like-or-google-like-product-manager-4628c8db69c4
Developing from Associate Product Manager to Chief Product Officer. I laugh at articles that assert product management is a new discipline. Many of us know better, with the roots of product management at P&G in the 1930s. However, this article does share a helpful progression in a product management career. Couple this with my Product Mastery Roadmap to learn how to become a product leader. Read the descriptions at http://www.mindtheproduct.com/2017/02/developing-as-a-product-manager/
4 “wants” of the product manager role. In this article, four product managers address aspects of their role and what they want in terms of answers, specs, feedback, and data. Read their perspectives at https://blog.clubhouse.io/what-matters-to-product-managers-2210acfc6b5a#.h82herq9l
4 steps to fostering your organization’s innovation culture. (1) Make time for innovation, (2) expect failures, (3) create easy pathways for innovation, and (4) encourage activity. Read about each at https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/287795
9 truths to put creating innovation in an organization in perspective. Guy Kawasaki shares the attitude and actions needed for innovation. Read more at http://tribuneonlineng.com/9-truths-innovation/
Innovation labs continue to be hot – Visa has a new one in London. From tire manufacturers to financial institutions, companies have been adding innovation labs to their business practices. Visa’s lab is exploring IoT, virtual reality, and biometrics. Details are at https://www.finextra.com/newsarticle/30167/visa-opens-london-innovation-centre
New Podcast Episode: Lean marketing for product managers – with Joe Dager
Weekly interviews for product managers and innovators. Avoid failures and create successes. Interviews for Product Managers and Innovators.
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. 
