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

Director of product management median base salary in US is $160K. In LinkedIn’s survey, 71% of respondents reported an additional $25K/yr bonus annually. See the details at https://www.linkedin.com/salary/director-product-management-salaries-in-united-states

5 things great product managers do every day. (1) Align actions to goals, (2) Connect the dots, (3) Solve one simple problem, (4) Learn from others, and (5) Say “no” with confidence. Read each at http://www.builtincolorado.com/blog/5-things-great-product-managers-do-every-day

3 new product managers share their first 3 months on the job. Each shared their tips for new product managers, such as ask a lot of questions, learn the company processes, and earn the trust of the team. Read the brief article at http://betakit.com/producttank-shares-the-ups-and-downs-of-the-first-three-months-as-a-product-manager/

Suggestions to product owners for keeping products on track. (1) Communicate your plans, (2) Establish the value, (3) Convey the cost, (4) Present the tradeoff, and (5) Protect your process. Details at http://www.financemagnates.com/forex/bloggers/five-rules-for-keeping-your-product-on-track/

Finding flow as a product manager. I just did an interview for The Everyday Innovator™ on the topic of group flow. This article addresses finding flow as an individual product manager. Read it at http://www.mindtheproduct.com/2017/01/finding-flow-in-your-product-management-career/

4 hot industries for product management jobs. Internet of things, healthcare, banking and finance, and entertainment. While many opportunities exist for product managers in 2017, these industries are growing quickly. Check it out at https://www.productplan.com/4-industries-for-product-management-jobs/

Interview with author of Outsmart Your Instincts – about overcoming cognitive biases. Biases of product team members and product managers can hinder innovation. Learning to recognize these biases is a step towards more value-creating innovation. Read the interview at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/phil-simon/innovation-and-cognitive_b_14200322.html

Innovation predictions for 2017 from 8 VCs. Less regulation is expected to unburden innovation in many industries. Advancements in AI, robotics, biotech, and more are fueling the growth. Read the predictions at https://www.fastcompany.com/3067175/innovation-agents/eight-vcs-predictions-on-the-year-ahead-in-innovation

The 2 questions to get innovation in your organization right. Frist, answer “why” innovate. The typical answers are to get noticed, to learn, or to win. Second, what level should you innovate? Get details on the questions at http://adage.com/article/digitalnext/big-questions-innovation/307494/

Kodak’s innovation 5 years after bankruptcy. Kodak may be the quintessential company who lost to disruptive innovation. As the inventors of the digital camera, the irony is their inability to respond to the disruptions in their film market. Now they are much smaller and more nimble, with only a fraction of revenue coming from their traditional film business. There are good lessons here for avoiding disruption… http://www.forbes.com/sites/tendayiviki/2017/01/19/on-the-fifth-anniversary-of-kodaks-bankruptcy-how-can-large-companies-sustain-innovation/2/

How to imagine the unimaginable and win at innovation. The article shares evidence for 66% of products failing their first two years in the market with 96% not making back their costs in profit. The use of imagery, questioning reality, and taking steps to de-stress can lead teams to successful innovations. Read more at https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/287691